HB 247 allows applicants for initial licensure to request that a criminal history records check be conducted by a state or local law enforcement agency or by a private vendor approved by the department  This bill was amended in the Rules Committee to provide authority to the Firefighters Standards and Training Council to refuse to grant a certificate or to discipline a certified firefighter upon the determination that the applicant or firefighter has been convicted of a felony offense.  This bill also requires a criminal background check on potential guardians prior to appointment by the probate court to serve as a guardian by court order.  This bill was signed by the Governor on April 16, 2012.

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.

Requires testing of all convicted felons in the custody of the Department of Corrections and the county jails.

Revises numerous statutes regarding the care of the developmentally disabled by the state to reflect the implementation of community based services.

This bill would exempt interbasin transfers from certain parts of the Tennessee River from interbasin transfer regulations.