SB617: SB617 Dispossessory Proceedings; public access to court records of dispossessory proceedings under certain conditions; prohibit

26 LC 49 2715 Senate Bill 617 By: Senators Halpern of the 39th, Jones II of the 22nd, Jackson of the 41st, Parent of the 44th and Kemp of the 38th A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Article 3 of Chapter 7 of Title 44 of the Official Cod e of Georgia Annotated,1 relating to dispossessory proceedings, so as to prohibit public access to court records of2 dispossessory proceedings under certain conditions; to provide for related matters; to repeal3 conflicting laws; and for other purposes.4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:5 SECTION 1.6 Article 3 of Chapter 7 of Title 44 of the Official Code of Geor gia Annotated, relating to7 dispossessory proceedings, is amended in Code Section 44-7-50, relating to demand for8 possession, procedure upon a tenant's refusal, and notice to vacate or pay, by adding a new9 subsection to read as follows:10 "(e) A court of competent jurisdiction shall order all records of the court relating to a11 dispossessory proceeding to be made unavailable to the public w hen the tenant has12 prevailed in the proceeding, has met all the conditions of a settlement agreement, or three13 years have lapsed since the resolution of the dispossessory action."14 S. B. 617 - 1 - 26 LC 49 2715 SECTION 2.15 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.16 S. B. 617 - 2 -