--- title: House Judiciary Juvenile Committee, February 25, 2026 collection: meetings id: 2026-02-25/house-judiciary-juvenile cite_as: House Judiciary Juvenile Committee, February 25, 2026, video https://vimeo.com/1168133269 (machine transcript by Georgia Commons) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-25/house-judiciary-juvenile md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-25/house-judiciary-juvenile.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-25/house-judiciary-juvenile/text source_url: https://vimeo.com/1168133269 date: 2026-02-25 status: machine transcript corpus_version: meetings-2026-10-23-8c15ead0f18d license: Machine transcript and summaries by Georgia Commons from the General Assembly's public video; the video stays on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel; 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/meetings/2026-02-25.md previous: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-25/house-public-safety-and-homeland-security.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-25/house-ways-and-means-part-2.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/index.md chamber: House body: House Judiciary Juvenile Committee body_url: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/house-judiciary-juvenile.md meeting_kind: committee session: 2025-2026 Regular Session start_time: 2026-02-25T16:00:00-05:00 location: 403 CAP duration_seconds: 3958.0 video_id: 1168133269 video_title: 02.25.26 Judiciary Juvenile agenda_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/agendas/house/Juvenile Justice%2F022526 Meeting Notice.pdf bills_discussed: - HB 527 - HB 1409 - HB 1445 - SR 622 summaries_model: gpt-6.1-sol transcript_turns: 309 transcript_chars: 68168 parts: - https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-25/house-judiciary-juvenile.md?start=0 - https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-25/house-judiciary-juvenile.md?start=59832 --- # House Judiciary Juvenile Committee, February 25, 2026 House Judiciary Juvenile Committee; February 25, 2026; 2025-2026 Regular Session. Video, on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel: https://vimeo.com/1168133269. Agenda: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/agendas/house/Juvenile Justice%2F022526 Meeting Notice.pdf. > This is a machine transcript of the General Assembly's video, made by a speech-recognition model. It is not an official record and can mishear words, names, and numbers. Speakers are not identified. The video is the record: every timestamp links to the moment it plays. ## Summary written by Georgia Commons Written by gpt-6.1-sol from the transcript below. It is not part of the record. Quote the transcript or the video, not the summary. The committee approved four measures: [HB 527](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb527), to revise child abuse response procedures; [HB 1409](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1409), to expand reporting options and add required reporters of suspected child abuse; [HB 1445](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1445), concerning notification when a monitored youth removes a tracking device; and [SR 622](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr622), to establish a study committee on rising foster care costs. Members amended [HB 527](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb527) to include a school police representative on child abuse protocol committees where applicable. Witnesses supporting that measure described inconsistent agency responses, repeated interviews and delays affecting children and families. All four measures passed by voice vote, with no opposition heard. ## Bills discussed (4) Each account was written by gpt-6.1-sol from the stretch of the transcript it names. The bill's number is said in that stretch, unless it was the only bill on a committee's agenda. ### HB 527. Domestic relations; creation and revisions of certain child abuse protocol procedures for cases of alleged child abuse; provide [HB 527](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb527) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:09:57](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=597s), turns 6 to 232. The sponsor said the substitute would move responsibility for child abuse response procedures from counties to judicial circuits and centralize reporting with the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. The Office of the Child Advocate director said compliance with current requirements had been about 12 to 14 percent since 2021. Asked why coroners were removed from committees, the director said their work relates more directly to child fatality reviews and their attendance had been difficult to secure. A committee member questioned whether deadlines and enforcement would improve response times. The chair identified a December 31 annual certification deadline. The director said the bill would simplify meetings and reporting, require court orders directing compliance, allow contempt proceedings and publicly report compliance, while preserving judicial discretion. Several Georgia Protective Parents witnesses supported clearer coordination, describing repeated interviews, delays and inconsistent documentation. A board member said trained interviewers and shared procedures would improve evidence quality and reduce trauma and duplicated work. Another parent described inadequate documentation of a safety incident during a supervised visit. Members adopted an amendment adding a school police representative where applicable, then approved the amended measure by voice vote, with no opposition heard. ### HB 1409. Domestic relations; revise mandated reporting of child abuse [HB 1409](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1409) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:51:18](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3078s), turns 235 to 299. The sponsor said the substitute would provide secure online reporting of suspected child abuse, allowing required reporters to document submission times and track reports. The sponsor said the supplemental budget included money for the system and that the bill would add firefighters and animal control workers as required reporters because they may encounter signs of abuse during calls. Asked how reporters would access the system, the sponsor described individual website logins. Another presenter said reporters could use a DFCS website, another qualifying secure platform or existing telephone reporting. In response to questions, the sponsor said emergency medical personnel already fall under medical personnel requirements. A member asked whether telephone reports would still be allowed and timestamped. The sponsor confirmed calls would remain available but said tracing them would be harder and reporters should continue documenting call times. The sponsor said local police had reported waiting hours to reach someone by telephone. Asked about firefighter feedback, the sponsor said local firefighters were supportive but no association had been consulted. The sponsor also described required online training. After clarifying the quorum and repeating the vote, the committee approved the measure by voice vote, with no opposition heard. ### HB 1445. Juvenile proceedings; authorize sharing of GPS monitoring with law enforcement and school districts [HB 1445](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1445) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [1:01:26](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3686s), turns 301 to 305. The sponsor presented a substitute addressing communication between the Department of Juvenile Justice and law enforcement. The sponsor said the department was not required to notify partner agencies promptly when a youth removed an ankle monitor or another tracking device. The sponsor described the bill as requiring notification to law enforcement, including sheriff's departments, municipal police and school police, once the information had initially been requested. The sponsor said several sheriffs supported the measure and argued it would improve safety for both youths and the community. The Office of the Child Advocate director also expressed support, saying it filled a gap. No committee questions were raised. The committee approved the substitute by voice vote, with no opposition heard. ### SR 622. Joint Study Committee on Evaluating Escalating Costs in Georgia's Foster Care System; create [SR 622](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr622) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [1:04:17](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3857s), turns 305 to 308. The chair presented the resolution in the sponsor's absence, describing a study committee to examine rising foster care costs. The chair cited a 159 percent increase in spending since 2022 and said the committee would examine expenses and care needs. The chair described membership including six Senate appointees, six House appointees, state agencies, judicial councils and Together Georgia. No questions or substantive debate followed. The committee approved the resolution by voice vote, with no opposition heard. > The transcript runs 68,168 characters. A reader that cannot take it at once can read it in 2 parts: part 1 https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-25/house-judiciary-juvenile.md?start=0; part 2 https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-25/house-judiciary-juvenile.md?start=59832. ## Transcript (309 turns) [0:00:13](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=13s) Jerry, if you wanna join me here. Sorry, first up? I believe we're gonna be the first. All right. [0:00:26](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=26s) Uh, she's got four bills. [0:00:27](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=27s) Senator Tran. Um, so you've mentioned, you mentioned that you'll be going up first. Are you gonna introduce your bills here? [0:00:36](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=36s) Yeah, that's, uh- [0:00:39](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=39s) A briefing [0:00:39](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=39s) ... that's my hope. That's, that's the plan right now, is that our bills will be up first. [0:09:31](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=571s) Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to