New laws come into effect in Georgia on July 1
More than 100 new laws will come into effect in Georgia on July 1.
ATLANTA – On July 1, several new laws will go into effect that will affect various aspects of daily life in Georgia.
The new state budget, which takes effect on July 1, includes salary increases for police officers, child protection workers and other state employees. The tax rate will be reduced by 0.1% annually from 5.49% and the allowance for dependent income tax will be increased by 33%. The corporate tax rate will be reduced from 5.75% to 5.39%.
Telephone Consumer Protection Act: Businesses could be held liable for illegal telemarketing calls made by third-party contractors. Senate Bill 73.
Home Safety Act: Required rental units must be habitable and properties must comply with local and state building codes and health and safety standards. House Bill 404.
HOA Regulations: Homeowners and homeowners associations must give property owners time to respond to breaches of contract.
Georgia Squatting Reform Act: Squatters face charges of trespassing, fines for unpaid rent, and eviction within three days of notifying the police. Bill 1017.
School vouchers and parental leave: Parents can receive vouchers worth up to $6,500 to higher-performing schools.
Preventing drug overdoses in schools: To prevent overdoses, schools are now allowed to provide opioid antagonists.
Hemp products: Hemp products like CBD can only be sold to people one year of age or older and must be tested. Sales are prohibited within 500 feet of K-12 schools and cannot look like existing snacks or candy. Senate Bill 494.
Defibrillators in schools: Schools are now required to install automatic defibrillators outside the school building rather than inside.
Addy’s Law: This bill would require public schools to plan their bus routes so that students do not have to cross streets where the speed limit exceeds 40 miles per hour and would also increase penalties for drivers who pass a school bus that is picking up children. House Bill 409.
Paid parental leave: Civil servants receive double parental leave of up to 240 hours.
Georgia Social Media Protection Act for Children: Children are provided with guides on social media use and internet safety at school. Schools may use vehicles other than buses for transportation.
Free government ID cards: Youth ages 14 to 17 in the care of the Division of Family & Children Services receive free state identification cards.
PREVIOUS: These new laws will take effect in Georgia on January 1, 2024
Penalties for cattle theft: Theft of livestock in Georgia is punishable by a fine of $10,000 and a prison sentence of 2 to 15 years.
Illegal drag racing: Repeat offenders face felony charges, driver's license suspension, fines, and a prison sentence of 3 months to 10 years. Senate Bill 10.
Requirements for emergency vehicles: Tow trucks and other emergency vehicles must have flashing or rotating yellow lights.
Death certificates: Nurses and physician assistants with college degrees are authorized to sign death certificates.
Accelerated Licenses: Marriage and family therapists may receive expedited licensure.
Licensing requirement lifted: Beauticians who blow-dry, wash or apply make-up no longer need a license.
Georgia Criminal Alien Track and Report Act: State law enforcement agencies must cooperate with federal immigration authorities to report and arrest suspected illegal immigrants accused of crimes.
Voter distance: Voters can now be removed from the voter rolls if there is evidence that they are deceased, were registered to vote or vote in another district, or have a tax exemption showing that their primary residence is elsewhere. Senate Bill 189.
Cash deposit: Cash bail is required for 30 additional charges, including 18 misdemeanors such as theft by taking, trespassing and forgery. Senate Bill 63.
RELATED: Federal lawsuit targets new Georgia bail law
Deaths from fentanyl: New laws will punish drug dealers responsible for fentanyl-related deaths. Senate Bill 465.
Swatting: Increases penalties for swatting, the practice of filing false reports of shootings and bomb threats to provoke police intervention. Senate Bill 421.
For a complete list of the 709 signed bills, see Georgia Legislation 2024.
