New Georgia Laws

Have not confirmed these for myself, but they come from a reputable source:

New laws set to take effect in Georgia on July 1, the start of the 2009 fiscal year:

ALCOHOL:

Several alcohol-related measures will become law. One allows restaurant patrons to take home unfinished bottles of wine they order with their meal. Another permits Georgians to go online and purchase up to 12 cases of wine a year directly from wineries. A third clears the way for limousine drivers to sell cocktails to their customers.

CRIME:

Sex offenders face new limits on where they could live, work and volunteer. The law is already facing a legal challenge.

Drivers who commit a fourth drunk driving offense in a 10-year period will be guilty of a felony.

People convicted of driving without a license four or more times within five years will be guilty of a felony.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation will be allowed to compare DNA collected in its investigations to the databases in other states at an earlier point in the legal process.

HEALTH:

Parents of a stillborn child may obtain birth and death certificates.

SCHOOLS:

Charter school applicants will be able to apply to a new state panel if they are denied by local officials.

Employees at charter schools will be eligible for the state health benefit plan.

The state Department of Education must draw up a model program to educate students on Internet safety.

Law Change (Immigration and Voting)

HB 549 sponsorecd by State Sen. John Wiles  (R) of Kennesaw signed into law on 4/30/09, effective: 4/30/09

Requires clerks of superior courts to transmit monthly lists to the Secretary of State of all persons who identify themselves as not being United States citizens during qualification to serve as jurors, including their addresses, ages, and other identifying information in a format prescribed by the Secretary of State.