Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Juvenile Justice topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Panel approves Mandy Ballinger Act substitute to plan raising juvenile jurisdiction for some 17‑year‑olds
Summary
A Judiciary committee approved a substitute creating an organizational committee to study and plan implementation so 17‑year‑olds charged with nonviolent crimes can be processed in juvenile court; the committee added the Georgia Public Defender Council’s executive director (or designee) to the oversight committee and passed the measure unanimously.
Committee members approved a substitute to House Bill 1061, the Mandy Ballinger Act, which would create an organizational committee to plan raising the jurisdiction for some 17‑year‑olds charged with nonviolent offenses.
The presenter told the committee the substitute is intended to study logistics — transportation, housing, cost and operational issues — before any change in jurisdiction. "This is the first part of the bill that Mandy Ballinger actually passed in 2024," the presenter said, describing the substitute as an implementation step to avoid uneven or rushed changes.
Gail Bacon Murray of the Georgia Public Defender Council asked that the council be included in the organizational committee, noting youth defenders represent the majority of children charged in juvenile court and are uniquely positioned to explain implementation across diverse jurisdictions. Voices for Georgia’s Children and other advocates urged careful planning, noting an estimated 760–920 additional youth would be served annually and the need for expanded behavioral health and probation capacity.
Committee members offered an amendment to add the Georgia Public Defender Council’s executive director (or designee) to the committee; Senator Parent offered the amendment with the author's assent, it was seconded, and the amendment passed unanimously. The committee then passed the substitute as amended.
Why it matters: Supporters said planning is necessary to ensure capacity and minimize disruptions; advocates highlighted geographic variation in needs between rural and urban jurisdictions. The amendment added defense counsel representation to the oversight structure.
Next step: Committee advanced the substitute to the next legislative stage.
