SR428: SR428 Lopez family; recognize

This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate, not a change to state law. It honors the Lopez family, describing how they faced a criminal case and temporarily lost custody of their children based on accusations they say were false, and how all charges against them were eventually dismissed. The resolution credits family member Kelly Lopez's testimony with helping bring about Georgia Senate Bill 259, which the text says updated procedures used when a family is suspected of child abuse or neglect. The Senate directs its Secretary to prepare a copy of the resolution for the Lopez family as a keepsake. The resolution does not itself create any new law, funding, or requirement.

• Formally recognizes and commends the Lopez family on behalf of the Georgia Senate for their advocacy work.
• States that all criminal charges against the family were dismissed after they contested accusations of abuse or neglect.
• Credits Kelly Lopez's testimony with helping bring about Georgia Senate Bill 259, described as updating procedures for suspected child abuse or neglect cases.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to the Lopez family.

The resolution directly names and honors the Lopez family. It also references families in Georgia generally who may be investigated for suspected child abuse or neglect, since it credits the family's advocacy with changes to procedures affecting such cases.

While this resolution itself makes no legal changes, it publicly documents the Senate's account of a family's experience with child welfare investigations and links that experience to procedural updates in Senate Bill 259, which governs how Georgia handles suspected abuse or neglect cases.

• The whereas clauses describe the family being denied a second medical opinion, criminally charged, and losing custody based on what the resolution calls false accusations.
• The whereas clauses state all charges against the family were later dismissed.
• The resolution credits Kelly Lopez's testimony with helping implement Georgia Senate Bill 259's updated procedures for suspected abuse or neglect cases.
• The resolved clause has the Senate recognize and commend the family for their advocacy.
• The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide a copy of the resolution to the Lopez family.

1. 2025-03-21Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-03-20Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Elena Parent (D, SD-044)Primary sponsor
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)
• Kim Jackson (D, SD-041)
• Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)
• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
• Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)
• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)
• Sally Harrell (D, SD-040)
• Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)
• Sheikh Rahman (D, SD-005)
• Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)
• Harold Jones (D, SD-022)
• Blake Tillery (R, SD-019)
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)

• child welfare investigations
• legislative honors
• family advocacy
• Senate resolution