23 SB 63/CSFA S. B. 63 - 1 - Senate Bill 63 By: Senators Robertson of the 29th, Gooch of the 51st, Brass of the 28th, Anavitarte of the 31st, Kennedy of the 18th and others AS PASSED SENATE A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Chapter 6 of Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to bonds 1 and recognizances, so as to provide for setting of bonds and schedules of bails; to provide2 for release of individuals on bail for misdemeanors; to limit unsecured judicial releases; to3 revise surety liability; to provide for return of compensation by surety to principal; to change4 the fee for continuing education programs for bail recovery agents; to revise when forfeiture5 of bonds occurs; to revise procedures relating to execution hearings; to revise procedures for6 judgments on forfeitures and remission of bond funds; to revise definitions; to amend Code7 Section 17-10-6.1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to punishment for8 serious violent offenders and authorization for reduction in mandatory minimum sentencing,9 so as to identify domestic terrorism as a serious violent felony; to provide for related matters;10 to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.11 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:12 SECTION 1.13 Chapter 6 of Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to bonds and14 recognizances, is amended in Code Section 17-6-1, relating to when offenses bailable,15 23 SB 63/CSFA S. B. 63 - 2 - procedure, schedule of bails, and appeal bonds, by revising paragraph (4) of subsection (e), 16 paragraph (1) of subsection (f), and subsection (i) as follows:17 "(4) A bond set for any offense by an elected judge, an appointed judge filling the 18 vacancy of an elected judge, or a judge sitting by designation that purports a dollar19 amount shall be executed in the full-face amount of such bond through secured means as20 provided for in Code Section 17-6-4 or 17-6-50 or shall be executed by use of property21 as approved by the sheriff in the county where the offense was committed."22 "(f)(1) Except as provided in subsection (a) of this Code section or as otherwise provided23 in this subsection, the judge of any court of inquiry may by written order establish a24 schedule of bails, inclusive of offenses that are violations of local ordinances, and unless25 otherwise ordered by the judge of any court, an accused shall be released from custody26 upon posting bail as fixed in the schedule; provided, however, that no bail schedule, local27 standing order, official policy, or local ordinance shall mandate releasing an accused on28 unsecured judicial release as defined in Code Section 17-6-12 prior to the accused29 appearing before a judge of any court of inquiry. Nothing in this paragraph shall prohibit30 unsecured judicial release for any person charged under Code Section 3-3-23.1 or31 charged under any provision of local or state law not providing for a sentence of32 confinement in a penal institution or state, county, or local jail."33 "(i) As used in this Code section, the term 'bail' shall only include the release of a person34 on an unsecured judicial release, except as limited by Code Section 17-6-12 by the use of35 secured means as provided in Code Sections 17-6-4 and 17-6-5, professional bondsmen as36 provided in Code Section 17-6-50, or property as approved by the sheriff in the county37 where the offense was committed."38 23 SB 63/CSFA S. B. 63 - 3 - SECTION 2. 39 Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 17-6-2, relating to acceptance of bail in40 misdemeanor cases and posting driver’s license as collateral for bail, by revising subsection41 (b) as follows:42 "(b) In all other misdemeanor cases, sheriffs and constables shall accept bail in such43 reasonable sufficient amount as may be just and fair for any person or persons charged with44 a misdemeanor, provided that the sureties tendered and offered on the bond are shall only45 include the release of a person by the use of secured means as provided in Code46 Sections 17-6-4 and 17-6-5, professional bondsmen as provided in Code Section 17-6-50,47 or property as approved by the sheriff in the county where the offense was committed."48 SECTION 3.49 Said chapter is further amended by revising Code Section 17-6-12, relating to unsecured50 judicial release, requirement, and effect of failure of person charged to appear for trial, as51 follows:52 "17-6-12.53 (a) As used in this Code section, the term:54 (1) 'Bail restricted offense' means the person is charged with an offense of:55 (A) An offense of:56 (i)(A) Murder or felony murder, as defined in Code Section 16-5-1;57 (ii)(B) Armed robbery, as defined in Code Section 16-8-41;58 (iii)(C) Kidnapping, as defined in Code Section 16-5-40;59 (iv)(D) Rape, as defined in Code Section 16-6-1;60 (v)(E) Aggravated child molestation, as defined in subsection (c) of Code61 Section 16-6-4, unless subject to the provisions of paragraph (2) of subsection (d) of62 Code Section 16-6-4;63 (vi)(F) Aggravated