[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6650504,"mediaKeyId","2506140-5b5ee120c7b093759f5eacaf1c71f3a9","parentId",2506140,"title","Sponsor says House Bill 464 would grant limited immunity to trafficking victims who seek help; lawmakers raise questions about scope","audioSeconds",162,"startMs",3625000,"endMs",3787000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2506140-5b5ee120c7b093759f5eacaf1c71f3a9&start=3625&end=3787","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2506140-5b5ee120c7b093759f5eacaf1c71f3a9/thumbnail_3625000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6650504/Georgia/Sponsor-says-House-Bill-464-would-grant-limited-immunity-to-trafficking-victims-who-seek-help-lawmakers-raise-questions-about-scope","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650504-69f6840f57b4042b11a1f2b1f24d4ccd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161292&Signature=i9D5mBxgo-MoBnnqMCGUUrRWAMETZlly7svRpx1y7gmaipA1y-2-PzkvY5lsFja~UjnO5IgZGsOpPNEeS0svVmnFg12DKdsnXYPBz5ib5k6MDxwxq~DaBv1vykr3QAk5m94OJZnFR9nAL0wogKfSgyJiKkfZCwDJY3OI5eyhZMDGOejuwsCfph60gQiYjRFUsb2XKamWJgQna7oroWRoAE4oNbIpbXn8qBWNmn00T4uaPAjvbK3YVMr0dvPrqdjxmNzF1YQDiL6~Gj~s2vD99YIEHb-PlHcYp1kGDs9ARDkVyNowXHaDEGnNp-GH9f1oKlllCtfa5vSNlICARQb3RQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State of Georgia ","date","2025-03-05T19:11:42.363Z","article","Representative Eric Bell presented House Bill 464, a harm-reduction measure that would provide limited immunity from prosecution for certain offenses when a person is a victim of human trafficking or is seeking assistance related to addiction or trafficking. The sponsor said the intent is to remove a barrier that stops victims from seeking help out of fear of prosecution.

Why it matters: Backers argued the bill prioritizes survivors’ access to services and safety over prosecuting low-level offenses that can deter reporting and recovery. Representative Bell said the measure is aimed at public-safety and recovery: \"By granting immunity to victims who seek help, HB 464 prioritizes public safety, recovery over punishment,\" he told the committee.

Questions and debate: Committee members raised concerns about the bill’s breadth. Several members asked how the bill would treat situations where a reporting person might also be an accomplice to serious crimes (for example, drug distribution or armed robbery), and whether a perpetrator could game the system by being the first to call law enforcement. The sponsor noted carve-outs that bar immunity for accomplices and said courts and prosecutors would assess credibility and culpability.

Next steps: Committee members suggested off-line work to tighten definitions and possible carve-outs for situations where the person is an active participant in serious offenses. No formal vote was taken at this hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Judiciary Non-Civil 03.05.25","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Eric Bell presented a bill to provide limited immunity for certain crimes when victims of trafficking or addiction seek help; committee members raised concerns about scope and potential unintended consequences.","taxTitle","Judiciary, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Georgia","taxId",17225,"location","Georgia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6650510,"Bill would standardize peace-officer oaths and limit prosecution for minor oath violations, sponsor says",75,3473000,3548000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2506140-5b5ee120c7b093759f5eacaf1c71f3a9&start=3473&end=3548","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2506140-5b5ee120c7b093759f5eacaf1c71f3a9/thumbnail_3473000.jpg","/articles/6650510/Georgia/Bill-would-standardize-peace-officer-oaths-and-limit-prosecution-for-minor-oath-violations-sponsor-says","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650510-a18ffc1250a80b11f2fa98d788f24a32/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161292&Signature=d5hw7QuFMugcRcT2kvM-2wiHqAIN9bdk8Ae4~O~tvOMZOTb6t6W5ModhlbxyAKjVff0ErC4KURrLEH8FynxyV4SOhTIDM~868ucLUA-q9xL3a26gOGIa-LFf58OcE6PN2Nv-BTa42Dyx339BW63vKvpmlwIbBMtyDSfjDjbOgvxcSEM6QRuko5S2xn7Orr-vofG5t4L13HHmvks8bq3JUtRagH41glize1Oas21ldDky3-mjlltxfJ-D7DmM3dD-ga3WluoIlZH-G2HQPGcjJKBJAQFYMwu42PfwOnTPz~Zq~j8oJw9XiU5IldFspSViMs3jv9XJ~3NOkQ-2BFV-YQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Devin Seabaugh and supporters presented House Bill 384, a substitute that would standardize the oath of office for peace officers across Georgia and make clear that aspirational language in those oaths is nonbinding. The substitute also would limit prosecution for violation of an oath to instances where the conduct rises to a felony or a high-and-aggravated-misdemeanor level.

