ATLANTA — After a busy legislative session, there are many new laws going into effect on July 1, and some of them could directly impact you or your community.
Within 40 days of the legislative session ending, Gov. Brian Kemp signed 709 bills into law. From new laws against telemarketers, a new budget that provides raises to teachers and new criminal laws, plenty of new rules and regulations will soon be the law of the land.
Here's a look at some of the laws that will soon be on the books:
New Central Georgia-specific laws
Some of the laws passed will affect Central Georgia's counties directly. Many of them relate to the creation of new boards and positions.
Baldwin County will now receive a board of elections while its board of commissioners will now have staggered terms.
The Houston County judicial circuit will receive a fourth judge.
The Dooly County Board of Education's board members have received an update to their pay. They'll now receive $200 while they serve on the board and any expenses the board members receive while traveling for official business will be comped.
The legislature gave Telfair County homeowners the ability to claim a new homestead exemption. While there are some requirements, that bill essentially offers a tax break from taxes leveled by the local school district.
Finally, the city of Milledgeville will now have a Public Facilities Authority thanks to the Milledgeville Public Facilities Authority Act.
New Georgia-specific laws
If you hate spam calls, a new Georgia law could help you. The legislature passed the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, which cracks down on telemarketing calls. This act prevents anyone from making a call on behalf of another company.
The new law allows people to hold companies liable for illegal telemarketing calls that are made by third-party contractors. It also removes the requirement that they “knowingly” violate the regulations, noting that even if a telemarketer isn’t aware of the law, it still applies to them. Residents can also pursue class-action lawsuits against these telemarketers. Any violators could face a $1,000 penalty
On the housing side of things, homeowners and condo associations are now required to give property owners time to fix a contract violation.
The recently passed Safe at Home Act also requires rental units to be fit to live in and for the units to meet local and state housing codes, in addition to health and safety standards.
Additionally, a new bill allows kids between the ages of 14 and 17 who are in the custody of the Division of Family & Children Services to get free state ID cards.
Education laws:
Parents who need help getting their kids into better-performing schools can now receive vouchers — which are worth up to $6,500. State workers also now receive double parental leave time, which has increased to 240 hours.
Educators will now be able to benefit from the newly established School Supplies for Teachers Program. The Department of Education will set aside money for teachers in the state to specifically spend on school supplies.
Children also will receive a guide for social media use and internet safety in schools after the legislature passed the Protecting Georgia’s Children on Social Media Act of 2024. The Department of Education and the Attorney General will work with and assist schools in Georgia to develop internet safety programs that will be taught in school.
Also, now in schools, mandatory scoliosis testing is no longer required. Additionally, schools may transport students in vehicles that aren't just school buses. Any vehicle with fewer than eight seats is now approved but must be properly labeled by the school.
New criminal laws:
More criminal laws include a new charge for stealing livestock. Those convicted face a felony charge, a $10,000 fine and a possibility of two to 15 years in prison.
The Georgia Squatter Reform Act was also passed. People living in another person's house without their consent will face criminal misdemeanor trespassing charges and fines for back rent. They can also be evicted within three days of police being notified.
There was also a new Georgia Criminal Alien Track and Report Act, which requires state law enforcement to work alongside federal immigration officials in reporting and potentially detaining suspected illegal immigrants charged with crimes. Municipalities that don’t comply could lose state and federal funds.
Repeated illegal drag racers also now run the risk of a felony charge, temporary loss of their license, hundreds or thousands of dollars in fines and possibly a few months or 10 years in prison.
Other laws look to punish drug dealers for fentanyl deaths. Now, drug dealers responsible for someone's death due to a fentanyl overdose can face felony aggravated involuntary manslaughter and the possibility of life in prison.
Laws affecting workers
In addition to several new laws, new policies were implemented for certain workers. Advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants can now sign death certificates.
Marriage and family therapists can get expedited licenses, while workers who shampoo, blow-dry and braid hair and apply makeup no longer need a license to work.
Other workers, including peace officers alongside mental health and substance use professionals, are now eligible for student loan relief. Peace officers must be fully employed at the start of 2024 and remain fully employed to take advantage. Mental health and substance use professionals will be paid by the Georgia Board of Healthcare Workforce and will be issued in installments for those who went to school for no more than five years.
Taxes and budget:
The state income tax is also being lowered. The 5.39% state tax will begin to lower 0.10% annually at the start of Jan. 1, 2025 until it reaches 4.99%.
Alongside the 709 bills signed, a new budget was approved. It will, like the newly signed laws, also begin on July 1, 2024 and will end on June 30, 2025.
Lawmakers passed the $36.1 billion state budget for fiscal year 2025 earlier in June. This includes money for school buses, by providing $205 million to increase the recurring Pupil Transportation Grant. This covers nearly a third or 31% of total student transportation costs, which is up from 17% in 2023.
The state budget will also provide law enforcement and child welfare workers a $3,000 annual raise through $50 million allocated in the budget.
Other state employees will also receive raises. State employees, including public university workers making less than $70,000, will get a 4% raise. Kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers will receive a $2,500 raise, drawing from $382.1 million set out in the budget.
For a full list of all laws set to pass on July 1 can check the Governor's website here.