Georgia House Bill HB459

Georgia 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/16/23

Caption

Georgia Bureau of Investigation; submit felony juvenile arrest fingerprints to Federal Bureau of Investigation; authorize

Note

This bill signifies a key legislative move in the direction of comprehensive juvenile justice reform, reflecting an increased emphasis on holding young offenders accountable while also considering the consequences of their criminal records in their future.

Impact

By enacting HB459, Georgia law will see a change in how juvenile criminal histories are recorded and shared. The GBI will now serve as the official state repository for juvenile history data, and it will be authorized to disseminate this information as specified under relevant statutes. This change could strengthen law enforcement's ability to monitor juvenile offenders and could assist in ongoing investigations that involve minors who have committed serious offenses.

Summary

House Bill 459 aims to amend Code Section 15-11-702 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated by allowing the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) to forward juvenile arrest fingerprints for felony charges to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This bill seeks to create a centralized system for tracking juvenile offenders whose crimes, if committed by an adult, would be classified as felonies. The bill reflects an effort to improve the reporting process for juvenile offenses and enhance the accessibility of this data for law enforcement agencies at both the state and federal levels.

Contention

While the bill is expected to support a more thorough tracking system for juvenile crimes, it raises concerns regarding the privacy of juvenile offenders. Critics may argue that forwarding fingerprints of minors to federal agencies could lead to stigmatization and long-term impacts on the lives of young individuals. There may also be discussions around the implications this could have on rehabilitation efforts and the consideration of juveniles as individuals deserving of a second chance, rather than as future felons.