Fairness for Prisoners' Families
Fairness for Prisoners' Families
A Guide to Understanding HB 1059:
the Georgia Sex Offender LegislationIn the 2006 legislative session, the Georgia General Assembly passed HB 1059, known as the "Child Sexual Predator" legislation, that imposes far harsher penalties including virtually life-time sentences and restrictions for persons convicted of sex crimes. The lawmakers' intent of HB 1059 was to have a law that is the "toughest in the country" and to make Georgia a place that “no sex offender will want to live.”
HB 1059 will have a tremendous impact on the way that sex offenses are handled in Georgia. To help our members understand this legislation, we are providing the links below as resources:
- Brief Summary of HB 1059 and Our Concerns
- Abstract and Summary of HB 1059
- Articles about HB 1059
- Text of HB 1059 as passed by the Georgia House and Senate
HB 1059 does not provide for an treatment or rehabilitation for those convicted of sex offenses. It does not provide for any resources or services for survivors of sexual assaults. The mandatory minimum sentencing results in the loss of discretion for both judges and the prosecutors. This law will only continue to compound the problems facing Georgia citizens, such as the over-inflated prison budget that depletes funds from more worthy programs like education and will pack Georgia’s prisons and jails, leading to horrendous conditions inside the state facilities.
Fairness extends its deepest gratitude to all its members who worked to change this legislation by writing letters and making phone calls to their legislators, testifying in committee meetings and attending and advocating at Family Day at the Capitol.
If you have questions about this legislation, email Sara Totonchi.