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Committee backs Family Justice Center framework after testimony from Waycross and Macon officials
Summary
The committee voted to advance HB 1283 to create a statewide framework for Family Justice Centers; sponsors and witnesses said centers improve victim safety and case coordination while senators asked whether the bill imposes funding mandates.
The Senate Public Safety Committee advanced House Bill 1283 to establish a statewide framework for Family Justice Centers (FJCs) — multi-agency sites that house law enforcement, advocates, prosecutors and social services for victims of domestic violence and related crimes.
Representative Panitch said Georgia currently has three FJCs assembled piecemeal and that the bill would provide a consistent legal framework to allow communities to adopt the model. "What's happening in Georgia according to the Georgia Commission on Family Violence, 42,184 reported incidents of family violence in our state in 2024, a 12% increase from the year before," Rep. Panitch said. She added that 70% of those victims were women and cited national examples where FJCs correlated with reductions in domestic-violence homicides.
Witnesses described local experience: Captain Gregory Young Sr. of the Waycross Police Department said their center serves six counties and reported a more than 300% increase in victims seeking services compared with initial projections. Sheriff David Davis of Macon-Bibb described how the centers reduce repeated referrals across multiple offices and help coordinate records management under the Open Records Act. Jamie Borman, secretary of the Georgia Commission on Family Violence, affirmed the commission's support.
Senators repeatedly asked whether the bill creates new spending obligations. Rep. Panitch and witnesses said the bill is not a mandate and does not create a new state agency; it establishes structure under the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council and anticipates using existing federal or state grant funding where available.
Why it matters: Sponsors say FJCs keep victims safer by consolidating services and reducing the need for survivors to navigate multiple agencies. Committee debate focused on whether local governments would face unfunded mandates; sponsors said no new funding was required in the bill.
What happens next: The committee passed the bill and identified a Senate sponsor to carry it forward.
