Committee backs Family Justice Center Act after broad testimony from law enforcement and advocates

The Senate Public Safety Committee voted to advance House Bill 1283, the Family Justice Center Act, after hearing testimony from local family justice center leaders, law enforcement and the Georgia Commission on Family Violence.

Representative Panic introduced the bill as a voluntary framework placed under the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council that would allow communities to establish family justice centers to co-locate law enforcement, prosecutors, advocates, counseling and legal services. "This bill is both a victim safety bill and a law enforcement safety bill," Representative Panic said, and emphasized the bill would not create a new state agency or impose unfunded mandates.

The sponsor cited data from the Georgia Commission on Family Violence, saying the state recorded 42,184 reported incidents of family violence in 2024 (a 12% increase from the prior year) and that 70% of victims were women; she also cited national examples where family justice centers correlated with large drops in domestic violence homicides. Supportive testimony included Dr. Gregory Young, who described Waycross’s center and said coordinated services increase victims’ engagement and improve prosecutions, and Sheriff David Davis, who emphasized records clarity and operational benefits. Jamie Borman affirmed support on behalf of the Georgia Commission on Family Violence.

Senator Kim Jackson moved the do-pass recommendation; Senator Russ Goodman seconded. The measure passed the committee and Senator Robertson was named to carry the bill on the floor.

Why it matters: Sponsors and witnesses said family justice centers streamline services for survivors and can reduce recidivism and officer exposure to dangerous repeat calls. The bill provides an enabling statute and guidance rather than a statewide mandate, and sponsors said funding would come from existing grants and local programs rather than a new state appropriation.