Georgia anti-gangs bill to become law July 1

Controversial legislation imposing mandatory minimum prison terms for gang recruitment in Georgia will take effect July 1.

Senate Bill 44 is one of dozens of bills the General Assembly passed this year that will become law with the start of a new fiscal year.

Passed by the legislature’s Republican majorities along party lines, the bill requires judges to impose prison sentences of at least five years on those convicted of recruiting gang members. It also mandates tougher penalties for recruiting to a gang anyone under age 17 or with a disability, requiring at least a 10-year sentence.