When seeking registration certificates for their non-regulated businesses, Cobb business owners no longer will face certain restrictions.

Those include violations of a federal or state law, involving a felony, “moral turpitude” or gambling.

Moral turpitude is a catch-all phrase that can include murder, rape, assault, incest, kidnapping, robbery and fraud.

The Cobb County Board of Commissioners voted 4-1, with Commissioner JoAnn Birrell opposed, to allow this change.

Birrell said her concern is “with the safety of citizens by allowing someone with recent felonies to go into their homes.”

Commissioner Bob Ott said he opposed “putting a roadblock in front of people who are trying to recover.”

Agreeing with Ott, Commissioner Lisa Cupid said it would be trying people again after they have served their time.

Nonregulated businesses would include any business not requiring state certification such as a handyman, music teacher or an accountant, Cobb Community Development Agency Director Dana Johnson said.

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Austin Walters died from an overdose in 2021 after taking a Xanax pill laced with fentanyl, his father said. A new law named after Austin and aimed at preventing deaths from fentanyl has resulted in its first convictions in Georgia, prosecutors said. (Family photo)

Credit: Family photo