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Bill

SB 482

Law Enforcement Officers and Agencies; persons requesting booking photographs to provide the first and last names of the individuals in the photographs; require

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tonya Anderson and 5 co-sponsors

Georgia law requiring people to name specific individuals when requesting their booking photographs from police agencies.

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Bill Summary · SB 482

Legislative bill overview

SB 482 requires individuals requesting booking photographs from law enforcement agencies to provide the first and last names of the individuals pictured. This appears to be a procedural requirement aimed at controlling access to mugshot databases and public records related to arrest photographs.

Why is this important

Booking photographs are public records in Georgia that can be accessed and republished by media, online mugshot websites, and private companies—sometimes for profit or reputational damage. This requirement could reduce frivolous or malicious requests and potentially protect individuals from exploitation through booking photo publication, though it also limits anonymous public oversight of law enforcement records.

Potential points of contention

  • Privacy vs. transparency trade-off: The bill restricts anonymous access to public records, which some argue undermines government transparency and accountability while others support it as protecting individuals from mugshot exploitation
  • Practical enforceability: Law enforcement agencies must verify requesters have legitimate reasons to identify specific individuals, raising questions about how thoroughly they'll screen requests and enforce the requirement
  • Impact on media and research: Journalists, researchers, and watchdog organizations that conduct broad records reviews may face barriers if they cannot request batches of booking photos without identifying specific individuals in advance

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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