Under current law, it is illegal to remove a gun from certain public safety officers who are acting in the line of duty. HB 123 makes it illegal to remove a stun gun or taser from these public safety officials.

HB 203 requires the Peace Officer Standards and Training Council to provide notice of any investigation of a peace officer that may result in disciplinary action to the head of the employing law enforcement agency, the district attorney and the solicitor of the judicial circuit where the peace officer is employed.

Under current law, a peace officer is required to transport mental health patients who need emergency or involuntary treatment. HB 231 would allow a peace officer to request that medical transport provider be used, which could result in savings and redirect some offenders from the local jails.

This bill provides that cash bonds must be accepted for offenses in violation of commercial vehicle or driver safety; hazardous material transport; motor carrier insurance or registration; or road taxes on motor carriers. It further requires compliance with all federal motor carrier requirements.

This bill allows members of a mobile crisis response team contracted with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to assist in the transport and admission of individuals who are mentally ill. Currently, only law enforcement officers provide this service.

This bill creates the 2011 Special Council on Criminal Justice Reform for Georgians to study Georgia's criminal justice and correction system to enhance public safety, reduce victimization, hold offenders more accountable, enhance probation and parole supervision and better manage a growing prison population. The Council would create a report of its findings and recommend legislation no later than January 9, 2012. The Council's recommendations would then be considered by a Special Joint Committee on Georgia Criminal Justice Reform. The joint committee would cause legislation to be introduced incorporating the recommendations without significant changes.

This bill would require everyone arrested for a felony offense submit to a DNA test before being eligible for bail.  The approximate cost to the counties would be $5 per test.

This bill would allow advanced practice registered nurses to the list of health care professionals that can examine those seeking to be a peace officer to make sure that the candidate is free from physical, emotional or mental conditions that would adversely affect the peace officer in performing his or her duties.

This bill defines "family violence order."

This bill shifts the cost of medical examinations to collect evidence from a victim of a sexual offense to be paid for from the Georgia Crime Victim's Emergency Fund, rather than county law enforcement.

This bill makes it a felony to obtain or use another person's geolocation information.  HB 674 contains an exception allowing investigative officers, law enforcement officers or other emergency responders to intercept or access geolocation information in order to respond to a request made by someone for assistance or in there is a reasonable belief that the life or safety of a person is threatened. There is also an exception for persons obtaining geolocation through a warrant.  It is also permitted to intercept geolocation information of a person who has unlawfully taken the geolocation information.

This bill would make it a felony for a driver to fail to stop when given a visual or audible signal from a law enforcement officer.

This bill makes it a felony for a driver to fail to bring their vehicle to a stop once given a visual or audible signal from a law enforcement officer to do so.  This legislation also provides for forfeiture of the vehicle upon conviction.

HB 861 would require applicants for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to take and pass a drug test in order to qualify for benefits. The person applying for benefits would be responsible for the cost of the drug test.

The state would provide the applicants with a list of approved substance abuse treatment programs. The cost of a substance abuse treatment program would not be paid for by the state. If an applicant fails a drug test three times, they are ineligible to receive TANF benefits for three years. Such an applicant would be required to complete an approved substance abuse treatment program.

The results of the drug tests would not be required to be released under the Open Records Law.  This bill was signed by the Governor on April 16, 2012.

This bill provides for the comprehensive regulation of theft of regulated metal property. Specifically, it requires all felony convictions for the theft of regulated metal property to be registered with the metal theft registry to be created by the Georgia Technology Authority. It also requires that subsequent convictions occurring within a five year period must be posted in the legal organ, at the expense of the convicted person. It further provides for the suspension of  driver's licenses and the forfeiture of motor vehicles, weapons and tools used in the commission of a metal theft crime.

SB 40 was stripped in House Committee and replaced with the language of HB 87.  For a summary of some of the major provisions of the new language, click here.  

This bill was stripped of its current language and HB 299 and HB 402 were added.

Requires testing of all convicted felons in the custody of the Department of Corrections and the county jails, at the expense of the state.  Provides for procedures for a person to correct information contained in their criminal history and expunged.

SB 83 sets forth standards and parameters for the use of confidential informants by law enforcement.

This bill requires that peace officers cooperate with investigations by the Peace Officers Standards and Training Council. It also requires that employers provide employment related information (i.e., written information in an employer's records or personnel files relating to the behavior or performance of the applicant, candidate or peace officer) to another law enforcement agency when they are conducting an investigation to hire, certify or renew the certification of a peace officer. The information that the employer is required to disclose includes performance evaluations, disciplinary actions and eligibility for rehire. The law enforcement agency seeking the employment related information must include a copy of a signed and notarized statement from the applicant, candidate or peace officer releasing and holding the employer harmless for disclosing complete and accurate information to the law enforcement agency.