Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 506 - PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES COMMISSION
Chapter 506-3 - PROCEDURES
Rule 506-3-.01 - Opinions of the Commission Interpreting the Code of Ethics

(1) General. As a part of its duty to adopt a code of ethics for teachers which represents the standards of conduct generally accepted by teachers in this State, the Commission issues opinions on the application of the code to specific situations. Any citizen of this State may request such an opinion. Requests by teachers (including administrators at all levels) and members of the General Assembly will be responded to with official opinions of the Commission. These official opinions will be researched and drafted by the staff of the Commission and will have the approval of the Commission. The Commission views official opinions to be binding on it. Requests by all others will be responded to with unofficial opinions of the Commission. The unofficial opinions will be researched and drafted by the staff of the Commission and will have the approval of the Executive Director. The Commission does not view unofficial opinions as binding on it. Both the Commission and the Executive Director may issue official or unofficial opinions on their own without request.

(2) Content of the Request. A person seeking an opinion shall send a letter or other written communication clearly entitled "Request for Opinion" to the Executive Director of the Commission, Building 20, Suite 2010, Executive Park West, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30329, providing the following: the name, address, and capacity (teacher, member of the General Assembly, or citizen) of the person requesting the opinion; a concise statement of the facts giving rise to the requests; a statement of the names, addresses, and phone numbers of the persons who may provide additional information; a statement of whether the facts giving rise to the request are the subject of any disciplinary action, complaint, lawsuit, administrative case, or other contested action in any tribunal and a description of such action; and the signature of the person requesting the opinion.

(3) Requests for Opinions Not Treated as Complaints. This opinion procedure is not in any way to be constructed as a complaint process. It is anticipated that opinions will be requested before the questioned action is taken so that the Commission may provide guidance.

(4) Publication. All opinions will be published.