Committee advances bill to create repeat domestic‑violence offender registry after survivor testimony and debate over definitions

A proposed state registry for repeat domestic‑violence offenders cleared committee after sponsors and a range of victim‑advocacy witnesses argued it would help potential victims identify patterns of violence.

Representative Hagen (sponsor) said the registry would place an offender on the GBI-maintained list upon a court order following a second conviction for a qualifying domestic‑violence offense committed after Jan. 1, 2027; she described roll‑off provisions (two convictions → five years on the registry; three or more convictions → ten years per conviction) and said the bill carefully limits what personal information appears on the public site to reduce privacy risk.

Survivors and advocates testified in favor. Zaretta Reyes Garcia recounted dating violence beginning at 15 and described ongoing trauma; she told the committee the registry could have been a warning she wished she had. Michelle Girtman, an executive director of a shelter network, and other shelter directors said the registry would help advocates, law enforcement and victims by aggregating fragmented records.

Committee members asked whether the registry creates a new criminal offense (the sponsor said it does not) and whether judges would have to make specific determinations that a conviction satisfies the new registry definition (sponsor: the judge would issue a court order to place someone on the registry). Senator questions also focused on cost: GBI estimated $3.5–4 million to establish the database.

Supporters argued the registry is a preventive tool, not additional punishment; opponents raised concerns about inadvertently exposing victims who live with offenders and requested careful limits on what data appears publicly. Sponsors said addresses would not be listed and that background-check tools already provide some related information.

The committee voted to pass HB 11-42.

Why it matters: Advocates said centralized, public access to repeated conviction information could prevent revictimization; questions remain about privacy safeguards, cost and the registry's precise scope and definitions.

Next steps: The bill moves from committee with a Senate sponsor identified to carry it forward.