DOUGHERTY COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) — The Dougherty County Board of Commissioners has voted to implement a new curfew for kids under age 18, effective immediately.

The board voted unanimously at a meeting held Monday, Nov. 2. The new ordinance sets a curfew for minors under 18, and creates supervision requirements for students who have been suspended or expelled from school.

The new ordinance bans minors under 18 from loitering, wandering, strolling, or playing in specific public places, streets, and parks/playgrounds unless there are certain exceptions. The curfew hours are:

Sunday through Thursday nights: 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning

Friday and Saturday nights: midnight to 6 a.m. the following morning

Exceptions will be made only if:

• the juvenile is accompanied by a parent, guardian, or qualifying 21+ adult with lawful care/custody
• emergency errands directed by a parent, guardian, or qualifying adult
• returning directly home from lawful employment requiring late hours
• participation in activities protected by the First Amendment, including travel to and from those activities
• school, sports, or recreational activities, including direct travel to and from
• motor vehicle travel under circumstances specified in the ordinance
• legally emancipated minors

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As far as students who have been suspended or expelled, during hours they would typically be in school, they must be supervised by a parent, guardian, or qualifying adult who is 21 or older. These students cannot be in public places during school hours unless accompanied by a parent/guardian or engaging in lawful employment, including travel to and from work.

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