sb196_As_passed_Senate_4.html
05 SB196/FA/2
Senate Bill 196
By: Senators Carter of the 13th, Butler of the 55th, Moody of the 56th, Thomas of the 54th and Douglas of the 17th

AS PASSED SENATE

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Article 1 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions for offenses against public health and morals, so as to provide for the crime of smoking on a school bus or other vehicle transporting children to and from schools or early care and education programs; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.
Article 1 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions for offenses against public health and morals, is amended by adding a new Code Section 16_12_2.1 to follow Code Section 16_12_2, relating to smoking in public places, to read as follows:
"16_12_2.1.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to smoke tobacco in any form on any school bus, van, or other vehicle which is used by a public or private school or early care and education program, as defined by Code Section 20_1A_2, to transport children or students to or from such school or program or to any school or program related event. This shall apply regardless of whether any child or student is present on the bus, van, or other vehicle. This shall not apply to personal vehicles of teachers or staff of a public or private school or early care and education program.
(b) A person who violates subsection (a) of this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor."

SECTION 2.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.