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OFFICIAL GEORGIA CODE
SECTION 50-3-100: OFFICIAL LANGUAGE (1996)
(a) The English language is designated as the official
language of the State of Georgia. The official language shall be the language
used for each public record, as defined in Code Section 50-18-70, and each
public meeting, as defined in Code Section 50-14-1, and for official Acts
of the State of Georgia, including those governmental documents, records,
meetings, actions, or policies which are enforceable with the full weight
and authority of the State of Georgia.
(b) This Code section shall not be construed in any way to deny a person's
rights under the Constitution of Georgia or the Constitution of the United
States or any laws, statutes, or regulations of the United States or of
the State of Georgia as a result of that person's inability to communicate
in the official language.
(c) State agencies, counties, municipal corporations, and political subdivisions
of this state are authorized to use or to print official documents and
forms in languages other than the official language, at the discretion
of their governing authorities. Documents filed or recorded with a state
agency or with the clerk of a county, municipal corporation, or political
subdivision must be in the official language or, if the original document
is in a language other than the official language, an English translation
of the document must be simultaneously filed.
(d) The provisions of subsection (a) of this Code section shall not apply:
(1) When in conflict with federal law;
(2) When the public safety, health, or justice require the use of other
languages;
(3) To instruction designed to teach the speaking, reading, or writing
of foreign languages;
(4) To instruction designed to aid students with limited English proficiency
in their transition and integration into the education system of the state;
and
(5) To the promotion of international commerce, tourism, sporting events,
or cultural events.
Source: Official
Georgia Code (unannotated)
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