# Georgia SB 259: Juvenile Code; certain procedures to be followed when there is a determination of suspected child abuse or neglect; provide

Georgia SB 259, Juvenile Code; certain procedures to be followed when there is a determination of suspected child abuse or neglect; provide, is a 2025-2026 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Jason Anavitarte (Republican), Brandon Beach (Republican), Matt Brass (Republican) and 15 others; status signed, last action 2025-05-12 (Senate Date Signed by Governor) (as of 2026-10-19).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/GA-SB259-2025-2026
- As of: 2026-10-19
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Georgia SB 259
- State: Georgia
- Session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
- Title: Juvenile Code; certain procedures to be followed when there is a determination of suspected child abuse or neglect; provide
- Status: signed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2025-02-26
- Last action: 2025-05-12, Senate Date Signed by Governor
- Sponsors: Jason Anavitarte (Republican), Brandon Beach (Republican), Matt Brass (Republican), Max Burns (Republican), Greg Dolezal (Republican), Russ Goodman (Republican), Mike Hodges (Republican), Kim Jackson (Democrat), Donzella James (Democrat), Kay Kirkpatrick (Republican), Chuck Payne (Republican), Michael 'Doc' Rhett (Democrat), Randy Robertson (Republican), Brian Strickland (Republican), Blake Tillery (Republican), Sam Watson (Republican), Kenya Wicks (Democrat), Rick Williams (Republican)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Subjects: Judiciary Juvenile, Children and Families, General Bill
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 2 (218 yes, 0 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 3

## Summary

No summary available.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Parents get notice when doctors hold children: benefit, low. Georgia doctors holding a child in temporary protective custody must make reasonable, diligent efforts to notify parents, guardians, or legal custodians. They must explain where the child is and the right to an independent medical review. Doctors must report suspected abuse or neglect to Georgia's…
- Courts review children's results without automatic delays: mixed, low. At hearings in Georgia child dependency cases, courts must consider any independent medical evaluation or pediatric specialist results presented for the child. These are cases about whether a child needs court protection. A covered adjudication hearing cannot be postponed solely because those resul…
- Parents can seek medical reviews at cost: mixed, low. Parents or legal guardians of children in Georgia's temporary protective custody can get an independent medical evaluation or pediatric specialist consultation. A court order can prohibit the review, and parents or guardians must pay for it. Doctors, medical professionals, law enforcement, and Geor…

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Jason Anavitarte (Republican), Senate
- Sponsor: Brandon Beach (Republican), Senate
- Sponsor: Matt Brass (Republican), Senate
- Sponsor: Max Burns (Republican), Senate
- Sponsor: Greg Dolezal (Republican), Senate
- Sponsor: Russ Goodman (Republican), Senate
- Sponsor: Mike Hodges (Republican), Senate
- Sponsor: Kim Jackson (Democrat), Senate
- Sponsor: Donzella James (Democrat), Senate
- Sponsor: Kay Kirkpatrick (Republican), Senate
- Sponsor: Chuck Payne (Republican), Senate
- Sponsor: Michael 'Doc' Rhett (Democrat), Senate
- Sponsor: Randy Robertson (Republican), Senate
- Sponsor: Brian Strickland (Republican), Senate
- Sponsor: Blake Tillery (Republican), Senate
- Sponsor: Sam Watson (Republican), Senate
- Sponsor: Kenya Wicks (Democrat), Senate
- Sponsor: Rick Williams (Republican), Senate
- Cosponsor: Mandi Ballinger (Republican), House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2025-04-02 | House | PASSAGE | pass | 163 | 0 | 3 |
| 2025-03-06 | Senate | PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE | pass | 55 | 0 |   |

## Actions (15)

- 2025-05-12: Senate Date Signed by Governor (Senate)
- 2025-05-12: Act 121
- 2025-05-12: Effective Date
- 2025-04-10: Senate Sent to Governor (Senate)
- 2025-04-02: House Third Readers (House)
- 2025-04-02: House Passed/Adopted (House)
- 2025-03-20: House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
- 2025-03-11: House Second Readers (House)
- 2025-03-10: House First Readers (House)
- 2025-03-06: Senate Third Read (Senate)
- 2025-03-06: Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Senate)
- 2025-03-04: Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
- 2025-03-03: Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (Senate)
- 2025-02-27: Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
- 2025-02-26: Senate Hopper (Senate)

## Bill text

- SB 259/AP* (v7): [PDF](https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/239128)

## Related bills

- SB 160: Reckless Stunt Driving; a motor vehicle involved in a second offense of reckless stunt driving; replace the forfeiture penalty (signed)
- SB 384: Motor Vehicle; optional five-year motor vehicle registration and revalidation for certain motor vehicles; provide (signed)
- SB 76: License Plates; specialty license plate benefitting the Georgia Veterans Service Foundation; establish (signed)
- SB 406: "Georgia Property Owners' Bill of Rights Act"; enact (signed)
- HB 1391: Specialty license plates; honor public safety officers; establish (signed)
- HB 1344: Georgia Insurance Affordability and Claims Integrity Act; enact (signed)

## Sources
- [SB 259/AP* (v7) (PDF)](https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/239128)

## Related
- [SB 160: Reckless Stunt Driving; a motor vehicle involved in a second offense of reckles…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/GA-SB160-2025-2026)
- [SB 384: Motor Vehicle; optional five-year motor vehicle registration and revalidation f…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/GA-SB384-2025-2026)
- [SB 76: License Plates; specialty license plate benefitting the Georgia Veterans Servic…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/GA-SB76-2025-2026)
- [SB 406: "Georgia Property Owners' Bill of Rights Act"; enact](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/GA-SB406-2025-2026)
- [HB 1391: Specialty license plates; honor public safety officers; establish](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/GA-HB1391-2025-2026)
- [HB 1344: Georgia Insurance Affordability and Claims Integrity Act; enact](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/GA-HB1344-2025-2026)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/GA-SB259-2025-2026 (as of 2026-10-19).