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GeorgiaHB 12832025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Family Justice Center Act; enact

Sponsored By: Stan Gunter (Republican), Leesa Hagan (Republican), Scott Holcomb (Democrat), Esther Panitch (Democrat), Shea Roberts (Democrat)

Signed by Governor

Judiciary JuvenilePublic SafetyGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Sexual assault evidence kept much longer

The law extends evidence retention when a victim does not report an alleged sexual assault when evidence is collected. The police agency with jurisdiction must keep physical evidence containing biological material tied to the perpetrator's identity. The minimum retention period rises from 12 months to 10 years, starting when the evidence is collected.

Victims get privacy protections at centers

Centers cannot disclose information victims share without their informed written consent, unless a law or court order requires disclosure. Required abuse or neglect reports still apply, but sharing must be limited to information needed for the report. Partner records do not become public just because they are stored at or connected with a center. Existing public-records duties still apply to government records and agencies already covered; the law creates no new public-records exemptions. Joint records can be disclosed only as required by government ownership, custody, or control, without compromising victim confidentiality or privacy laws. Partners can voluntarily release their own records when consistent with the law and victim consent.

Center officers can respond beyond boundaries

Qualifying center officers can respond to emergencies within the center's service area, even outside their usual jurisdiction. Officers must work for a participating police agency and be assigned, detailed, or grant-funded to operate at the center. Their response must support the center's mission and require immediate action to protect life, prevent serious injury, or address an active incident. Once the emergency ends, officers must promptly notify the police agency with jurisdiction.

Local centers can coordinate victim help

Georgia counties, cities, local government groups, and district attorneys can establish Family Justice Centers; no community must open one. Local government groups must partner with at least one nonprofit. Centers bring legal, medical, social, and police services together for victims of family violence, sexual assault, abuse, trafficking, and related crimes. The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council can administer gifts, grants, contracts, state appropriations, and federal funds to support centers. Centers can also accept donations, foundation grants, local funds, and other lawful revenue; the law sets no funding amount. The stated oversight, confidentiality, and reporting requirements include an exception for centers receiving no state funding.

Service standards protect victims using centers

Centers run directly by counties, cities, or district attorneys need oversight boards with at least five members. Nonprofit operators follow applicable corporate-board rules; some operating structures also require a lead agency or fiscal agent. Every center needs an agreement among agencies, space for assigned officers, accessible services that account for trauma, and privacy safeguards. Center bylaws must set minimum qualifications and certifications for participating agencies and workers. A criminal record alone cannot disqualify a worker, though specified offenses can bar someone from providing certain services. The Council can issue guidance and training standards and require data or compliance reports; confidentiality protections do not block that authority.

Center workers gain limited lawsuit protection

Operating a center under a county, city, or district attorney is a governmental function. Qualifying partner employees, contractors, and volunteers get the same civil-liability immunity as workers for that authority. This can limit civil claims by people affected by their work. Protection covers acts or omissions directly tied to center duties, done in good faith and within assigned responsibilities. It excludes willful or wanton misconduct, gross negligence, and bad faith. Existing government and official immunity remains intact; entities and workers can buy insurance without waiving that immunity.

Partner records stay separate in prosecutions

In Georgia felony and misdemeanor cases, sharing a center does not make a partner's records state or police records. This applies to materials created, received, or kept solely by a center partner or participating agency. Co-location alone does not put those materials under the prosecution's possession, custody, or control for criminal evidence-sharing rules. This protects the separation of partner records but limits when defendants can treat them as prosecution-held materials.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Stan Gunter

    Republican • House

  • Leesa Hagan

    Republican • House

  • Scott Holcomb

    Democrat • House

  • Esther Panitch

    Democrat • House

  • Shea Roberts

    Democrat • House

Cosponsors

  • Randy Robertson

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 381 • No: 0

House vote • 4/2/2026

Agree to Senate Amendment

Yes: 170 • No: 0 • Other: 5

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

PASSAGE AS AMENDED

Yes: 48 • No: 0 • Other: 3

House vote • 3/6/2026

PASSAGE

Yes: 163 • No: 0 • Other: 7

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective Date

    7/1/2026

  2. House Date Signed by Governor

    5/12/2026House

  3. Act 719

    5/12/2026

  4. House Sent to Governor

    4/10/2026House

  5. House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub

    4/2/2026House

  6. Senate Third Read

    3/31/2026Senate

  7. Senate Passed/Adopted As Amended

    3/31/2026Senate

  8. Senate Read Second Time

    3/20/2026Senate

  9. Senate Committee Favorably Reported

    3/19/2026Senate

  10. Senate Read and Referred

    3/9/2026Senate

  11. House Third Readers

    3/6/2026House

  12. House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/6/2026House

  13. House Postponed

    3/4/2026House

  14. House Postponed

    3/3/2026House

  15. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    2/24/2026House

  16. House Second Readers

    2/17/2026House

  17. House First Readers

    2/12/2026House

  18. House Hopper

    2/11/2026House

Bill Text

  • HB 1283/AP* (v11)

    PDF

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