Senate Bill 517
By: Senators Howard of the 35th, Jones II of the 22nd, Merritt of the 9th, Orrock of the 36th,
Kemp of the 38th and others
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Chapter 1 of Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
general provisions regarding law enforcement officers and agencies, so as to prohibit the use
of immigration detention centers in this state for two years; to provide for definitions; to
provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Chapter 1 of Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general
provisions regarding law enforcement officers and agencies, is amended by adding a new
Code section to read as follows:
<ins>"35-1-17.1.
(a) As used in this Code section, the term:
(1) 'Detainee' means a noncitizen who is held in an immigration detention center pending
immigration proceedings or removal from the United States under the authority of the
United States Department of Homeland Security or United States Immigration and
Customs Enforcement.
</ins>
<ins>(2) 'Immigration detention center' means any facility located in this state that holds
detainees, including private facilities contracted by the federal government to hold such
detainees.
(b) In order to allow the state time to develop a comprehensive, long-term plan that
promotes dignity and justice in the operation of immigration detention centers, no such
centers shall be operated or otherwise used between July 1, 2026, and July 1, 2028."
</ins> SECTION 2.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.