HR1345: HR1345 Boynton, Nicole; commend

This resolution is a ceremonial honor from the Georgia House of Representatives. It does not change any law. It recounts the story of Nicole Boynton, who was sentenced to life in prison at age 18 for acting against an abusive partner, and who became the first person in Georgia re-sentenced under the Survivor Justice Act, a law that lets courts consider abuse as a factor in sentencing. The resolution describes how Boynton was represented pro bono for five years by the law firm Alston & Bird through the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence's Justice for Incarcerated Survivors program, leading to her release after 23 years. It also notes her education and vocational training in prison, her work as a peer mentor for other incarcerated survivors, and her reunification with her family. The House formally commends her and directs the Clerk to give her a copy of the resolution.

• Formally recognizes and commends Nicole Boynton on behalf of the Georgia House of Representatives for her resilience and advocacy.
• Documents her status as the first person in Georgia re-sentenced under the Survivor Justice Act, which allows reduced sentences when abuse contributed to an offense.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to Nicole Boynton.
• Creates no new law, funding, or penalty; it is a ceremonial statement rather than a change to Georgia statutes.

The resolution directly honors Nicole Boynton. It also references the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the law firm Alston & Bird, and more broadly survivors of domestic violence who are incarcerated in Georgia's prison system.

While the resolution changes no law, it publicly highlights the Survivor Justice Act and its impact on Boynton's case, drawing attention to how Georgia courts can weigh domestic abuse history in sentencing decisions for other survivors.

• The whereas clauses describe Boynton's case, including her 1980s-era sentencing at 18 and her release after 23 years in prison.
• The resolution cites statistics that Georgia's female prison population has risen 600 percent since 1980 and that 74 to 95 percent of incarcerated women have experienced domestic or sexual violence.
• It explains that the Survivor Justice Act allows survivors to be re-sentenced or receive reduced sentences when abuse was a significant contributing factor in their offense.
• The resolving clauses commend Boynton and direct the Clerk of the House to provide her a copy of the resolution.

1. 2026-02-11House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2026-02-11House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-02-11House Hopper (House)

• Mary Ann Santos (D, HD-117)Primary sponsor
• Stan Gunter (R, HD-008)

• Survivor Justice Act
• domestic violence
• criminal sentencing reform
• commendation resolution