Georgia 2025-2026 Regular Session

Georgia Senate Bill SB244 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1	1		25 LC 55 0633S
2		-	Senate Bill 244
3		-	By: Senators Beach of the 21st, Albers of the 56th, Summers of the 13th, Robertson of the
4		-	29th, Tillery of the 19th and others
5		-	AS PASSED
	2	+	The House Committee on Judiciary, Non-Civil offers the following substitute to SB 244:
6	3		A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
7	4		AN ACT
8		-	To amend Titles 17 and 28 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to criminal
9		-	1
	5	+	To amend Titles 17 and 28 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to criminal1
10	6		procedure and General Assembly, respectively, so as to enact provisions relating to certain2
11	7		criminal prosecutions; to provide for the award of reasonable attorney's fees and costs in a3
12	8		criminal case to the defendant upon the disqualification of the prosecuting attorney for4
13	9		misconduct in connection with the case and the subsequent dismissal of the case by the court5
14	10		or a subsequent prosecutor; to provide for procedures for assessing and paying such fees and6
15	11		costs; to allow for wrongful conviction and incarceration compensation claims; to provide7
16	12		for a short title; to establish eligibility criteria; to provide for notice of claims; to require8
17	13		administrative law judges within the Office of State Administrative Hearings to hear and9
18	14		evaluate such claims; to provide for the burden of proof and evidence to be considered by an10
19	15		administrative law judge; to establish amounts of compensation that may be awarded; to11
20	16		require the release of claims prior to receiving an award of compensation; to establish the12
21	17		Wrongful Conviction and Incarceration Compensation Trust Fund; to provide for the13
22	18		payment of compensation awards from such trust fund; to provide for the waiver of sovereign14
23	19		immunity; to provide for rules and regulations; to require the Supreme Court of Georgia and15
24	20		the State Board of Pardons and Paroles to provide certain individuals with a copy of this Act;16
25	21		to provide for definitions; to exclude wrongful conviction and incarceration compensation17
26	22		claims from the purview of the Claims Advisory Board; to provide for related matters; to18
27		-	S. B. 244
	23	+	S. B. 244 (SUB)
28	24		- 1 - 25 LC 55 0633S
29		-	provide for effective dates; to provide for applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for
30		-	19
	25	+	provide for effective dates; to provide for applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for19
31	26		other purposes.20
32	27		BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:21
33	28		PART I22
34	29		SECTION 1-1.23
35	30		Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to criminal procedure, is24
36	31		amended in Chapter 11, relating to assessment and payment of costs of criminal proceedings,25
37	32		by adding a new Code section to read as follows:26
38		-	"17-11-6.
39		-	27
	33	+	"17-11-6.27
40	34		(a) In the event that:28
41	35		(1) The prosecuting attorney in a felony or misdemeanor criminal case is disqualified due29
42	36		to improper conduct on the part of such prosecuting attorney; and30
43	37		(2) Such criminal case is dismissed by the court or a subsequent prosecutor tasked with31
44	38		prosecuting such case following such disqualification;32
45	39		any defendant against whom such charges are dismissed shall be entitled to an award of all33
46	40		reasonable attorney's fees and costs incurred by the defendant in defending the case.34
47	41		(b) A defendant entitled to fees and expenses as provided in this Code section shall file a35
48	42		motion for reasonable attorney's fees and costs within 45 days of the final termination of36
49	43		the underlying criminal case. The judge to whom the criminal case was assigned shall37
50	44		consider and determine such motion for reasonable attorney's fees and costs without a jury38
51	45		and shall award such reasonable attorney's fees and costs as provided for under this Code39
52	46		section to such defendant.40
53		-	S. B. 244
	47	+	S. B. 244 (SUB)
54	48		- 2 - 25 LC 55 0633S
55	49		(c) Attorney's fees and costs awarded under this Code section shall be paid from the funds41
56	50		of the office of the prosecuting attorney as budgeted by the county or counties comprising42
57	51		the judicial circuit of such prosecuting attorney."43
58	52		PART II44
59	53		SECTION 2-1.45
60	54		Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to criminal procedure, is46
61	55		amended by adding a new chapter to read as follows:47
62	56		"CHAPTER 2248
63	57		17-22-1.49
64	58		This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the 'Wrongful Conviction and50
65	59		Incarceration Compensation Act.'51
66	60		17-22-2.52
67	61		As used in this chapter, the term:53
