Georgia CommonsSenate · Passed · 2025-2026 Regular Session
SR 428: Lopez family; recognize
Last action March 21, 2025 · Senate Read and Adopted
A Georgia Senate resolution formally recognizes and commends the Lopez family for their advocacy work after a legal ordeal involving false abuse accusations.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the resolution and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Enrolled version, the latest the General Assembly's website lists.
In plain language
This resolution is a ceremonial statement from the Georgia Senate honoring the Lopez family. It describes how the family faced criminal charges, was denied a second medical opinion, and temporarily lost custody of their children due to accusations the resolution says were false. It states that all charges against the family were eventually dismissed. The resolution credits the family, particularly Kelly Lopez, with advocacy that contributed to Georgia Senate Bill 259, which the text says updated procedures used when a family is suspected of abuse or neglect. The Senate resolves to recognize and commend the family, and directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to them. It does not change any Georgia law itself.
What the bill does
- Formally recognizes and commends the Lopez family on behalf of the Georgia Senate for their advocacy on behalf of families.
- States that all criminal charges against the Lopez family were dismissed after the family's advocacy efforts.
- Credits Kelly Lopez's testimony as instrumental in the passage of Georgia Senate Bill 259 concerning abuse or neglect investigation procedures.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to the Lopez family.
Who it affects
The resolution directly names and honors the Lopez family. It references Georgia's child welfare and criminal justice systems, since the family's experience involved a custody dispute, criminal charges, and a related change to state procedures for handling abuse or neglect suspicions.
Why it matters
This is a symbolic honor rather than a change to Georgia law, so it does not alter anyone's legal rights or obligations. Its significance lies in publicly acknowledging the family's experience and connecting it to Senate Bill 259, a separate law affecting abuse and neglect investigations.
Key provisions
- The whereas clauses describe the family's legal ordeal, including denial of a second medical opinion, criminal charges, and loss of custody based on accusations later found unfounded.
- The resolution states all charges against the family were dismissed.
- It credits Kelly Lopez's testimony with helping bring about Georgia Senate Bill 259, described as updating procedures for suspected abuse or neglect cases.
- The resolving clause commends the family, and a further clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute a copy of the resolution to them.
From the bill
“despite being denied a second medical opinion, being criminally charged, and losing custody of their children due to false accusations, the Lopez family remained united in the pursuit of justice”
“Kelly Lopez's testimony was instrumental in advocating for the implementation of Georgia Senate Bill 259, that provides updated procedures for when a family is suspected of abuse or neglect”
Status timeline
- Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
- Senate Hopper (Senate)
Sponsors
- Elena Parent (D, SD-44)
- Matt Brass (R, SD-6)
- Kim Jackson (D, SD-41)
- Brian Strickland (R, SD-42)
- Tonya Anderson (D, SD-43)
- Bo Hatchett (R, SD-50)
- Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-32)
- Sally Harrell (D, SD-40)
- Chuck Payne (R, SD-54)
- Sheikh Rahman (D, SD-5)
- Randal Mangham (D, SD-55)
- Harold Jones II (D, SD-22)
- Blake Tillery (R, SD-19)
- Kenya Wicks (D, SD-34)
Topics
- child welfare
- family law
- legislative recognition
- Georgia Senate Bill 259