Senate Bill 587
By: Senators Still of the 48th, Dickerson of the 21st, Summers of the 13th, Albers of the
56th, Hufstetler of the 52nd and others
AS PASSED
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Chapters 5 and 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to crimes against the person and offenses against public health and morals, so as to provide
for a court order to locate an alleged victim of child or elder abuse; to provide for the
establishment of an animal cruelty database; to provide for purpose and funding; to require
clerks of court to transmit certain conviction and sentencing information to the Prosecuting
Attorneys' Council of the State of Georgia; to require the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of
the State of Georgia to create, administer, and maintain such database; to provide for
minimum requirements; to provide for reporting and forms; 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 5 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to crimes against
the person, is amended by adding a new subsection to Code Section 16-5-70, relating to
cruelty to children, to read as follows:
<ins>"(f) Where there is an open investigation relating to an alleged offense in violation of this
Code section, and the child is moved from a known address to an unknown location, the
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<ins>superior court for the county of the known address may grant an order to locate the parent
or guardian of record upon a showing by a law enforcement official an inquiry regarding
the welfare and safety of the child is necessary to complete such investigation."
</ins> SECTION 2.
Said chapter is further amended by adding a new subsection to Code Section 16-5-102,
relating to exploitation and intimidation of disabled adults, elder persons, and residents, and
obstruction of investigation, to read as follows:
<ins>"(d) Where there is an open investigation relating to an alleged offense in violation of this
Code section, and the disabled adult, elder person, or resident is moved from a known
address to an unknown location, the superior court for the county of the known address
may grant an order to locate the guardian of record upon a showing by a law enforcement
official an inquiry regarding the welfare and safety of the disabled adult, elder person, or
resident is necessary to complete such investigation."
</ins> SECTION 3.
Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to offenses against
public health and morals, is amended in Article 1, relating to general provisions, by adding
a new subsection to Code Section 16-12-4, relating to cruelty to animals, to read as follows:
<ins>"(i)(1) Subject to appropriations by the General Assembly or other available funding, by
January 1, 2027, the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of the State of Georgia shall create,
administer, and maintain on its website a state-wide, publicly searchable animal cruelty
database. The primary purpose of such database shall be to assist animal shelters, animal
protection and control agencies, and other organizations and members of the public
involved in animal placement determinations in screening prospective owners and
preventing animals from being placed in dangerous situations. At minimum, such
database shall:
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<ins>(A) List the full names of each individual who has been convicted of or entered a plea
of guilty or nolo contendere to any violation of this Code section or Code Section
16-6-6, 16-7-21.2, 16-11-107, or 16-12-37;
(B) Be accessible at no cost; and
(C) Be updated no less than monthly.
(2) When a person is convicted of an offense identified in subparagraph (A) of
paragraph (1) of this subsection, the clerk of the court shall electronically transmit a copy
of such conviction and sentence to the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of the State of
Georgia within 60 days of entry of such conviction and sentence.
(3) The Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of the State of Georgia shall be authorized to
solicit input from state law enforcement and prosecuting attorneys in determining
information to be included in the animal cruelty database. All state law enforcement,
prosecution and corrections agencies, offices, and departments shall cooperate with and
shall provide in a timely manner any information acquired relating to a violation
described in subparagraph (1)(A) of this subsection to the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council
of the State of Georgia to be included in the animal cruelty database in a format
prescribed by such council pursuant to paragraph (3) of this subsection.
(4) The Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of the State of Georgia shall be authorized to
create and promulgate a uniform reporting form to be used by state law enforcement,
prosecution and corrections agencies, offices, and departments in reporting information
for inclusion in the animal cruelty database."
</ins> SECTION 4.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.