Georgia legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Georgia HB1061: Mandi Ballinger Act; enact
Status: Passed one chamber, March 25, 2026
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 11 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Juvenile Code, so as to enact the "Mandi Ballinger Act"; to provide for an implementation committee; to provide for the powers, composition, and appointment of such committee; to change the jurisdiction of the juvenile court to include certain children who are 17 years of age; to amend Titles 15, 16, 17, 27, 37, 42, and 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to courts, crimes and offenses, criminal procedure, game and fish, mental health, penal institutions, and social services, respectively, so as to make conforming cross-references; to provide for effective dates and automatic repeal under certain circumstances; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
What the bill says
To amend Chapter 11 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Juvenile Code, so as to enact the "Mandi Ballinger Act"; to provide for an implementation committee; to provide for the powers, composition, and appointment of such committee; to change the jurisdiction of the juvenile court to include certain children who are 17 years of age…
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED To amend Chapter 11 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Juvenile Code, so as to enact the "Mandi Ballinger Act"; to provide for an implementation committee; to provide for the powers, composition, and appointment of such committee; to change the jurisdiction of the juvenile court to include certain children who are 17 years of age; to amend Titles 15, 16, 17, 27, 37, 42, and 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to courts, crimes and offenses, criminal procedure, game and fish, mental health, penal institutions, and social services, respectively, so as to make conforming cross-references; to provide for effective dates and automatic repeal under certain circumstances; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA: H. B. 1061 LC 63 0032 PART I SECTION 1-1. Chapter 11 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Juvenile Code, is amended in Article 1, relating to general provisions, by adding a new Code section to read as follows: "15-11-42. (a) This Code section shall be known and may be cited as the 'Mandi Ballinger Act.' (b) There shall be an implementation committee that shall consist of 12 members as …
Sponsors
- Chuck Payne (R, 54) · primary sponsor
- Beth Camp (R, 135) · primary sponsor
- James Burchett (R, 176)
- Matt Reeves (R, 99)
- Stan Gunter (R, 8)
- Mary Ann Santos (D, 117)
- Mary Oliver (D, 84)
Latest actions
- : Senate Read Second Time
- : Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
- : Senate Read and Referred
- : House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
- : House Third Readers
- : House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
- : House Second Readers
- : House First Readers
- : House Hopper
Votes
- House Vote #538 (February 20, 2026): 155 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB1061?
- HB1061 is a bill in the Georgia Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Mandi Ballinger Act; enact.
- What does HB1061 do?
- In its own words: To amend Chapter 11 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Juvenile Code, so as to enact the "Mandi Ballinger Act"; to provide for an implementation committee; to provide for the powers, composition, and appointment of such committee; to change the jurisdiction of the juvenile court to include certain children who are 17 years of age…
- What is the status of HB1061?
- Passed one chamber as of March 25, 2026. Latest action: Senate Read Second Time (March 25, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1061?
- Chuck Payne (R, 54), with 6 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1061?
- On the Georgia Legislature website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72512
Source: official Georgia record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.