Judiciary Juvenile, and I appreciate everyone being here. We're a little bit later than we anticipated originally. We are three hours later, um, due to session. So thanks to everyone who stayed and stuck around to speak on or against bills. We appreciate you being here for public input. And we are gonna start out today with Representative Tran, um, HB 527. And if you would introduce your bill and just verify the LC number to make sure that we're all working off the same page. [0:10:10](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=610s) Sure. Thank you, Chair, Chair Lady Camp. The LC number is 481767S. And members of the committee, thank you for your time. HB 527 is a bill that modernizes our child protection framework. The core of this bill is to shift the responsibility of child abuse protocols from a county-by-county basis to the juvenile j- to the judicial, um, circuit model. And so this is important as, uh, we try to streamline and synchronize the judicial branch, law enforcement, and community, um, advocacy groups into addressing this, this issue. [0:10:52](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=652s) And so, um, this also brings about some accountability as the protocols that the judicial circuit will, will create will be reported to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. And so I, I think these are critical safeguards and kind of modernizes what we're doing. And to give you a little bit of back- background and to introduce the gentleman sitting next to me, this is Mr. Jerry Bruce from the Office of Child Advocate. He brought this up to me last year along with, um, Chair Lady Ballinger, and we worked on it right up through, um, her passing. [0:11:29](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=689s) So that's the bill. [0:11:32](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=692s) All right, wonderful. Thank you so much, um, for bringing this bill. Um, some of the changes, if you kind of go through the bill, members, and I'm not, not presenting a bill for you by any means, but there's a lot of cleanup language i- regarding protocol. And, um, if you'd like to look through there, if you have any questions, I'm sure Representative Tran could help you out. Um, one issue I thought was interesting, um, is line 158. That has to do with reporting. Um, rather than semi-annually, it's gonna be an annual report, um, to get more comprehensive data provided. [0:12:07](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=727s) And with that, um, members, do you have any questions for the author? [0:12:16](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=736s) All right. Senator Wade, please go ahead with your question. [0:12:19](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=739s) Um, just for clarification on line 69, is there a policy reason to, um, remove the coroner or county medical examiner? Um, just, I'm, I'm not, I'm not, not really concerned, just wanna know, is there a policy reason to not have them on the... [0:12:38](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=758s) Not really. Um, we just figured it would be better to focus on, um, child advocacy centers or CASAs. [0:12:49](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=769s) Okay. [0:12:49](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=769s) Um, but... Good to- Yeah, Jerry? Mm. [0:12:52](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=772s) Madam Chair, may I? [0:12:53](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=773s) Oh, please. Um, I'm just... Uh, you got introduced, but just give us your name and your title and who you're with again, please. [0:13:00](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=780s) Um, Madam Chair, I'm Jerry Bruce, the director of the Office of the Child Advocate. And, uh, Senator Wade, um, the, the compliance, if I can just back up for a second to give context, the compliance with the current child abuse protocol statute is fairly abysmal across the state. Um, the Office of the Child Advocate is one of two agencies, along with DFCS, that's charged with receiving and reporting on the compliance of jurisdictions with the current protocol. And our compliance since I came to this office in 2021 has been around 14, 12 to 14% of all jurisdictions in the state. [0:13:35](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=815s) Um, it's very... The, the committee that's required to be pulled together for this statute is large and diverse. Most of them have a direct correlation with the question of investigating and prosecuting, whether in superior court in a criminal case or in a juvenile court in a dependency action, allegations of child abuse. Um, the coroners aren't directly related to that. They're much more tied into the child fatality review. [0:13:59](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=839s) Right. Right. [0:13:59](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=839s) Um, and it's also been very difficult to get the coroners who are elected officials in the jurisdictions to come to these meetings, probably because they actually don't see that direct correlation either. [0:14:09](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=849s) Okay. [0:14:09](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=849s) So that was the reason for omitting them in this. [0:14:12](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=852s) All right. Thank you. [0:14:14](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=854s) Thank you so much for being here with us today, Mr. Bruce, and thank you so much, uh, Senator Wade. It was a good question. Do, are there any further questions of committee members to the bill's author? [0:14:26](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=866s) Can I sign up sheet? [0:14:27](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=867s) Mm-hmm. [0:14:30](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=870s) All r- [0:14:30](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=870s) I have a motion one ready. [0:14:31](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=871s) Okay. Well, I think we actually have a few people that wanna speak on behalf, if that's all right. Thank you so much, Representative Panitch. Um, all right. If there's no further questions, we do have a few people, and they promised there was gonna be time was of the effort. I'm sorry, do you have a question, Representative- Okay. No, no, go ahead, Representative Santos. Go ahead. [0:14:49](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=889s) Okay. I, I was just gonna thank you for bringing this bill. I think anything that has to do with, uh, children, um, it definitely is something that we need to continue improving on, and this allows us to do that. So just wanted to thank you for your time and your research in putting this together for us. [0:15:04](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=904s) Thank you. [0:15:05](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=905s) All right. Thank you. All right. I know we had a few people that were here, um, that wanted to speak on behalf of the bill, but no one signed up on the sign-up sheet. Are those individuals still interested in speaking on behalf of the bill? [0:15:18](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=918s) She said that no one signed up, so I was like, I'm- [0:15:20](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=920s) Oh, other than the email, I sent- [0:15:22](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=922s) Well, but where's the sign-up sheet? You didn't sign up on the sign-up sheet. [0:15:25](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=925s) Oh, okay. [0:15:25](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=925s) That's okay. That's okay. There were a few people who have traveled to be here. Um, if you would just come to the mic very, very briefly, and, um, just say what you'd like to say, if you don't mind. [0:15:36](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=936s) Everyone. [0:15:37](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=937s) Okay. Thank you. [0:15:38](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=938s) You're welcome. Just one second. All right. I recognize a few of your faces. Um, I've written some legislation before and have dealt with some of y'all on, um, the protection of children. Um, good afternoon, Chairman and the committee. My name is Kitty Mayo. I am the founder of a nonprofit called Georgia Protective Parents. [0:16:09](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=969s) We are a group of parents who advocate for children of Georgia who cannot speak for themselves in legislation or in the courtroom. Um, every day, our state children are facing a m- a ma- unimaginable circumstances, victims of abuse and exploitation, who are thrust into a complex legal and investigory system, can't speak today, that can be terrifying as the trauma they've already endured. Our group is here today in strong support of HB 527 because it addresses a fundamental gap into how we protect our most vulnerable citizens. [0:16:48](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1008s) This isn't just a policy update. It is necessary evolution in our commitment to justice and healing. Currently, when a case of child abuse is a- reported, a whirlwind of agencies descends, law enforcement and advocacy centers, and what happens is this is very traumatic for a child. This even happened to our family. It was a whirlwind within 48 hours, and the children have to keep repeating their story to numerous individuals, and it's just extremely traumatic. [0:17:21](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1041s) So they are forced to retell it over and over again to different people in different rooms, re-traumatizing them at the very moment they need stability. HB 527 recognizes that our current child abuse protocol committees need clearer guidelines and more rigorous oversight. In many of our counties, protocols have been updated, haven't been updated in years. So what I'm finding is this world has changed. [0:17:52](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1072s) There's exploitation online. There's all these different things that are changing, and we need to shift. So HB 527 mandates the c- that creation and regular revision of child abuse protocol in every judicial circuit. It ensures that every stakeholder from judges to medical