reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS (§§ 50-18-1 — 50-18-160) › Article 2 - COURT REPORTS (§§ 50-18-20 — 50-18-37) › Section 50-18-29 - Method of printing and binding reports; notice of deficiencies and time for cure; advice of panel regarding quality of reports

(a)
The publisher, with the approval of the reporter, may choose the most efficient and advantageous method of producing the reports so long as the style and quality of the reports are not compromised by any change in the method of printing and binding the reports.
(b)
Should the work of printing and binding the reports or any part of them be done improperly, it shall be the duty of the reporter to advise the publisher by written notice of the deficiencies in the reports. The publisher shall have 60 days to make the necessary corrections. In the event the publisher fails to cure the deficiencies, the reporter may declare the contract breached and ended and assess the publisher for any damages the state may realize for the breach. The bond given by the publisher shall be liable for any sum assessed.
(c)
The reporter may seek, and must seek if requested in writing by the publisher, advice regarding the quality of the reports, such advice to be obtained from a panel composed of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, an appointee of the Governor who is not the Attorney General, the executive counsel, and the legislative counsel. The publisher and the reporter shall be allowed to appear before the panel and present any material relevant to the quality of the reports. The decision of the panel is final.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS (§§ 50-18-1 — 50-18-160) › Article 2 - COURT REPORTS (§§ 50-18-20 — 50-18-37) › Section 50-18-30 - Number of volumes ordered and produced

(a)
The reporter shall order in writing from the publisher the number of volumes of each report required by the state when he delivers the manuscript to the publisher.
(b)
The publisher shall produce the number of reports as is ordered by the reporter and upon completion of printing and binding shall deliver the reports to the reporter.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS (§§ 50-18-1 — 50-18-160) › Article 2 - COURT REPORTS (§§ 50-18-20 — 50-18-37) › Section 50-18-32 - Production and sale of reports to citizens; liability for not having reports in stock; opportunity to explain failure to panel

(a)
In addition to the reports to be furnished to the state as previously provided, the publisher shall produce a sufficient number for sale to the citizens of the state. The publisher shall at all times during his contract keep on hand in the capital city of the state an adequate supply of the reports such publisher has published during that contract period for sale to the citizens of the state and to the state when it so requires.
(b)
In the event the publisher does not have in stock any report published during the contract period that is needed by the state or any citizen of the state, the reporter shall, upon notice to the publisher, declare the contract breached; and the publisher shall become liable to the state for a sum, to be assessed by the reporter, payable to the state for each week that the report is not available but in no event shall the total of the sum assessed by the reporter exceed the amount of the publisher's bond. In the event of undue delay, the reporter may declare the contract ended. The bond given by the publisher shall be liable for any sum assessed.
(c)
The reporter, prior to declaring the contract breached, shall seek the advice of a panel composed of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, an appointee of the Governor who is not the Attorney General, the executive counsel, and the legislative counsel. The publisher shall have an opportunity to appear before this panel to explain the reason for his failure to have in stock a particular volume and to avoid liability for any sum which may be assessed against him. The panel can decide to provide the publisher an extended period of time to produce the required volumes of reports, or it may declare the publisher liable for a sum assessed by the reporter; and, if the reporter has so requested, it may declare the contract with the publisher ended. In any case, the decision of the panel is final.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS (§§ 50-18-1 — 50-18-160) › Article 2 - COURT REPORTS (§§ 50-18-20 — 50-18-37) › Section 50-18-33 - Statement of charges to be paid or arbitrated; payment funds to come from particular appropriation; price of reports

(a)
Upon delivery of the volumes of each report to the proper recipient, the publisher shall present to the reporter an itemized statement of charges for which the state is liable. If the statement appears erroneous to the reporter, he shall contact the publisher in an effort to correct the errors. In the event no agreement can be reached, the Attorney General shall act as arbiter between the reporter and the publisher.
(b)
If the reporter is satisfied as to the correctness of the statement of charges, he shall pay the publisher accordingly. The payment shall be made from funds appropriated to the courts by the General Assembly for the publication and distribution of the reports of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals. This particular appropriation is to be administered by the reporter.
(c)
The price at which the reports shall be furnished to the state and to the citizens of the state shall not exceed the price set forth in the contract.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS (§§ 50-18-1 — 50-18-160) › Article 2 - COURT REPORTS (§§ 50-18-20 — 50-18-37) › Section 50-18-34 - Copyright belongs to state

The reports shall be copyrighted and the copyright shall belong to the state.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS (§§ 50-18-1 — 50-18-160) › Article 2 - COURT REPORTS (§§ 50-18-20 — 50-18-37) › Section 50-18-35 - Publisher to maintain means to reproduce volumes

