Gov. Brian Kemp signs package of bills
New laws target grooming and squatters, help military families and expand parental leave.
Gov. Brian Kemp signed bills Wednesday aimed at combating human trafficking in Georgia as well as providing up to six weeks of paid parental leave for state workers.
“We are taking three important steps forward to make sure Georgia is a safe haven for survivors … turning Georgia into a national leader for victims’ rights and putting criminals behind bars,” Kemp said during a bill signing ceremony at the state Capitol.
Senate Bill 370 expands the businesses required to post notices containing information on how to reach a human trafficking hotline to include convenience stores, tattoo parlors, manufacturing facilities and medical offices.
The law already includes bars, airports, rail and bus stations, truck stops, highway rest areas, and adult entertainment establishments.
House Bill 993 creates the offense of grooming a minor and prohibits digitally altering a photographic image to make it look like an identifiable minor is engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
House Bill 1201 allows the vacating of prison sentences for victims of human trafficking who have been convicted of crimes committed while they were being victimized.
“Those victimized by this brutal industry deserve a chance to rebuild their lives,” Kemp said.
The governor also signed another package of bills Wednesday aimed at helping military families, including legislation allowing military spouses to use an existing out-of-state license to obtain employment in Georgia and exempting military medical personnel from certification requirements to serve provisionally as a nurses aide, paramedic, cardiac technician, or emergency medical technician.
PAID PARENTAL LEAVE
House Bill 1010, which the General Assembly passed overwhelmingly last month, doubles paid parental leave for state workers following the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child in their home, providing a total leave of up to 240 hours. The legislature passed a bill in 2021 authorizing 120 hours of paid parental leave for state employees.
Nonprofit advocates for paid parental leave praised passage of the bill Wednesday but called for extending the benefit beyond just state workers. About 78% of Georgia’s workforce remains without access to paid family leave, according to the group 9to5 Georgia.
“We will continue organizing and advocating toward our larger goal of every worker in this state having access to paid medical, family, and parental leave, no matter where one works or the size of their employer,” said Jasmine Bowles, 9to5 Georgia’s executive director.
“We hope that lawmakers will continue to be responsive to the overwhelming majority of voters who support comprehensive paid leave and want our state to enact more paid leave policies.”
House Bill 1010 was introduced by House Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones, R-Milton, and carried in the state Senate by Judiciary Committee Chairman Brian Strickland, R-McDonough.
ILLEGAL SQUATTING
Kemp also signed House Bill 1017, which creates the offense of unlawful squatting when someone enters upon the land or premises of the owner without the owner or rightful occupant’s knowledge or consent.
The bill comes amid an increase nationwide in highly publicized reports of trespassers committing violence against homeowners, landlords, or real estate agents, as well as vandalizing properties.
“For property owners in
Georgia, squatters are occupying their property, which presents a very difficult and expensive legal problem,” said state Rep. Devan Seabaugh, R-Marietta, chief sponsor of the bill.
“We have homeowners tied up in court for eight months to two years in some cases trying to get these squatters removed from their property. House Bill 1017 sends a message to squatters that they are criminals, and they will be treated like criminals.”
Under the measure, violators will receive a citation advising them to present documentation within three business days authorizing their presence on the land or premises. Failure to do so will subject the violator to being charged with misdemeanor criminal trespass.