The recent mortgage foreclosure crisis, whose economic effects are well known, transformed state legal structures governing the mortgage foreclosure process. What had been a relatively routine system of default judgments and auction sales has evolved into a negotiation and workout practice in which homeowners contest foreclosures, demand loan modifications and
A few years ago one might have seen a small object flying overhead without any idea what it could be. Today, it is fairly commonplace to see drones flying around our neighborhood skies. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) predicts there will be seven million drones populating our skies by 2020.
The criminal justice system has morphed dramatically over the last several decades, achieving more pervasive control over the lives of individuals than ever before. The expansion began with the proliferation of criminal statutes, generating the now well-known concept of over-criminalization. The expansion also encompassed increasing the range of possible sanctions
Americans’ poor health and high health care costs largely stem from social, environmental, and behavioral factors that adversely impact health. Yet, health care providers traditionally have neglected the social determinants of health, focusing instead on medically treating patients’ symptoms. As a result, addressing the social determinants of health has primarily
The Act reorganizes and modernizes Georgia’s garnishment code by requiring notice of garnishment exemptions to debtors, providing a process for the resolution of exemption claims, limiting the garnishment period for financial accounts to twenty four hours, requiring service of garnishment summons to be performed upon a registered agent of
HB 727 establishes provisions to allow local governments to restrict the usage of fireworks. It also changes regulations for the following: the sale and use of fireworks, temporary consumer fireworks sales stands, fire department requirements, firefighter qualifications, pyrotechnics exhibits, consumer fireworks distributor licenses, fireworks contraband, limitations on the timing of
The Act changes the grand jury proceedings for police officers charged with committing a crime in the course of performing their official duties. Prior to the Act, Georgia police officers were permitted to be present for the entire duration of grand jury proceedings, hear all of the evidence presented against
The Act mandates the installation of real-time electronic tracking systems in all pharmacies that sell products containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, which are ingredients used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. When customers attempt to purchase more than the maximum amount of these products, the tracking system blocks the sale by issuing
The Act amends Georgia’s anti-SLAPP statute to expand its coverage from protecting the right to petition to also include protecting the right of free speech in connection with an issue of public interest or concern. Claims brought against those involved in such activities shall be subject to a motion
The Act amends provisions of Georgia’s domestic relations statutes to allow a court to deny a biological father’s legitimation petition or to terminate his parental rights when there is clear and convincing evidence that the child was conceived as a result of rape. If the court denies the
The Act provides comprehensive reform for offenders entering, proceeding through, and leaving the criminal justice system. It expands accountability courts and pretrial intervention and diversion programs. The Act provides for students incarcerated in Department of Corrections facilities or incarcerated or committed to Department of Juvenile Justice facilities to receive educational
The Act amends provisions of the HOPE scholarship by allowing students who choose to take more rigorous courses to have a weighted grade point average for the evaluation of their HOPE scholarship disbursement.
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The Act creates a tax-exempt savings account program for persons with disabilities in order to help them live independently. It creates an ABLE Program Corporation whose board is authorized to implement and administer the program.
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The Act exempts economic development project documents, maintained by any state government agency, from public disclosure until the project is secured by binding commitment. The Act also allows any state university’s athletic department ninety days to return open records requests.
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The Act expands the jurisdiction of the Georgia Court of Appeals and increases the number of Supreme Court Justices from seven to nine to alleviate the overly burdened Supreme Court of Georgia. The Supreme Court had exclusive appellate jurisdiction over cases involving title to land, wills, and divorce. The Act
The Act purported to protect the free exercise of religion for religious officials and institutions. Religious officials would not be required to perform marriage ceremonies in violation of their legal right to free exercise of religion. Moreover, faith based organizations would have been permitted to deny employment to individuals whose
