Criminal Justice

in committee · Georgia · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 243: Back the Blue Fund; authorized use of money; revise

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 2 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to registration and licensing generally, so as to revise the authorized use of money distributed from the Back the Blue Fund; to revise collection procedures; to provide for legislative intent; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill revises funding allocation for 'Back the Blue Fund' supporting law enforcement, aligning with 'fund' indicator for criminal justice support.95% confidence

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passed both · Georgia · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 309: Local government; require adoption of a resolution or ordinance and voter approval prior to abolishment of a police force that was created by such method

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 8 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to county police, so as to require adoption of a resolution or ordinance and voter approval prior to abolishment of a police force that was created by such method; to provide for a referendum; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill requires voter approval before abolishing police forces, protecting existing law enforcement structure as a criminal justice policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · Georgia · Senate Mar 28, 2025

SR 483: Right to Register and Vote; conviction of a felony involving moral turpitude as an exception; remove - CA

A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to remove a conviction of a felony involving moral turpitude as an exception to the right to register and vote; to provide for related matters; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves felony conviction barrier to voting rights, advancing criminal justice reform by restoring civil rights for formerly incarcerated individuals.95% confidence

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passed · Georgia · House Mar 31, 2025

HR 878: The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline; commend

HR 878 is a formal resolution commending the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for its national service in mental health crisis support. It recognizes the 988 three-digit number as a direct connection to suicide prevention and mental health resources (distinct from 911), highlighting its role in reducing emergency room visits and law enforcement burdens. The resolution specifically acknowledges Georgia's Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL) as the local provider handling 988 calls 24/7. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no policy or funding changes - it solely expresses legislative support for the lifeline service.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly states 988 reduces law enforcement burdens in mental health crises, aligning with criminal justice reform by diverting non-violent calls from police response.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCommends 988 Suicide Lifeline for mental health crisis support, explicitly recognizing its role in reducing ER visits and strengthening mental health services within healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health

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signed · Georgia · House May 5, 2026

HB 483: Crimes and offenses; protections for inspectors of code enforcement; provide

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to assault and battery, so as to provide for protections for inspectors of code enforcement; to provide for definitions; to provide for enhanced penalties for simple assault, aggravated assault, simple battery, battery, and aggravated battery committed upon inspectors of code enforcement in certain circumstances; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances penalties for assaults on code enforcement inspectors, directly impacting sentencing within criminal justice system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

signed · Georgia · House May 5, 2026

HB 162: Georgia Bureau of Investigation; restriction and seal of First Offender Act sentences until such status is revoked; provide

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 3 of Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, so as to provide for the restriction and seal of First Offender Act sentences until such status is revoked; to amend Article 3 of Chapter 8 of Title 42 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to first offenders relative to probation, so as to provide for the restriction and seal of first offender sentences at the time of sentencing; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSeals First Offender Act sentences to reduce barriers for individuals, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing recidivism and improving rehabilitation access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

signed · Georgia · House May 5, 2026

HB 535: Penal institutions; credit for time served regarding probation revocation sentencing; provide

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 42-8-38 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to arrest or graduated sanctions for probationers violating terms, hearing, disposition of charge, and procedure when probation revoked in county other than that of conviction, so as to provide for credit for time served regarding probation revocation sentencing; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides credit for time served during probation revocation, reducing unnecessary incarceration and aligning with criminal justice reform principles of equitable sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

introduced · Georgia · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 920: Hate-Free Heroes Act; enact

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 8 of Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to employment and training of peace officers, so as to prohibit individuals who have been members of hate groups from serving in law enforcement and the organized militia under certain circumstances; to provide for definitions; to provide for enforcement and screening; to provide for appeals; to provide for public reporting; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to provide for legislative findings; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits hate group members from law enforcement, enhancing police accountability and civil rights protection in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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died · Georgia · House Apr 4, 2025

HB 138: Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council; establish basic and in-service training courses on de-escalation techniques and methods

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 35-8-7 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the powers and duties of the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, so as establish basic and in-service training courses on de-escalation techniques and methods; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates de-escalation training for peace officers, directly advancing police accountability and reform efforts to reduce use-of-force incidents.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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died · Georgia · House Apr 4, 2025

HR 119: Stinchcomb, Mr. Mario; compensate

This resolution compensates Mario Stinchcomb for his wrongful conviction and 17 years of imprisonment after being exonerated in 2021. It authorizes $975,000 in total payments - $321,750 upfront and the remainder in monthly installments over ten years via an annuity - based on Georgia's lack of a statutory compensation system for exonerees. The payment structure includes tax exclusion for state income tax and provisions for potential future liability credits if Stinchcomb recovers damages from lawsuits. It directly affects Stinchcomb, who was wrongfully convicted of murder despite new evidence proving self-defense. The resolution addresses Georgia’s absence of a legal framework for compensating exonerees, making it a one-time case rather than a policy change.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCompensates wrongful conviction victim for systemic failure, aligning with civil rights protection and criminal justice reform by addressing gaps in exoneree support systems.95% confidence

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