Supporters told the committee the bill brings administrative clarity and protects law enforcement agencies from a diversity of nonuniform oath language that could be used to pursue minor or technical charges. Lance LaRusso, speaking for supporters, said the bill emphasizes fairness, impartiality and dedication to the public while keeping aspirational language from being treated as punishable criminal conduct.

Why it matters: Backers said the change would streamline administration and reduce the risk of legal challenges based on informal or aspirational oath wording. The bill would not alter substantive misconduct statutes or accountability mechanisms for serious offenses, supporters said.

Questions and next steps: Committee members asked whether changing the oath would make unethical people less likely to behave ethically; sponsors replied that standardization does not change who serves but clarifies which oath provisions could support criminal prosecution. The committee took no final vote at this hearing.","Representative Devin Seabaugh presented House Bill 384, a substitute to standardize oaths taken by peace officers across Georgia and to limit criminal liability for oath violations to serious offenses, according to supporters.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6650515,"Lawyer and rural representative outline plan to stop automatic purge of involuntary-commitments from gun-disqualification lists",271,3489000,3760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2506140-5b5ee120c7b093759f5eacaf1c71f3a9&start=3489&end=3760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2506140-5b5ee120c7b093759f5eacaf1c71f3a9/thumbnail_3489000.jpg","/articles/6650515/Georgia/Lawyer-and-rural-representative-outline-plan-to-stop-automatic-purge-of-involuntary-commitments-from-gun-disqualification-lists","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650515-e17a3a357bbdfa371fbf83d7769231ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161292&Signature=BYPEsk6KEVrEdLXYraqR-NEAzCIC3BplCZHEEw9vfU99385ZpoYsdiMNHrqH5DSHN2-W~zlM2OeafOqJbF7SCbXAVBE7B7rzCgAEBrs0iRpiY2jHEFi2E~w38b7QNbcS4VqkJLvPIdLV7L~BwZfQKBJSTO4gk5ktk94v~7o00KMfkGeyjEqIx9~~sAUPmGfLXdkIP5EBcpQqvntkz5T9XtLjNzmGYs8FDA1fYZMpS2kO24~t8FOcTBXgYSEBPl-1f8gL~gIsuv1beHqUY7oTOxO9wdICOR4n9o8oZwDYpPuTyAFc4PGhXaolSSMbXZj0nzy45UbQ2bOpL3nSJL2Pbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A bill introduced by the representative from a rural district would require a court process before people involuntarily committed to mental-health hospitals are removed from the state list that disqualifies them from purchasing firearms. The sponsor said current state practice automatically purges names after a fixed period and that the bill responds to safety concerns raised by local officials.

Representative (name not specified on the record) told the committee the change grew from an incident in which a gun-shop owner in a small community recognized a customer with a history of involuntary commitments and alerted local law enforcement, which intervened. The sponsor said the system should not rely solely on automatic purges by a computer system but should provide a judicial pathway for restoration of rights.

Why it matters: The sponsor said Georgia is unique in allowing automatic removal from the criminal-background list after a fixed time without a court process; the proposal would make restoration of firearm-purchase eligibility a judicial process. The sponsor told the committee the Georgia Bureau of Investigation provided numbers showing roughly 300 involuntary commitments per year and that, over seven years, 2,066 commitments yielded 1,451 computer purges.

Testimony and context: The representative said similar proposals had passed the House in prior sessions but stalled in the Senate. The sponsor emphasized this is not an anti-gun proposal and said its purpose is to ensure only persons who have cleared the court review regain eligibility to buy firearms.

