Senate · Introduced · 2025-2026 Regular Session

SB529: SB529 "Justice For Epstein Survivors Act"; enact

Last action February 19, 2026 · Senate Read and Referred

A Georgia Senate bill would let victims of sexual offenses, minors, and people 65 or older sue property owners for negligent security even when current law would otherwise limit them to a narrower legal remedy.

In plain language

Georgia law currently treats claims against property owners for inadequate security, known as negligent security claims, as covered by one exclusive legal remedy set out in Georgia's negligent security statute (O.C.G.A. § 51-3-53). That means people hurt because a property owner failed to provide adequate security generally cannot bring other kinds of legal claims outside that one law. This bill, called the Justice For Epstein Survivors Act, adds an exception. It says that rule does not apply, and does not limit other claims, remedies, or lawsuits, when the wrongful conduct involves a sexual offense listed in Georgia's criminal sexual offenses chapter (O.C.G.A. Chapter 6 of Title 16), or when the injured person was under 18 or 65 or older at the time of the injury. The bill also repeals any conflicting laws.

What the bill does

Rewrites subsection (a) of Georgia's negligent security law (O.C.G.A. § 51-3-53) to add a new exception to its exclusive-remedy rule.
Adds a new subsection (d) stating the exclusive-remedy limit does not apply when the wrongful conduct involves a sexual offense under Chapter 6 of Title 16 of Georgia's criminal code.
Extends the same exception to any injured person who was younger than 18 or 65 or older at the time of the injury.
Gives the bill the short title 'Justice For Epstein Survivors Act.'
Repeals any existing Georgia laws that conflict with these changes.

Who it affects

The bill affects people injured by inadequate property security, particularly survivors of sexual offenses, minors, and people 65 or older, along with property owners and occupiers who could face broader liability, and personal injury attorneys who handle these cases.

Why it matters

Under current law, victims hurt by inadequate security are generally limited to one narrow legal path. This bill would open the door for sexual offense victims, minors, and older adults to pursue additional claims or remedies against property owners, potentially increasing their options for legal recourse and property owners' exposure to lawsuits.

Key provisions

Section 1 establishes the short title, the 'Justice For Epstein Survivors Act.'
Section 2 revises subsection (a) of O.C.G.A. § 51-3-53 to reference a new subsection (d) exception alongside existing exceptions (b) and (c).
Section 2 adds subsection (d), exempting claims tied to sexual offenses under Chapter 6 of Title 16, or involving victims under 18 or 65 and older, from the exclusive-remedy limitation.
A second section labeled 'Section 2' repeals conflicting laws (the bill text numbers two sections as 'Section 2').

Status timeline

2026-02-19Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2026-02-18Senate Hopper (Senate)

Topics

negligent security law
sexual assault survivors
property owner liability
personal injury lawsuits
child and elder protection