sodomy, as defined in Code Section 16-6-2; or64 23 SB 63/CSFA S. B. 63 - 4 - (vii)(G) Aggravated sexual battery, as defined in Code Section 16-6-22.2;65 (B) A felony offense of:66 (i)(H) Aggravated assault;67 (ii)(I) Aggravated battery;68 (iii)(J) Hijacking a motor vehicle in the first degree;69 (iv)(K) Aggravated stalking;70 (v)(L) Child molestation;71 (vi)(M) Enticing a child for indecent purposes;72 (vii)(N) Pimping;73 (viii)(O) Robbery;74 (viii.1)(P) Burglary;75 (ix)(Q) Bail jumping;76 (x)(R) Escape;77 (xi)(S) Possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of or attempt to commit78 certain crimes;79 (xii)(T) Possession of firearms by convicted felons and first offender probationers;80 (xiii)(U) Trafficking in cocaine, illegal drugs, marijuana, or methamphetamine;81 (xiv)(V) Participating in criminal street gang activity;82 (xv)(W) Habitual violator;83 (xvi)(X) Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicating84 substances;85 (xvii)(Y) Entering an automobile or other mobile vehicle with intent to commit theft86 or felony, as defined in Code Section 16-8-18; or87 (xviii)(Z) Stalking; or88 (C) A misdemeanor offense of:89 (i)(AA) Crimes involving family violence, as defined in Code Section 19-13-1; or90 (ii) Stalking.91 23 SB 63/CSFA S. B. 63 - 5 - (BB) Reckless stunt driving, as described in Code Section 40-6-390.1;92 (CC) Promoting or organizing an exhibition of drag races or laying drags, as described93 in Code Section 16-11-43.1;94 (DD) Laying drags, as defined in Code Section 40-6-251;95 (EE) Reckless driving, as described in Code Section 40-6-390;96 (FF) Fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, as described in Code97 Section 40-6-395;98 (GG) Obstruction of a law enforcement officer, as described in Code Section 16-10-29;99 (HH) Criminal trespass, as described in Code Section 16-7-21;100 (II) Theft by taking, as described in Code Section 16-8-2;101 (JJ) Theft by deception, as described in Code Section 16-8-3;102 (KK) Theft by extortion, as described in Code Section 16-8-16;103 (LL) Destruction, removal, concealment, encumbrance, or transfer of property subject104 to security interest, as described in Code Section 16-9-51;105 (MM) Bribery, as described in Code Section 16-10-2;106 (NN) Purchase, possession, manufacture, distribution, or sale of controlled substances107 or marijuana, as described in Code Section 16-13-30;108 (OO) Forgery, as described in Code Section 16-9-1;109 (PP) Exploitation and intimidation of disabled adults, elder persons, and residents or110 obstruction of an investigation, as described in Code Section 16-5-102;111 (QQ) Battery, as described in Code Section 16-5-23.1;112 (RR) Voluntary manslaughter, as described in Code Section 16-5-2;113 (SS) Cruelty to animals, as described in Code Section 16-12-4;114 (TT) Violation of oath by a public officer, as described in Code Section 16-10-1;115 (UU) Financial transaction card fraud, as described in Code Section 16-9-33;116 (VV) Financial transaction card theft, as described in Code Section 16-9-31;117 (WW) Identity fraud, as described in Code Section 16-9-121;118 23 SB 63/CSFA S. B. 63 - 6 - (XX) Racketeering and conspiracy, as described in Code Section 16-14-4;119 (YY) Trafficking of persons for labor or sexual servitude, as described in Code120 Section 16-5-46;121 (ZZ) Second or Subsequent Offense of Failure to appear, as described in Code Section122 40-13-63;123 (AAA) Domestic terrorism, as described in Code Section 16-11-221;124 (BBB) Riot, as described in Code Section 16-11-30;125 (CCC) Inciting to riot, as described in Code Section 16-11-31;126 (DDD) Affray, as described in Code Section 16-11-32;127 (EEE) Unlawful assembly, as described in Code Section 16-11-33;128 (FFF) Terroristic threat or act, as described in Code Section 16-11-37; or129 (GGG) Possession of tools for commission of a crime, as described in Code Section130 16-7-20.131 (2) 'Unsecured judicial release' means any release that does not purport a dollar amount132 through secured means as provided for in Code Section 17-6-4 or 17-6-50 or property as133 approved by the sheriff in the county where the offense was committed and that is:134 (A) On a person's own recognizance; or135 (B) For the purpose of entering a pretrial release program, a pretrial release and136 diversion program as provided for in Article 4 of Chapter 3 of Title 42, or a pretrial137 intervention and diversion program as provided for in Article 4 of Chapter 18 of138 Title 15, or pursuant to Uniform Superior Court Rule 27.139 (b) An elected judge, an appointed judge filling the vacancy of an elected judge, or a judge140 sitting by designation may issue an unsecured judicial release if:141 (1) Such such unsecured judicial release is noted on the release order; and142 (2) The person is not charged with a bail restricted offense.143 (c) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section and in addition to other laws144 regarding the release of an accused person, the judge of any court having jurisdiction over145 23 SB 