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Georgia subcommittee backs bill criminalizing out‑of‑state travel to meet minors for indecent purposes
Summary
A House Judiciary subcommittee voted to advance a bill that would create a Georgia offense for traveling into the state to meet or cause another to meet a child under 16 for indecent purposes; sponsor and law‑enforcement witnesses said the change fills a statutory gap to better protect children.
Representative Darlene Taylor introduced House Bill 4 21 on the Leverett subcommittee, saying the measure responds to a decade‑old gap in state law exposed by a Thomas County case. "This is to protect the children of the state of Georgia," Taylor said, describing incidents in which someone traveled from out of state to meet a person believed to be a child under 16 for indecent purposes.
A committee member noted neighboring states already have similar statutes; an unidentified member cited Alabama and Florida as precedents. Mike Griffin, public affairs representative for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, testified in support, saying faith‑based child‑protection work convinced him of the bill's importance.
Vice Chairman Hong moved that the subcommittee "do pass" the bill; the motion carried by voice vote and the measure was scheduled for the full committee next week.
The subcommittee record shows no amendments were adopted at this hearing. The sponsor said she will consult with Representative Fincher and law‑enforcement contacts as the bill proceeds. The next procedural step is consideration by the full House Judiciary committee on the date to be scheduled by staff.
