ATLANTA – State Representative Houston Gaines (R-Athens) today announced that Governor Brian Kemp signed Senate Bill 288 into law on Wednesday, August 5, 2020. State Senator Tonya Anderson (D-Lithonia) and Rep. Gaines carried and unanimously passed Senate Bill 288 in the House and Senate during the 2020 legislative session, and this legislation will allow for individuals to have certain misdemeanors restricted and sealed from their public criminal records after not reoffending for four years.
“I was honored to join Senator Anderson as we witnessed this historic criminal justice reform legislation being signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp,” said Rep. Gaines. “I am thankful for the bipartisan effort that was made to ensure that we could see this incredible law come to fruition. Without a doubt in my mind, I know that Senate Bill 288 will help millions of Georgians, especially as we work to rebuild our economy.”
Under SB 288, certain misdemeanor offenses, such as family violence and DUI, will not be eligible for restriction. Individuals will be required to petition the court for the restriction, and there is a lifetime limit of two restrictions. This legislation also provides significant liability protection for employers who hire individuals with a criminal history who have had their record restricted. An individual’s record will remain available to law enforcement and the courts.
Approximately 4.3 million Georgians have a criminal record, and this legislation seeks to offer a second chance. Georgia has joined 41 other states with record restriction laws.
For more information on Senate Bill 288, please click here.
Representative Houston Gaines represents the citizens of District 117, which includes portions of Barrow, Clarke, Jackson and Oconee counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2018 and currently serves on the Code Revision, Health & Human Services and Insurance committees.
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