68	62		(1) 'Alford plea' means a plea of guilty entered by a defendant while maintaining his or54
69	63		her innocence, as recognized by the United States Supreme Court in the case of North55
70	64		Carolina v. Alford, 400 U.S. 25 (1970).56
71	65		(2) 'Claimant' means an individual seeking compensation under this chapter for his or her57
72	66		wrongful conviction and incarceration.58
73	67		(3) 'Prosecuting district attorney' means the district attorney whose office prosecuted the59
74	68		claimant for the crime or crimes that resulted in the wrongful conviction and60
75	69		incarceration for which the claimant is seeking compensation under the provisions of this61
76	70		chapter.62
77		-	S. B. 244
	71	+	S. B. 244 (SUB)
78	72		- 3 - 25 LC 55 0633S
79	73		(4) 'State governmental entity' means any office, authority, agency, department, unit,63
80	74		division, instrumentality, institution, commission, board, branch, or other entity of state64
81	75		government.65
82	76		17-22-3.66
83	77		(a) The Office of State Administrative Hearings, established pursuant to Code Section67
84	78		50-13-40, shall have the sole and exclusive authority to consider claims of wrongful68
85	79		conviction and incarceration in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.69
86	80		(b) For purposes of considering claims of wrongful conviction and incarceration and70
87	81		awarding compensation pursuant to this chapter, an administrative law judge appointed71
88	82		pursuant to Code Section 50-13-40 shall be designated by the Office of State72
89	83		Administrative Hearings for each claim filed under this chapter.73
90	84		(c) Any such administrative law judge shall be authorized to determine:74
91	85		(1) Whether a claimant qualifies for compensation under this chapter; and75
92	86		(2) The amount of compensation, if any, to be awarded under this chapter.76
93	87		17-22-4.77
94	88		(a) A claim for compensation under this chapter shall:78
95	89		(1) Be filed directly with the Office of State Administrative Hearings;79
96	90		(2) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this Code section, be filed within80
97	91		three years after the date of the acknowledgment obtained pursuant to Code Section81
98	92		17-22-12, or within three years of July 1, 2025, whichever occurs later;82
99	93		(3) Be captioned 'In the Matter of the Wrongful Conviction of [Claimant];' and83
100	94		(4) Be served on the Attorney General and the prosecuting district attorney.84
101	95		(b) If, during the two years before the limitations period under paragraph (2) of85
102	96		subsection (a) of this Code section would otherwise expire, the claimant obtains new86
103	97		evidence of innocence that the claimant could not previously have obtained with reasonable87
104		-	S. B. 244
	98	+	S. B. 244 (SUB)
105	99		- 4 - 25 LC 55 0633S
106	100		diligence, the claimant may file a claim under this chapter within two years of the date on88
107	101		which the claimant obtains such new evidence.89
108	102		(c) If, after the limitations period under paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of this Code section90
109	103		has expired, the claimant obtains new evidence of innocence that the claimant could not91
110	104		previously have obtained with reasonable diligence, the claimant may file a claim under92
111	105		this chapter within two years of the date on which the claimant obtains such new evidence.93
112	106		(d) A claim for compensation may be brought under this chapter by the heirs at law or the94
113	107		legal representative of a deceased individual.95
114	108		17-22-5.96
115	109		(a) To be eligible to receive compensation under this chapter, a claimant must establish by97
116	110		a preponderance of evidence to the administrative law judge that:98
117	111		(1) The claimant was convicted of a felony by a court of this state and served all or part99
118	112		of the sentence for such felony;100
119	113		(2) The claimant did not commit the crime for which the claimant was convicted and did101
120	114		not commit any lesser included offense; and102
121	115		(3) One of the following apply to the claimant:103
122	116		(A) The claimant's conviction was reversed or vacated and the charges against the104
123	117		claimant were dismissed after the conviction was reversed or vacated;105
124	118		(B) The claimant's conviction was reversed or vacated and the claimant was thereafter106
125	119		acquitted of the charges;107
126	120		(C) The claimant's conviction was reversed or vacated and the claimant thereafter108
127	121		entered an Alford plea or a plea of nolo contendere when the claimant would otherwise109
128	122		have been entitled to a new trial; or110
129	123		(D) The claimant received a pardon for the conviction based on the claimant's111
130	124		innocence.112
131		-	S. B. 244
	125	+	S. B. 244 (SUB)
132	126		- 5 - 25 LC 55 0633S
