Burt Jones, the lieutenant governor of Georgia, said that new laws advancing school safety and protecting women’s sports reaffirm the state’s focus on student well-being.
“As the father of two school-aged children, there is nothing more important than their safety and the protection of their rights,” said Jones. “A secure and safe school environment fosters improved student academic performance, along with their overall well-being. Senate Bill 1 becoming law ensures the protection of women’s sports and I am proud that the Senate led the way for this bill to become law. Today’s bill signing ceremony solidifies that in Georgia, we are prioritizing our children, teachers, school personnel, and the protection of women’s sports over politics.”
In April 2025, Georgia passed Senate Bill 1, also known as the “Riley Gaines Act,” which bans individuals assigned male at birth from competing on female sports teams in public K–12 schools and colleges. According to the Georgia General Assembly, the bill requires athletic teams to be designated based on biological sex and restricts access to corresponding facilities. Jones supported the law, saying it ensures fairness and safety in women’s sports. The bill reflects ongoing national debates over gender identity in athletics.
In 2023, metro Atlanta public schools recorded 136 threats categorized as terroristic and 356 incidents involving felony weapons, pointing to ongoing school safety concerns. According to 11Alive News, these figures illustrate the risks students face despite preventive efforts. Meanwhile, Georgia’s high school graduation rate reached a record 84.4% that year, up slightly from 84.1% in 2022, according to the Associated Press. These trends show gains in academic outcomes amid persistent safety issues.
As of 2025, 23 states have enacted laws restricting transgender athletes from competing in sports aligned with their gender identity. According to ESPN, these laws aim to maintain fairness in women’s sports, though they vary in scope and enforcement. Supporters argue the policies protect female competition, while critics highlight the potential for discrimination and a lack of scientific consensus on competitive advantage. These policies continue to prompt legal and ethical debate nationwide.
Jones has served as Georgia’s Lieutenant Governor since January 2023 after a decade in the state Senate. According to the official Lieutenant Governor’s website, he is a businessman from Jackson, Georgia, who supports conservative education reforms, including school choice and athletic participation rules based on biological sex. His policy stances have focused on expanding parental control and regulating school environments.
