HB 1014

On Legislative Day 9, Chairman Bill Werkheiser, and a bipartisan list of co-sponsors, introduced HB 1014, a bill that would modify the standard of proof in and when the determination of intellectual disability is made within capital cases, while also providing for a motion for a person to prove intellectual disability pretrial. We created an advocacy toolkit for organizations to use when educating communities about this bill.

Latest Action: Hearing in House Judiciary Non-Civil Hong Subcommittee on Thursday, February 15, at 3:30 p.m. in 606 CLOB. Please join us.

HB 1054

On Legislative Day 10, Representative Yasmin Neal, and a bipartisan list of four (4) co-sponsors, introduced HB 1054, a bill that would remove the arrest requirement for people who refuse to sign a traffic citation given by law enforcement for traffic offenses.

Latest Action: Passed House Committee on Motor Vehicles by Substitute.

HB 1214

On Legislative Day 18, Representative Yasmin Neal, and two (2) bipartisan co-sponsors, introduced HB 1214. This bill aims to both codify current precedent by eliminating the death penalty and prohibit life in prison without the possibility for parole for children who were under the age of 18 at the time of an alleged crime. The bill is currently in redraft phase to ensure the legislative intent is fulfilled as filed.

Latest Action: Assigned to House Juvenile Justice.

SB 63, which preempts local bail reform, expands mandatory cash bail for 30 new offenses and criminalizes charitable organizations that post bond, was voted on and approved by both the House and the Senate. We will continue to work with community members to mitigate the harm of this legislation and encourage you to call on Governor Kemp to veto the bill. Status: On the Governor’s Desk for Signature.

HB 909, the Restriction and Seal of First Offenders Act, was heard in House Judiciary Non-Civil on Tuesday, February 6, 2024. Status: Passed House Judiciary Non-Civil by Substitute.

HB 1214, the elimination of Juvenile Life without Parole, was introduced on the House floor on LD 18. Status: Assigned to House Juvenile Justice.

HB 882, which prohibits law enforcement officers and agencies from posting booking photographs until the individual is convicted, was heard on Monday, February 12, 2024. Status: Passed House Judiciary Non-Civil Leverett Subcommittee.

HB 909, the Restriction and Seal of First Offenders Act, was voted on and approved by the House on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. Status: Passed in the House by Substitute.

HB 1054, which removes the arrest requirement for people who refuse to sign a traffic citation given by law enforcement for traffic offenses, was heard in House Motor Vehicles on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. Status: Passed House Committee on Motor Vehicles by Substitute.

HB 1014, which provides for Pretrial Proceedings when the Accused has an intellectual disability in capital offense cases where the death penalty is sought, will be heard in Judiciary Non-Civil Hong Subcommittee on Thursday, February 15, at 3:30 p.m. in 606 CLOB. Status: Hearing in Housing Judiciary Non-Civil Hong Subcommittee.

HB 1014 – Sponsor: Rep. Bill Werkheiser – Provides for Pretrial Proceedings when the Accused has an intellectual disability in capital offense cases where the death penalty is sought.
Final Status: House Committee Tabled. 

HB 167 – Sponsor: Rep. Martin Momtahan – Provides for the Justice for Victims of Drug-Induced Homicide Act and revises sentencing for violating controlled substance provisions where death or serious body injury results from substance use.
Final Status: Passed Senate Public Safety by Substitute. 

HB 1056 – Sponsor: Rep. Kimberly New – Enhances penalties for those who manufacture, deliver, distribute, dispense, administer, sell, or possess with the intent to distribute any controlled substance, counterfeit substance, or marijuana when such violation involves a person 14 years of age or younger.
Final Status: Assigned to Judiciary Non-Civil. 

SB 12 – Sponsor: Sen. John Albers – Imposes mandatory minimums for subsequent felonies involving abuse of a disabled adult, or elder person; increases penalties for possession of a firearm by a person with a felony conviction; expands venue options for gang cases; revises various evidence rules.
Final Status: House Passed by Substitute. Needs Senate Agree. 

SB 465 – Sponsor: Sen. Russ Goodman – Establishes the offense of felony aggravated involuntary manslaughter.
Final Status: On the Governor’s Desk for Signature.  

SB 485 – Sponsor: Sen. Harold Jones II – Allows certain offenses to be charged by accusation of a District Attorney.
Final Status: Senate Committee Tabled. 