During the term of his contract, the publisher shall maintain the means to reproduce any volume published during the term of the contract at a time subsequent to the printing of that volume.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS (§§ 50-18-1 — 50-18-160) › Article 2 - COURT REPORTS (§§ 50-18-20 — 50-18-37) › Section 50-18-36 - Upon expiration of contract, publisher authorized to sell reports; price

Upon the expiration of his contract, the publisher may sell all unsold copies of the reports to any person, firm, corporation, or entity, public or private. The price of any such copies shall remain the same as fixed by the contract under which such copies were published.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS (§§ 50-18-1 — 50-18-160) › Article 2 - COURT REPORTS (§§ 50-18-20 — 50-18-37) › Section 50-18-37 - Rules compilation

The reporter shall publish a rules compilation in electronic format that is made accessible to the public through the Internet or other suitable electronic methods and shall update the rules compilation as necessary.
Added by 2010 Ga. Laws 615,§ 9, eff. 6/3/2010.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS (§§ 50-18-1 — 50-18-160) › Article 3 - [REPEALED] (§ 50-18-50) › Section 50-18-50 - through 50-18-55 - [Repealed]

Repealed and reserved by 2001 Ga. Laws 250, § 1, eff. 7/1/2001.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS (§§ 50-18-1 — 50-18-160) › Article 4 - INSPECTION OF PUBLIC RECORDS (§§ 50-18-70 — 50-18-78) › Section 50-18-70 - Legislative intent; definitions

(a)
The General Assembly finds and declares that the strong public policy of this state is in favor of open government; that open government is essential to a free, open, and democratic society; and that public access to public records should be encouraged to foster confidence in government and so that the public can evaluate the expenditure of public funds and the efficient and proper functioning of its institutions. The General Assembly further finds and declares that there is a strong presumption that public records should be made available for public inspection without delay. This article shall be broadly construed to allow the inspection of governmental records. The exceptions set forth in this article, together with any other exception located elsewhere in the Code, shall be interpreted narrowly to exclude only those portions of records addressed by such exception.
(b)
As used in this article, the term:
(1)
"Agency" shall have the same meaning as in Code Section
50-14-1
and shall additionally include any association, corporation, or other similar organization that has a membership or ownership body composed primarily of counties, municipal corporations, or school districts of this state, their officers, or any combination thereof and derives more than 33 1/3 percent of its general operating budget from payments from such political subdivisions.
(2)
"Public record" means all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, computer based or generated information, data, data fields, or similar material prepared and maintained or received by an agency or by a private person or entity in the performance of a service or function for or on behalf of an agency or when such documents have been transferred to a private person or entity by an agency for storage or future governmental use.
Amended by 2012 Ga. Laws 599,§ I-1-38, eff. 7/1/2012.
Amended by 2012 Ga. Laws 605,§ 2, eff. 4/17/2012.
Subsection (c) of this section was amended by 2012 Ga. Laws 599, § I-1-38, effective 7/1/2012. However, subsection (c) was deleted by 2012 Ga. Laws. 605, § 2, effective 7/1/2012. The text of that subsection as amended is as follows: "(c) Except as provided in subsection (b) of Code Section 15-6-61, any computerized index of a county real estate deed records shall be printed or made available through electronic means for purposes of public inspection no less than every 30 days and any correction made on such index shall be made a part of the printout or made available through electronic means and shall reflect the time and date that said index was corrected."
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS (§§ 50-18-1 — 50-18-160) › Article 4 - INSPECTION OF PUBLIC RECORDS (§§ 50-18-70 — 50-18-78) › Section 50-18-71.1 - and 50-18-71.2 - [Repealed]

Repealed by § Ga. L. 2012, p. 218, 2/HB 397, effective 4/17/2012.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS (§§ 50-18-1 — 50-18-160) › Article 4 - INSPECTION OF PUBLIC RECORDS (§§ 50-18-70 — 50-18-78) › Section 50-18-73 - Jurisdiction to enforce article; attorney's fees and litigation expenses; good faith reliance as defense to action

