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GA HB1334

Bill

Status

Introduced

2/20/2024

Primary Sponsor

Devan Seabaugh

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

2023-2024 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Extends criminal prosecution immunity to persons who use threats or force in accordance with Code Section 17-4-20, which governs authorization of arrests with and without warrants and the use of deadly force, adding this to the existing list of justified-force statutes covered by immunity
  • Extends civil liability immunity to persons who use justified force under Code Section 17-4-20, ensuring they have no duty to retreat and cannot be held liable in civil actions brought by the person against whom force was used or that person's accomplices
  • Retains the existing exception that criminal immunity does not apply when a person uses deadly force with a weapon they are unlawfully carrying or possessing under Georgia firearms law
  • Amends two sections of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated: Code Section 16-3-24.2 (criminal immunity) and Code Section 51-11-9 (civil immunity)
  • Effectively broadens legal protections for individuals—including law enforcement and private citizens authorized to make arrests—who use force during the arrest process

Legislative Description

Crimes and offenses; immunity from prosecution and exception; provide for exemptions

Last Action

House Second Readers

2/22/2024

Committee Referrals

Judiciary - Non-Civil2/21/2024

Full Bill Text

No bill text available