SB 61 Georgia Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Delinquency; additional offenses over which superior courts are authorized to exercise exclusive original jurisdiction; provide

Summary

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 6 of Chapter 11 of Title 15 of the O.C.G.A., relating to delinquency, so as to provide for additional offenses over which superior courts are authorized to exercise exclusive original jurisdiction for the trials of children 13 to 17 years of age to include the offenses of certain terroristic threats or acts involving public and private schools and attempt or criminal conspiracy to commit certain offenses; to provide for which such cases shall be subject to the class A designated felony act provisions of Code Section 15-11-602 upon transfer to a juvenile court; to amend Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the O.C.G.A., relating to elementary and secondary education; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 29, 2025 Last action Mar 27, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Passed Senate → LC 48 1849S/hss · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was completely rewritten to shift focus from juvenile delinquency and school safety to digital fraud on social media platforms. The new version establishes criminal offenses for digital identity fraud, digital marketing fraud, and criminal digital design, while also creating civil liability for victims and clarifying jurisdiction over online platforms.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from juvenile justice and school safety matters to internet fraud and social media regulation, with applicability now targeting social media platform operators and individuals committing digital fraud rather than juvenile offenders.

SCOPE

Removed all provisions related to juvenile court jurisdiction, school safety assessments, and terroristic acts against schools

Modified personal jurisdiction rules to include operation of online platforms as transacting business within Georgia

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'Operator' and 'Social media platform' to establish who is subject to the new regulations

REQUIREMENT

Added criminal offenses for digital identity fraud, digital marketing fraud, and criminal digital design with specific penalties including 1-20 years imprisonment and fines up to $500,000

ENFORCEMENT

Added civil liability provisions allowing victims to sue for damages and attorney's fees for violations of the new digital fraud offenses

TIMELINE

Set the effective date for the new provisions to July 1, 2026

Floor votes · Senate Mar 6, 2025

How they voted

34–20

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 55

Mar 6, 2025

D Democratic22

1 Yea 20 Nay 1

90% Nay

R Republican33

33 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

lower

Mar 6, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

upper

Mar 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

upper

Jan 30, 2025

Committee

Senate Read and Referred

upper

Jan 29, 2025

Introduced

Senate Hopper

upper

16 primary · 0 co-sponsors