(a)
The superior courts of this state shall have jurisdiction in law and in equity to entertain actions against persons or agencies having custody of records open to the public under this article to enforce compliance with the provisions of this article. Such actions may be brought by any person, firm, corporation, or other entity. In addition, the Attorney General shall have authority to bring such actions in his or her discretion as may be appropriate to enforce compliance with this article and to seek either civil or criminal penalties or both.
(b)
In any action brought to enforce the provisions of this chapter in which the court determines that either party acted without substantial justification either in not complying with this chapter or in instituting the litigation, the court shall, unless it finds that special circumstances exist, assess in favor of the complaining party reasonable attorney's fees and other litigation costs reasonably incurred. Whether the position of the complaining party was substantially justified shall be determined on the basis of the record as a whole which is made in the proceeding for which fees and other expenses are sought.
(c)
Any agency or person who provides access to information in good faith reliance on the requirements of this chapter shall not be liable in any action on account of such decision.
Amended by 2012 Ga. Laws 605,§ 2, eff. 4/17/2012.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS (§§ 50-18-1 — 50-18-160) › Article 4 - INSPECTION OF PUBLIC RECORDS (§§ 50-18-70 — 50-18-78) › Section 50-18-74 - Penalty for violations; procedure for commencement of prosecution

(a)
Any person or entity knowingly and willfully violating the provisions of this article by failing or refusing to provide access to records not subject to exemption from this article, by knowingly and willingly failing or refusing to provide access to such records within the time limits set forth in this article, or by knowingly and willingly frustrating or attempting to frustrate the access to records by intentionally making records difficult to obtain or review shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 for the first violation. Alternatively, a civil penalty may be imposed by the court in any civil action brought pursuant to this article against any person who negligently violates the terms of this article in an amount not to exceed $1,000.00 for the first violation. A civil penalty or criminal fine not to exceed $2,500.00 per violation may be imposed for each additional violation that the violator commits within a 12 month period from the date the first penalty or fine was imposed. It shall be a defense to any criminal action under this Code section that a person has acted in good faith in his or her actions. In addition, persons or entities that destroy records for the purpose of preventing their disclosure under this article may be subject to prosecution under Code Section
45-11-1
.
(b)
A prosecution under this Code section may only be commenced by issuance of a citation in the same manner as an arrest warrant for a peace officer pursuant to Code Section
17-4-40
; such citation shall be personally served upon the accused. The defendant shall not be arrested prior to the time of trial, except that a defendant who fails to appear for arraignment or trial may thereafter be arrested pursuant to a bench warrant and required to post a bond for his or her future appearance.
Amended by 2012 Ga. Laws 605,§ 2, eff. 4/17/2012.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS (§§ 50-18-1 — 50-18-160) › Article 4 - INSPECTION OF PUBLIC RECORDS (§§ 50-18-70 — 50-18-78) › Section 50-18-76 - Written matter exempt from disclosure under Code Section 31-10-25

No form, document, or other written matter which is required by law or rule or regulation to be filed as a vital record under the provisions of Chapter 10 of Title 31, which contains information which is exempt from disclosure under Code Section
31-10-25
, and which is temporarily kept or maintained in any file or with any other documents in the office of the judge or clerk of any court prior to filing with the Department of Public Health shall be open to inspection by the general public, even though the other papers or documents in such file may be open to inspection.
Amended by 2012 Ga. Laws 605,§ 2, eff. 4/17/2012.
Amended by 2011 Ga. Laws 244,§ 6-3, eff. 7/1/2011.
Amended by 2009 Ga. Laws 102,§ 1-4, eff. 7/1/2009.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS (§§ 50-18-1 — 50-18-160) › Article 4 - INSPECTION OF PUBLIC RECORDS (§§ 50-18-70 — 50-18-78) › Section 50-18-77 - Inapplicable to public records

The procedures and fees provided for in this article shall not apply to public records, including records that are exempt from disclosure pursuant to Code Section
50-18-72
, which are requested in writing by a state or federal grand jury, taxing authority, law enforcement agency, or prosecuting attorney in conjunction with an ongoing administrative, criminal, or tax investigation. The lawful custodian shall provide copies of such records to the requesting agency unless such records are privileged or disclosure to such agencies is specifically restricted by law.
Amended by 2012 Ga. Laws 605,§ 2, eff. 4/17/2012.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS (§§ 50-18-1 — 50-18-160) › Article 4 - INSPECTION OF PUBLIC RECORDS (§§ 50-18-70 — 50-18-78) › Section 50-18-78 - Removal of law enforcement officer's personal identifiable information from public records

