ATLANTA (April 3, 2019) |Yesterday, Senate Bill 9 sponsored by Sen. Harold Jones II (D – Augusta) received final passage in the Georgia General Assembly.
“After many months of work and long hours of debate in both the Senate and the House, I am proud to say that Senate Bill 9 received final passage on the last day of the legislative session,” said Sen. Jones. “This bill addresses situations that unfortunately occur much too frequently in our state. By explicitly outlining in Georgia law what these behaviors are and by codifying what the punishments would be, we are sending a clear message that sexual extortion and improper sexual contact will not be tolerated. I am grateful for my colleagues in the Senate and House for working with me on this important issue, as well as for the many stakeholders who took the time to testify at committee hearings. I am eager to see this piece of legislation clear the final step of the legislative process and receive the governor’s signature into law.”
Senate Bill 9 would create a new crime of “sexual extortion” which would specifically outlaw coercing an individual into sending nude images, videos or any electronic communication of the individual engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Those found guilty on a first offense would be charged with a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature and upon second or subsequent offenses would be charged with a felony with one to five years of imprisonment.
The bill also outlines the crime of “improper sexual contact by employee or agent” which would occur when an employee or agent knowingly engages in sexually explicit conduct with an individual under their supervision. Those convicted of this crime in the first degree would be subject to one to 25 years of imprisonment, a fine of $100,000, or both. Those convicted of this crime in the second degree would be guilty of a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature.
The bill passed both the Georgia Senate and House of Representatives and has been sent to the governor’s desk for consideration. You can follow the progress of SB 9 at this link: http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/20192020/185985.pdf
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For Immediate Release:
April 3, 2019
Andrew Allison, Broadcast Specialist
andrew.allison@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028