Politics

Ga. High Court Rules School Insult Law Unconstitutional

November 1st, 2016

A Georgia law that prohibits people from verbally abusing public school employees is unconstitutional, according to the state’s high court.

The statute allowed the school to order any person insulting a teacher or bus driver in front of students to leave. If that person refused, he or she could face criminal charges.

The Supreme Court of Georgia ruled Monday that the law violated the right to free speech under the First Amendment.

“The problem is that it’s so over broad. Who decides who’s offended? Who decides who’s disruptive?” said Hollie Manheimer, executive director of the Georgia First Amendment Foundation.

Mike McGonigle, general counsel with the Georgia Association of Educators, said the teachers union respected the court’s decision.

“At the same time, we have to go back and take a look at what the state can do to provide enough support for educators in these particular situations,” McGonigle said.

In its ruling, the court said it didn’t have the power to rewrite the law. That would be up to state legislators.

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