(a)
As used in this Code section, the term:
(1)
"Law enforcement officer" means a sheriff, deputy sheriff, police officer, policeman, peace officer, officer or member of the Department of Public Safety, or other officer or official who has the power of arrest and who is responsible for enforcing the criminal laws of the federal government or the state or its political subdivisions.
(2)
"Local government" means any county or municipality of this state.
(3)
"Personally identifiable information" means the residential address or phone number of an individual and the individual's spouse, if applicable.
(b)
Within 30 days after receiving a written request by any law enforcement officer, a local government shall remove the personally identifiable information of such law enforcement officer from all property records that are publicly available on any internet website of the local government. Relief for a law enforcement officer whose personally identifiable information is not removed within 30 days of such request shall be limited to injunctive relief against the county employee who had a ministerial duty to remove such personally identifiable information.
(c)
On or before January 1, 2024, each local government shall provide a form for a law enforcement officer to use when requesting removal of personally identifiable information, which may include a process for verification of employment as a law enforcement officer. Such form shall be made available by the local government on its internet website.
Added by 2023 Ga. Laws 34,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2023.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS (§§ 50-18-1 — 50-18-160) › Article 5 - STATE RECORDS MANAGEMENT (§§ 50-18-90 — 50-18-103) › Section 50-18-90 - Short title

This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Georgia Records Act."
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS (§§ 50-18-1 — 50-18-160) › Article 5 - STATE RECORDS MANAGEMENT (§§ 50-18-90 — 50-18-103) › Section 50-18-92 - Creation of State Records Committee; membership; duties; retention schedules; appeal to committee by agency heads; court records

(a)
There is created the State Records Committee, to be composed of the Governor, the Secretary of State, the chancellor of the University System of Georgia, an appointee of the Governor who is not the Attorney General, the state auditor, and an officer of a governing body, as such terms are defined in subsection (a) of Code Section
50-18-99
, to be appointed by the chancellor, or their designated representatives. It shall be the duty of the committee to review, approve, disapprove, amend, or modify retention schedules submitted by agency heads, school boards, county governments, and municipal governments through the division for the disposition of records based on administrative, legal, fiscal, or historical values. Except as provided in Code Section
50-18-96
, the retention schedules, once approved, shall be authoritative, shall be directive, and shall have the force and effect of law. A retention schedule may be determined by four members of the committee. Retention schedules may be amended by the committee on change of program mission or legislative changes affecting the records. The chancellor of the University System of Georgia shall serve as chairperson of the committee and shall schedule meetings of the committee as required. Four members shall constitute a quorum. Each agency head has the right of appeal to the committee for actions taken under this Code section.
(b)
Each court of this state may recommend to the State Records Committee and the Administrative Office of the Courts retention schedules for records of that court. The committee, with the concurrence of the Administrative Office of the Courts, shall adopt retention schedules for court records of each court. The destruction of court records by retention schedule shall not be construed as affecting the status of each court as a court of record.
Amended by 2016 Ga. Laws 599,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2016.
Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 184,§ 2-4, eff. 7/1/2013.
Amended by 2002 Ga. Laws 749, § 24, eff. 7/1/2002.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS (§§ 50-18-1 — 50-18-160) › Article 5 - STATE RECORDS MANAGEMENT (§§ 50-18-90 — 50-18-103) › Section 50-18-93 - Duties of division

It shall be the duty of the division to:
(1)
Establish and administer, under the direction of a state records management officer, who shall be employed under the rules and regulations of the State Personnel Board, a records management program;
(2)
Develop and issue procedures, rules, and regulations establishing standards for efficient and economical management methods relating to the creation, maintenance, utilization, retention, preservation, and disposition of records, filing equipment, supplies, microfilming of records, and vital records programs;
(3)
Assist state agencies in implementing records programs by providing consultative services in records management, conducting surveys in order to recommend more efficient records management practices, and providing training for records management personnel; and
(4)
Operate a records center or centers which shall accept all records transferred to it through the operation of approved retention schedules, provide secure storage and reference service for the same, and submit written notice to the applicable agency of intended destruction of records in accordance with approved retention schedules.
Amended by 2012 Ga. Laws 630,§ 2-108, eff. 7/1/2012.
Amended by 2009 Ga. Laws 155,§ 1, eff. 5/5/2009.
Amended by 2002 Ga. Laws 749, § 25, eff. 7/1/2002.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS (§§ 50-18-1 — 50-18-160) › Article 5 - STATE RECORDS MANAGEMENT (§§ 50-18-90 — 50-18-103) › Section 50-18-94 - Duties of agencies

