O.C.G.A. § 19-13-72

# 19-13-72. [Effective July 1, 2026] Establishment; organization; operation; creation of board; powers and duties. (a) Any county, municipality, or combination thereof, in partnership with one or more nonprofit organizations, or any district attorney may establish a Family Justice Center consistent with the purposes of this article. (b) A Family Justice Center may be organized and operated: (1) Directly by a county or municipal government; (2) Directly by a district attorney's office; (3) By a nonprofit corporation formed under Title 14 and designated to operate the center by a county, municipality, or combination thereof; or (4) By a nonprofit corporation formed under Title 14 and certified as a victim services agency by the council for the purpose of serving one or more populations supported by the Family Justice Center. (c) (1) When a Family Justice Center is organized or operated by a county government, municipal government, or a district attorney's office pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (b) of this Code section, a board shall oversee the operations of the center. Such board shall consist of not less than five members representing any of the following: (A) One member appointed by the county or municipal governing authority; (B) One member appointed by the head of the law enforcement unit with jurisdictional authority over the location of the Family Justice Center; (C) One member appointed by the district attorney representing the county in which the Family Justice Center is located; (D) One member appointed by the entity providing victim services at the Family Justice Center; (E) One member appointed by the entity providing social services at the Family Justice Center; and (F) Two members elected by a majority of nonprofit, community based organizations designated as participating agencies with the Family Justice Center through a memorandum of understanding. (2) Board members for a Family Justice Center shall serve terms of two years from the effective date of their appointment and until their successors are appointed or elected. (3) Any vacancy to the board of a Family Justice Center shall be filled within 60 days in which the position on the board became vacant and shall be filled in the same manner as the appointment to the position on the board which became vacant; provided, however, that, if a vacancy occurs in a position filled by a representative from a nonprofit, community based organization, and there ceases to be any nonprofit organizations that are participating agencies in the Family Justice Center, the remaining members of the board shall elect an individual reasonably familiar with the kind of support services provided by the Family Justice Center to fill such vacancy. An appointment to fill a vacancy other than by expiration of a term of office shall be for the balance of the unexpired term. (d) When a Family Justice Center is organized or operated by a nonprofit corporation pursuant to paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of this Code section, such nonprofit corporation shall: (1) File articles of incorporation and adopt bylaws in accordance with Chapter 3 of Title 14; (2) Maintain a board of directors that meets the requirements of Article 8 of Chapter 3 of Title 14 and which shall include representation from the county or municipal governing authority that designated the nonprofit corporation to operate the center and from law enforcement, victim services, prosecution, social services, and nonprofit community based organizations; and (3) Designate a lead agency or fiscal agent, which may be the district attorney's office or county or municipal government, for grant administration and oversight. (e) When a Family Justice Center is organized or operated by a nonprofit corporation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subsection (b) of this Code section, such nonprofit corporation shall maintain a board of directors that meets the requirements of Article 8 of Chapter 3 of Title 14. (f) Regardless of the organizational structure of a Family Justice Center, each center shall: (1) Operate under a written memorandum of understanding among participating agencies, including any law enforcement unit with jurisdictional authority over the location of the center; (2) Provide space for law enforcement personnel assigned to the center to perform duties in support of victim safety, investigation, and coordinated response; (3) Ensure confidentiality of victim information pursuant to state and federal law; (4) Provide services in a manner that is trauma-informed, culturally competent, and accessible to all survivors; and (5) Create bylaws related to the minimum qualifications and certifications of participating agencies and their personnel. While such bylaws may not discriminate against any individuals upon the sole basis of having a criminal record, certain specific offenses may be used to disqualify individuals from providing certain services at a Family Justice Center. ## History Code 1981, § 19-13-72, enacted by Ga. L. 2026, p. 1024, § 1/HB 1283, effective July 1, 2026.