GA SB480

Law enforcement officers must issue citations to persons suspected of custody interference, requiring them to appear in magistrate court within 72 hours (excluding weekends and holidays) to present documentation proving their conduct was authorized

Preliminary hearings must be held within seven business days of citation issuance; officers may rely on facially valid custody orders stamped or certified by a court clerk to establish probable cause

First offense of custody interference is a misdemeanor (up to $1,000 fine and/or 12 months imprisonment); second offense is a high and aggravated misdemeanor ($1,000-$5,000 fine and/or 12 months); third or subsequent offense is a felony (1-5 years imprisonment, up to $5,000 fine)

Interstate custody interference (knowingly removing a child from the state in violation of a court order) is a felony punishable by 1-5 years imprisonment and up to $5,000 fine

Presenting false, altered, or fraudulent documentation in custody interference proceedings is a felony punishable by 1-10 years imprisonment and/or up to $10,000 fine; effective date is July 1, 2026