133	127		(b) In evaluating whether a claimant has met the requirements of subsection (a) of this113
134	128		Code section, an administrative law judge may, in the interest of justice, give due114
135	129		consideration to difficulties of proof caused by the passage of time, the death or115
136	130		unavailability of witnesses, the destruction of evidence, and other factors not caused by the116
137	131		claimant or those acting on the claimant's behalf.117
138	132		(c) Upon determining that a claimant meets the requirements of subsection (a) of this Code118
139	133		section, an administrative law judge shall award compensation to the claimant for wrongful119
140	134		conviction and incarceration in accordance with the provisions of this chapter; provided,120
141	135		however, that no compensation shall be awarded if the administrative law judge determines121
142	136		by a preponderance of the evidence that:122
143	137		(1) The claimant was an accomplice in the commission of the crime for which the123
144	138		claimant was convicted; or124
145	139		(2) For the purpose of protecting the true perpetrator from conviction, the claimant125
146	140		intentionally and voluntarily caused the conviction by entering a guilty plea, by126
147	141		committing perjury at trial, or by fabricating evidence at trial.127
148	142		17-22-6.128
149	143		(a) Upon receiving a claim under this chapter filed and served in accordance with Code129
150	144		Section 17-22-4, the Office of State Administrative Hearings shall, within 15 days,130
151	145		designate an administrative law judge to adjudicate the claim and notify the claimant, the131
152	146		Attorney General, and the prosecuting district attorney of such designation.132
153	147		(b) Any such administrative law judge shall, within 180 days of being designated to133
154	148		adjudicate the claim, hold a hearing to determine if the claimant is eligible for134
155	149		compensation under this chapter, and if so, the amount of compensation to be awarded. 135
156	150		The Attorney General and the prosecuting district attorney shall be entitled to file, within136
157	151		30 days of such administrative law judge being designated to adjudicate the claim, a137
158		-	S. B. 244
	152	+	S. B. 244 (SUB)
159	153		- 6 - 25 LC 55 0633S
160	154		response in opposition to the claim and appear at the hearing for the purpose of contesting138
161	155		the claim.139
162	156		(c) At a hearing held pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section on a claim filed under140
163	157		this chapter, the claimant, the Attorney General, or the prosecuting district attorney may141
164	158		present evidence in support of or in opposition to the claimant's eligibility for compensation142
165	159		under this chapter or regarding the amount of compensation that the claimant is entitled to143
166	160		pursuant to Code Section 17-22-7. The rules of evidence established in Code Section144
167	161		50-13-15 shall apply in any such hearing held.145
168	162		(d) Within 30 days of holding a hearing under subsection (b) of this Code section, the146
169	163		administrative law judge shall issue a decision on the claimant's eligibility for147
170	164		compensation under this chapter and the amount of compensation to be awarded under148
171	165		Code Section 17-22-7, if any, which shall include a statement of the administrative law149
172	166		judge's findings and an explanation of the administrative law judge's calculation of any150
173	167		such compensation to be awarded. Within 30 days after the administrative law judge has151
174	168		issued such decision, the claimant, the Attorney General, or the prosecuting district152
175	169		attorney may appeal such decision by filing, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter153
176	170		3 of Title 5, a petition for review in the Superior Court of Fulton County or in the superior154
177	171		court of the county in which the claimant was prosecuted for the crime or crimes leading155
178	172		to the wrongful conviction and incarceration, provided that such appeal shall be without156
179	173		a jury, shall be confined to the record, and nothing in this chapter shall preclude the appeal157
180	174		of any decision or order issued by such superior court during or upon the completion of its158
181	175		review of the decision issued by the administrative law judge. If no such appeal of the159
182	176		administrative law judge's decision is timely filed, such decision shall become final and the160
183	177		administrative law judge shall, subject to the limitation provided in subsection (e) of this161
184	178		Code section, issue a judgment either awarding compensation to the claimant or denying162
185	179		the claim. If such an appeal of the administrative law judge's decision is filed, the163
186	180		administrative law judge shall only issue a judgment when such appeal process is164
