SB 268 Georgia Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Offenses Against Public Order; crime of interference with a first responder; provide

Summary

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to offenses against public order, so as to provide for the crime of interference with a first responder; to provide for penalties; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Issues: ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 26, 2025 Last action Mar 19, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Passed Senate → LC 48 1621S/hss · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to add step-grandparent and step-grandchild relationships to the definition of incest, and to add a new crime of interference with first responders. The first responder crime was moved from being the only new provision to being one of two major additions alongside the expanded incest definition.

Scope change

The bill now addresses two distinct policy areas: expanding the definition of incest to include step-grandparent and step-grandchild relationships, and creating a new offense for interfering with first responders.

ELIGIBILITY

Added step-grandparent and step-grandchild relationships to the list of relatives covered under the offense of incest in Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.

REQUIREMENT

Created a new crime of interference with first responders, making it unlawful to approach or remain within 25 feet of a first responder after receiving a verbal warning.

ADDED

Added a new definition for 'first responder' to include persons affiliated with law enforcement, fire suppression, rescue agencies, and others who provide on-site care.

Added a new definition for 'harass' in the context of first responder interference, defined as conduct that intentionally causes substantial emotional distress.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 6, 2025

How they voted

38–16

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 55

Mar 6, 2025

D Democratic22

6 Yea 15 Nay 1

68% Nay

R Republican33

32 Yea 1 Nay

96% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

lower

Apr 4, 2025

Committee

House Withdrawn, Recommitted

lower

Apr 2, 2025

Lower · Passed

House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

lower

Mar 6, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate Passed/Adopted

upper

Mar 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate Committee Favorably Reported

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Committee

Senate Read and Referred

upper

Feb 26, 2025

Introduced

Senate Hopper

upper

5 primary · 0 co-sponsors