SB 99: Crimes and Offenses; definition of law enforcement officer; provide

Georgia law previously did not spell out a single definition of "law enforcement officer" for purposes of the arrest and use-of-force statute. Senate Bill 99, called the "Law Enforcement Partners Act," adds that definition to Georgia's crimes and offenses code (O.C.G.A. § 16-1-3). The definition covers Georgia peace officers, out-of-state or federal officers who help a Georgia agency during a governor-declared state of emergency, newly appointed police chiefs or department heads who have not yet finished required training, officers certified in another state who work for a Georgia agency but have not completed Georgia's required training (as long as their out-of-state certification stays valid), and federal officers in good standing who are authorized to carry firearms and make arrests, when they act at the request of a Georgia officer or to prevent imminent death or injury. The bill also updates the arrest and deadly-force statute (O.C.G.A. § 17-4-20) to point to this same definition.

• Adds a new definition of "law enforcement officer" to Georgia's criminal code (O.C.G.A. § 16-1-3) covering five specific categories of officers.
• Includes out-of-state or federal officers who assist Georgia law enforcement during a governor-declared state of emergency or disaster.
• Covers newly appointed police chiefs or department heads during the window before they finish state-mandated training.
• Covers officers certified in another state working for a Georgia agency who have not yet completed Georgia's required training, as long as their out-of-state certification stays valid.
• Covers federal officers in good standing with arrest and firearm authority, when acting at a Georgia officer's request or to prevent imminent death or bodily harm.
• Amends the state's arrest and use-of-force statute (O.C.G.A. § 17-4-20) to cross-reference the new definition rather than create a separate one.

Georgia peace officers, newly appointed police chiefs and department heads, out-of-state officers working for Georgia agencies, and federal law enforcement officers who assist Georgia agencies during emergencies or other specified situations are all covered by the new definition and its legal protections.

By clearly defining who counts as a law enforcement officer under Georgia's arrest and use-of-force law, the bill clarifies the legal status of out-of-state and federal officers helping Georgia agencies, and of new chiefs still completing training, which affects how their authority and any legal protections are treated.

• Section 1 names the bill the "Law Enforcement Partners Act."
• Section 2 adds a new paragraph (8.1) to O.C.G.A. § 16-1-3 defining "law enforcement officer" in five parts, labeled (A) through (E).
• Part (B) covers state or federal officers assisting Georgia agencies during a governor-declared state of emergency or disaster under O.C.G.A. § 38-3-51.
• Part (C) covers newly appointed chiefs of police or department heads who have not yet completed training required under O.C.G.A. §§ 35-8-20 or 35-8-20.1.
• Part (D) covers officers certified in another state working for a Georgia agency who have not completed Georgia's Peace Officer Standards and Training Act requirements, if their out-of-state certification remains valid.
• Part (E) covers federal officers in good standing, authorized to carry firearms and make arrests, acting at a Georgia officer's request or to prevent imminent death or bodily harm.
• Section 3 amends O.C.G.A. § 17-4-20 to state that "law enforcement officer" in that statute has the same meaning defined in O.C.G.A. § 16-1-3.

1. 2025-07-01Effective Date
2. 2025-05-13Act 192
3. 2025-05-13Senate Date Signed by Governor (Senate)
4. 2025-04-10Senate Sent to Governor (Senate)
5. 2025-04-04Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub (Senate)
6. 2025-03-31House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (House)
7. 2025-03-31House Third Readers (House)
8. 2025-03-20House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)

• Randy Robertson (R, SD-29)Primary sponsor
• John Albers (R, SD-56)
• Timothy Bearden (R, SD-30)
• Carden Summers (R, SD-13)
• Billy Hickman (R, SD-4)
• Mike Hodges (R, SD-3)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-49)
• Sam Watson (R, SD-11)
• Marty Harbin (R, SD-16)
• Shawn Still (R, SD-48)
• Chuck Payne (R, SD-54)
• Brian Strickland (R, SD-42)
• Steve Gooch (R, SD-51)
• Matt Reeves (R, HD-99)

1. PassedSenate voteFebruary 13, 2025

   49 yea, 1 nay (2 not voting, 4 excused)

   PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE: Senate Vote #55

2. PassedHouse voteMarch 31, 2025

   152 yea, 11 nay (5 not voting, 12 excused)

   PASSAGE: House Vote #370

3. PassedSenate voteApril 4, 2025

   50 yea, 3 nay (2 not voting, 1 excused)

   AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE: Senate Vote #475

• law enforcement definitions
• police training
• criminal code
• public safety
• emergency response