GA SB299

Prohibits the prehearing detention of a child in shelter care or detention based solely on a standing court order, requiring instead an informal detention hearing

Removes the carrying or possession of a weapon in violation of school safety zone law (Code Section 16-11-127.1) from the automatic list of designated felony acts for juveniles, replacing it with "Reserved"

Creates a new tiered approach for school weapon violations to qualify as designated felony acts: a second or subsequent adjudication for any school weapon offense, or a first violation involving a weapon combined with an assault, a firearm, or a dangerous weapon/machine gun

Changes the handling of children who violate the school safety zone weapons law from mandatory ("shall") to discretionary ("may") referral to designated felony act proceedings under Code Section 15-11-63

Penalties for adults convicted of school safety zone weapon violations remain unchanged: up to $10,000 fine and 2–10 years imprisonment generally, or 5–10 years when involving a firearm, dangerous weapon, or machine gun