It shall be the duty of each agency to:
(1)
Cause to be made and preserved records containing adequate and proper documentation of the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, and essential transactions of the agency and designed to furnish the information necessary to protect the legal and financial rights of the government and of persons directly affected by the agency's activities;
(2)
Cooperate fully with the division in complying with this article;
(3)
Establish and maintain an active and continuing program for the economical and efficient management of records and assist the division in the conduct of records management surveys;
(4)
Implement records management procedures and regulations issued by the division;
(5)
Submit to the division, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the division, a recommended retention schedule for each record series in its custody, except that schedules for common-type files may be established by the division. No records will be scheduled for permanent retention in an office. No records will be scheduled for retention any longer than is absolutely necessary in the performance of required functions. Records requiring retention for several years will be transferred to the records center for low-cost storage at the earliest possible date following creation;
(6)
Establish necessary safeguards against the removal or loss of records and such further safeguards as may be required by regulations of the division. The safeguards shall include notification to all officials and employees of the agency that no records in the custody of the agency are to be alienated or destroyed except in accordance with this article; and
(7)
Designate an agency records management officer who shall establish and operate a records management program.
Amended by 2002 Ga. Laws 749, § 26, eff. 7/1/2002.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS (§§ 50-18-1 — 50-18-160) › Article 5 - STATE RECORDS MANAGEMENT (§§ 50-18-90 — 50-18-103) › Section 50-18-95 - Agency heads retain authority to determine records required by departments; treatment of confidential records

(a)
Nothing in this article shall be construed to divest agency heads of the authority to determine the nature and form of records required in the administration of their several departments. Notwithstanding this Code section, agency heads shall carry out the provisions of Code Section
50-18-94
.
(b)
Any records designated confidential by law shall be so treated by the division in the maintenance, storage, and disposition of such confidential records. These records shall be destroyed in such a manner that they cannot be read, interpreted, or reconstructed.
Amended by 2002 Ga. Laws 749, § 27, eff. 7/1/2002.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS (§§ 50-18-1 — 50-18-160) › Article 5 - STATE RECORDS MANAGEMENT (§§ 50-18-90 — 50-18-103) › Section 50-18-96 - Retention of video recordings from law enforcement sources; destruction; presumption from destruction; fee for duplication

(a)
As used in this Code section, the term "governing body" shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code Section
50-18-99
.
(b)
Video recordings from law enforcement body-worn devices or devices located on or inside of law enforcement vehicles shall be retained for 180 days from the date of such recording except:
(1)
If such recording is part of a criminal investigation, shows a vehicular accident, shows the detainment or arrest of an individual, or shows a law enforcement officer's use of force, it shall be retained for 30 months from the date of such recording; and
(2)
If such recording contains evidence that is or can reasonably be anticipated to be necessary for pending litigation, it shall be retained for 30 months from the date of such recording, and if litigation is commenced during such period it shall be retained until a final adjudication of such litigation.
(c)
The retention periods described in this Code section are de minimis.
(d)
This Code section shall not require the destruction of such video recording after the required retention period.
(e)
Any video recording destroyed pursuant to the retention schedule provided in this Code section shall be deemed to have been properly destroyed, and no evidentiary presumption shall be made that such recording was harmful to the governing body or any law enforcement officer depicted in such recording.
(f)
A governing body or law enforcement officer shall not have a duty to redact or obscure people, objects, or information that appear in a video recording from any law enforcement body-worn device or device located on or inside of a law enforcement vehicle, nor shall such body or officer have any civil liability for such depiction.
(g)
Notwithstanding fees imposed pursuant to Article 4 of this chapter, an additional fee of $10.00 shall be imposed for the copying of video recordings from law enforcement body-worn devices or devices located on or inside of a law enforcement vehicle.
Added by 2016 Ga. Laws 599,§ 2, eff. 7/1/2016.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS (§§ 50-18-1 — 50-18-160) › Article 5 - STATE RECORDS MANAGEMENT (§§ 50-18-90 — 50-18-103) › Section 50-18-97 - Effect of certified copies of records; fee

The division may make certified copies under seal of any records or any preservation duplicates transferred or deposited in the Georgia State Archives or the records center or may make reproductions of such records. The certified copies or reproductions, when signed by the director of the division, shall have the same force and effect as if made by the agency from which the records were received. The division may establish and charge reasonable fees for such services.
Amended by 2002 Ga. Laws 749, § 28, eff. 7/1/2002.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS (§§ 50-18-1 — 50-18-160) › Article 5 - STATE RECORDS MANAGEMENT (§§ 50-18-90 — 50-18-103) › Section 50-18-98 - Title to records; access to records of constitutional officers

(a)
Title to any record transferred to the Georgia State Archives as authorized by this article shall be vested in the division. The division shall not destroy any record transferred to it by an agency without consulting with the proper official of the transferring agency prior to submitting a retention schedule requesting such destruction to the State Records Committee. Access to records of constitutional officers shall be at the discretion of the constitutional officer who created, received, or maintained the records, but no limitation on access to such records shall extend more than 25 years after creation of the records. As used in this Code section, the term "constitutional officer" means the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, State School Superintendent, Commissioner of Insurance, Commissioner of Agriculture, or Commissioner of Labor.
(b)
Title to any record transferred to the records center shall remain in the agency transferring such record to the records center.
Amended by 2012 Ga. Laws 599,§ I-1-39, eff. 7/1/2012.
Amended by 2002 Ga. Laws 749, § 29, eff. 7/1/2002.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS (§§ 50-18-1 — 50-18-160) › Article 5 - STATE RECORDS MANAGEMENT (§§ 50-18-90 — 50-18-103) › Section 50-18-99 - Records management programs for local governments

