By: Sen. Larry Walker (R – Perry)
With the deadline for the signing of bills behind us, I, along with the rest of my colleagues, have been able to utilize this time to truly reflect on all of our collective successes this year. The 2020 legislation session was unprecedented and at times, we were faced with some rather unexpected challenges. However, despite the unforeseen circumstances brought forth by COVID-19, I can say with absolute certainty that we have been able to make great strides in serving the people of Georgia. More specifically, I am proud of our efforts to ensure that some of the groups that need them the most, namely the children in our foster care programs and victims of human trafficking, are able to live better lives.
Of those efforts, one of the more prominent bills from the session is Senate Bill 435, also referred to as the “Survivors First Act.” Under the provisions of the bill, an individual convicted of and sentenced for an offense that was found to be a direct result of being a victim of trafficking will be allowed to petition the court for a relief of vacatur. This, if approved, would allow for their conviction to be annulled and in some cases, would also allow the individual to request that certain access to their criminal history information be restricted. SB 435, in its entirety, serves as a reflection of Georgia’s commitment to justice and fairness, as well as a recognition of the many adversities these victims have had to face. These individuals have been subject to some of the most inhumane forms of treatment, and have had to face incredibly complex and precarious situations. Their history and the decisions they have had to make, in often life or death situations, should not define their future; this bill ensures hope.
In support of that, House Bill 823 seeks to serve as a preemptive tactic against human trafficking by attacking one of its regular modes of transportation within the state: commercial vehicles. With the guidelines set forth by HB 823, individuals who knowingly use a commercial motor vehicle to commit a trafficking or sexual servitude offense will have their commercial driver’s license revoked and will be suspended from driving a commercial vehicle for life. SB 435, HB 823 and other legislative initiatives taken by the General Assembly this year, demonstrate to the rest of the world that Georgia will not stand idly by, as the safety of our children and families is threatened every day. Our state can, and will, overcome this issue.
In the same realm of protecting the people of Georgia, the legislature has also made a number of advances in strengthening our state’s foster care programs. One bill, Senate Bill 439, relates to the legal portion of the system by enhancing notice to and improving the participation of caregivers in certain court proceedings. This serves as one step in ensuring fair legality in the system, especially when it regards instances in which a child may possibly be separated from his or her caregiver.
Further protection of our state’s foster care children is provided through House Bills 911 and 912. The former, establishes first and second degree offenses for foster parents who knowingly engage in improper sexual conduct with a foster child that is currently in their care. By closing an identified loophole related to when the child turns 16, this bill makes an important protective measure legally sound. Foster families are entrusted to offer warmth, stability and protection for children who have often grown up in environments that lack this. It is our duty to make sure these families remain a safe space. Meanwhile, HB 912 offers added support to familial networks by extending the period in which a foster parent can leave a child with a babysitter from two days to three. Georgia is repeatedly coined as a great state to raise a family and it is our responsibility to make sure that continues, for all family structures.
As the interim progresses, we continue to find ourselves in unprecedented times; however, I remain a source for you and our district, so please don’t hesitate to reach out about any questions or concerns you may have. In a short amount of time, I will begin my work serving on the Senate Coin Operated Amusement Machine (COAM) Study Committee and as you know, COAMs have been a critical issue in our community and a priority of mine for some time now. I intend to give you an update on our findings once we’ve completed the study, but remember, I and the rest of the members of the General Assembly are already looking ahead towards the next legislative session and value your input.
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Sen. Larry Walker serves as Caucus Vice Chairman for the Majority Party. He represents the 20th Senate District, which includes Bleckley, Houston, Laurens and Pulaski counties. He may be reached by phone at (404) 656-0095 or by email at larry.walker@senate.ga.gov.