2021 Georgia Code
Title 42 - Penal Institutions
Chapter 1 - General Provisions
Article 2 - Sexual Offender Registration Review Board
- § 42-1-12. State Sexual Offender Registry
- § 42-1-13. Sexual Offender Registration Review Board; Composition; Appointment; Administration and Duties; Immunity From Liability
- § 42-1-14. Risk Assessment Classification; Classification as "Sexually Dangerous Predator"; Electronic Monitoring
- § 42-1-15. Restriction on Registered Offenders Residing, Working, or Loitering Within Certain Distance of Child Care Facilities, Churches, Schools, or Areas Where Minors Congregate; Penalty for Violations; Civil Causes of Action
- § 42-1-16. Definitions; Employment Restrictions for Sexual Offenders; Penalties
- § 42-1-17. Definitions; Residency Restrictions for Sexual Offenders; Penalties
- § 42-1-18. "Photograph" Defined; Photographing Minor Without Consent of Parent or Guardian Prohibited; Penalty
- § 42-1-19. Petition for Release From Registration Requirements
- Ga. L. 2006, p. 379, § 24/HB 1059, designated existing Code Sections 42-1-12 and 42-1-13 and new Code Sections 42-1-14 and 42-1-15 as Article 2 of this chapter.
Ga. L. 2006, p. 379, § 1/HB 1059, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: "The General Assembly finds and declares that recidivist sexual offenders, sexual offenders who use physical violence, and sexual offenders who prey on children are sexual predators who present an extreme threat to the public safety. Many sexual offenders are extremely likely to use physical violence and to repeat their offenses; and some sexual offenders commit many offenses, have many more victims than are ever reported, and are prosecuted for only a fraction of their crimes. The General Assembly finds that this makes the cost of sexual offender victimization to society at large, while incalculable, clearly exorbitant. The General Assembly further finds that the high level of threat that a sexual predator presents to the public safety, and the long-term effects suffered by victims of sex offenses, provide the state with sufficient justification to implement a strategy that includes:
"(1) Incarcerating sexual offenders and maintaining adequate facilities to ensure that decisions to release sexual predators into the community are not made on the basis of inadequate space;
"(2) Requiring the registration of sexual offenders, with a requirement that complete and accurate information be maintained and accessible for use by law enforcement authorities, communities, and the public;
"(3) Providing for community and public notification concerning the presence of sexual offenders;
"(4) Collecting data relative to sexual offenses and sexual offenders;
"(5) Requiring sexual predators who are released into the community to wear an electronic monitoring system for the rest of their natural life and to pay for such system; and
"(6) Prohibiting sexual predators from working with children, either for compensation or as a volunteer.
"The General Assembly further finds that the state has a compelling interest in protecting the public from sexual offenders and in protecting children from predatory sexual activity, and there is sufficient justification for requiring sexual offenders to register and for requiring community and public notification of the presence of sexual offenders. The General Assembly declares that in order to protect the public, it is necessary that the sexual offenders be registered and that members of the community and the public be notified of a sexual offender's presence. The designation of a person as a sexual offender is neither a sentence nor a punishment but simply a regulatory mechanism and status resulting from the conviction of certain crimes. Likewise, the designation of a person as a sexual predator is neither a sentence nor a punishment but simply a regulatory mechanism and status resulting from findings by the Sexual Offender Registration Review Board and a court if requested by a sexual offender."
Law reviews.- For annual survey on criminal law, see 61 Mercer L. Rev. 79 (2009).