profession is on the same table and using the same playbook. It emphasizes minimizing the stress on the child. So by fostering coordination, um, we ensure that the legal and investigory process is a path forward resolution and not just a source for further harm. [0:18:30](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1110s) Most importantly, it adds accountability. It clarifies composition and protocols committee and provides a mechanism to ensure these life-saving rules and actually f- are actually followed. We cannot leave the safety of our children to the best efforts or even suggestions. We need to force the law to ensure that every county in Georgia is providing the same level of protection. This bill is bipartisan effort because of the safety of a child is not a partisan issue. [0:19:01](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1141s) When we pass HB 527, we're telling every child who has suffered in silence that we see them. We are also telling them that their recovery matters more than, than us. And so we are protecting our law enforcement. We are providing them and social workers with the tools they need to become more efficient and more effective and more empathetic. I urge you to look past the technical language and see the facts of the children in your districts, and let's not give them a s- let's give them a system that works for them and not against them. [0:19:39](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1179s) Thank you. [0:19:40](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1180s) Thank you so much for being here and for your participation and being willing to wait. [0:19:45](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1185s) Thank you. [0:19:45](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1185s) Thank you. All right. Um, is it Denise Monk? [0:19:49](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1189s) Denise. [0:19:49](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1189s) Denise. I am so sorry. [0:19:50](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1190s) Good afternoon, Madam Chair, members of the committee. [0:19:54](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1194s) Well, if you could, if you could not speak until you get to the microphone, 'cause we've got- [0:19:57](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1197s) I thought this was it [0:19:57](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1197s) ... people at home. No, no. Thank you for being here. The people at home get upset and- [0:20:02](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1202s) Gotcha [0:20:03](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1203s) ... we have this whole thing about all of our committee meetings are televised s- and they're recorded. So for future reference, everyone can go back, and certainly don't wanna lose any of your testimony. [0:20:12](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1212s) For sure. [0:20:12](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1212s) So whenever you're ready. [0:20:15](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1215s) Good m- good afternoon, Madam Chair, members of the committee. My name is Denise Monk. I'm a mother of two children here in Georgia. I'm an actress, stuntwoman, a member of the NAACP Atlanta chapter, and I'm here today with Georgia Protective Parents. I'm speaking today not as a legal ex- expert or professional, but as a mother who has personally experienced overwhelming and confusing process. Um, and I realize how, um, the concerns about child safety entering in, in, into the system is a issue right now. [0:20:49](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1249s) Um, as a parent, nothing is more frightening than feeling like your child may not be safe and not knowing whether the system design, is designed to protect them, um, and will respond clearly and consistently [0:21:02](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1262s) That uncertainty is something no family should have to face. This is why I'm here today in support of House Bill 527. For parents like me and many others across the state, this bill represents the hope that when a child reports abuse or when a parent raises safety concerns, there will be a clear and consistent process in place to protect the child. Right now, the experience for many families can be confusing and overwhelming. Multiple agencies may be involved, but the process is not always coordinated or consistent from one county to another. [0:21:34](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1294s) Families often find themselves trying to navigate a system that feels uncertain at the time when the focus should be on the safety and wellbeing of the child. HB 527 helps address this by requiring child abuse protocols to be regularly reviewed and updated in every judicial circuit. This helps ensure that our procedures reflect current understand- uh, current understanding of trauma and child development rather than outdated practices. Children who disclose abuse deserve a system that responds with care, consistency, and understanding. [0:22:07](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1327s) Parents who raise safety concerns deserve to know there is a structured process in place that will take those concerns seriously. From a parent's perspective, one of the most important parts of this bill is accountability. Families need to know that there are clear protocols that will be followed, not just suggestions or inf- informal practices. Consistency across counties means that children throughout Georgia can receive the same level of protection. This bill also strengthens collaboration among professionals, including law enforcement, medical professio- professionals or providers, and children advocacy centers, so that information is shared and children are not lost in a fragmented system. [0:22:46](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1366s) As a mother, I believe that no child should have to struggle to be heard. No parent should have to struggle to ensure their safety. HB 527 is important not only for families facing these situations today, but also for families who may face them in the future. Strong and consistent protocols help reduce confusion. This bill represents a meaningful step towards a more trauma-informed and child-centered system in Georgia. Every child deserves to feel safe. Every parent deserves to know when concerns about a child's safety are raised, and those concerns will be handled with care and professionalism. [0:23:20](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1400s) I am here today because I believe our children deserve the strongest protections we provide. Um, HB 527 moves us closer to that goal. Thank you for your time and, uh, for your commitment to the children. [0:23:34](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1414s) Thank you. Well, hang, hang on. [0:23:35](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1415s) Okay. [0:23:35](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1415s) Is, is there a question for this speaker? I think it's Floor Leader Wade. Go ahead. [0:23:39](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1419s) Yeah. It is, and, and, and I'll say that the sponsor can also chime in if he- [0:23:43](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1423s) Sure [0:23:43](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1423s) ... he feels necessary. And forgive, this is somewhat of a question coming from ignorance. Um- [0:23:48](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1428s) Oh, no worries [0:23:50](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1430s) ... um, the previous gentleman testified that the, I guess, the, uh, compliance with the protocol that currently exists, which is very discombobulated, uh, is a term my mom and dad used a lot around me as a young boy, um, what, do we need to have something to create a sense of urgency so that we don't just transition from one protocol situation? I don't see any dates or timelines, and so forgive me as an education committee member- [0:24:23](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1463s) For sure [0:24:23](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1463s) ... where I've, uh, we have a lot of in statute, like, it's not just a may, it's a shall by this date do X- [0:24:31](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1471s) Mm-hmm [0:24:31](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1471s) ... by this date do Y. Uh, I, I don't know if the, the sponsor, I mean, obviously it can become law upon the governor's signature. [0:24:39](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1479s) Right. [0:24:39](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1479s) But is there any mechanism to ensure that compliance actually exists and we meet the objective of helping children? Does that make sense? Obviously you can answer it- [0:24:48](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1488s) Absolutely [0:24:49](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1489s) ... and whoever. [0:24:49](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1489s) I think from, from my perspective as someone actually going through this process right now, I believe delay is a major issue, um, between communications, you know, between, uh, professionals, whether it be, uh, DFCS to, uh, SBU or to the, a guardian ad litem that might be added into the case, um, under a custody situation. And there's a lot of delay, and, um, sometimes you, you only can go through the guardian ad litem opposed to the proper channels. [0:25:19](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1519s) So I, I believe there just needs to be a collective understanding and a, and a, a solid protocol, if that makes any sense. [0:25:27](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1527s) It does. [0:25:27](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1527s) Okay. [0:25:28](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1528s) I- it does, and if, uh, Representative Tran wants to- [0:25:30](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1530s) Yeah, I was gonna say, Representative Tran, if you wanna take the microphone, the sider, so you could sit down too. [0:25:35](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1535s) Um- [0:25:35](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1535s) Yeah. Thank