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GA HB838
Bill
Status
Passed
8/5/2020
Primary Sponsor
Bill Hitchens
Click for details
AI Summary
- Renames the "Office of Public Safety Officer Support" (formerly "Office of Public Safety Officer") within the Department of Public Safety across multiple code sections
- Grants peace officers the right to bring civil suits against any person, group, organization, or corporation for damages suffered during official duties, civil rights abridgments, or knowingly false complaints filed against them
- Creates the offense of "bias motivated intimidation" against first responders — defined as firefighters, peace officers, and emergency medical technicians — when a person maliciously and with specific intent to intimidate, harass, or terrorize causes death, serious bodily harm, or property damage exceeding $500.00
- Punishes bias motivated intimidation with 1 to 5 years imprisonment, a fine up to $5,000.00, or both, with sentences running consecutively to any related offenses and each violation constituting a separate, non-merging offense
- Requires that bias motivated intimidation charges be prosecuted only by grand jury indictment or special presentment, not by accusation
Legislative Description
Law enforcement officers and agencies; Office of Public Safety Officer Support; change the name
Last Action
Effective Date
1/1/2021
Full Bill Text
No bill text available