The House Committee on Judiciary, Non Civil offers the following substitute to HB 984:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Chapter 5 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to crimes
against the person, so as to provide for a court order to locate an alleged victim of child or
elder abuse; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Chapter 5 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to crimes against
the person, is amended by adding a new subsection to Code Section 16-5-70, relating to
cruelty to children, to read as follows:
<ins>"(f) Where there is an open investigation relating to an alleged offense in violation of this
Code section, and the child is moved from a known address to an unknown location, the
superior court for the county of the known address may grant an order to locate the parent
or guardian of record upon a showing by a law enforcement official an inquiry regarding
the welfare and safety of the child is necessary to complete such investigation."
</ins>
SECTION 2.
Said chapter is further amended by adding a new subsection to Code Section 16-5-102,
relating to exploitation and intimidation of disabled adults, elder persons, and residents, and
obstruction of investigation, to read as follows:
<ins>"(d) Where there is an open investigation relating to an alleged offense in violation of this
Code section, and the disabled adult, elder person, or resident is moved from a known
address to an unknown location, the superior court for the county of the known address
may grant an order to locate the guardian of record upon a showing by a law enforcement
official an inquiry regarding the welfare and safety of the disabled adult, elder person, or
resident is necessary to complete such investigation."
</ins> SECTION 3.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.