Bill > HB875

This bill amends Georgia law to provide tenants with new options for sealing court records related to dispossessory actions (eviction proceedings). Under the proposed legislation, a tenant who prevails in an eviction case can request that all court records be sealed and made unavailable to the public at the court's discretion. Additionally, tenants who have settled with a landlord can petition to seal records if they meet all settlement conditions or if government or nonprofit funds were involved in the resolution. For tenants who did not prevail in an eviction case, they may petition to seal records three years after the action concluded under specific circumstances, such as if the eviction occurred during a public health emergency or due to extraordinary hardships beyond their control. The bill requires the court clerk to seal all physical and electronic documents within 30 days of the sealing order. Importantly, the records would remain accessible to the original parties and their attorneys, and courts may allow access for academic research or data aggregation purposes. This legislation aims to provide tenants with some protection against the long-term consequences of eviction records while maintaining limited access for specific legitimate purposes.

Justice

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71842