HB1207: HB1207 Domestic relations; creation of a registry of recidivist domestic violence offenders; provide

Georgia does not currently maintain a public registry specifically for repeat domestic violence offenders. This bill would create one by adding a new chapter to Title 19 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.), Georgia's domestic relations law. Courts would order certain offenders, those convicted of a felony domestic violence offense or convicted with at least one prior domestic violence conviction, to register. Clerks of court would send conviction records and photos to the Georgia Crime Information Center within 60 days, and the center would post the offender's name, aliases, birth year, photo, offenses, counties of conviction, and sentences on the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's public website within seven days. Registry entries would stay listed for two, five, or ten years depending on how many prior convictions the person has. Registered offenders would pay a $150 fee, split between the local court and the state treasury. People could request removal if listed in error or after their required time expires, with a right to judicial review. The law would apply to convictions occurring on or after January 1, 2027.

• Creates a searchable public registry of recidivist (repeat) domestic violence offenders maintained by the Georgia Crime Information Center and posted on the GBI website.
• Requires sentencing courts to order registration for offenders convicted of a qualifying felony domestic violence offense or convicted with at least one prior domestic violence conviction.
• Requires court clerks to send conviction records, sentences, and photos to the Georgia Crime Information Center within 60 days of conviction.
• Sets registry listing periods of two, five, or ten years depending on the number of prior domestic violence convictions.
• Charges registered offenders a $150 fee, split between the sentencing court (for administration) and the state general fund.
• Creates a process for a registered person to request removal from the registry and to seek judicial review if the request is denied.

People convicted of domestic violence or dating violence offenses in Georgia, especially repeat offenders; court clerks, who must transmit records to the Georgia Crime Information Center; the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which would run and publish the registry; and members of the public who could search it.

Georgians would be able to look up repeat domestic violence offenders on a public state website, similar to how sex offender registries work now. Offenders would face a new $150 fee and a public listing for years after conviction, while courts and state agencies take on new record-sharing and administrative duties.

• Section 1 adds a new Chapter 13B to Title 19, defining 'recidivist domestic violence offender' as someone convicted of a qualifying felony domestic violence offense or convicted with at least one prior domestic violence conviction.
• Code Section 19-13B-2 creates the registry, requires the Georgia Crime Information Center to maintain it, and requires the GBI to publish it publicly online.
• The same section requires court clerks to transmit conviction records and photos within 60 days and requires the registry to be updated within seven days of receiving those records.
• The registry excludes addresses, social security numbers, and driver's license or other ID numbers from public listing.
• Listing periods are set at two years for one prior conviction, five years for two prior convictions, and ten years for three or more prior convictions.
• A removal process lets a listed person request review by the Georgia Crime Information Center and appeal to a court within 30 days of a denial.
• Section 19-13B-3 sets a $150 registration fee, with $50 kept by the sentencing court and $100 sent to the state treasury.
• Section 2 makes the law apply only to domestic violence convictions occurring on or after January 1, 2027.

1. 2026-02-09House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-02-06House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-02-05House Hopper (House)

• Teddy Reese (D, HD-140)Primary sponsor
• Karen Lupton (D, HD-083)
• Lisa Campbell (D, HD-035)
• Sheila Jones (D, HD-060)
• Phil Olaleye (D, HD-059)

• domestic violence
• offender registry
• criminal justice
• public safety
• court records