Georgia General Assembly · Full text

SB 443: Offenses Against Public Order; the punishment for the offense of obstructing highways, streets, sidewalks, or other public passages; increase

Enrolled version, the latest LegiScan holds · Last action May 11, 2026 · Passed

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Senate Bill 443

By: Senators Summers of the 13th, Albers of the 56th, Dixon of the 45th, Hickman of the 4th, Ginn of the 47th and others

AS PASSED

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

To amend Article 2 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to offenses against public order, so as to provide for the offense of obstructing highways or streets; to provide for punishment; to authorize civil liability for damages; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Article 2 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to offenses against public order, is amended by revising Code Section 16-11-43, relating to obstructing highways, streets, sidewalks, or other public passages, as follows:

"16-11-43.

A person who, without authority of law, purposely or recklessly obstructs any highway, or street, ~~sidewalk, or other public passage~~ in such a way as to render it impassable without unreasonable inconvenience or hazard and fails or refuses to remove the obstruction after receiving a reasonable official request or the order of a peace officer that he or she do so, is guilty of a high and aggravated misdemeanor. In addition to any other fine, penalty, or restitution which may be imposed by law, such person may be held civilly liable for damages that results from an offense of this Code section." A person who, without authority of law, purposely or recklessly obstructs any sidewalk or other public passage in such a way to render it impassable without unreasonable inconvenience or hazard and fails or refuses to remove the obstruction after receiving a reasonable official request or the order of a peace officer that he or she do so is guilty of a misdemeanor.

SECTION 2.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.