House committee approves substitute to Family Justice Centers bill, narrows board size and clarifies nonprofit protections

A House committee on committee day approved a substitute to the Family Justice Centers bill, moving the measure out of committee by voice vote after sponsors described targeted changes to reduce operational burdens on smaller jurisdictions.

The substitute, introduced by Representative Panitch and explained by a panel member, reduces the required governing-board membership from seven to five to ease staffing burdens in rural areas; adds a nonprofit-model pathway so centers can form without municipal sponsorship; and clarifies discovery rules so that a nonprofit merely co-located with prosecutors and law enforcement would not automatically be subject to the prosecutor’s discovery obligations. Brian Hines of Gactyl told the committee he appreciated working with sponsors on the discovery language.

Supporters said the edits respond to concerns raised during earlier testimony and aim to preserve access to local Family Justice Center services in communities such as Waycross and Macon. Representative Sharper moved to approve the bill; Representative Townsend seconded. The committee approved the substitute by voice vote and the chair instructed the sponsor to file a rules form.

The substitute also incorporates an amendment from the Association County Commissioners of Georgia clarifying that purchase of insurance by an implementing entity “shall not be construed as a waiver of immunity.” The committee did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript; the action was carried by voice vote.

The committee’s approval sends the substitute forward for further consideration under the chamber’s rules. Sponsors and stakeholders said the changes were intended to reduce administrative burdens on rural sites while maintaining confidentiality and appropriate boundaries between service providers and criminal investigations.

Next steps: the sponsor was asked to submit the rules form to advance the bill to the floor rules process.