Criminal Justice (Probation & Parole)

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 9 of Title 42 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to grants of pardons, paroles, and other relief, so as to provide for procedures when a person is denied parole after completing certain prerequisites; to provide for a video conference hearing where prospective parolees can be heard and seek information from the board; to provide that the board submit written findings if the tentative parole month is delayed; to provide notice to members of the board when a majority votes to deny or delay release; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

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.

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.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 37 and Title 42 of the Official Code of Georgia, relating to mental health and penal institutions, respectively, so as to establish a grant program to create peer support programs in hospitals; to create peer support programs for individuals in penal institutions; to provide for quarterly and annual reports; to provide for consultation and cooperation with agencies, courts, organizations, and any entity which interacts with individuals who are incarcerated, on parole, or on probation to establish peer mentor programs; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

SR 429 creates a Senate study committee to examine Georgia's felony disenfranchisement laws, which deny voting rights to people with felony convictions even after they've completed prison sentences. The committee, composed of six senators appointed by the Senate President, will study the current constitutional clause, assess its impact on reintegration, and recommend potential reforms by December 1, 2025. It will specifically evaluate whether to allow voting rights restoration for individuals serving community supervision post-incarceration, considering economic, legal, and societal effects. This resolution does not change voting rights directly but sets up a process to review and potentially reform Georgia's approach to felony disenfranchisement.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 10 of Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to procedure for sentencing and imposition of punishment, so as to authorize the sentencing court to review and resentence certain cases where the punishment of life without parole was imposed; to provide for a petition; to provide for a hearing; to provide for the right to counsel; to provide for notice to the victim; to provide for an appeal process; to provide for limitations; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.