HB 556 amends OCGA §§ 17-7-70 and 17-7-70.1 to expand statutory authority for district attorneys to use accusations as formal charging instruments, except for cases involving serious violent felonies and only 45 days or more after charges are filed, with this authority to sunset June 30, 2022.

HB 556 also includes the provisions of HB 555, creating new Code Section OCGA § 17-7-4, giving judges authority to approve an accused's waiver of the right to a jury trial and proceed to a bench trial, notwithstanding an objection of the prosecutor and excluding cases involving serious violent felonies. This authority has a sunset of June 30, 2022.