Bill > SB592

This bill, known as the "One Strike Act," aims to increase punishments for certain serious violent felonies and sexual offenses against children in Georgia. It revises laws related to crimes against persons, sexual offenses, and sentencing to impose harsher penalties, including longer prison terms and the possibility of life without parole for offenses like aggravated assault, aggravated battery, kidnapping, rape, sexual battery, and aggravated sexual battery, especially when committed against children under 12 or against public safety officers. The bill also designates more offenses as "serious violent felonies," which restricts eligibility for parole and prohibits early termination of probation for those convicted of these crimes. Additionally, it removes parole eligibility for offenders serving sentences who commit certain offenses, including simple assault, aggravated assault, rape, or drug distribution, and for validated gang members or those involved in gang-related crimes. The act will take effect on July 1, 2026, and apply to offenses committed on or after that date.