Georgia legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Georgia HB171: Crimes and offenses; obscenity; repeal and replace Code Section 16-12-80
Status: Passed one chamber, March 27, 2026
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 1 of Article 3 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the O.C.G.A., relating to general provisions relative to obscenity and related offenses, so as to repeal and replace Code Section 16-12-80, relating to obscene material, distribution, and penalty; to prohibit distribution of computer generated obscene material depicting a child; to provide for a standard for obscenity; to provide for a penalty and probation; to amend Article 1 of Chapter 10 of Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to procedure for sentencing and imposition of punishment, so as to provide for sentencing of defendants who utilize artificial intelligence in the commission of certain crimes; to provide for notices for enhanced sentencing, and enhanced sentencing; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
What the bill says
To amend Part 1 of Article 3 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to obscenity and related offenses, so as to repeal and replace Code Section 16-12-80, relating to obscene material, distribution, and penalty; to prohibit distribution of computer generated obscene material depicting a child; to provide for a standard for obscenity; to provide for a penalty and probation…
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED To amend Part 1 of Article 3 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to obscenity and related offenses, so as to repeal and replace Code Section 16-12-80, relating to obscene material, distribution, and penalty; to prohibit distribution of computer generated obscene material depicting a child; to provide for a standard for obscenity; to provide for a penalty and probation; to amend Article 1 of Chapter 10 of Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to procedure for sentencing and imposition of punishment, so as to provide for sentencing of defendants who utilize artificial intelligence in the commission of certain crimes; to provide for notices for enhanced sentencing, and enhanced sentencing; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA: SECTION 1. Part 1 of Article 3 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to obscenity and related offenses, is amended by repealing Code Section 16-12-80, relating to distributing obscene material, obscene material defined, and penalty, and enacting a new Code Section 16-12-80 to read as follows: H. B. LC 56 0259 "16-12-80. …
Sponsors
- Shawn Still (R, 48) · primary sponsor
- Brad Thomas (R, HD-021) · primary sponsor
- Jones, Todd (R, 25)
- Sandy Donatucci (R, 105)
- Leesa Hagan (R, 156)
- John Carson (R, 46)
- Carter Barrett (R, 24)
Latest actions
- : Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
- : Senate Recommitted
- : Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
- : Senate Recommitted
- : Senate Read Second Time
- : Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
- : Senate Read and Referred
- : House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
- : House Third Readers
- : House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
Votes
- House Vote #94 (February 26, 2025): 160 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB171?
- HB171 is a bill in the Georgia Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Crimes and offenses; obscenity; repeal and replace Code Section 16-12-80.
- What does HB171 do?
- In its own words: To amend Part 1 of Article 3 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to obscenity and related offenses, so as to repeal and replace Code Section 16-12-80, relating to obscene material, distribution, and penalty; to prohibit distribution of computer generated obscene material depicting a child; to provide for a standard for obscenity; to provide for a penalty and probation…
- What is the status of HB171?
- Passed one chamber as of March 27, 2026. Latest action: Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (March 27, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB171?
- Shawn Still (R, 48), with 6 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB171?
- On the Georgia Legislature website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69648
Source: official Georgia record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.