07/15/2026
Breakdown of Some New Georgia Laws That Took Effect July 1
🚨 New Georgia Laws 🚨
1. Rental applications: If you pay an application fee and are denied, you may be entitled to a refund under certain circumstances. Landlords are also limited on the amount they can collect up front. (OCGA 44-7-30.1)
2. To-go cocktails: Restaurants can now sell alcoholic drinks to go if they meet the legal requirements. (SB 236)
3. Child tax credits: New tax credits are available for qualifying families with young children and child care expenses. (HB 136)
4. School bus cameras: More Georgia school buses will now be equipped with cameras to help enforce stop-arm violations. (HB 344)
5. Bounce house safety: Inflatable amusement devices cannot be operated when sustained winds exceed 15 mph. (120-3-27)
6. Daycare background checks: Stronger fingerprinting and background check requirements for childcare workers, including checks for registered child abusers and s*x offenders. (HB 175)
7. Disabled veterans: Eligible disabled veterans can now receive two additional free license plates. (HB 208)
8. Storage units: Storage facilities must provide additional notice before auctioning off your property. (HB 131)
9. Fentanyl trafficking: Increased penalties for fentanyl trafficking convictions. (SB 79)
10. Education funding: Additional funding for Georgia’s public schools. (HB 371)
11. Green burials: Funeral homes may now offer natural organic reduction as a legal disposition option. (HB 241)
12. Income tax: Georgia’s flat income tax rate has been reduced to 4.99%. (HB 111)
13. School attendance: Public schools cannot automatically expel students solely because of excessive absences. Intervention measures must be considered first. (SB 123)
14. Out-of-state landlords: Landlords who live outside Georgia must designate an in-state contact or property manager. (HB 399)
15. Cell phones in schools: Students in grades K through 8 must keep personal electronic devices put away during the school day. (HB 340)
16. State employee raises: Includes raises for teachers, law enforcement, school nurses, nutrition workers, and bus drivers. (HB 916)
17. HOPE Scholarship: HOPE now covers 100% of standard tuition at eligible public colleges. (HB 19)
18. Property tax relief: Eligible homeowners may receive a $500 property tax rebate. (HB 112)
19. Voting leave: Eligible employees may receive up to two hours off to vote if needed. (O.C.G.A. 21-2-404)
20. Kids’ lemonade stands: Minors can sell homemade goods like lemonade without permits in many situations. (SB 55)
21. Social media and minors: Additional parental protections for social media accounts used by minors. (SB 351)
22. School bus stops: School systems should avoid bus stops that require children to cross roads with speed limits of 40 mph or higher. (HB 409)
23. Child protection laws: New felony offense for grooming a minor and increased penalties related to child s*xual abuse material. (HB 993)
24. Digital driver’s license: Georgia now recognizes a digital version of your driver’s license in many situations. (HB 296)
25. School athletics and facilities: Public schools and colleges must follow Georgia’s requirements regarding biological s*x for bathrooms, locker rooms, and sports participation. (SB 1)
26. Human trafficking victims: Courts may reduce sentences for certain crimes committed as a direct result of being trafficked or abused. (HB 582)
27. Bomb threats: False bomb threats can now carry penalties of up to 15 years in prison. (O.C.G.A. 16-10-28 & SB 421)
28. Squatters: New legal tools make it easier for property owners to remove unauthorized occupants. (HB 1017)
29. Street racing: Spectators can face misdemeanor charges, while organizers and participants face tougher penalties. (SB 10)
30. Telemarketing: Consumers now have stronger legal options against unlawful telemarketing calls, including certain third-party contractors. (SB 73)
31. Passing a stopped school bus: Violations can result in fines up to $1,000 and up to 12 months in jail. (HB 344)
32. Cosmetology: Makeup application and blow-drying hair alone no longer require a cosmetology license. (SB 354)
33. Home-baked goods: Many homemade, nonperishable baked goods can now be sold without a cottage food license if all legal requirements are met. (HB 398)
34. Faking a service animal just got a lot more expensive. Georgia’s new Mara Jade Act (HB 668) strengthens protections for legitimate service dogs, recognizes psychiatric and owner-trained service dogs, and makes knowingly misrepresenting a pet as a service animal punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $2,000 fine. Emotional support animals are not considered service animals under the law.
35. Georgia expanded its medical cannabis program. The new Putting Georgia’s Patients First Act (SB 220) expands patient access, adds qualifying conditions, removes the 5% THC limit, and allows certain vaporized medical cannabis products.
36. K-8 cellphone ban (HB 340). Public schools must prohibit students in kindergarten through 8th grade from using personal cell phones and similar devices during the school day.
37. Restaurants must disclose imported shrimp (HB 117). If a restaurant serves imported shrimp, it must clearly disclose that on its menu or with a visible sign.
38. HOA transparency reforms (HB 313). Homeowners gain additional rights to access association records and financial information, with new transparency requirements for many HOAs.
39. Crypto ATM protections (HB 945). New limits, fee caps, fraud warnings, and refund protections are aimed at reducing scams, especially against seniors.
40. Code enforcement officers now have stronger legal protections. Under HB 483, Georgia increased the penalties for assaulting or battering code enforcement inspectors while they’re performing their official duties.
41. Releasing helium balloons is now illegal in Georgia. Intentionally releasing helium-filled balloons into the air is now prohibited under state law to help reduce litter, protect wildlife, and prevent power outages caused by balloon debris. Violators can be fined. O.C.G.A. § 12-8-28.2 (HB 117)