you [0:25:35](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1535s) ... Madam Chair, if I may have the Office of Child Advocate clarify the timeline. [0:25:41](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1541s) Of course. Of course. But, um, members, while he's coming up, if you look on line 209, it says that the Protocol Committee shall submit a cert- a certification of annual compliance to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council by December 31st of each year. So that, of course, would, would help, um, because there is a definitive time that it's due. Also, um, the stakeholders, if I'm not testifying for you, um, the stakeholders are, are generally people who are gonna be more hands-on with child ad- advocacy. So before, uh, and I respect, I love my coroner. [0:26:11](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1571s) He's a great guy, but I don't know if necessarily i- in his world child advoc- advocacy is something he does in his day-to-day life. [0:26:19](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1579s) Yeah. Yeah. Makes sense. [0:26:20](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1580s) And so hopefully we've narrowed it down to people who are, are more in that scope. Um, Mr. Bruce. [0:26:26](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1586s) Madam Chair, thank you again. Uh, Floor Leader, the, the two things that this tries to do to, to enhance compliance are, one, to make the duties less onerous, right? So we've got a lot of elected officials and appointed officials who are required to meet twice a year. They had two different reporting deadlines. It was very confusing for them. So this streamlines all of that to one, one at a minimum, right? One meeting a year, one reporting deadline, one centralized place to turn those reports in. It adopts from the sexual assault protocol language that y'all put in place several years ago, specific requirements for the superior court. [0:26:58](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1618s) It goes from having the superior court may issue a letter or an order telling the members that they have to comply to the superior court shall issue that order telling them they need to comply, and then providing the possibility of contempt if the superior court finds that appropriate. And then it adopts directly from the sexual assault protocol the avenue of having CJCC as the monitoring agency report to elected officials, to the governor's office, to the general assembly, um, every year who's in compliance and who's not in compliance, uh, as a way of trying to get that Um, compliance level up, and that's worked really well in the sexual assault protocol. [0:27:34](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1654s) Their compliance levels are much higher because of that sort of public accountability piece, uh, than they are currently with the child abuse protocol. [0:27:41](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1661s) Just a follow-up question, um- [0:27:43](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1663s) Please go ahead [0:27:43](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1663s) ... so I did read those lines 101 through 105. Um, probably the number two complaint that I've experienced this year is just defects, the, the entire ecosystem you're talking about. And i- what, what happens if you have a chief judge or a superior court judge, obviously they're different across the state jurisdictions, have a different expectation as to timing to when a punishment f- uh, for contempt of court should be issued? [0:28:14](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1694s) I, I'm all for judges having, um, y- you know, judicial flexibility, but I, I just have this sense the families and the parents that are talking to me, I mean, this is the best example of molasses that I've ever seen in my life. This whole world, it just, it, you know... I, I'm a business guy, an education guy. It's not something I've got a lot of experience in, so I apologize for the questions, but is this really gonna bring things... Is this gonna help children quicker? I- is this framework going to actually be the meat that you need to make meaningful improvement? [0:28:47](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1727s) And I mean that as a fair question. [0:28:49](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1729s) Sure. May I answer, Chairwoman? [0:28:51](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1731s) Of course. I would just like- [0:28:52](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1732s) That was my last question [0:28:52](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1732s) ... I know, no, and, and this, this will be a ser- there'll be more forthcoming on this. [0:28:55](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1735s) Okay. [0:28:56](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1736s) So y- I appreciate your line of thinking. I think most of us are, if not all of us on the committee, feel the same way. Um, we certainly don't want to leave any of our children in peril under any circumstance. So, um, please go ahead. [0:29:09](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1749s) I will just say that as someone who's lived this day in and day out from back when I was a prosecutor through being a juvenile court judge and now in this office, I agree with your molasses characterization completely. This is a, I think at this point, in its current state, is a calculated step forward to imple- increase compliance- [0:29:25](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1765s) Right [0:29:25](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1765s) ... in a way that also preserves, uh, judicial autonomy. You know, we always have that, that trade-off. You know, we wanna make sure that courts will enforce things, but it's difficult to, to mandate legislatively that they'll enforce things because of that whole separation of powers issue. So- [0:29:40](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1780s) Right [0:29:41](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1781s) ... um, I'm, I'm open to any solution to, uh, put more teeth in this than we currently have in it because, uh, in a w- the, our biggest problem right now is enforceability. So this is a, I think a logical step forward to enhance enforceability. If there are other ideas out there, then I will fully support them. [0:29:57](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1797s) Okay. [0:29:59](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1799s) Thank you. Thank you for the question. That was a great question. All right, um, I see flashing over here. Uh, Representative Santos, do you have a question? [0:30:07](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1807s) I don't. [0:30:07](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1807s) That's okay. [0:30:08](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1808s) Thanks for offering. [0:30:08](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1808s) Oh, no, you're good. You're good. All right, um, Representative Townsend, please go ahead with your question. [0:30:12](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1812s) Thanks, Chairman Camp. I was gonna ask if he could stay at the table and answer this one. First was, uh, uh, uh, Keeta, as, as, I mean, part of a school system for 30, 30 years in various capacities, uh, you've really, I think, tightened it up, and I think you've got some meat to it. So I think that's really good. Um, only one little minor thing I'm even noticing right now, because as I read more through it more deeply, you've, you've done a lot with it. Um, when it talks about school systems, un- a lot of times they're gonna send their, um, person in charge of counseling services or somebody like that. [0:30:45](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1845s) Well, most, a lot of school systems now have your school police. Another thing I would recommend would be adding maybe that as well, 'cause if it's not an admin or something like that who's in touch with school police every day, you may want somebody on that side of the school police department as well that knows more about the kids in these type of situations. [0:31:03](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1863s) Sure. I mean, if there are jurisdictions- [0:31:04](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1864s) That's just a friendly kind of suggestion. You may wanna add that. [0:31:07](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1867s) Yeah. There are some jurisdictions that have that and not a lot, but if that can be added to clarify for those jurisdictions, then that's a good idea. [0:31:15](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1875s) Would that be a s- a substitute that you're offering? [0:31:17](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1877s) It'd be a friendly amendment. [0:31:18](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1878s) It'd be a friendly amendment. All right. [0:31:20](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1880s) Just to add. [0:31:22](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1882s) How do, how do you feel about that, Representative Tran? [0:31:27](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1887s) I'm okay with that. [0:31:30](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1890s) Okay. All right. Um, let's find some lines. Where would we include this in? What lines are you looking at, Representative Townsend? [0:31:35](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1895s) Anywhere in that, um, 57 through 69 range, maybe 69 where the coroner's crossed out. [0:31:47](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1907s) Okay. [0:31:47](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1907s) Line 11 there, or 11. Not in line 11, but parenthesis 11. [0:31:52](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1912s) All right. So a friendly, a friendly amendment we're saying would be add somewhere around that line 69 on page three. [0:32:00](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1920s) Member of the, uh, if- [0:32:01](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1921s) If applicable [0:32:02](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1922s) ... if applicable. Yeah, if they have a member of the school police department, if