187		-	S. B. 244
	181	+	S. B. 244 (SUB)
188	182		- 7 - 25 LC 55 0633S
189	183		completed in accordance with any orders of the reviewing court. The issuance of a165
190	184		judgment after completion of such appeal process shall be subject to the limitation provided166
191	185		in subsection (e) of this Code section.167
192	186		(e) No claimant shall be entitled to compensation under this chapter, and no judgment168
193	187		awarding compensation to a claimant under this chapter shall be issued by an169
194	188		administrative law judge under subsection (d) of this Code section, unless and until the170
195	189		claimant has executed and filed with the Office of State Administrative Hearings a release171
196	190		and waiver, in a form and manner as the Office of State Administrative Hearings shall172
197	191		prescribe in consultation with the Department of Administrative Services, that releases,173
198	192		satisfies, acquits, and forever discharges any and all claims, demands, actions, causes of174
199	193		action, and damages, of every kind and nature whatsoever, past, present, or future, whether175
200	194		known or unknown, asserted or unasserted, that the claimant has or may claim to have176
201	195		against the state, any state governmental entity, or any current or former members, officers,177
202	196		employees, or agents of the state or any state governmental entity that arise out of or relate178
203	197		to any and all facts in connection with the claimant's wrongful conviction and179
204	198		incarceration. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require a claimant to release180
205	199		any claims, demands, actions, causes of action, or damages that the claimant may have or181
206	200		claim to have against any political subdivision of this state or any current or former182
207	201		members, officers, employees, or agents of any political subdivision of this state.183
208	202		17-22-7.184
209	203		(a) A claimant that satisfies the requirements of and is entitled to compensation under185
210	204		Code Section 17-22-5 shall be awarded:186
211	205		(1) For each year of incarceration, $75,000.00, provided that a prorated amount shall be187
212	206		allocated to any partial year of incarceration;188
213		-	S. B. 244
	207	+	S. B. 244 (SUB)
214	208		- 8 - 25 LC 55 0633S
215	209		(2) An additional $25,000.00 for each year of incarceration while awaiting a sentence of189
216	210		death based on the conviction at issue, provided that a prorated amount shall be allocated190
217	211		to any partial year of incarceration;191
218	212		(3) The reasonable and necessary attorney's fees, costs, and expenses incurred by the192
219	213		claimant or on the claimant's behalf in reversing or vacating the claimant's conviction,193
220	214		obtaining a pardon, and filing a claim for compensation under this chapter; and194
221	215		(4) Reimbursement for restitution, costs, fines, fees, or surcharges paid by or on behalf195
222	216		of the claimant as a result of the wrongful conviction at issue.196
223	217		(b) In calculating time of incarceration, an administrative law judge shall only include time197
224	218		served for the charge for which the claimant is making a claim under this chapter,198
225	219		consistent with the requirements of Code Section 17-10-11; provided, however, that a199
226	220		claimant shall not be entitled to compensation under this chapter for any portion of a200
227	221		sentence spent incarcerated during which the claimant was also serving a concurrent201
228	222		sentence of incarceration for another crime for which the claimant's conviction was not202
229	223		overturned and for which the claimant was not pardoned based on innocence, except to the203
230	224		extent that:204
231	225		(1) The sentence for that crime was longer than it would have been without consideration205
232	226		by the sentencing court of one or more of the crimes at issue; or206
233	227		(2) The intact conviction was based on an Alford plea or a plea of nolo contendere207
234	228		maintaining a claim of innocence that the claimant accepted to resolve the underlying208
235	229		case after the original conviction was overturned, and the claimant proves by a209
236	230		preponderance of the evidence that the claimant did not commit the crime that resulted210
237	231		in the Alford plea or the plea of nolo contendere.211
238	232		(c) If a claimant has received a monetary award or settlement in a civil action against the212
239	233		state, any state governmental entity, or any member, officer, employee, or agent of the state213
240	234		or a state governmental agency arising from or relating to the claimant's wrongful214
241	235		conviction and incarceration, such amount received by the claimant, less any attorney's215
242		-	S. B. 244
	236	+	S. B. 244 (SUB)
243	237		- 9 - 25 LC 55 0633S
