SB 572 Georgia Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Criminal Prosecutions; an additional justification for use of force in defense of self or others; provide

Summary
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to justification and excuse in defenses to criminal prosecutions, so as to provide for an additional justification for use of force in defense of self or others; to amend Code Section 51-11-9 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to no duty to retreat and immunity in certain instances of threat or use of force, so as to extend immunity from civil liability in justified use of force cases to legal representatives and heirs of the person against whom force was used; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 24, 2026 Last action Mar 27, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As introduced LC 49 2741 As Passed Senate · 1 edit
MINOR
The bill text was updated to reflect its passage in the Senate, changing the header from 'As introduced' to 'As passed Senate.' No substantive policy changes, scope modifications, or new provisions were identified in this markup.
TECHNICAL

Header text was updated to indicate the bill has been passed by the Senate, which is a procedural status change rather than a policy modification.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 6, 2026

How they voted

2719
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 48
Mar 6, 2026
D Democratic19
19 Nay
100% Nay
R Republican29
27 Yea 2
93% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
9
Key actions
3
Committee
3
Mar 27, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Committee Favorably Reported
lower
Mar 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Passed/Adopted
upper
Mar 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee Favorably Reported
upper
Feb 25, 2026
Committee
Senate Read and Referred
upper
Feb 24, 2026
Introduced
Senate Hopper
upper
6 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors