PBAGA Final State Legislative Summary - 2011

Jun 1, 2011

The First Term of this Legislative Session ended on April 14, 2011. Any bill that did not pass in the First Term may be carried over to the Second Term which begins January 9, 2012. See the link provided for clarification of the summaries of these bills of interest that passed this year:

HB 53 – This bill was sponsored by Rep. Tim Bearden and others. It amends and clarifies OCGA 43-38-14 (b) on the exemption of POST certified officers from the training requirements of the state private detective and security act. This bill became law when signed by Governor Deal on May 11, 2011.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display.aspx?Legislation=32063

HB 107 – This bill was sponsored by Speaker David Ralston and others. It amends OCGA 45-18-9 to allow the spouse and children of any state worker killed in the line of duty to remain on the state health insurance plan. This bill became law when signed by Governor Deal on May 11, 2011.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display.aspx?Legislation=32267

HB 123 – This bill was sponsored by Rep. Jay Powell and others. It amends OCGA 16-10-33 to make it a felony for someone to remove or attempt to remove a taser or stun gun from an officer. This bill was signed by Governor Deal and will be effective July 1, 2011.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display.aspx?Legislation=32305

HB 203 – This bill was sponsored by Rep. Mack Jackson and others. It amends OCGA 35-8.71 by adding a new subsection (e) to require POST to notify the appropriate agency head, solicitor, and district attorney of any officer disciplined by POST. This bill was signed by Governor Deal and will be effective July 1, 2011.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/en-US/Display.aspx?Legislation=32506

SB 95 – This bill is sponsored by Sen. Buddy Carter and others. It amends OCGA 35-8-8 as it applies to prior employer provided information during background investigation of public safety officers. This bill is identical to the bill that was vetoed last year, but it contains the compromises we requested. This bill became law when signed by Governor Deal on May 12, 2011.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display.aspx?Legislation=32763