Bill > HB1243

This bill, titled the "Criminal Justice Researcher Access to Data Act," aims to provide qualified researchers with legal access to criminal justice data and records that are not typically available to the public. It defines a "bona fide researcher" as an individual or organization that uses data for research and statistical purposes without identifying individuals, has obtained approval from an institutional review board (a committee that reviews research proposals), and has security protocols in place to protect sensitive information. A "criminal justice agency" is broadly defined to include any entity involved in law enforcement, prosecution, corrections, or criminal record keeping. The bill mandates that custodians of criminal justice data must share relevant information with bona fide researchers upon request, including details about law enforcement actions, arrests, court proceedings, and correctional supervision. It also allows for the sharing of information that would normally be disclosed to the public and permits custodians to share other responsive data at their discretion, clarifying that this access does not constitute a public disclosure. Furthermore, the Attorney General is required to provide guidance to criminal justice agencies on how to comply with these provisions by January 1, 2027, and agencies can charge reasonable fees for data access, though they may waive these fees.

Justice

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72972