63/CSFA S. B. 63 - 7 - a person charged with committing an offense against the criminal laws of this state shall 146 have authority, in his or her sound discretion and in appropriate cases, to authorize the147 release of the person on an unsecured judicial release only.148 (d) Upon the failure of a person released on an unsecured judicial release to appear for149 trial, if the release is not otherwise conditioned by the court, absent a finding of sufficient150 excuse to appear, the court shall summarily issue an order for his or her arrest which shall151 be enforced as in cases of forfeited bonds.152 (e) No person charged with a bail restricted offense shall be eligible for release by any 153 judge on an unsecured judicial release. Such persons charged with a bail restricted offense154 shall only be eligible for release through the use of secured means as provided in Code155 Sections 17-6-4 and 17-6-5, professional bondsmen as provided in Code Section 17-6-50,156 or property as approved by the sheriff in the county where the offense was committed.157 (f) No person sentenced pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) of Code Section 17-10-7 shall be158 eligible for release by any judge on an unsecured judicial release. Such persons shall only159 be eligible for release through the use of secured means as provided in Code Sections160 17-6-4 and 17-6-5, professional bondsmen as provided in Code Section 17-6-50, or161 property as approved by the sheriff in the county where the offense was committed.162 (g) Any person arrested for any offense who has previously been convicted for any felony163 within the preceding seven years shall not be eligible for release by any judge on an164 unsecured judicial release. Such person shall only be eligible for release through the use165 of secured means as provided in Code Sections 17-6-4 and 17-6-5, professional bondsmen166 as provided in Code Section 17-6-50, or property as approved by the sheriff in the county167 where the offense was committed."168 SECTION 4.169 23 SB 63/CSFA S. B. 63 - 8 - Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 17-6-31, relating to surrender of principal 170 by surety, forfeiture of bond, and death of principal, by revising subsections (a), (d), and (e)171 as follows:172 "(a) When the court is not in session, a surety on a bond may surrender the surety's173 principal to the sheriff or to the responsible law enforcement officer of the jurisdiction in174 which the case is pending in order to be released from liability. If the sheriff or the 175 responsible law enforcement officer of the jurisdiction refuses such surrender, the surety176 shall be released from liability."177 "(d)(1) Furthermore, the surety shall be released from liability if, prior to entry of178 judgment, there is:179 (A) A deferred sentence;180 (B) A presentence investigation;181 (C) A court ordered Entry into a pretrial intervention and diversion program;182 (D) A court ordered Entry into an educational and rehabilitation program;183 (E) A fine;184 (F) A dead docket; or185 (G) Death of the principal;186 (H) Participation in an accountability court; or187 (I) Entry into a pretrial release program.188 (2) Furthermore, the surety may shall be released from liability at the discretion of the189 court if:190 (A) The the principal used a false name when he or she was bound over and committed191 to jail or a correctional institution and was subsequently released from such facility192 unless the surety knew or should have known had reason to know that the principal193 used a false name; and194 23 SB 63/CSFA S. B. 63 - 9 - (B) The surety shows to the satisfaction of the court that he or she acted with due195 diligence and used all practical means to secure the attendance of the principal before196 the court.197 (e) If the prosecuting attorney does not try the charges against a defendant within a period198 of two years in the case of felonies and one year in the case of misdemeanors after the date199 of posting bond, then judgment rendered after such period may not be enforced against the200 surety on the bond and the surety shall thereafter be relieved of liability on the bond. This201 subsection shall not apply where the prosecuting attorney's failure to try the charges is due202 to the fault of the principal."203 SECTION 5.204 Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 17-6-54, relating to no further compensation205 after becoming surety, when sum received to be returned to defendant, and right to surrender206 defendant and to keep sum paid when defendant forfeits, by revising subsection (a) as207 follows:208 "(a) No professional bondsman or his or her agents or employees who receive209 compensation for becoming the surety on a criminal bond shall thereafter receive any other210 sum in the case. If the surety surrenders a defendant into the custody of the court, the211 sheriff, or another law enforcement officer in the jurisdiction where the bond was made212 before final disposition of the case, the surety is required to