Latest news with #GeorgiaCode
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Library workers deserve protection, not prosecution
Guest commentator says Senate Bill 74's practical effect would be to criminalize library workers for simply doing their job. Getty Images Georgians have access to a public library in every county in the state, adding up to more than 400 public library branches. In 2024, Georgia's library cardholders borrowed more than 11.7 million items from their local public libraries, an increase of 407,500 items borrowed compared to the year before. This is made possible by library workers who ensure materials are accessible, maintain various collections, assist patrons, and handle the behind-the-scenes work to keep the checkout systems running smoothly. Despite this, these crucial professionals now face unwarranted threat of criminal prosecution because of what's happening at the Georgia Legislature. Senate Bill 74 would strip library workers at all public libraries (i.e., county, university, K-12, and community libraries) of protection from criminal prosecution if they 'knowingly' distribute material that is deemed 'harmful to minors.' This phrase is defined in Georgia Code § 16-12-102 based loosely on the U.S. Supreme Court's 'obscenity' definition. The legislation's practical effect would be to criminalize library workers for simply doing their job. For example, for library workers to avoid prosecution under SB 74, they would have to be familiar with the complete content of the hundreds of thousands of titles contained in their library collections and make a good faith effort to keep media containing any portion that could be deemed 'harmful' out of the hands of any person under 18. It is not feasible for library workers to maintain such encyclopedic knowledge of their collections, nor for them to determine what is 'harmful' for each minor library patron they encounter. As any parent can tell you, what is 'harmful' for a kindergartener may be entirely suitable for a high school junior, yet SB 74 takes no account of these age distinctions. Moreover, with the availability of library reading rooms and the advent of self-checkout machines, library workers are not going to be privy to the materials that each person under the age of 18 is browsing or checking out. In the words of one career librarian in the state, 'Making an assurance that minors would never have any contact with objectionable material would be nearly impossible without keeping anyone under the age of 18 away from all library resources.' This would have a chilling effect on what materials libraries carry in their collections and result in unanticipated restrictions on young people using libraries. Georgia's library workers already give a great deal of thought to age-appropriate content. There are existing selection processes that require that materials added to library collections meet certain criteria for quality, relevance, and value. Whether a book is scientific, literary, historical, or religious, it goes through a vetting process by professional library workers, who consider factors like author credibility, readership interest, and educational merit. Even if a book is considered controversial, its presence in a library suggests it has been determined by library professionals to merit inclusion in the collection for public access, discussion, or preservation. Criminalizing library workers for enabling patrons to check out books disregards the professional judgement exercised by trained library workers in assembling their collections and thwarts the fundamental role libraries play in people's access to information. The legislation echoes the past. Georgia has a long history of attempting to use state power to restrict access to information under the pretense of protecting the public. In December 1829, Georgia passed anti-literacy laws, criminalizing teachers for educating enslaved Black people. Later, segregated libraries limited access to information for Black and White readers. The legislation is a modern-day restriction of access to knowledge based on a government-imposed definition of 'harmful' materials influenced by the government's disfavor of certain topics or viewpoints. Other states that have passed bills similar to SB 74 have faced and lost costly legal battles. In Arkansas, for instance, in July 2023 a federal judge temporarily blocked provisions that could imprison library workers for providing 'harmful' materials to minors. Then, in December 2024, a federal judge ruled those provisions unconstitutional, permanently blocking the implementation of certain provisions. If SB 74 passes, Georgia taxpayers could end up footing the bill for inevitable legal challenges — court battles the state is likely to lose. Managing which materials young people access from their public libraries is best and most appropriately handled by parents and their kids making their own family- and age-specific decisions, not the government. With more than 11 million checkouts in 2024—a surge compared to 2023—Georgians have made it clear: Public libraries are a needed resource for diverse and valuable information. By making it possible to criminally prosecute library workers, SB 74 threatens to chill access by reducing both the variety of materials on the shelves and the ability of young people to access it. Library workers need your support. Call or email your local legislator and demand they oppose SB 74. Donate, volunteer, or simply visit your local library—because library workers deserve protection, not prosecution. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Georgia has unique driving laws. Here are 5 traffic rules to know to avoid tickets
You have your ID, you may have your Peach Pass, but before driving through Georgia, you may want to make sure you're up-to-date on the laws. Some of them are obvious, while others are less so. Here's a look at 5 you may not know about: If you want to listen to music on your drive, either use the car speakers or just play it aloud on your phone's speakers. Georgia Code § 40-6-250 says no driver will wear a headset or headphones unless it's for communication purposes. Rechtman & Spevak attorneys say on their website that a violation will mean a $50 fine and one point on your license for a first offense, $100 and two points for a second offense, and $150 fine plus three points for third and subsequent offenses. Lawsuit: Georgia mother sues Uber in connection to 14-year-old daughter's rape case. What we know Laws against drinking and driving don't just apply to conventional vehicles like cars, trucks, and vans. Under state law, bicycles are also considered a vehicle and, as such, you can get a DUI for riding a bicycle while under the influence. Georgia Code § 40-6-391 says first and second convictions result in misdemeanors, a third conviction is a "high and aggravated misdemeanor," and a fourth and subsequent convictions can be considered felonies. These all have various penalties. While there are differing opinions about the safety (or lack thereof) in driving barefoot, there is no law that expressly prohibits it, according to multiple Georgia law firms. If you choose to do so, Hasner Law recommends keeping your shoes away from the driver's side so they don't get caught under the pedals and to be mindful of your driving habits. The law firm goes on to say you could still get into trouble for not wearing shoes if you're in an accident. While speeding is obviously dangerous, it's also a bad idea to drive too slow. Georgia Code § 40-6-184 says drivers are not allowed to travel at such slow speeds they are impeding the normal flow of traffic unless it's necessary for safety reasons. Kohn & Yager Attorneys say on their website that a violation of the "Slow Poke" law can lead to a fine of up to $1,000, three points on your license, increased car insurance premiums, and a potential license suspension. Digital license: Why Georgia lawmakers agree that you could soon use your phone as your driver's license Most people know it's illegal to be on your phone while driving, but will try to answer texts at a red light. Don't! Georgia Code § 40-6-241 prohibits a driver from ever holding their phone or even keeping it propped on their knee. It also specifically prohibits writing or reading messages as well as watching movies/videos. Exceptions include when the car is parked and when reporting an incident. Each violation of this article constitutes a separate offense. Violators will be guilty of a misdemeanor and fined up to $50 for the first conviction, up to $100 for the second, and up to $150 for third and subsequent convictions. Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for Gannett/USA Today. Find him on X and Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@ This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: 5 unusual Georgia traffic laws, policies you should know to avoid tickets
