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Georgia committee hears bill to authorize Family Justice Centers, tables measure for substitute
Summary
The Judiciary Juvenile committee considered House Bill 1283 to authorize Family Justice Centers statewide, heard testimony from prosecutors, law enforcement and existing centers about benefits and costs, adopted friendly amendments on immunity and insurance, and agreed to work on discovery and technical language before taking a substitute up.
Representative Panich introduced House Bill 1283 on behalf of its sponsor, identifying the bill number and Legislative Counsel reference (LC481757SAsInSam) and describing a permissive framework that would authorize nonprofit, county, municipal or district-attorney–led Family Justice Centers across Georgia. The measure would create governance standards, position the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) to administer funding, and add consent-based confidentiality protections for victims.
The bill’s sponsor, Representative Panich, argued the model reduces trauma for survivors and improves prosecutorial outcomes by colocating law enforcement, prosecutors, victim advocates, social services and legal aid in a single, trauma-informed location. "Family justice centers change that," she said, describing the centers as a "gold standard" that brings services "under one roof." Juliana Peterson, executive district attorney in Fulton County, said the centers…
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