(a)
As used in this Code section, the term:
(1)
"Governing body" means the governing body of any county, municipality, or consolidated government. The term includes school boards of this state.
(2)
"Office or officer" means any county office or officer or any office or officer under the jurisdiction of a governing body which maintains or is responsible for records.
(b)
This article shall apply to local governments, except as modified in this Code section.
(c)
All records created or received in the performance of a public duty or paid for by public funds by a governing body are deemed to be public property and shall constitute a record of public acts.
(d)
Prior to July 1, 1983, each office or officer shall recommend to the governing body a retention schedule. This schedule shall include an inventory of the type of records maintained and the length of time each type of record shall be maintained in the office or in a record-holding area. These retention periods shall be based on the legal, fiscal, administrative, and historical needs for the record. Schedules previously approved by the State Records Committee will remain in effect until changed by the governing body.
(e)
Prior to January 1, 1984, each governing body shall approve by resolution or ordinance a records management plan which shall include but not be limited to:
(1)
The name of the person or title of the officer who will coordinate and perform the responsibilities of the governing body under this article;
(2)
Each retention schedule approved by the governing body; and
(3)
Provisions for maintenance and security of the records.
(f)
The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, through the division, shall coordinate all records management matters for purposes of this Code section. The division shall provide local governments with a list of common types of records maintained together with recommended retention periods and shall provide training and assistance as required. The division shall advise local governments of records of historical value which may be deposited in the state archives. All other records shall be maintained by the local government.
(g)
Except as otherwise provided by law, ordinance, or policy adopted by the office or officer responsible for maintaining the records, all records shall be open to the public or the state or any agency thereof.
Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 184,§ 2-5, eff. 7/1/2013.
Amended by 2002 Ga. Laws 749, § 30, eff. 7/1/2002.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS (§§ 50-18-1 — 50-18-160) › Article 5 - STATE RECORDS MANAGEMENT (§§ 50-18-90 — 50-18-103) › Section 50-18-100 - Lifting restrictions on access to confidential, classified, or restricted records after 75 years; earlier lifting

(a)
This Code section applies only to those records:
(1)
That are confidential, classified, or restricted by Acts of the General Assembly or may be declared to be confidential, classified, or restricted by future Acts of the General Assembly, unless the future Acts specifically exempt these records from this Code section; and
(2)
That have been, or are in the future, deposited in the Georgia State Archives or in other state operated archival institutions because of their value for historical research.
(b)
All restrictions on access to records covered by this Code section are lifted and removed 75 years after the creation of the record.
(c)
Restrictions on access to records covered by this Code section may be lifted and removed as early as 20 years after the creation of the record on unanimous approval in writing of the State Records Committee.
(d)
Applications requesting that the State Records Committee review and consider lifting such restrictions may be made either by the director of the division or by the head of the agency that transferred the record to the archives.
(e)
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Code to the contrary, a date of birth or maiden name contained in genealogical research notes, papers, records, and publications donated to or acquired by the division shall be open to any qualified researcher.
Amended by 2002 Ga. Laws 749, § 31, eff. 7/1/2002.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS (§§ 50-18-1 — 50-18-160) › Article 5 - STATE RECORDS MANAGEMENT (§§ 50-18-90 — 50-18-103) › Section 50-18-101 - Use of confidential, classified, or restricted records for research; limitations

(a)
Records that by law are confidential, classified, or restricted may be used for research purposes by private researchers providing that:
(1)
The researcher is qualified to perform such research;
(2)
The research topic is designed to produce a study that would be of potential benefit to the state or its citizens; and
(3)
The researcher will agree in writing to protect the confidentiality of the information contained in the records.
When the purpose of the confidentiality is to protect the rights of privacy of any person or persons who are named in the records, the researcher must agree not to refer to the persons, either in his notes or in his finished study or in any manner, in such a way that they can be identified. When the purpose of the confidentiality is to protect other information, the researcher must agree not to divulge that information.
(b)
The head of the agency that created the records, or his designee, shall determine whether or not the researcher and his research topic meet the qualifications set forth in subsection (a) of this Code section prior to accepting the signed agreement from the researcher and granting permission to use the confidential records.
(c)
The use of such confidential records for research shall be considered a privilege and the agreement signed by the researcher shall be binding on him. Researchers who violate the confidentiality of these records shall be punished in the same manner as would government employees or officials found guilty of this offense.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS (§§ 50-18-1 — 50-18-160) › Article 5 - STATE RECORDS MANAGEMENT (§§ 50-18-90 — 50-18-103) › Section 50-18-102 - Records as public property; disposing of records other than by approved retention schedule as misdemeanor; person acting under article not liable