244	238		fees, costs, and expenses paid by the claimant in obtaining the civil action award or216
245	239		settlement, shall be deducted from the amount of the compensation award to which the217
246	240		claimant is entitled under subsection (a) of this Code section.218
247	241		(d) Beginning on January 1, 2026, and each year thereafter, the Office of State219
248	242		Administrative Hearings, by rules and regulations, shall adjust the dollar amounts specified220
249	243		in subsection (a) of this Code section to reflect the effect of annual inflation or deflation221
250	244		on the cost of living that citizens of this state experienced in the prior calendar year. In222
251	245		making such adjustments, the Office of State Administrative Hearings may use the223
252	246		Consumer Price Index, or its successor or appropriate replacement index, if any, published224
253	247		by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor.225
254	248		17-22-8.226
255	249		(a) Any award of compensation made pursuant to this chapter shall not be:227
256	250		(1) Subject to any monetary limitation of damages awarded in civil actions;228
257	251		(2) Subject to any state income taxes; or229
258	252		(3) Reduced by any expense related to the claimant's wrongful incarceration incurred by230
259	253		the state or any political subdivision thereof.231
260	254		(b) No attorney shall collect any fees, costs, or expenses from a claimant in connection232
261	255		with obtaining relief under this chapter, including any fees, costs, or expenses calculated233
262	256		on a contingency basis, except for the amounts awarded under paragraph (3) of subsection234
263	257		(a) of Code Section 17-22-7.235
264	258		17-22-9.236
265	259		(a) There is created the Wrongful Conviction and Incarceration Compensation Trust Fund237
266	260		as a separate fund in the state treasury. The state treasurer shall credit to the trust fund all238
267	261		moneys appropriated by the General Assembly for the purpose of providing claimants with239
268	262		compensation under this chapter and shall invest the moneys held in the trust fund in the240
269		-	S. B. 244
	263	+	S. B. 244 (SUB)
270	264		- 10 - 25 LC 55 0633S
271	265		same manner in which state funds are invested as authorized by the State Depository Board241
272	266		pursuant to Article 3 of Chapter 17 of Title 50.242
273	267		(b) No award of compensation issued under this chapter shall be payable except from the243
274	268		Wrongful Conviction and Incarceration Compensation Trust Fund. Nothing in this chapter244
275	269		shall be construed to authorize any execution or levy against any state property or state245
276	270		funds, and such execution or levy against any state property or state funds for purposes of246
277	271		paying compensation awards issued under this chapter is expressly prohibited. The liability247
278	272		of the state under this chapter shall never exceed the amount of funds available in the248
279	273		Wrongful Conviction and Incarceration Compensation Trust Fund and no award of249
280	274		compensation issued under this chapter shall be payable unless and until the General250
281	275		Assembly appropriates moneys for the payment thereof.251
282	276		(c) Subject to the availability of funds, any award of compensation issued under this252
283	277		chapter shall be paid out of the Wrongful Conviction and Incarceration Compensation 253
284	278		Trust Fund as follows:254
285	279		(1)(A) If the judgment awarding such compensation is issued by the administrative law255
286	280		judge pursuant to subsection (d) of Code Section 17-22-6 before September 1 of a given256
287	281		calendar year, the state treasurer shall pay to the claimant an initial sum of $6,000.00257
288	282		within 60 days of such judgment being issued and such judgment being presented to the258
289	283		state treasurer for payment, and such initial sum shall be deducted from the total award259
290	284		amount.260
291	285		(B) If the judgment awarding such compensation is issued by the administrative law261
292	286		judge pursuant to subsection (d) of Code Section 17-22-6 on or after September 1 of a262
293	287		given calendar year, the state treasurer shall pay to the claimant an initial sum of263
294	288		$18,000.00 within 60 days of such judgment being issued and such judgment being264
295	289		presented to the state treasurer for payment, and such initial sum shall be deducted from265
296	290		the total award amount.266
297		-	S. B. 244
	291	+	S. B. 244 (SUB)
298	292		- 11 - 25 LC 55 0633S
299	293		(2) Thereafter, the General Assembly shall, through an amended appropriations Act for267
300	294		the current fiscal year for a judgment issued before September 1 of a given calendar year268
301	295		or through the general appropriations Act for the next fiscal year for a judgment issued269
