From new teenage rides to student athletes to hazing laws, here are some of the new laws that will come into effect from the 2021-22 legislature.

ATLANTA – Several new laws will come into effect in Georgia on Thursday July 1st.

From new teenage rides to student athletes to hazing laws, here are some of the new laws that will come into effect from the 2021-22 legislature.

crime

HB286 – This bill limits the ability of the district authorities to reduce funding for the district police force. District and city governments are allowed to cut a police agency’s budget by more than 5% in a single year or over a five-year period starting Thursday.

HB363 – This bill provides protection for people aged 65 and over when crime and criminal offenses are committed. It provides penalties for certain offenses.

SB75 – The bill allows victims of stalking to end their leases by July 1, 2021 or after. If someone has a court order to protect them from a stalker, they can terminate their lease with no penalties or premature termination fees.

district

SB221 – This bill allows local education authorities to appoint members to local planning commissions related to zoning procedures.

Drive

HB466 – The bill, also known as Joshua’s Law, introduces several changes for teenage drivers in Georgia. The state requires driver training for 15, 16 and now 17 year olds. The legal training consists of 30 hours of face-to-face or online lessons and six hours of on-the-road training.

HB693 – This bill prohibits the use of farm tractors on motorways.

HB174 – This bill updates the federal regulations for motor vehicles and commercial vehicles regarding the safe operation and transport of hazardous substances.

HB165 – This bill provides for the use of mounts on windshields to support wireless telecommunications equipment and standalone electronic devices in certain circumstances.

education

HB617 – This bill allows student athletes to receive compensation for using their name, picture, or picture.

SB85 – This bill, known as the Max Gruver Act, extends the definition of harassment to include minors. It also provides penalties for turbidity. The law was created after Roswell-born Max Gruver attended college at LSU and died of alcohol poisoning described as the “abuse ritual”. This law requires that public and private universities in Georgia have guidelines in place for reporting, investigating and conducting due process of suspected harassment involving students and student organizations.

SB66 – The bill allows the Georgia Foundation for Public Education, a nonprofit corporation, to receive private donations that are used as grants to public schools.

HB287 – Bill includes tobacco and steam products in educational courses on alcohol and drugs required for all kindergarten through 12th grade students each year.

SB159 – This bill allows local education authorities to use vehicles other than school buses to transport students to and from school-related activities.

SB204 – The bill allows the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia to award high school diplomas.

HB32 – The bill provides a refundable teacher recruitment and retention program for teachers in certain rural schools or certain underperforming schools.

health

HB591 – The Mental Health Bill empowers marriage and family therapists to take certain actions that doctors and psychologists may take in relation to emergency medical examinations for the involuntary examination and treatment of mental illness, alcohol or substance abuse.

HB548 – The bill provides the Courts Administration Office with reasonable access to records of reports of child abuse.

HB128 – This bill implements Gracie’s law, which prohibits providers from discriminating against potential organ transplant recipients based on physical or mental disabilities.

politics

SB221 – This bill allows heads of state to have leadership committees and chairmen. It enables them to receive contributions and spend during the legislative period.

Animals

HB574 – As part of the Companion Local Government Animal Trust Fund, this bill relates to licenses for animal dealers, kennels, stable or animal shelter operators.