applicable. [0:32:07](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1927s) All right. Representative Tran- [0:32:08](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1928s) Being on the committee [0:32:09](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1929s) ... you're, uh, you're agreeable to this? [0:32:10](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1930s) I'm agreeable to that. [0:32:11](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1931s) Legislative counsel, is this doable? [0:32:15](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1935s) Member, I, I wasn't sure of the language that the member- [0:32:19](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1939s) All right. Uh, I think we're saying on line 69, um, a member of the school police department, if applicable. Is that correct? [0:32:29](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1949s) Yes. [0:32:30](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1950s) So this would be before the director of any division number new 11. Is that where- [0:32:35](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1955s) Yes [0:32:35](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1955s) ... you would like that? [0:32:36](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1956s) It would. It could go anywhere in that area. [0:32:39](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1959s) And just for clarification, the language one more time. [0:32:43](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1963s) A member of- [0:32:44](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1964s) Who's going to be [0:32:44](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1964s) ... a, a member of the school police department- [0:32:47](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1967s) If applicable [0:32:47](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1967s) ... if applicable. [0:32:49](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1969s) All right. Thank you so much. Collaboration, I love it. All right. Wonderful. Thank you so much. Are there any further questions at this point in time for this wonderful witness? Mr. Bruce, we certainly appreciate you being here. [0:33:00](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1980s) Thank you. [0:33:01](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1981s) Um, give you a little break. Thank you for being here- [0:33:03](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1983s) Thank you for [0:33:03](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1983s) ... and for sharing your story. Yes, definitely. All right, um, the next speaker we have is Casey Sharp. Please come on up to the microphone. And all of you brought paper. You guys should have emailed me. [0:33:18](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1998s) We will. We will share. [0:33:18](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=1998s) All right. Thank you. [0:33:21](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2001s) Thank you for that. [0:33:25](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2005s) Good afternoon, Chairperson and members. Am I on? [0:33:28](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2008s) You're on. [0:33:28](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2008s) I don't want to be shouting on a very loud speaker. [0:33:30](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2010s) You're on. [0:33:31](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2011s) Okay, thank- Thank goodness. Okay. Good afternoon, Chairperson and members of the committee. My name is Kasey Sharp, and I am a member of the nonprofit Georgia Protective Parents. I'm also a mother. We're a group of parents that advocate to work to better protect the children in the state of Georgia through legislative changes. We are before you today to support HB 527, and you have heard testimony today, um, in detail about these changes to the bills that calls for, uh, making some changes and covering gaps in our current policies and committees around child abuse and exploitation investigations. [0:34:04](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2044s) I want to take a moment to ask you, as you consider this bill, to put yourself in the seat of the children that we aim to protect. Imagine being a child who is currently being harmed. Children are threatened often to stay silent for fear of harm that may come to someone they love if they report the abuse. Then add to that fear of not being believed, and then further, fear that their abuser could even have consequences if they come forward. All of these are complex and torturous forks in the road that must be overcome by a child before they even decide how or if they can get safe. [0:34:39](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2079s) The bravery it takes a child to report abuse even one time to a trusted adult is a feat all on its own. Once the abuse is re- is disclosed, the re-traumatization begins as we attempt to seek justice. Rather than relief that the suffering has ended, children are subjected to recount violent acts and harm done with strangers from multiple agencies and over multiple meetings. This reliving of the trauma is an enormous burden to carry for adults with resources like therapy and emotional and mental, uh, fortitude. [0:35:10](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2110s) But for children, they lack these resources and coping skills to handle this kind of repeated questioning around their trauma as a means of justice. This continues to delay their healing and cause more harm while we wait. You don't have to look much further than the current news cycle today to see the long shadow that has been cast over the years by unchecked investigations, lack of accountability, lack of oversight, and outdated policies which al- often serve as loopholes for offenders rather than safeguards for children that are being harmed. [0:35:42](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2142s) HB 527 lets its, lets us link arms across agencies with the c- commitment to accountability, oversight, and trauma-informed approaches to protect the children of Georgia. We must send a message to our children that it is safe to disclose when they are being harmed, and that we will make sure that we protect them as we pursue healing and justice for them. It's likely that you already know a child that has experienced abuse, and I believe that you would want them to come forward and get help. And I'm standing before you, or I guess sitting, with the same belief that you will want to adopt HB 527 to protect them after they come forward to us. [0:36:20](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2180s) Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you for being here and for your advo- advocacy. So thank you very much. All right, next person we have is Emily Kutcher? Kutcher? Kutcher. Kutcher. I was right the first time. Thank you. Please come up and tell us... More paper. Thank you. You're welcome. Thank you. All right, just have a seat and tell us, um, your name again, please, and- Yeah ... who you're here with. Hi. Good afternoon to the distinguished members of the House Judiciary Juvenile Committee. [0:36:52](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2212s) My name is Emily Kutcher. I'm a JD, a Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution Registered Neutral in Domestic Relations, a board member of Georgia Protective Parents, and certified in the trauma-informed care model for legal professionals. Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you in support of HB 527. HB 527 advances a focused but critical goal to amend Georgia law and ensure child abuse investigations are conducted under clear multidisciplinary protocols, required trauma-informed training, meaningful accountability measures, and consistent statewide standards. [0:37:33](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2253s) And this matters because when a child in Georgia discloses abuse, the quality of the first response can shape both the child's recovery and the legal integrity of the case. Georgia law already recognizes the central importance of reliability in children's statements. Under Georgia Code 24-8-820, child hearsay is admissible only where sufficient indicia of reliability exist. And courts applying Idaho v. Wright have made it clear the manner in which a child's statement is obtained directly affects admissibility and weight. [0:38:11](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2291s) Georgia courts have echoed this principle in Woodward v. State. Interv- interview quality is therefore both a child protection issue and a rule of evidence issue. The scientific literature is equally clear. Structured forensic interviewing within a multidisciplinary response is identified as a national best practice because it improves accuracy and completeness while reducing suggestibility. Peer-reviewed NICHD research demonstrates that trained interviewers obtain more detailed and reliable disclosures and significantly reduce leading questions. [0:38:56](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2336s) Trauma science explains why consistency is essential. Children often disclose abuse gradually and with great difficulty. Research shows that repeated or poorly conducted interviews increase stress, confusion, and withdrawal. Repeated questioning can increase the contamination risk, and in practical terms, children who repeatedly reach out for help and they don't receive it, they shut down. They quit disclosing. [0:39:30](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2370s) And it is important to address a persistent misconception. High-quality empirical research consistently finds that intentional false allegations by children in abuse contexts are relatively uncommon. The greater documented threat to case integrity comes from inconsistent or suggestive interviewing practices. And to the gentleman on the c- the committee who was, um, inquiring about the timeline, uh, will this bill expedite the process? [0:40:05](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2405s) Um, it's, it's right now the process, as you said, slow as molasses, and we're getting bad results. Children are falling through the cracks. So I think the priority anyone would agree would be getting on good results for the children, good results with good evidence