return to the principal the213 compensation received for signing the bond as surety if such surrender of the defendant is214 for reasons other than:215 (1) The defendant's arrest for a crime other than a traffic violation or misdemeanor local216 ordinance violation;217 (2) The defendant's cosigner attests in writing the desire to be released from the bond;218 (3) The defendant fails to provide to the court and the surety the defendant's change of219 address;220 23 SB 63/CSFA S. B. 63 - 10 - (4) The defendant fails to pay any fee due to the surety after being notified by certified221 mail or statutory overnight delivery that the same is past due;222 (5) The defendant fails to notify the court and the surety upon leaving the jurisdiction of223 the court; or224 (6) The defendant provides false information to the surety."225 SECTION 6.226 Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 17-6-56.1, relating to continuing education227 programs for bail recovery agents, fee, annual requirement, and certificate of completion, by228 revising subsection (b) as follows:229 "(b) The fee for continuing education programs for bail recovery agents shall not exceed230 $125.00 $250.00 annually."231 SECTION 7.232 Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 17-6-70, relating to when forfeiture occurs,233 by revising subsection (b) as follows:234 "(b) An appearance bond shall not be forfeited unless the clerk of the court gave the surety235 at least 72 hours' written notice, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, before236 the time of the required appearance of the principal. Notice shall not be necessary if the237 time for appearance is within 72 hours from the time of arrest, provided the time for238 appearance is stated on the bond, or where the principal is given actual notice in open239 court."240 SECTION 8.241 Said chapter is further amended by revising Code Section 17-6-71, relating to execution242 hearing on failure of principal to appear, as follows:243 "17-6-71.244 23 SB 63/CSFA S. B. 63 - 11 - (a) The judge shall, at the end of the court day, upon the failure of the principal to appear,245 forfeit the bond, issue a bench warrant for the principal's arrest, and order an execution246 hearing not sooner than 120 days but not later than 150 days after such failure to appear.247 Notice of the execution hearing shall be served by the clerk of the court in which the bond248 forfeiture occurred within ten days of such failure to appear by certified mail or by249 electronic means as provided in Code Section 17-6-50 to the surety at the address listed on250 the bond or by personal service to the surety within ten days of such failure to appear at its251 home office or to its designated registered agent. Service shall be considered complete252 upon the mailing of such certified notice. Such ten-day notice shall be adhered to strictly.253 If notice of the execution hearing is not served as specified in this subsection, the surety254 shall be relieved of liability on the appearance bond The judge shall, at the end of the court255 day, upon the failure of the principal to appear, forfeit the bond and issue a bench warrant256 for the principal's arrest. If the forfeiture and bench warrant are not issued and signed257 within three business days of the failure to appear, the surety shall be relieved of liability258 on the appearance bond. Upon forfeiting the bond, the judge shall order an execution259 hearing not sooner than 150 days but not later than 180 days after such failure to appear.260 If the execution hearing is not ordered as specified in this subsection, the surety shall be261 relieved of liability on the appearance bond. Notice of the execution hearing and a copy262 of the bench warrant shall be served by the clerk of the court in which the bond forfeiture263 occurred within ten days of such failure to appear by certified mail, return receipt264 requested, or by electronic means as provided in Code Section 17-6-50 to the surety at the265 address listed on the bond or by personal service to the surety within ten days of such266 failure to appear at its home office or to its designated registered agent. Service shall be267 considered complete upon the mailing of such certified notice. Such ten-day notice shall268 be adhered to strictly. If notice of the execution hearing and bench warrant are not served269 as specified in this subsection, the surety shall be relieved of liability on the appearance270 bond.271 23 SB 63/CSFA S. B. 63 - 12 - (b) If at the execution hearing it is determined that judgment should be entered, the judge 272 shall so order and a writ of fieri facias shall be filed in the office of the clerk of the court273 where such judgment is entered. Notice of the judgment shall be served by the clerk of the 274 court in which entry of judgment occurred within ten days of such entry by certified mail,275 return receipt requested, or by electronic means as provided in Code Section 17-6-50 to the276 surety at the address listed on the bond or