Ending: The bill received no public opposition at the hearing and the committee did not take a formal vote due to lack of quorum; the sponsor said she would entertain questions and carry the bill forward.","Representative detailed a bill to require judicial review before people involuntarily committed to psychiatric hospitals are removed from the gun-purchase disqualification list; sponsor cited rural public-safety incidents and administrative data on purges.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6650520,"Committee hears bill to limit public release of booking photos, ACLU backs measure",181,3199000,3380000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2506140-5b5ee120c7b093759f5eacaf1c71f3a9&start=3199&end=3380","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2506140-5b5ee120c7b093759f5eacaf1c71f3a9/thumbnail_3199000.jpg","/articles/6650520/Georgia/Committee-hears-bill-to-limit-public-release-of-booking-photos-ACLU-backs-measure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650520-0ca67616c1e1f07342aec84e1bba4b52/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161292&Signature=Aim0TLYidgQXmMjIvgb3mZgYwwklMfguxW6EAc4jagTm~4-7aulkOlDzuuUSc0UjpvwPRQpA5QydNJ9tzPgnYASnaIs4N~VWHNX5ylfUehc9lNdrtWNgvq6z1u7iT1Bb8msWjOssqReVBf8fh1lVJu3NCCYSgh3H4waILl1KgwqsLbZI1TJeScmA6haKMzdHuUIRY2zhqQ~zlVzdaAArq1GNYfOJrIUVpAZ0TkZ~t1OSsPPxLcTx8M0GO9HG18z9qfDNfPwtMtwbzv0DgrAmF~Xa-FeUHpumD1uKKxSIzhOC8P~RuoCfuj~zB8c9QxkuafJw2DPHKMHEAyPsO0RGmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Kim Schofield presented a substitute for House Bill 10, which would restrict law enforcement agencies from posting or providing arrest booking photos to commercial sites when the person has not been convicted, and would create a streamlined process for individuals to have those images removed from for-profit \"remove for pay\" websites.

The bill would not limit news organizations' reporting, Representative Schofield told the committee; it targets third-party pay-to-remove operations that, proponents say, profit by posting booking photos and charging people to remove them.

Why it matters: Supporters described the business model as predatory, arguing that people who were never convicted can suffer long-term harm to employment, housing and reputation because mugshots remain publicly available. Christopher Bruce, policy director for the ACLU of Georgia, told the committee the ACLU supports the bill, citing a 2024 Ninth Circuit decision finding that making arrest photos public can amount to unconstitutional pretrial punishment.

Testimony: Christopher Bruce summarized the ACLU's legal review and said a federal appeals court found posting of booking photos without conviction can amount to impermissible pretrial punishment. Representative Schofield said the substitute narrows exceptions to ensure clearly newsworthy material is not affected. Witnesses representing civil-rights and consumer-protection perspectives urged passage; committee members indicated they will revisit the bill when quorum allows.

Ending: No formal committee vote was recorded at this hearing; sponsors and supporters urged lawmakers to advance the substitute to address harms from commercial mugshot sites.","A substitute to House Bill 10 would restrict law-enforcement release of arrest booking photos when there is no conviction and make it easier for individuals to remove photos from commercial ‘mugshot’ websites; the ACLU testified in support.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6650525,"Committee hears testimony on bill to restore judicial discretion in school-bus passing fines; members table measure",2847,1295000,4142000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2506140-5b5ee120c7b093759f5eacaf1c71f3a9&start=1295&end=4142","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2506140-5b5ee120c7b093759f5eacaf1c71f3a9/thumbnail_1295000.jpg","/articles/6650525/Georgia/Committee-hears-testimony-on-bill-to-restore-judicial-discretion-in-school-bus-passing-fines-members-table-measure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650525-d6f271f1ccb09a1eabfd94624e2e8cfe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161292&Signature=DSR0Ndgas31C13PHqfHVGdxl0IRAHppibZqd2cgZVC66kPwhG4GvhqY6EdtaCO-6nWtG6N1uqsAaTliJGWEDsUyX5gmnHHZn-Tw1kvcZXG5hfXpaRjWsezCVi4DtQA6kepiQ4S~QdcMZLy9TsbZW6NYuW-4QgBOx5oadOyZN2zN8cXd3c8xMj7Z68Vg8ai2rEhgoQh6kZ1aJzjlQxYdEerclocU9A0BCkUqYzZR0~kOH6d4hCsjDCAzp1YX2Kg1AcKUFFgwC7FNL~LrOvyofDfDoVGy8yEFBJyGNp2N-bBqvkB-3mYt2CAhZODYmnr00RPZcM4urxlCGpClntbx7tA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Don Parsons introduced House Bill 344, a substitute that would change penalties for drivers who pass stopped school buses while children are boarding or disembarking and direct resulting civil penalties to school-safety funds. The committee voted to table the bill after extended testimony and debate.

