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Bill > SB207

GA SB207

GA SB207
Professions and Businesses; a preclearance process in the licensing of individuals with criminal records who make application to or are investigated by certain licensing boards and commissions; create

summary

Introduced
02/19/2025
In Committee
03/20/2025
Crossed Over
03/06/2025
Passed
04/10/2026
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT To amend Titles 33 and 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance and professions and businesses, respectively, so as to create a preclearance process in the licensing of individuals with criminal records who make an application to or are investigated by certain licensing boards and commissions; to provide for definitions; to require certain licensing authorities to provide evidence to support adverse licensing decisions based on criminal convictions; to require a hearing prior to denying certain applicants on the basis of an individual's criminal record; to establish findings that shall be made and evidence that shall and shall not be considered prior to refusing to grant certain licenses based on certain criminal convictions; to allow an applicant to submit his or her own criminal record when applying for certain licenses; to provide for reapplication for licensure; to authorize and provide a process and requirements for predetermination decisions; to require certain licensure application information be included in certain applications and posted on a public website; to require certain annual reports concerning certain applications, predeterminations, and conviction records to be filed with the Secretary of State; to amend Chapter 4 of Title 25 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to firefighter standards and training, so as to provide for the reporting of guilty pleas taken under first offender treatment to obtain employment as a firefighter; to amend Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to Georgia Crime Information Center, so as to provide for SB 207/AP criminal history record information restrictions for certain persons charged with or convicted of certain criminal offenses; to provide that restricted criminal history record information shall be available to criminal justice agencies; to provide for petitions; to provide for criminal history record information restriction for persons granted a pardon for certain offenses; to amend Article 3 of Chapter 8 of Title 42 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to first offenders, so as to revise the procedure for petitioning for exoneration and discharge when an individual has qualified for sentencing as a first offender; to provide for exceptions to retroactively granting first offender treatment; to amend Code Section 17-10-21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to vacating of sentence for trafficking victim defendants, so as to provide for filing under seal; to provide for related matters; to provide for effective dates and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

AI Summary

This bill establishes a preclearance process for individuals with criminal records seeking professional licenses in Georgia, aiming to provide a more individualized review of their applications. It defines key terms like "conviction" and "covered misdemeanor" and requires licensing boards to conduct hearings before denying licenses based on criminal history, ensuring applicants have an opportunity to present evidence of rehabilitation. The bill also introduces a predetermination process where individuals can petition licensing boards to determine in advance if their criminal record would disqualify them, with binding decisions if the record remains unchanged and other requirements are met. Furthermore, it mandates that licensing boards provide detailed information about their criminal record review process on their websites and in applications, and requires annual reports on licensing decisions related to criminal records to be filed with the Secretary of State. The bill also includes provisions for reporting guilty pleas under first-offender treatment for firefighter positions, restricts access to certain criminal history records, and modifies procedures for first-offender petitions and vacating sentences for trafficking victims.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (15)

Last Action

Senate Sent to Governor (on 04/10/2026)

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