---
title: O.C.G.A. § 19-13-4.1. “Local law enforcement agency” defined; security checks.
collection: code
id: 19-13-4.1
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 19-13-4.1 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/19-13-4.1
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/19-13-4.1.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/19-13-4.1/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t18-t19-(v16)-2022-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=b0848ebd_0#page=1289
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/code/19-13.md
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index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: DOMESTIC RELATIONS / FAMILY VIOLENCE / GRANTING OF RELIEF BY SUPERIOR COURTS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 19-13-4.1. “Local law enforcement agency” defined; security checks.

(a) As used in this Code section, the term “local law enforcement agency” means county and city:

(1) Police departments; and

(2) Sheriff offices.

(b)(1) Upon obtaining a protective order under Code Section 19-13-3 or 19-13-4, the petitioner may elect to request periodic security checks from any local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction in which the petitioner resides.

(2) Such security checks shall occur at intervals and times in the discretion of the local law enforcement agency and shall continue for the duration of the order or until such request is withdrawn by the petitioner or the local law enforcement agency determines that the petitioner’s circumstances no longer appear to require such security checks.

(3) Security checks may include:

(A) Observation of the exterior of the petitioner’s residence; and

(B) Officer presence in the vicinity of the petitioner’s residence.

(4) If such petitioner elects to request such periodic security checks, the petitioner shall provide to the local law enforcement agency the temporary protective order for photocopying purposes and provide a written request for the law enforcement agency to conduct periodic security checks at the petitioner’s residence contained in the protective order for a period of up to 60 days.

## History

Code 1981, § 19-13-4.1, enacted by Ga. L. 2021, p. 362, § 1/HB 236.

## Cross References

Law enforcement officers and agencies, T. 35, C. 1.

## Effective Date

This Code section became effective May 4, 2021.