The substitute would set a civil penalty “not less than $500 nor more than $1,000,” and make the moving-traffic violation punishable at not less than $500 and up to $1,000 “as it is now,” but would explicitly restore judicial discretion over the amount, Representative Mitchell Scoggins told the committee. Scoggins said the change responds to cases in which judges presently have no practical ability to reduce or place a fine on payment plan because the law, as amended in 2024, set a mandatory $1,000 civil penalty.

Why it matters: Supporters said restoring discretion lets judges consider defendants’ circumstances — for example, whether a person is elderly or has limited income — and avoid forcing people into probation violations or jail for inability to pay. Opponents and family members of a child killed in a school-bus incident said higher mandatory penalties are an essential deterrent to protect children.

Testimony and debate: Veil King, who identified himself as the brother of Ashley Pierce and uncle of Adeline (\"Addie\") Pierce, described the crash that killed the girl and urged lawmakers not to reduce penalties. \"A law without real penalty is not a law after all,\" King said during public testimony. Shannon McElroy, Addie’s aunt, said the family supported Addie’s Law and opposed what she called attempts to ‘‘dismantle’’ protections.

Representative Scoggins and other backers said the substitute does not intend to weaken safety protections; rather it would create a statutorily defined sentencing range with a floor and ceiling and let judges tailor penalties within that range. As Scoggins put it, the change \"will allow that judge a little more discretion\" including options such as probation or payment plans when appropriate.

Opponents, including Representative (Clint) Crow and other members who described their roles in earlier enactment efforts, argued that the thousand-dollar minimum acts as a stronger deterrent. Representative Crow said the purpose of the prior change — pushed after Addie’s death and supported widely in the Senate on earlier iterations — was to deter repeat violations and that a lower minimum could reduce the law’s deterrent effect.

Legal context and clarifications: Committee members discussed existing sentencing statutes. One member cited OCGA 17-10-3 and related sentencing provisions and suggested judges may already have some discretion under sentencing law for noncivil offenses; speakers distinguished the civil penalty (administrative collection tied to vehicle registration) from the criminal moving-traffic offense (which carries points and other criminal consequences).

Committee action: Chairman Gullett moved to table HB 344; the motion was seconded and the committee voted to table the measure. The transcript records committee members voicing support for testimony and several members noting they lacked quorum to take broader actions earlier in the hearing. The record does not contain a roll-call tally by name for the tabling vote.

What happens next: The bill was tabled at this hearing; proponents and opponents indicated they intend to continue advocacy if the bill resurfaces.

Ending: Public commenters emphasized the family impact of the crash and urged lawmakers to preserve strong penalties; supporters of the substitute emphasized judicial discretion and proportionality in sentencing.","Lawmakers and family members of a child killed after a driver passed a stopped school bus debated a substitute to House Bill 344 that would change civil and criminal fines and restore judge discretion; the committee moved to table the bill after public testimony.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sponsor says House Bill 464 would grant limited immunity to trafficking victims who seek help; lawmakers raise questions about scope

Bill would standardize peace-officer oaths and limit prosecution for minor oath violations, sponsor says

Lawyer and rural representative outline plan to stop automatic purge of involuntary-commitments from gun-disqualification lists

Committee hears bill to limit public release of booking photos, ACLU backs measure

Committee hears testimony on bill to restore judicial discretion in school-bus passing fines; members table measure