--- title: SR 428. Lopez family; recognize collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sr428 cite_as: SR 428, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr428 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr428.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr428/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71502 date: 2025-03-21 status: passed corpus_version: bills-2026-08-28 license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice. up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr427.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr429.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 94 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr428.md?full=1 bill_number: SR 428 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: Senate bill_type: resolution status_date: 2025-03-21 last_action: Senate Read and Adopted sponsors: - Elena Parent - Matt Brass - Kim Jackson - Brian Strickland - Tonya Anderson - Bo Hatchett - Kay Kirkpatrick - Sally Harrell - Chuck Payne - Sheikh Rahman - Randal Mangham - Harold Jones - Blake Tillery - Kenya Wicks text_version: Enrolled has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR428/2025 upstream_id: 2012188 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - child welfare investigations - legislative honors - family advocacy - Senate resolution --- # SR 428. Lopez family; recognize ## Text 25 LC 129 0351 Senate Resolution 428 By: Senators Parent of the 44th, Brass of the 6th, Jackson of the 41st, Strickland of the 42nd, Anderson of the 43rd and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending the Lopez family; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, the Lopez family's unwavering resilience in the face of adversity demonstrates2 their outstanding strength and determination to fight for what is right; and 3 WHEREAS, despite being denied a second medical opinion, being criminally charged, and4 losing custody of their children due to false accusations, the Lopez family remained united5 in the pursuit of justice; and6 WHEREAS, through tireless advocation, they not only fought for the return of their own7 children but also worked to change the legal system, ensuring that other families would not8 have to endure the same hardship; and9 WHEREAS, through the family's perseverance and determination, all charges on them were10 dismissed, leaving a legacy that serves as an example of hope and optimism for families in11 similar situations; and 12 S. R. 428 - 1 - 25 LC 129 0351 WHEREAS, Kelly Lopez's testimony was instrumental in advocating for the implementation13 of Georgia Senate Bill 259, that provides updated procedures for when a family is suspected14 of abuse or neglect; and15 WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the contribut ions of this family be16 appropriately honored.17 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body18 recognize and commend the Lopez family for their tireless advocation on behalf of families19 in the State of Georgia.20 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed21 to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the Lopez Family.22 S. R. 428 - 2 - ## Summaries written by Georgia Commons The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary. A Senate resolution formally recognizes and commends the Lopez family for advocating changes to Georgia's child welfare investigation procedures after their own case with the state. ### Plain-language summary 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. ### What it does - 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. ### Who it affects 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. ### Why it matters 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. ### Key provisions - 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. ## Status - Status: Passed (2025-03-21) - Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2025-03-21) - Sponsors: Elena Parent, Matt Brass, Kim Jackson, Brian Strickland, Tonya Anderson, Bo Hatchett, Kay Kirkpatrick, Sally Harrell, Chuck Payne, Sheikh Rahman, Randal Mangham, Harold Jones, Blake Tillery, Kenya Wicks - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71502 > The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr428.md?full=1