by personal service to the surety within ten days277 of such entry of judgment at its home office or to its designated registered agent. Service278 shall be considered complete upon the mailing of such certified notice. Such ten-day notice279 shall be adhered to strictly. If the notice of the judgment is not served in the time frame as280 specified in this subsection, the surety shall be relieved of liability on the appearance bond,281 the judgment shall be marked satisfied, and the writ of fieri facias shall be canceled. The282 provisions of this subsection shall apply to all bail bonds, whether returnable to superior283 court, state court, probate court, magistrate court, or municipal court."284 SECTION 9.285 Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 17-6-72, relating to conditions not286 warranting forfeiture of bond for failure to appear and remission of forfeiture, by revising287 subsections (b), (c), (d), and (e) as follows:288 "(b) No judgment shall be rendered on a forfeiture of any appearance bond if it is shown289 to the satisfaction of the court that the principal on the bond was prevented from attending290 because he or she was detained by reason of arrest, sentence, or confinement in a penal291 institution or jail in the State of Georgia, or so detained in another jurisdiction, or because292 he or she was involuntarily confined or detained pursuant to court order in a mental293 institution in the State of Georgia or in another jurisdiction. An official written Written294 notice of the holding institution in which the principal is being detained or confined shall295 be considered proof of the principal's detention or confinement. Such notice may be sent296 from the holding institution by mail or e-mail or delivered by hand or by facsimile297 23 SB 63/CSFA S. B. 63 - 13 - machine. Upon the presentation of such written notice to the clerk of the proper court, the298 prosecuting attorney, and the sheriff or other law enforcement officer having jurisdiction299 over the case, along with a letter of intent to pay all costs of returning the principal to the300 jurisdiction of the court, such notice and letter shall serve as the surety's request for a301 detainer or hold to be placed on the principal. Should there be a failure to place a detainer302 or hold within ten business days of the surety's service of a detainer or hold request, and303 after such presentation of such notice and letter of intent to pay costs, the surety shall then304 be relieved of the liability for the appearance bond without further order of the court.305 (c) No judgment shall be rendered on a forfeiture of any appearance bond if it is shown to306 the satisfaction of the court that prior to the entry of the judgment on the forfeiture the307 principal on the bond is in the custody of the sheriff or other responsible law enforcement308 agency. An official written Written notice of the holding institution in which the principal309 is being detained or confined shall be considered proof of the principal's detention or310 confinement. Such notice may be sent from the holding institution by mail or e-mail or311 delivered by hand or by facsimile machine. Upon presentation of such written notice to the312 clerk of the proper court, the prosecuting attorney, and the sheriff or other law enforcement313 officer having jurisdiction over the case along with a letter of intent to pay all costs of314 returning the principal to the jurisdiction of the court, such notice and letter shall serve as315 the surety's request for a detainer or hold to be placed against the principal. Should there316 be a failure to place a detainer or hold within ten business days of the surety's service of317 a detainer or hold request, and after presentation of such notice and letter of intent to pay318 costs, the surety shall then be relieved of the liability for the appearance bond without319 further order of the court."320 "(d) In cases in which subsection (e) of this Code section is not applicable, the court shall321 order remission under the following conditions:322 (1) Provided the bond amount has been paid within 120 150 days after entry of the323 judgment and the delay has not prevented prosecution of the principal and upon324 23 SB 63/CSFA S. B. 63 - 14 - application filed within 120 150 days from the payment of judgment with prior notice to325 the prosecuting attorney of such application, said court shall direct remission of 95326 percent of the bond amount remitted to the surety if the principal is produced,327 surrendered, or otherwise appears before the court that has jurisdiction of the bond or if328 the surety provides proof of the principal's incarceration or confinement in another329 jurisdiction, proof of the principal's death, or proof that surrender of the principal was330 denied by the sheriff or other responsible law enforcement officer within such 120 150331 day period following payment of the judgment;332 (2) Provided the bond amount has been paid within 120 150 days after the entry of333 