(a)
All records created or received in the performance of duty and paid for by public funds are deemed to be public property and shall constitute a record of public acts.
(b)
The destruction of records shall occur only through the operation of an approved retention schedule. The records shall not be placed in the custody of private individuals or institutions or semiprivate organizations unless authorized by retention schedules.
(c)
The alienation, alteration, theft, or destruction of records by any person or persons in a manner not authorized by an applicable retention schedule is a misdemeanor.
(d)
No person acting in compliance with this article shall be held personally liable.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS (§§ 50-18-1 — 50-18-160) › Article 5 - STATE RECORDS MANAGEMENT (§§ 50-18-90 — 50-18-103) › Section 50-18-103 - Construction of laws and rules

Whenever laws or rules and regulations prescribe where a record series must be kept, the custodian of the records shall be considered in compliance with the laws and rules and regulations if he transfers the records to a local holding area, a records center, or the Georgia State Archives when he does so in accordance with an approved retention schedule.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS (§§ 50-18-1 — 50-18-160) › Article 6 - MICROFORMS (§§ 50-18-120 — 50-18-121) › Section 50-18-120 - Authority for establishment of standards

The authority for the establishment of microform standards shall be vested in the State Records Committee. All powers and duties of the State Records Committee as provided in Article 5 of this chapter shall be applicable to the establishment and maintenance of microform standards in this state. With respect to microform standards for the courts, the concurrence of The Council of Superior Court Clerks of Georgia and the Judicial Council of Georgia shall be required for the establishment of such standards.
Amended by 2012 Ga. Laws 599,§ I-1-40, eff. 7/1/2012.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS (§§ 50-18-1 — 50-18-160) › Article 6 - MICROFORMS (§§ 50-18-120 — 50-18-121) › Section 50-18-121 - Limitations on liability

Any public official or his employee who makes a bona fide attempt at compliance with the standards established under this article shall not be liable for any damages arising from the failure of the microform to meet such standards.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS (§§ 50-18-1 — 50-18-160) › Article 7 - "MULTIRACIAL" CLASSIFICATION (§ 50-18-135) › Section 50-18-135 - "Multiracial" classification requirement; reporting racial data to federal agencies

(a)
As used in this article, the term:
(1)
"Multiracial" means having parents of different races.
(2)
"State agency" means any state department, board, bureau, commission, authority, council, committee, and any other state agency or instrumentality.
(b)
All written forms, applications, questionnaires, and other written documents or material produced by or for or used by any state agency which request information on the racial or ethnic identification of a respondent and which contain an enumeration of racial and ethnic classifications from which such respondent must select one shall include among their choices the classification "multiracial."
(c)
No such written document or computer software described in subsection (b) of this Code section shall bear the designation "other" as a racial or ethnic classification after July 1, 1994, unless such document was printed and in stock before July 1, 1994.
(d)
In any instance in which it is required that racial data collected by a state agency be reported to a federal agency, the computation of all persons designated on state forms or other documents as multiracial shall be reported by such state agency as multiracial. However, if any such federal agency deems the multiracial designation unacceptable, then the reporting state agency shall, upon resubmission of such data, redesignate the multiracial population by allocating a percentage of the number of persons comprising such population to each federally acceptable racial or ethnic classification at the same rate as each such classification comprises the general population of the collected group.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS (§§ 50-18-1 — 50-18-160) › Article 8 - [MULTIPLE VERSIONS] VICTIM CENTERED ADDRESS CONFIDENTIALITY PROGRAM (§§ 50-18-150 — 50-18-155) › Section 50-18-150 - [Effective 7/1/2026] [Definitions]

