HB 57: Crimes and offenses; incest; include step-grandparent and step-grandchild relationship

Georgia's incest law (O.C.G.A. § 16-6-22) currently lists specific family relationships, including grandparent and grandchild, whose sexual contact is illegal as incest. This bill adds step-grandparent and step-grandchild to that list, meaning sexual relations between someone in that step relationship would now count as incest under Georgia law. The bill makes this change by rewriting one paragraph, paragraph (4) of subsection (a), of the existing statute. It does not create any new crime category or penalty structure; it simply extends the existing incest offense to reach a relationship it did not previously cover. The bill also repeals any conflicting laws, a standard closing provision. No specific effective date is stated beyond the standard process of becoming law once signed.

• Adds step-grandparent and step-grandchild to the list of family relationships covered by Georgia's incest law (O.C.G.A. § 16-6-22).
• Rewrites paragraph (4) of subsection (a) of the incest statute to include this new relationship alongside grandparent and grandchild relationships of whole or half blood.
• Repeals any existing laws that conflict with this change, a standard closing provision in Georgia bills.

The change affects anyone in a step-grandparent or step-grandchild relationship in Georgia, since sexual contact within that relationship would now be prosecutable as incest. It also affects prosecutors, defense attorneys, and courts handling incest cases under this statute.

Currently, Georgia's incest law does not explicitly list step-grandparent and step-grandchild relationships, which could leave a gap in prosecuting sexual contact between people in that specific step-family tie. This bill closes that gap by folding the relationship into the existing incest offense.

• Section 1 revises paragraph (4) of subsection (a) of O.C.G.A. § 16-6-22 to add 'step-grandparent and step-grandchild' to the relationships covered by the incest statute.
• Section 2 repeals all laws and parts of laws in conflict with the Act, a standard provision with no substantive effect beyond the amendment itself.

1. 2026-02-12Senate Read and Referred (Senado)
2. 2026-02-11House Passed/Adopted (Cámara de Representantes)
3. 2026-02-11House Third Readers (Cámara de Representantes)
4. 2026-02-06House Committee Favorably Reported (Cámara de Representantes)
5. 2025-04-04House Withdrawn, Recommitted (Cámara de Representantes)
6. 2025-03-06House Committee Favorably Reported (Cámara de Representantes)
7. 2025-01-16House Second Readers (Cámara de Representantes)
8. 2025-01-15House First Readers (Cámara de Representantes)

• Mike Cameron (R, HD-001)Patrocinador principal
• Jan Jones (R, HD-047)
• Beth Camp (R, HD-135)
• Karen Mathiak (R, HD-082)
• Leesa Hagan (R, HD-156)
• Matt Reeves (R, HD-099)

1. AprobadaVotación: Cámara de Representantes11 de febrero de 2026

   166 a favor, 0 en contra (2 sin votar, 7 ausentes)

   Passage: House Vote #499

• incest law
• family relationships
• criminal law
• sex crimes