judgment and the delay has not prevented prosecution of the principal, should the surety,334 within two years of the principal's failure to appear, locate the principal in the custody of335 the sheriff in the jurisdiction where the bond was made or in another jurisdiction causing336 the return of the principal to the jurisdiction where the bond was made, apprehend,337 surrender, or produce the principal, if the apprehension or surrender of the principal is338 substantially procured or caused by the surety, or if the location of the principal by the339 surety causes the adjudication of the principal in the jurisdiction in which the bond was340 made, the surety shall be entitled to a refund of 50 percent of the bond amount. The341 application for 50 percent remission shall be filed no later than 30 days following the342 expiration of the two-year period following the date of judgment upon application filed343 within 60 days following the expiration of the two-year period following the date of344 judgment with prior notice to the prosecuting attorney of such application, said court shall345 direct remission of 50 percent of the bond amount remitted to the surety if the principal346 is produced, surrendered, or otherwise appears before the court that has jurisdiction of the347 bond or if the surety provides proof of the principal's incarceration or confinement in348 another jurisdiction, proof of the principal's death, or proof that surrender of principal was349 denied by the sheriff or other responsible law enforcement officer within such two-year350 period following payment of the judgment; or351 23 SB 63/CSFA S. B. 63 - 15 - (3) Remission One hundred percent remission shall be granted upon condition of the352 payment of court costs and of the expenses of returning the principal to the jurisdiction353 by the surety.354 (e)(1) If, within 120 150 days from entry of the judgment, the surety surrenders the355 principal to the sheriff or responsible law enforcement officer, or said surrender has been356 denied by the sheriff or responsible law enforcement officer, or the surety locates the357 principal in custody in another jurisdiction, the surety shall only be required to pay costs358 and 5 percent of the face amount of the bond, which amount includes all surcharges. If359 it is shown to the satisfaction of the court, by the presentation of competent evidence360 from the sheriff or the holding institution, that said surrender has been made or denied or361 that the principal is in custody in another jurisdiction or that said surrender has been made362 and that 5 percent of the face amount of the bond and all costs have been tendered to the363 sheriff, the court shall direct that the judgment be marked satisfied and that the writ of364 fieri facias be canceled.365 (2)(A) The court shall direct that the judgment be marked satisfied and that the writ of366 fieri facias be canceled, if within 120 150 days from entry of the judgment, the surety:367 (i) Tenders an amount equal to 5 percent of the face amount of the bond and all costs368 to the sheriff; and369 (ii) Provides, in writing, the court and the prosecuting attorney for the court that has370 jurisdiction of the bond with competent evidence giving probable cause to believe that371 the principal is located in another jurisdiction within the United States and states that372 it will provide for the reasonable remuneration for the rendition of the principal, as373 estimated by the sheriff; and374 (B) The prosecuting attorney for the court that has jurisdiction of the bond:375 (i) Declines, in writing, to authorize or facilitate extradition; or376 (ii) Within ten business days of the notice provided pursuant to division (2)(A)(ii) of377 this subsection, fails to enter the appropriate extradition approval code into the378 23 SB 63/CSFA S. B. 63 - 16 - computerized files maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Crime 379 Information Center, thereby indicating an unwillingness to extradite the principal."380 SECTION 10.381 Code Section 17-10-6.1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to punishment382 for serious violent offenders and authorization for reduction in mandatory minimum383 sentencing, is amended by revising subsection (a) as follows:384 "(a) As used in this Code section, the term 'serious violent felony' means:385 (1) Murder or felony murder, as defined in Code Section 16-5-1;386 (2) Armed robbery, as defined in Code Section 16-8-41;387 (3) Kidnapping, as defined in Code Section 16-5-40;388 (4) Rape, as defined in Code Section 16-6-1;389 (5) Aggravated child molestation, as defined in subsection (c) of Code Section 16-6-4,390 unless subject to the provisions of paragraph (2) of subsection (d) of Code Section391 16-6-4;392 (6) Aggravated sodomy, as defined in Code Section 16-6-2; or 393 (7) Aggravated sexual battery, as defined in Code Section 16-6-22.2; or394 (8) Domestic terrorism, as defined in Code Section 16-11-220."395 SECTION 11.396 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.397