As used in this article, the term:
(1)
"Confidential address" means a participant's residential address or other address or addresses that could be used to physically locate the participant, including a school attended by the participant or the participant's place of employment.
(2)
"Designated address" means the publicly available address provided by a participant to the office.
(3)
"Governmental entity" means:
(A)
Every state department, agency, board, bureau, office, commission, public corporation, and authority;
(B)
Every county, municipal corporation, school district, or other political subdivision of this state;
(C)
Every department, agency, board, bureau, office, commission, authority, or similar body of each such county, municipal corporation, or other political subdivision of the state; and
(D)
Every city, county, regional, or other authority established pursuant to the laws of this state.
(4)
"Office" means the office of the Secretary of State.
(5)
"Participant" means an individual who is currently certified to participate in the program pursuant to this article.
(6)
"Program" means the victim centered address confidentiality program established by this article.
(7)
"Victim advocate" means an employee or volunteer of the office who serves victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking and who has completed training pursuant to Code Section 50-18-152 to assist individuals in completing applications for the program.
Added by 2024 Ga. Laws 582,§ 3, eff. 7/1/2026.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS (§§ 50-18-1 — 50-18-160) › Article 8 - [MULTIPLE VERSIONS] VICTIM CENTERED ADDRESS CONFIDENTIALITY PROGRAM (§§ 50-18-150 — 50-18-155) › Section 50-18-152 - [Effective 7/1/2026] [Training program for victim advocates to obtain certification]

(a)
The office shall develop and offer a training program for victim advocates to obtain certification pursuant to this article. The training program shall, at a minimum, include:
(1)
Exhaustive information regarding the program;
(2)
Methods for assisting applicants with completing application forms;
(3)
Criteria for determining program eligibility;
(4)
Information to be provided to participants pursuant to subsection (d) of Code Section 50-18-151; and
(5)
Instruction on how to submit completed applications and supporting documents to the office.
(b)
The office shall certify a person applying for certification as a victim advocate pursuant to this article if that person has completed the training program pursuant to this Code section. The office shall make available on its website contact information for the organizations that have certified victim advocates.
(c)
There shall be no fee or charge to any participant for any services provided by a victim advocate pursuant to this article.
Added by 2024 Ga. Laws 582,§ 3, eff. 7/1/2026.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS (§§ 50-18-1 — 50-18-160) › Article 8 - [MULTIPLE VERSIONS] VICTIM CENTERED ADDRESS CONFIDENTIALITY PROGRAM (§§ 50-18-150 — 50-18-155) › Section 50-18-153 - [Effective 7/1/2026] [Designated address; confidential address]

(a)
Upon a participant providing a copy of his or her address confidentiality card to a governmental entity and requesting that such governmental entity only use his or her designated address, the governmental entity shall only use the participant's designated address.
(b)
If a participant's employer, or a school or institution of higher education attended by the participant, is not a governmental entity, the participant may request that the employer, school, or institution of higher education use the designated address as the participant's address.
(c)
A utility owned by a governmental entity shall not release any confidential address.
(d)
A participant may also use the designated address as the participant's work address.
(e)
The office on each day that it is open for business shall place all first-class, registered, or certified mail or statutory overnight delivery received on behalf of a participant into an envelope or package and mail such envelope or package to the participant at his or her confidential address. The office may contract with the United States Postal Service for special rates for any mail forwarded pursuant to this subsection. Service by mail pursuant to this subsection of court papers, other than service of process, shall be deemed complete three business days after the office forwards the mail to the participant.
(f)
If a person intends to serve process on a participant and makes an inquiry with the office to determine if the individual is a participant, the office shall only confirm that the individual is a participant and, except as otherwise allowed pursuant to this article, shall not disclose further information regarding the participant. If process has been forwarded to a participant pursuant to subsection (e) of this Code section, the office shall disclose the date of mailing to the person attempting to serve the participant.
Added by 2024 Ga. Laws 582,§ 3, eff. 7/1/2026.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 18 - STATE PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS (§§ 50-18-1 — 50-18-160) › Article 8 - [MULTIPLE VERSIONS] VICTIM CENTERED ADDRESS CONFIDENTIALITY PROGRAM (§§ 50-18-150 — 50-18-155) › Section 50-18-154 - [Effective 7/1/2026] [Cancellation of certification]

(a)
The office may, after providing at least 30 days prior written notice to a participant, cancel the certification of a participant in any of the following circumstances:
(1)
The participant's legal name or contact information changes, unless the participant provides the office with prior written notice of such change;
(2)
Mail forwarded by the office to the participant's confidential address is returned as undeliverable by the United States Postal Service for 60 or more days;
(3)
The participant is no longer eligible for the program;
(4)
The participant requests to withdraw from the program pursuant to Code Section 50-18-151;
(5)
The participant files a notarized request for cancellation on a form prescribed by the office; or
(6)
The participant fails to file a renewal application pursuant to Code Section 50-18-151.
(b)
The office shall cancel a participant's certification if the participant's renewal application or application for continuance contains false information.
Added by 2024 Ga. Laws 582,§ 3, eff. 7/1/2026.