Bill > HB1011

This bill, known as the Daren Lewis Saving Lives Act, mandates that all state, county, and local law enforcement agencies in Georgia adopt written policies for conducting vehicular pursuits, which are defined as attempts by officers to apprehend a fleeing vehicle operator who exceeds normal speeds or maneuvers dangerously. These policies must prohibit initiating a pursuit in a "residential area" – defined as a housing-predominant neighborhood with a speed limit of 25 mph or less, or officially designated as residential – unless there's an immediate public safety risk or imminent likelihood of serious harm, and probable cause exists for a serious violent felony. Pursuits already underway in residential areas must be terminated if the risk to public safety outweighs the benefit, if the suspect can be apprehended by less dangerous means, or if the pursuit enters an area with increased risk to pedestrians or other motorists. Furthermore, agencies must establish "pursuit review committees" to evaluate pursuits for policy and training compliance, assess decision-making and de-escalation efforts against outcomes, and recommend corrective actions, with all policies required to be published online. Agencies will also need to publish annual reports detailing pursuits in residential areas, their outcomes, demographic information of those involved, and any disciplinary actions or policy changes. Additionally, beginning in 2027, law enforcement training will include high-risk vehicle operations, de-escalation techniques, safe operation in residential areas, hazard recognition, interceding when officers violate policy, and post-pursuit review processes, with this training to be evidence-based and developed with community input.

Justice

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72318