On the final day of this year’s legislative session, the Georgia House of Representatives unanimously passed House Bill 1283, bipartisan legislation allowing for the creation of Family Justice Centers.
Family Justice Centers are multiagency centers that provide coordinated services to victims of family violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse, human trafficking, and associated crimes.
The principal sponsors of this legislation were Representative Esther Panitch (D-Sandy Springs) and Senator Randy Robertson (R-Cataula). They both issued statements celebrating this development and emphasizing the bill’s impact.
“Survivors should not have to navigate a fragmented system during the most difficult time of their lives,” Rep. Panitch commented. “Family Justice Centers bring those services together so the system works for victims, not the other way around.”
“Victims of family violence have been marginalized and left to fend for themselves in the past,” Sen. Robertson stated. “This legislation brings forth the necessary tools to provide them with the care and compassion needed to get them on the road to recovery. It was a true honor to carry this in the Georgia State Senate.”
House Bill 1283
Under the bill, Family Justice Centers could be operated by a nonprofit corporation designated by a county or municipality or by a nonprofit certified as a victim services agency by the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.
Nonprofit and community-based organizations could also serve as participating agencies within a center, delivering victims' social, medical, or legal services alongside government partners.
When a center is operated by a county, municipality, or district attorney’s office, at least two seats on the oversight board would be reserved for representatives elected by the nonprofit, community-based organizations serving as participating agencies.
The legislation seeks to ensure that nonprofits retain control of their records and are not subject to public records requirements solely because they cooperate with a government agency.
Reps. Esther Panitch and Karen Lupton Applaud Unanimous Passage of Legislation to Establish Family Justice Centers and Preserve Sexual Assault Evidence. Read more here: https://t.co/WApE1dij55. #gapol #gahouse
— Georgia House of Representatives (@GaHouseHub) April 8, 2026
