Georgia legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Georgia SB259: Juvenile Code; certain procedures to be followed when there is a determination of suspected child abuse or neglect; provide
Status: Signed into law, May 12, 2025
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 provide for certain procedures to be followed when there is a determination of suspected child abuse or neglect; to provide for a physician holding temporary physical custody of a child based on a suspicion of child abuse or neglect to provide certain information to a parent or legal guardian and to the Division of Family and Children Services; to provide for a definition; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; 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 provide for certain procedures to be followed when there is a determination of suspected child abuse or neglect; to provide for a physician holding temporary physical custody of a child based on a suspicion of child abuse or neglect to provide certain information to a parent or legal guardian and to the Division of Family and Children Services; to provide for a definition…
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 provide for certain procedures to be followed when there is a determination of suspected child abuse or neglect; to provide for a physician holding temporary physical custody of a child based on a suspicion of child abuse or neglect to provide certain information to a parent or legal guardian and to the Division of Family and Children Services; to provide for a definition; to provide for a parent or legal guardian to obtain an independent medical evaluation or specialty consultation; to provide for a court to consider the results of any independent medical evaluation or specialty consultation; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA: SECTION 1. Chapter 11 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Juvenile Code, is amended in Article 3, relating to dependency proceedings, by revising subsection (b) of Code Section 15-11-131, relating to temporary protective custody of child by physician without court order and without parental consent and immunity, as follows: S. B. LC 52 0801 "(b) A physician holding a …