This legislation allows a $100 fine per day to be levied against the owner of property (other than a property owner who has filed for homestead exemption) who fails to correct a code violation within 48 days of a notice to correct being sent. In the case of foreclosed properties, the code violation must be sent to the address contained on the postforeclosure registry maintained by the superior court clerk's office. The fine constitutes a lien that can be created and foreclosed in the same manner as a tax lien.  

This bill also requires the superior court clerk to establish and maintain a postforeclosure registry to maintain information about the purchases of real property at a foreclosure sale.  Within ten business days after a property is purchased at a foreclosure sale, the buyer must provide the superior court clerk with his or her contact information.  The new owner must notify the superior court clerk's office of any change in address within five business days of a change in contact information. Purchasers of foreclosed property that do not comply with this legislation or with ordinances related to the property may be required to pay treble damages plus attorneys' fees if they are sued and lose. 

This legislation requires local governments to comply with the Georgia Personal Data Security Act. Because counties maintain electronic and physical copies of personal information, they must provide individuals with notice of any breach of security of the system that houses the personal information as soon as possible after the breach is discovered, but in no case later than 45 days. If the county uses a third party to store the personal information, the third party must notify the county within 72 hours of any data breach, so that the county can meet its notification requirements. If law enforcement determines that notification would impair an ongoing criminal investigation, notification can be delayed. If the county, after investigation and consultation with relevant federal, state or local law enforcement, determines that the breach was not likely to result in identify theft or financial harm to an individual, notification will not be necessary. The county will be required to provide a written certification within 30 days to the attorney general and to maintain a copy of the written certification for at least five years.

SB 356 establishes a process for animal control agencies to recover costs for caring for an animal impounded for violation of the Georgia Animal Protection Act. If an animal owner refuses to relinquish custody, counties that are sheltering an animal (e.g., in dog fighting or animal hoarding cases) have the option to charge a bond to the owner to pay the costs of emergency medical care, rehabilitation, food and shelter. For more information, please click here.