HB253: HB253 Ethan's Law; enact

25 LC 57 0272S The Senate Committee on Children and Families offered the following substitute to HB 253: A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Article 1 of Chapter 9 of Title 19 of the Official Code Georgia Annotated, relating1 to general provisions relative to child custody proceedings, so as to prohibit the court from2 ordering family reunification treatments or services in cases in which the custody of a child3 is at issue; to provide for a definition; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short4 title; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:6 SECTION 1.7 This Act shall be known and may be cited as "Ethan's Law."8 SECTION 2.9 Article 1 of Chapter 9 of Title 19 of the Official Code of Geor gia Annotated, relating to10 general provisions relative to child custody proceedings, is amended by revising paragraph11 (7) of subsection (a) of Code Section 19-9-3, relating to the establishment and review of child12 custody and visitation, as follows:13 "(7) The judge is authorized to order a psychological custody e valuation of the family14 or an independent medical evaluation.; provided, however, that the judge shall not order15 - 1 - 25 LC 57 0272S family reunification treatments or services. In addition to the privilege afforded a16 witness, neither a court appointed custody evaluator nor a cour t appointed guardian ad17 litem shall be subject to civil liability resulting from any ac t or failure to act in the18 performance of his or her duties unless such act or failure to act was in bad faith."19 SECTION 3.20 Said article is further amended in Code Section 19-9-6, relating to definitions relative to child21 custody proceedings, by adding a new paragraph, to read as follows:22 "(3.1) 'Family reunification treatments or services' means any therapeutic intervention23 which requires:24 (A) Court ordered restrictions on contact between a child and a parent or legal25 guardian;26 (B) Overnight stays for a child in an out-of-state facility, hotel, motel, or camp;27 (C) The use of private youth transporters or private transportation agents engaged in28 the use of force, threat of force, physical obstruction, or coercion against a child; and29 (D) The attendance of, or participation in, educational or experimental workshops."30 SECTION 4.31 This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2025.32 SECTION 5.33 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.34 - 2 -