based on empirical data, multidisciplinary guidelines and best practices in all kinds of court professionals, APA, AFCC, Judicial Council. [0:40:38](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2438s) This is well-documented and grounded in evidence, and, um, everything I'm saying right now is backed up by Georgia case law, uh, appellate case law, Georgia Code, um, policy and procedure, peer-reviewed journal articles coming out of psychology, mental health, and evaluation standards. [0:41:04](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2464s) So HB 527 appropriately responds to the evidence to maximize its effectiveness and statewide consistency. The bill's goals are well-served by provisions that first require a written multidisciplinary protocol. Codifying a standing child abuse multidisciplinary committee and requiring a written inter-agency protocol ensures that law enforcement, DFCS, prosecutors, me- prosecutors, medical, mental health, victim advocacies, and forensic interview professionals operate under shared expectations consistent with the National Children's Alliance standards. [0:41:52](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2512s) Second, the bill would require trauma-informed and evidence-based training. Mandated training in developmentally age-appropriate trauma-informed forensic interviewing aligns directly with the Department of Justice best practices and peer-reviewed research. Interviewer training is one of the strongest predictors of reliable child statements in the literature. Third, the bill would provide clear accountability for non-compliance. [0:42:24](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2544s) Thoughtful enforcement mechanisms, including appropriate court oversight where necessary, promote uniform adherence without creating unnecessary bureaucracy. The bill's accountability provisions are designed not to punish good faith professionals, but to ensure statewide adherence to evidence-based standards that protect both children and the integrity of investigation. Clear statutory standards and measured court oversight provide the kind of transparency and uniformity that our evidentiary rules already demand under Georgia Code 24-8-820 and Idaho V. [0:43:01](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2581s) Wright. Fourth, the bill would include reporting and quality assurance requirements. Regular reporting allows the General Assembly to monitor implementation, identify resource gaps, and ensure statewide consistency. And fifth, the bill would identify sustainable funding pathways. So very importantly, and, and, um, I imagine if you've not already, s- um, some may hear concerns from constituents about funding or expense, cost effectiveness. [0:43:36](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2616s) Um, but this model is also cost effective. Georgia's not starting from scratch. Our children's advocacy centers and multidisciplinary teams already provide much of this infrastructure. Standardization reduces duplicate interviews, investigative inefficiency, and downstream litigation costs. Federal VOCA funding and existing CAC funding streams can support training and coordination without undue fiscal burden. [0:44:08](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2648s) You may hear concerns about flexibility and implementation. Evidence-based forensic protocols are structured frameworks, not rigid scripts, and research shows they improve interviewer performance while preserving professional judgment. The national CAC model case already accommodates regional teams and rural participation. Members of the committee, HB 527 promotes what every stakeholder ultimately wants: high-integrity investigations, reliable evidence, efficient case processing, and minimal traumatization of children. [0:44:52](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2692s) When a child in Georgia finds the courage to disclose abuse, the system should be prepared to respond once and carefully and correctly. HB 527 helps ensure that we, through clear protocols, trained professionals, accountable systems, and fiscally responsible implementation, make sure it reflects the science, the law, and the best interests of Georgia's children. [0:45:20](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2720s) All right. Thank you so much for your testimony. We certainly appreciate you being here today. [0:45:24](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2724s) Thank you for your time. Thank you. [0:45:25](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2725s) Appreciate it. We have, um, Ms. Fatai. Is that you, ma'am? [0:45:29](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2729s) Yes, ma'am. [0:45:30](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2730s) All right, if you'd come over here to the microphone. And I'm sorry, I did not... I mentioned this to our earlier folks, and I'm sorry I didn't mention it. We're trying to... We have... We're three hours behind, and there are many members that are having to leave to go to other committees. So we are, we are trying to compress this. We certainly want everything well-vetted, but, um- Mr. Chairman, I can call and be right back. I will. Thank you, Chairman. But certainly, um, we, we would like to make- I mean, how many more speakers have we got? This is it on this bill. [0:45:56](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2756s) This is the last one. [0:45:57](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2757s) And, um, when you leave, Chairman Werkheiser, we do not have a quorum. Okay. Let me make the call, and I'll be right back. Okay. All right. We have to have a quorum. We have to have a quorum to proceed. We can't do anything without a quorum. Okay. So ma'am, if you could, if you could- Let's try to keep it brief ... very, very briefly. Oh, so sorry. [0:46:13](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2773s) I'm so sorry. [0:46:13](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2773s) We've got some, um- Certainly. Oh, wait. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I just saw... I didn't realize Representative Sharper had come back in. I'm sorry. I apologize. [0:46:21](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2781s) I've got about a two-minute call before 5:00 too. [0:46:23](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2783s) And, and, and he's got a call as well. All right. [0:46:24](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2784s) Okay. [0:46:24](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2784s) So I, I'm so sorry. [0:46:26](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2786s) It's fine. [0:46:26](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2786s) Thank you for being here. [0:46:27](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2787s) Um, Chairwoman Camp and, uh, members of the committee, uh, my name is Charis Efutai. I am a Georgia mother of four, um, including one child with autism, and I am sitting here before you guys today in support of HB 527. Um, in, in my own custody case, based on what I experienced, um, there had been a serious incident that occurred during a court-ordered, uh, supervised visit, um, by the guardian ad litem with the other parent, in which, uh, one of my daughters became separated and lost in a public mall. [0:47:10](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2830s) Um, that incident was not documented in a way that fully reflected the seriousness of what occurred. Um, and I believe that when children are involved in domestic relation cases, um, especially children with special needs, um, documentation and transparency are critical. Um, courts rely on reports and representations made by court-appointed professionals, in this case, um, in my own case, a guardian ad litem. Um, if those reports are incomplete, delayed, inconsistent, or nonexistent, the court cannot make fully informed decisions. [0:47:50](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2870s) I have learned how much discretion exists in how allegations and safety concerns are documented and presented. That level of variation creates a risk, not just for one family, uh, one person, such as myself, uh, but for any family navigating the system. Uh, HB 527, I believe, strengthens written protocol in cases involving alleged child abuse and, uh, domestic relations pres- proceedings. [0:48:22](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2902s) I believe that clear standards reduce inconsistency, standardized documentation protects children. Uh, structured investigative procedures protect the integrity of the court process. Uh, I believe that this bill is about ensuring that when abuse is alleged or safety incidents occur, there are uniform expectations for how those ex- events are documented and reviewed. Transparency protects children. Accountability strengthens public trust in our courts. [0:48:56](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2936s) Uh, and I respectfully urge, uh, you to pass HB 527. Thank you. [0:49:03](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2943s) Thank you so much for being here and for sharing- [0:49:05](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2945s) You're welcome [0:49:05](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2945s) ... your story. So I certainly appreciate that. My heart goes out to you and your child that experienced that trauma. [0:49:10](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2950s) Oh, thank you so much. [0:49:12](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2952s) All right. Thank you. All right. [0:49:13](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2953s) So, um, at this time, what's the will of the committee? [0:49:17](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2957s) I'm sorry. At this time, what's the will of the committee regarding, um, HB 527? [0:49:23](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2963s) Motion to pass. [0:49:23](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2963s) Motion to pass. Second? Is there any discussion? [0:49:28](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2968s) Okay. Well, we got one. We got one . Yeah. I, I thought, like, she had a motion to approve. All right. I thought we had to do it after that. All right, so we do have- [0:49:37](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2977s) I seconded Representative