SB443: SB443 Offenses Against Public Order; the punishment for the offense of obstructing highways, streets, sidewalks, or other public passages; increase

26 SB 443/AP 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 Co de of Georgia Annotated,1 relating to offenses against public order, so as to provide for the offense of obstructing2 highways or streets; to provide for punishment; to authorize ci vil liability for damages; to3 provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:5 SECTION 1.6 Article 2 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Geo rgia Annotated, relating to7 offenses against public order, is amended by revising Code Sect ion 16-11-43, relating to8 obstructing highways, streets, sidewalks, or other public passages, as follows:9 "16-11-43.10 A person who, without authority of law, purposely or recklessly obstructs any highway, or11 street, sidewalk, or other public passage in such a way as to render it impassable without12 unreasonable inconvenience or hazard and fails or refuses to remove the obstruction after13 receiving a reasonable official request or the order of a peace officer that he or she do so,14 is guilty of a high and aggravated misdemeanor. In addition to any other fine, penalty, or15 S. B. 443 - 1 - 26 SB 443/AP restitution which may be imposed by law, such person may be hel d civilly liable for16 damages that results from an offense of this Code section."17 A person who, without authority of law, purposely or recklessly obstructs any sidewalk or 18 other public passage in such a way to render it impassable with out unreasonable 19 inconvenience or hazard and fails or refuses to remove the obst ruction after receiving a 20 reasonable official request or the order of a peace officer that he or she do so is guilty of 21 a misdemeanor.22 SECTION 2.23 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.24 S. B. 443 - 2 -