SB 490 – Sponsor: Sen. Bill Cowsert - Moves the felony aggravation level of felony fleeing and eluding up by one year.
Final Status: Passed House Public Safety & Homeland Security as Introduced. 

HB 1283 - Sponsor: Rep. Holt Persinger – Allows for children who are accused of aggravated assault without the presence of a firearm to be tried as adults. This removes the loophole that prevented such prosecution.
Final Status: Passed Senate Judiciary as Introduced.  

HB 364 – Sponsor: Rep. Scott Holcomb - Wrongful Conviction Compensation Act.
Final Status: Assigned to the Senate Appropriations. 

HB 425 – Sponsor: Rep. Joseph Gullett – Revises the state sex offender registry risk assessment classifications.
Final Status: Passed House Judiciary Non-Civil by Substitute. 

HB 881 – Sponsor: Rep. Joseph Gullett – Amended to include language from SB 554, which extends the Georgia State Indemnification Fund to include officers who died from COVID-19, and HB 996, which grants POST certified jailers arrest powers.
Final Status: Senate Tabled. 

HB 882 – Sponsor: Rep. Roger Bruce – Prohibits law enforcement officers and agencies from posting booking photographs until the individual is convicted.
Final Status: Passed House Judiciary Non-Civil by Substitute. 

HB 930 – Sponsor: Rep. Jordan Ridley – Prohibits law enforcement agencies from posting booking photographs until the individual is convicted.
Final Status: Assigned to House Public Safety & Homeland Security.    

HB 932 – Sponsor: Rep. Danny Mathis – Establishes the offense of drug-induced homicide.
Final Status: Assigned to House Judiciary Non-Civil. 

HB 996 – Sponsor: Rep. Ken Vance – Provides jailers with arrest powers and requires HIV testing for those who have been accused of sexual assault 48 hours after consent or indictment.
Final Status: Passed Senate Judiciary by Substitute. 

HB 1033 – Sponsor: Rep. Rob Leverett – Enhances penalties for assault, aggravated assault, battery, and aggravated battery against a utility worker.
Final Status: On the Governor’s Desk for Signature. 

HB 1245 – Sponsor: Rep. Terry Cummings – Establishes the use and limitations of law enforcement facial recognition software.
Final Status: Assigned to House Public Safety & Homeland Security. 

SB 335 – Sponsor: Sen. John Albers – Adds adopted children to incest offense.
Final Status: On the Governor’s Desk for Signature. 

SB 533 – Sponsor: Sen. Brian Stickland – Establishes jail-based competency restoration programs.
Final Status: On the Governor’s Desk for Signature. 

SR 570 – Sponsor: Sen. Randy Robertson – Creates the Senate Supporting Safety and Welfare of All Individuals in Department of Corrections Facilities Study Committee.
Final Status: Senate Adopted. 

HB 922 – Sponsor: Rep. Ken Vance – Provides that Entrance upon another’s property without consent shall be an offense of criminal trespass.
Final Status: Assigned to House Judiciary Non-Civil. 

HB 1383 – Sponsor: Rep. Matt Reeves – Expands the authority of law enforcement officers to arrest without a warrant.
Final Status: Assigned to House Judiciary Non-Civil. 

SB 31 – Sponsor: Sen. Brandon Beach – Permits the Attorney General to be reimbursed by a district attorney for expenses associated with prosecutions brought by the AG because the DA failed to prosecute the case.
Final Status: Recommitted to House Judiciary Non-Civil. 

SB 36 – Sponsor: Sen. Randy Robertson – Increases penalties for pimping and pandering, allows private parties hosting a ticketed or gated event with alcohol to prohibit firearms, and adds language from HB 1383 to expand the state authority of federal law enforcement officers to arrest and detain without a warrant. Also substitutes HB 1022, Cruelty to Children against a Disabled Minor, HB 327, Incest with a Step-Grandchild, and HB 1361, Artificial Intelligence Child Porn, into SB 36.
Final Status: House Passed by Substitute. Needs Senate Agree. 

SB 100 – Sponsor: Sen. Bo Hatchett – Limits unsecured judicial release when the accused has a prior conviction for the offense of bail jumping or failure to appear.
Final Status: Recommitted to Senate Judiciary.