Tran. [0:49:38](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2978s) Oh, okay. Yep, so we're good. All right, and we have an amendment, legislative council. That amendment regarding, um, school police, if applicable. [0:49:46](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2986s) Yes, I will put it in so, and I have the number for you as well. [0:49:48](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2988s) All right. Well, wonderful. Wonderful. All right, so I guess we need to vote on that. [0:49:52](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2992s) Need a second. [0:49:52](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=2992s) Oh, we need a second on that. Second. Second? Okay. All right. We have a motion and a second regarding the amendment. All those in favor of the amendment say aye. [0:50:01](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3001s) Aye. [0:50:01](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3001s) Aye. All right. Any opposed? All right. Amendment passes. Going back to the other motion on the table regarding, uh, passing of HB 527, we have a motion and a second. All those in favor say aye. [0:50:12](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3012s) Aye. [0:50:12](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3012s) Aye. All those opposed? All right. Thank you, Representative Tran. Your bill has passed. Thank you. Uh, my office will be giving- Chairwoman ... some information to you to bring to Rules, okay? Yes, ma'am. Bring it, bring it quickly as crossover day doth cometh. Thank you. All right. Um, all right, so the next bill... I'm... If... Go ahead and make your call. You got a second. No, we're good. [0:50:35](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3035s) I, I did it by text. I'm good. [0:50:36](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3036s) Oh, wonderful. All right. If you don't mind, you're gonna be next after me, but I've got a real... I've got a bill, and I'm gonna present it hopefully quicker than not. [0:51:05](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3065s) No one signed up to speak? Okay. Can I phone a friend if necessary, Mr. Vice Chairman? What number are you now? I am witness one. Okay. All right. Today I bring to you, Mr. Chairman and Committee, HB 1409. It is LC481781S, as in Sam. This is a bill, and I wish Repre- uh, Floor Leader Wade was here, uh, but I believe I've spoken with almost all of you to some level regarding this. Um, if I have not and you have questions, I'm happy to speak more, more fully on it. [0:51:37](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3097s) This bill, um- Is in direct relation to something we did today when we passed the supplemental budget, shockingly. On page 133, and I'm happy to pass this around, there happens to be some money in this budget to do exactly what we're gonna do, which is to provide a web-based reporting system for mandated reporters. This is a wonderful thing because it timestamps. Whenever someone sends in something, there's, um, a lot of information that's available, but the biggest aspect is the timestamp and knowing it went in, knowing the, um... [0:52:15](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3135s) Being able to track the outcome. This, it could be proprietary. It doesn't have to be proprietary because the whole concept is something that if you can order food from DoorDash and know where your food is, we should be able to know in the system when we report, um, a mandated reporter reports there's an issue. Um, and there's language involved. For example, um, let me backtrack here. On page five of the bill, lines 111, it actually gives a description, "Secure web-based platform means a type of software that allows for secure creation and transmission of report required in this code section. [0:52:54](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3174s) A secure web-based platform shall satisfy the criteria established by DFCS and, um, of the Department of Human Services as set forth in the subsection." Um, moving a little further on, and, um, this is actually directly to my seatmate, uh, Representative Persinger, he wished to add a few individuals to mandated reporters, one being firefighters. Oftentimes, they're the first on the scene if there is a- an emergency call, and what they see and what they're told and what they witness can be important. [0:53:25](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3205s) Later, another, um, individual, I believe, is gonna be animal control, and I was looking to see where that was listed. [0:53:35](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3215s) Yeah, that's there line 172. [0:53:37](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3217s) Thank you so much. Um, because oftentimes when law enforcement or code enforcement such as animal control is called, um, they could, again, see something, hear something that could be important and could protect a child in need. Um, so anyway, um, the bill is, is not super complicated by any means. There are a lot of pages, and I'm happy to answer any questions. And if I could phone a friend. [0:54:03](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3243s) Terry. [0:54:05](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3245s) Well, no. Well, I've got a couple. I've got a couple of friends. [0:54:10](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3250s) What? [0:54:10](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3250s) Got a couple of friends. [0:54:12](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3252s) No. [0:54:12](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3252s) I do have a quick question. [0:54:13](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3253s) Anywhere, Bill. Yes, please go ahead. [0:54:16](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3256s) I would say this is particularly for the, for the people that we've added, the firefighters, animal service workers, but probably for everybody. This, this system, I, I, I can't imagine a, a police officer, detective would probably have a terminal that they're very familiar with. I mean, how do, how do some of these other people get access to the system? [0:54:34](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3274s) There'd be a website, and anyone who has access to a computer, I would, I would assert that anyone who, um, a fire department, they have to do reports regarding the calls they went on. Um, same for animal control. Same for, for all these that are listed. They're gonna have access to a computer. They'll have a login, a username specific to them, and they'll be able to log in a- and make the report. [0:54:54](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3294s) Okay. [0:54:54](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3294s) Is that correct? [0:54:55](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3295s) Yes. [0:54:56](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3296s) Okay. I'm correct. [0:54:56](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3296s) There are a couple options, but I think you've identified them. They could either use a DFCS website on this, uh, bill, or if the fire department, for example, the county fire department, uh, decided to use a secure web-based platform, they could use that, or they could call in just like status quo. [0:55:15](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3315s) Uh, I'm not sure who was first. I guess member four. Is that, uh- [0:55:20](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3320s) Okay. That's me. [0:55:22](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3322s) Go ahead. [0:55:23](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3323s) Thank you, Chairman. Uh, just a quick question for you. Um, thank you for this. But I don't see really, like, EMS, paramedics, EMTs, or- [0:55:31](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3331s) Well, you know, I asked that same question, Representative Sharper. Thank you. We fall under medical personnel. [0:55:37](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3337s) Okay, med- okay, so it'd be medical personnel. Okay. [0:55:40](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3340s) Yes, sir. We, we operate under the protocol, um, from the Medical Composite Board, so we fall under medical personnel. [0:55:46](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3346s) Okay. [0:55:47](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3347s) That's a wonderful question. [0:55:47](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3347s) All right. Even though they're not under the medical, they're no longer on the, um, the, uh, medical board, composite board? [0:55:54](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3354s) Correct. But we still fall under, uh, we still fall under the protocol of medical. [0:55:58](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3358s) Okay. [0:55:59](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3359s) Yes. [0:55:59](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3359s) All right. Thank you. [0:56:03](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3363s) All right. Representative Townsend. [0:56:05](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3365s) Uh, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh, love this bill. Just to follow up on what you said about reporting if they call in through a phone, because I know, like, counselors and stuff a lot of times would make that phone call and then document what time they called just so they could say... Uh, because if you did it by email or whatever, you, you have the timestamp there. So if they called, what happens again? What's the... And, and I just overlooked it. If, if a counselor calls in with the report, then how do we get the timestamp, or is it automatic through the phone call? [0:56:36](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3396s) Well, that, that would be part of the, the challenge. Um, the status quo now, as, as mentioned, is if you call in, they, they take it down. Um, it would be a little different. It'd be, it'd be more challenging to trace unless it was implemented into a system where all calls were implemented in. [0:56:53](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3413s) Yeah. So are they still able to call in, or we're doing away with that