---
title: O.C.G.A. § 35-3-61. Legislative findings; purpose; liberal construction.
collection: code
id: 35-3-61
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 35-3-61 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/35-3-61
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/35-3-61.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/35-3-61/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t35-t36-ch1-59-(v27)-2025-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=66569db4_0#page=175
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/35-3.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/35-3-60.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/code/35-3-62.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Session of the General Assembly of Georgia
heading_path: LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND AGENCIES / GEORGIA BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION / ANTITERRORISM TASK FORCE
---

# O.C.G.A. § 35-3-61. Legislative findings; purpose; liberal construction.

(a) This article is enacted as a direct response to the high level of reactivation of violent and terroristic acts against persons residing within the State of Georgia and in response to the outcry of the communities for assistance from the State of Georgia in combating these violent and terroristic acts.

(b) The purpose of this article shall be to assist law enforcement personnel in the State of Georgia to identify, investigate, arrest, and prosecute individuals or groups of individuals who illegally threaten, harass, terrorize, or otherwise injure or damage the person or property of persons on the basis of their race, national origin, or religious persuasion.

(c) It is the intent of the General Assembly that this article be interpreted and construed liberally to accomplish its purposes.

## History

Code 1981, § 35-3-61, enacted by Ga. L. 1983, p. 393, § 1; Ga. L. 1984, p. 22, § 35.

## Editor's Notes

The language formerly contained in subsection (a) of this Code section prior to the 1984 amendment is now contained in Code Section 35-3-60. See Code Section 35-3-60 and notes thereto.