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Bill > HB246
GA HB246
GA HB246Courts; office of sheriff and training of peace officers; revise qualification requirements
summary
Introduced
02/04/2025
02/04/2025
In Committee
02/28/2025
02/28/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT To amend Code Section 15-16-1 and Chapter 8 of Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to qualification requirements for sheriff and exemptions and employment and training of peace officers, respectively, so as to require a person qualifying as a candidate for sheriff be a peace officer not under revocation by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council; to provide for penalties; to provide for submission of a form completed by the executive director of such council; to provide for an exception; to provide for attestation that any person qualifying for the office of sheriff who is not a certified peace officer but holds or has held certain other positions is capable of and will obtain such certification after obtaining the position; to provide for conforming changes; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
AI Summary
This bill revises the qualification requirements for sheriffs in Georgia by mandating that candidates for sheriff must be certified peace officers who are not under revocation by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST). Candidates who are not currently certified peace officers, but are first responders, former military officers, or former or current law enforcement officers, can still run for sheriff if they swear to complete peace officer certification within six months of taking office. The bill requires candidates to file a form signed by the POST executive director attesting to their certification status. Additionally, the bill updates provisions related to employment-related information disclosure for law enforcement hiring, including requirements for employers to share personnel records when requested and protections for employers who provide such information in good faith. The legislation aims to ensure that sheriffs have appropriate law enforcement training and credentials, with provisions for those transitioning from related professional backgrounds to the role of sheriff. Candidates who knowingly provide false information during the qualification process can be charged with false swearing, which carries legal penalties.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (6)
Clint Crowe (R)*,
Chris Erwin (R)*,
Houston Gaines (R)*,
Gerald Greene (R)*,
Danny Mathis (R)*,
Patty Marie Stinson (D)*,
Last Action
House Withdrawn, Recommitted (on 04/04/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69851 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/234559 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/231157 |
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