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GeorgiaSB 4332025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

"Rio's Law"

Sponsored By: John Albers (Republican), Jason Anavitarte (Republican), Tonya Anderson (Democrat), Timothy Bearden (Republican), Drew Echols (Republican), Elena Parent (Democrat), Brian Strickland (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Public Safety and Homeland SecurityPublic SafetyGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Georgia officers must learn disability interaction skills

Beginning January 1, 2027, Georgia peace officer basic training must cover interactions with people with autism or developmental disabilities. Training includes best practices for encounters involving the new special plates and investigations involving people with these disabilities. Officers must learn interaction skills, ways to recognize behavioral signs, effective communication, and alternatives to physical restraints. Training also includes protocols for contacting caregivers during emergencies. The Peace Officer Standards and Training Council must develop and implement or approve the training. It must work with the Department of Community Health, Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, and nonprofits with proven expertise. The law specifies no appropriation for this training.

New disability plates with eligibility and penalties

Beginning January 1, 2027, eligible Georgia residents can get a special autism spectrum disorder or developmental disability license plate. Applicants must own a private passenger vehicle, meet registration and licensing requirements, and pay applicable fees. Eligibility covers owners whose spouse, child, guardian, or the owner themselves has either condition. Joint owners with someone who has either condition also qualify, as do that person's spouse, parent, or legal guardian. A licensed physician or psychologist must provide an affidavit confirming the condition. Plates display the official “Just Bee” symbol, a similar design, or another approved symbol. Owners can transfer plates to another vehicle under Georgia's plate-transfer rules. The plate is canceled when the person with the disability dies or joint ownership ends; a regular plate replaces it. Willfully making false eligibility claims and owning a vehicle with an unauthorized special plate are misdemeanors. Practitioners also commit a misdemeanor by knowingly and willfully providing a false or misleading affidavit.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • John Albers

    Republican • Senate

  • Jason Anavitarte

    Republican • Senate

  • Tonya Anderson

    Democrat • Senate

  • Timothy Bearden

    Republican • Senate

  • Drew Echols

    Republican • Senate

  • Elena Parent

    Democrat • Senate

  • Brian Strickland

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Eddie Lumsden

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 223 • No: 0

House vote • 3/25/2026

PASSAGE

Yes: 169 • No: 0 • Other: 6

Senate vote • 2/25/2026

PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 54 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective Date

    7/1/2026

  2. Senate Date Signed by Governor

    5/6/2026Senate

  3. Act 423

    5/6/2026

  4. Senate Sent to Governor

    4/10/2026Senate

  5. House Third Readers

    3/25/2026House

  6. House Passed/Adopted

    3/25/2026House

  7. House Committee Favorably Reported

    3/19/2026House

  8. House Second Readers

    3/3/2026House

  9. House First Readers

    2/26/2026House

  10. Senate Third Read

    2/25/2026Senate

  11. Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    2/25/2026Senate

  12. Senate Read Second Time

    2/20/2026Senate

  13. Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    2/19/2026Senate

  14. Senate Read and Referred

    1/29/2026Senate

  15. Senate Hopper

    1/28/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • SB 433/AP* (v7)

    PDF

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