Georgia committee reviews HB 10 to restrict public release of mug shots

The Judiciary Non-Civil Committee of the Georgia House of Representatives convened on March 5, 2025, to discuss House Bill 10, aimed at enhancing protections for individuals arrested but not convicted of crimes. The bill, introduced by Representative Kim Schofield, seeks to restrict the public release of arrest booking photos, commonly known as mug shots, and to combat the exploitation of these images by pay-for-removal websites.

Representative Schofield emphasized that the legislation would prevent law enforcement from posting mug shots online or providing them to companies that charge fees for their removal if the individual has not been convicted. This measure is designed to protect individuals from reputational harm and the financial burden of dealing with predatory businesses that profit from publishing these images.

The bill has garnered support from various stakeholders, including the ACLU of Georgia. Christopher Bruce, the ACLU's policy director, highlighted a recent ruling by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which deemed the practice of publicly posting mug shots as unconstitutional pretrial punishment. Bruce noted that such exposure can have detrimental effects on individuals' employment and housing opportunities, reinforcing the need for legislative action.

The committee's discussions underscored the growing concern over the exploitation of arrest records and the importance of safeguarding the rights of individuals who have not been convicted of any crime. The bill aims to align Georgia's laws with similar measures enacted in states like Florida and Texas, reflecting a broader movement to address these issues across the country.

As the committee continues to review the bill, its implications for privacy rights and the treatment of individuals within the justice system remain a focal point of the ongoing legislative process.