totally? [0:56:57](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3417s) Oh, no, they can call in. They can call in. [0:56:58](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3418s) Okay. [0:56:59](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3419s) Unfortunately- [0:56:59](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3419s) So they still need to document like they do in their notes that what time they're calling in or whatever else? [0:57:04](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3424s) Yes. One of the challenges, though, I've heard from police departments in my district, the time. If they do call in, sometimes they wait hours to talk to someone. [0:57:14](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3434s) Mm-hmm. [0:57:15](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3435s) Um, do you have anything to say, Representative? [0:57:17](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3437s) I don't. [0:57:18](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3438s) Okay. [0:57:18](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3438s) No, that's, that's a good answer. Thank you. [0:57:20](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3440s) Yeah. Thank you. [0:57:23](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3443s) I mean, if I could just, I mean, honestly, if I could just- [0:57:26](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3446s) No, I don't think so [0:57:27](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3447s) ... email or u- load something in a system as an individual who likes digital stuff- [0:57:33](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3453s) That would be great [0:57:33](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3453s) ... it'd be a lot better than staying on the phone listening to that awful music everyone has. [0:57:37](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3457s) No, I think you're right. I think 75% would want to do that, so that's gonna be good, especially, and if you're in the field and you can't do that, at least you got the other option still. So I just wanted to make sure we weren't doing away with one, so we're not. [0:57:48](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3468s) No. No, no, no. [0:57:49](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3469s) That's great. [0:57:49](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3469s) The more, the more options to report potential abuse, I think, the better. [0:57:53](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3473s) That's perfect, and at the appropriate time. Okay [0:57:58](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3478s) Representative Santos, did you have- Oh, I was just going to have- Your, your number... There you go. Number nine. Yes. I was just going to add the importance of a timestamp. I do think that that will help also if, let's say it's delayed, it's going to help give those resources where we can make a quick, quicker response. Um, so thank you for adding that. I think that's very important. And then lastly, may I ask a follow-up? Go ahead. Um, did you receive feedback from the firefighters to know what their thoughts were of being added? Just kind of curious. [0:58:29](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3509s) Um, I have not spoken to the fire- firefighters union or their, their association. Mm-hmm. I have spoken to firefighters in my community- Okay ... who were happy to do that. Okay. Um, but- And they're always happy. I just- Happy to help the community. I just wanted to ask. Thank you. Be clear. Thank you. That's it. Thank you. Um, Mr. Chairman, if, if you don't mind, um, on page 15, lines 308, it talks about the training that's going to be required to use it. [0:59:00](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3540s) So there will be an online based training segment for individuals to use to make sure they're using it correctly and understand, um, I don't think it's going to be cumbersome by any means. Okay. But sometimes understanding all the facets of things are important. Okay. All right. If that concludes our discussion, uh, I recognize Representative Townsend for a motion. Make a motion of do pass. Second. And, uh, Representative Sharper seconds. [0:59:32](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3572s) And any further discuss- discussion? Oh, actually I got a... Is that a question or a- Microphone. Okay. They're tricky microphones. Okay. Any further discussion? And, uh, so all in favor say, "Aye." Aye. Aye. Yes, we do. Do we have a quorum? You count as six, right? Six. No, there's, there's... Oh, there are six. Well, no. Yes. You count as six. Yes, we- there are six if I, if I vote. Is it appropriate, Mr. [1:00:03](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3603s) Chairman, for me to vote on my bill? Uh, I will ask you to vote on your bill since we have a- There's six. There's six. Oh, all right. So shall we revote just to make sure? Yes. Uh, so we have a motion and a second Do pass. And what's, what's the will of the committee? Yeah. All in favor? Aye. Aye. And any opposed? The motion carries. Thank you so much. And, uh, does that conclude our business here today? We- we've got a couple more. Oh, we do? Okay. Well, I'll let you have that back then. [1:00:42](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3642s) Ooh. Thank you. Thank you, David. Yeah, sure. All right. Thank you so much to, uh, Vice Chair Jenkins, certainly appreciate him and all his hard work on the committee, and all the members for all that you do, and thank you for supporting that measure. All right. So the next bill that we have is Representative Townsend. Would you like to present from there, or would you like to... You're, you're welcome to do that. Do you have anyone speaking on your bill, or is this just you today? Uh, the sheriff's organization had another bill to pre- uh, present or testify, so I don't think anyone's speaking here regarding this bill. [1:01:19](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3679s) All right. And we're looking at, um, substitute- I do have the sh- I'm sorry. Oh, substitute for 1445, whenever you're ready. Yes. LC630126S. It's at the, uh, bottom of your folder. If you very, at the end of all the handouts that you received, sh- you'll sh- see it there. That's where I found mine. Uh, and basically, uh, I've already talked to the sheriff's departments, uh, actually multiple sheriffs, and they are in support of this bill. Basically, what this does, this is really a follow-up to school safety bill when you think about it. A lot of us who'd been in the system before had recognized sometimes the communication issues with, uh, DJJ and, and the sheriff's department or DJJ and local police departments. [1:02:00](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3720s) And so it came, came to our attention just really this week that, uh, that DJJ did not, not have to notify, uh, other partner agencies in a timely manner, or basically when a youth took off their ankle monitor or other detection device. And so what this bas- this simple bill is basically if a youth who's under DJJ custody, who's out and, and not in custody, but out in the, at home or someplace else that, uh, they're allowed to be, if they take off their device, then DJJ, um, once they're asked the first time or whatever originally, they will report it to local law agencies, including sheriff's departments, local municipalities, school police. [1:02:51](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3771s) So basically your all, um, your s- local and state police departments. And that's the essence of the bill. We, and we've talked to, uh, quite a few people, too, who, um, believe this is important for the one who actually, for both sides, for the youth who actually takes off the bracelet because it's, um, i- it's, they need to be- if they're under, supposed to be under custody, they need to stay under custody. So it's, uh, this is a safety bill, and we appreciate any questions and a favorable outcome, hopefully. [1:03:26](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3806s) All right. Thank you so much, Representative Townsend. Are there any questions from the committee regarding this bill? Mr. Bruce, is there anything you'd like to say on this bill? Does this pertain to you at all? Um, it does tangentially, but I would just say we fully support this bill, and it does fill a needed gap. All right. Thank you. Thank you. All right. We don't have any questions. Um, what's the will of the committee? Motion to do pass. Motion do you pass from Dexter Shar- Representative Sharper. Um, do we have second? Second. Second. [1:03:56](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3836s) All right. Any further discussion? Okay. All those in favor say, "Aye." Aye. Aye. Any op- opposition? All right. Thank you so much. Thank you. Motion passes. Thank you. All right. And the last, last measure we have to take up today, and I appreciate everyone staying and, um, holding to this. This is a Senate resolution. It's 622. Um, represent- I'm sorry, Senator Kirkpatrick unfortunately is, uh, I believe either in session or in a meeting. She was going to do her best to be here. [1:04:27](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3867s) This just establishes a study committee, and this study committee basically is doing a deep dive on, um, what's happening expense wise. Um, the increase, the 159% increase, and, um, the care needed, the money spent from 2022, and it outlines who was involved in the committee. It's, um, six appointees from the Senate, six appointees from the House, and, um, stakeholders including, um, DFCS, Department of Community Health, um, DJJ, um, DBHDD, um, Council of Juvenile Court Judges, Council of Superior Court Judges, and director of to- um, Together Georgia or designee. [1:05:13](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3913s) So, um, are there any questions on this measure brought to us by Senator Kirkpatrick? [1:05:21](https://vimeo.com/1168133269#t=3921s) All right. Thank you. All right. So what's the will of the committee? Motion to pass and second. Motion to, motion to pass and second. Representative Draper and Representative Panitch, thank you. All right. So, um, all those in favor say, "Aye." Aye. Any opposition? All right. Thank you. Motion passes. Thank you everyone for being here today and for your participation, and the meeting is adjourned.