Crimes and offenses; change references to assistance and guide dogs to service dogs
Summary
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 16, Chapter 4 of Title 30, and Chapter 6 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to crimes and offenses, rights of persons with disabilities, and uniform rules of the road, respectively, so as to change references to assistance and guide dogs to service dogs; to provide for definitions and conforming changes; to provide for a criminal penalty for a person who causes death or physical harm to a service dog; to provide for exceptions; to revise provisions relating to the use and training of service dogs; to provide for a penalty for persons who misrepresent the need for a service dog; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Feb 27, 2025
Signed May 11, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons
What changed between versions
LC 46 2005S/hcs
→
HB 668/AP*
·
3 edits
MINOR
The bill was updated from a committee substitute version to the final version passed by both the House and Senate. The most significant substantive change is the addition of a short title, officially naming the legislation the 'Mara Jade Act.' While the text includes several formatting inconsistencies and apparent copy-paste errors regarding penalty amounts and definitions, the core policy scope regarding service dog protection remains consistent with the previous version.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on protecting service dogs from harassment and interference, with no changes to the applicability of these laws to the general public.
DEFINITION
Added a new short title clause to officially name the legislation the 'Mara Jade Act.'
TECHNICAL
Replaced the 'Committee Substitute' designation with 'As Passed House and Senate,' indicating the bill has completed its legislative process.
Included several text artifacts and formatting errors in the penalty sections, such as duplicated words and conflicting fine amounts, which likely require correction during final legal review.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 27, 2026 · House Mar 6, 2026
How they voted
42–0
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 47
Mar 27, 2026
D
Democratic18
72% Yea
R
Republican29
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
20
Key actions
7
Committee
6
Amendments
1
May 11, 2026
Signed into law
Act 440
upper
May 11, 2026
Signed into law
House Date Signed by Governor
lower
Mar 31, 2026
Introduced
House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub
lower
Mar 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
upper
Mar 18, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
upper
Mar 9, 2026
Committee
Senate Read and Referred
upper
Mar 6, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
lower
Feb 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
lower
Apr 4, 2025
Committee
House Withdrawn, Recommitted
lower
Mar 6, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
lower
Mar 3, 2025
Committee
House Withdrawn, Recommitted
lower
Feb 27, 2025
Introduced
House Hopper
lower
6 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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