302	296		on or after September 1 of a given calendar year, appropriate a sum sufficient to pay the270
303	297		remainder of the award of compensation; provided, however, that, for any award of271
304	298		compensation that exceeds $1.5 million, the General Assembly shall appropriate such272
305	299		sum in equal amounts over three separate fiscal years. Within 60 days of such273
306	300		appropriation being made and such funds being credited to the Wrongful Conviction and274
307	301		Incarceration Compensation Trust Fund, the state treasurer shall pay to the claimant the275
308	302		remainder of the award of compensation; provided, however, that, if such award exceeds276
309	303		$1.5 million, the state treasurer shall pay to the claimant the remainder of the award in277
310	304		three equal payments, each within 60 days of such amounts being appropriated by the278
311	305		General Assembly and credited to the Wrongful Conviction and Incarceration279
312	306		Compensation Trust Fund.280
313	307		(d) Any payment of an award of compensation pursuant to subsection (c) of this Code281
314	308		section may be made to or for the benefit of the claimant, or, in the case of the death of the282
315	309		claimant, to or for the benefit of one or more heirs at law or designated beneficiaries of the283
316	310		claimant.284
317	311		17-22-10.285
318	312		Subject to the provisions and limitations of this chapter, the sovereign immunity of this286
319	313		state is waived for the purpose of authorizing claimants to file claims for and seek 287
320	314		compensation awards under this chapter and for authorizing payment of any judgment288
321	315		awarding such compensation from the Wrongful Conviction and Incarceration289
322	316		Compensation Trust Fund.290
323		-	S. B. 244
	317	+	S. B. 244 (SUB)
324	318		- 12 - 25 LC 55 0633S
325	319		17-22-11.291
326	320		The Office of State Administrative Hearings, through the chief state administrative law292
327	321		judge, shall have the power to promulgate any rules and regulations and establish any293
328	322		procedures that are necessary to carry out, and are not inconsistent with, the provisions of294
329	323		this chapter.295
330	324		17-22-12.296
331	325		(a) A court entering a dismissal or judgment of acquittal after a defendant's criminal297
332	326		conviction has been overturned, vacated, or reversed shall provide a copy of this chapter298
333	327		to the defendant at the time of entry of the dismissal or acquittal and obtain from the299
334	328		defendant a written acknowledgment of receipt of a copy of this chapter on a form300
335	329		established by the Supreme Court of Georgia. Such acknowledgment shall be transmitted301
336	330		by the court to the Supreme Court of Georgia and shall be entered on the docket by the302
337	331		Supreme Court of Georgia. The acknowledgment shall be admissible in any proceeding303
338	332		subsequently filed by the defendant under this chapter.304
339	333		(b) Upon the issuance and acceptance of a pardon of innocence or a commutation of305
340	334		sentence resulting in release because of a finding of innocence, the State Board of Pardons306
341	335		and Paroles shall provide a copy of this chapter to the individual receiving the pardon or307
342	336		commutation and obtain from the individual a written acknowledgment of receipt of a copy308
343	337		of this chapter on a form established by the State Board of Pardons and Paroles. The309
344	338		acknowledgment shall be retained on file by the State Board of Pardons and Paroles as part310
345	339		of its official records and shall be admissible in any proceeding subsequently filed by the311
346	340		individual under this chapter."312
347		-	S. B. 244
	341	+	S. B. 244 (SUB)
348	342		- 13 - 25 LC 55 0633S
349		-	SECTION 2-2.
350		-	313
	343	+	SECTION 2-2.313
351	344		Title 28 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to General Assembly, is314
352	345		amended in Part 2 of Article 4 of Chapter 5, relating to claims against state, departments, or315
353	346		agencies, by adding a new Code section to read as follows:316
354		-	"28-5-87.
355		-	317
	347	+	"28-5-87.317
356	348		The Claims Advisory Board shall not consider and no compensation shall be paid under318
357	349		this article concerning any claim against the state for any wrongful conviction and319
358	350		incarceration."320
359	351		PART III321
360	352		SECTION 3-1.322
361	353		(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this Section, this Act shall become effective on323
362	354		July 1, 2025.324
363	355		(b) Part I of this Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its325
364	356		becoming law without such approval and shall apply to all criminal cases pending on and326
365	357		after such effective date.327
366	358		SECTION 3-2.328
367	359		All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.329
368		-	S. B. 244
	360	+	S. B. 244 (SUB)
369	361		- 14 -