2025 Georgia Codes – Page 58

Added 2024
(a)(1) A person commits the offense of unlawful squatting when he or she enters upon the land or prem-
ises of another and resides on such land or premises for any period of time knowingly acting without
the knowledge or consent of the owner, rightful occupant, or an authorized representative of the owner.
For purposes of this Code section, the term “resides” means to inhabit or live on or within any land or
premises.
(2) Any person who commits or is accused of committing the offense of unlawful squatting as provided for
in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall receive a citation advising that they must present to the head of
the issuing law enforcement agency or their designee within three business days of receiving the cita-
tion for such alleged offense properly executed documentation that authorizes the person’s entry on such
land or premises. Such documentation may include a properly executed lease or rental agreement or
proof of rental payments.
(3) If such person is unable to provide the documentation required by paragraph (2) of this subsection,
such person shall be subject to arrest for unlawful squatting and upon conviction to the penalty provided
in subsection (b) of this Code section.
(4) If such person does provide documentation that authorizes such person’s entry on the land or prem-
ises, a hearing shall be set within seven days of the submission of such documentation and if the court
finds that the submitted documentation was not properly executed or is not meritorious, such person
shall be subject to demand for possession and removal as provided in Code Section 44-11-32, be subject
to arrest and upon conviction penalties as provided for in Code Sections 16-9-1 and 16-9-2, and shall be
assessed an additional fine based on the fair market monthly rental rate of the land or premises.
(b) Any person who violates subsection (a) of this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor which
upon conviction shall be punishable as provided in Code Section 17-10-3.

Amended 2024
(a) As used in this Code section, the term:
(1) “Critical infrastructure” shall have the same meaning as provided in Code Section 16-11-220.
(2) “Electronic means” means any unauthorized transmission of fraudulent or unauthorized data, including
data that is self-replicating or self-propagating, and any use of other technology that successfully modifies,
alters, damages, destroys, records, or transmits information which disrupts normal operations.
(3) “Public transportation system” shall have the same meaning as provided in Code Section 16-11-220.
(4) “Vital public service” includes water, sewerage, drainage, energy, electric, gas, natural gas, telecommu-
nication, internet, cable, navigation, collision avoidance, public transportation systems, railroads, and other
services the loss of which would have a debilitating impact on the health, safety, or financial security of the
public.
(b) A person commits the offense of criminal damage to property in the first degree when he or she:
(1) Knowingly and without authority interferes with any property in a manner so as to endanger human life;
(2) Knowingly and without authority and by either force or violence or by electronic means interferes with
the proper operation of any critical infrastructure or any vital public service; or
(3) Knowingly and without justification causes damage to a building by discharging a firearm while inside
a vehicle or after immediately exiting a vehicle.
(c) A person convicted of the offense of criminal damage to property in the first degree shall be punished by
imprisonment for not less than one nor more than ten years; provided, however, that a person convicted of a
violation of paragraph (2) of subsection (b) of this Code section shall be punished by imprisonment for not
less than two nor more than 20 years.