HB315: HB315 Law Enforcement Partners Act; enact

Georgia law currently defines crimes and arrest powers without a single, broad definition of who counts as a 'law enforcement officer' for purposes of arrest authority under O.C.G.A. § 17-4-20. This bill, titled the 'Law Enforcement Partners Act,' adds that definition to O.C.G.A. § 16-1-3, the general definitions section for crimes and offenses. The new definition includes peace officers, out-of-state or federal officers who assist Georgia agencies during a governor-declared state of emergency, newly appointed police chiefs or department heads who have not yet finished required training under O.C.G.A. §§ 35-8-20 or 35-8-20.1, out-of-state certified officers working in Georgia who have not yet completed Georgia's peace officer training but remain in good standing in their home state, and full-time federal law enforcement officers in good standing who are authorized to carry firearms and make arrests. The bill then amends the arrest-authority statute (O.C.G.A. § 17-4-20) to cross-reference this new definition. It repeals conflicting laws.

• Adds a new definition of 'law enforcement officer' to Georgia's general criminal definitions statute (O.C.G.A. § 16-1-3), covering five specific categories of officers.
• Extends the definition to include out-of-state or federal officers who help Georgia agencies during a state of emergency declared by the Governor.
• Covers newly appointed police chiefs or department heads who have not yet completed required Georgia peace officer training within their allowed window.
• Covers out-of-state certified officers working in Georgia who have not finished Georgia-specific training but remain in good standing in their home state.
• Covers full-time federal law enforcement officers who are authorized to carry firearms and make arrests under federal law.
• Amends the arrest-authority statute (O.C.G.A. § 17-4-20) to cross-reference this same definition rather than creating a separate one.

The bill affects newly appointed local police chiefs and department heads still in training, out-of-state officers working in Georgia or assisting during declared emergencies, federal law enforcement officers operating in Georgia, and any Georgians involved in arrests or interactions with these categories of officers.

By formally defining who counts as a 'law enforcement officer' under Georgia's arrest laws, the bill clarifies the legal status and arrest authority of officers who have not yet completed standard Georgia training, including new police chiefs, out-of-state officers, and federal agents, potentially affecting how their actions are treated under state criminal law.

• Section 1 gives the bill the short title 'Law Enforcement Partners Act.'
• Section 2 adds paragraph (8.1) to O.C.G.A. § 16-1-3, defining 'law enforcement officer' across five categories, including peace officers, emergency-assistance officers, untrained new chiefs, out-of-state officers, and federal officers.
• Section 3 amends O.C.G.A. § 17-4-20(a) to add a cross-reference stating that 'law enforcement officer' has the same meaning as defined in O.C.G.A. § 16-1-3.
• Section 4 repeals all laws in conflict with the Act.

1. 2025-04-04House Withdrawn, Recommitted (House)
2. 2025-02-20House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
3. 2025-02-11House Second Readers (House)
4. 2025-02-10House First Readers (House)
5. 2025-02-06House Hopper (House)

• Matt Reeves (R, HD-099)Primary sponsor
• Houston Gaines (R, HD-120)
• David Clark (R, HD-100)
• Sandy Donatucci (R, HD-105)
• Teddy Reese (D, HD-140)
• Clint Crowe (R, HD-118)

• law enforcement definitions
• police training
• arrest authority
• public safety law
• emergency response