SB 154 seeks to amend Part 1 of Article 3 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 and Code Section 17-5-21 of the O.C.G.A. relating to wiretapping, eavesdropping, surveillance, and related offenses and grounds for issuance of search warrant and scope of search pursuant to a search warrant, respectively. 

            Code Section 16-11-60 is amended through the revision of the term “private place” to mean a place where “there is a reasonably expectation of privacy.”

            New subparagraph (d) is added to paragraph (2) of Code Section 16-11-62 which states that it shall not be unlawful for a law enforcement officer or his or her agent to use a device to observe, photograph, videotape, or record the activities of persons that occur in the presence of such officer or his or her agent.

            Code Section 17-5-21 gains revisions which permit other personnel, sworn or unsworn, acting under the direction of a peace officer executing a search warrant may assist in the execution of such warrant.

            New paragraph (26.2) is added to subsection (a) of Code Section 50-18-72 which permits certain records to not be required to be publically disclosed, including audio and video recordings from law enforcement devises in a place where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy when there is no pending investigation, provided that the person seeking the audio or video recordings submits a sworn affidavit that attests to the facts necessary to establish eligibity under this paragraph. It further delineates exceptions to this standing, demonstrated  in subparagraphs (A) – (F).