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SB 72, known as "Tanja's Law," revises the penalties for harming a law enforcement animal (¿animal¿) in the performance of its duties by creating four tiers of offenses, defining terms, and providing for exceptions. A fourth-degree offense occurs when a person intentionally causes physical harm to these animals. This offense is a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature, punishable by 12 months in prison and a fine not exceeding $5,000, or both. A third-degree offense occurs when a person intentionally causes physical injury to an animal through the use of a deadly weapon likely to cause harm. This offense is a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature, punishable by not less than six and not more than 12 months in prison and a fine not exceeding $5,000, or both. A second-degree offense occurs when a person knowingly or intentionally shoots an animal with a firearm or causes a debilitating physical injury. This offense is a felony, punishable by at least one year but not more than five years in prison, and a fine not exceeding $25,000, or both. A first-degree offense occurs when a person knowingly or intentionally causes the death of an animal. Offenders are guilty of a felony, punishable by at least 18 months but not more than five years in prison, and a fine not exceeding $50,000, or both. The bill also requires offenders to pay restitution to the agency that was the owner of the animal. When a law enforcement animal dies in the line of duty, the GBI must perform a necropsy on the animal.
HB 578 was also added to SB 72. The bill amends O.C.G.A. Code Section 16-11-39.1, relating to harassing phone calls, to create the misdemeanor offense of harassing communications. Current law prohibits harassing phone calls. This legislation prohibits harassing, threatening or intimidating ¿telecommunication, e-mail, text messaging, or any other form of electronic communication.¿
HB 534 was also added to SB 72. The bill amends O.C.G.A. Code Section 16-6-22, relating to incest, by changing the offense to include half-blood relationships between grandparents and grandchildren, and aunts/uncles and nieces/nephews. Current law only prohibits sexual intercourse and sodomy between grandparents and grandchildren of the whole blood, and aunt/uncles and nieces/nephews of the whole blood.
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