24 LC 48 1135
House Bill 1209
By: Representatives Clark of the 100
th
, Reeves of the 99
th
, Kelley of the 16
th
, Jones of the
25
th
, Daniel of the 117
th
, and others
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Article 3 of Chapter 11 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,
1
relating to dependency proceedings, so as to enact "Ethan's Law"; to provide limitations on2
ordering a child to be sent to a reunification program; to provide for related matters; to repeal3
conflicting laws; and for other purposes.4
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:5
SECTION 1.6
This Act shall be known and may be cited as "Ethan's Law."7
SECTION 2.8
Article 3 of Chapter 11 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to9
dependency proceedings, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:10
"15-11-202.1.
11
Except as provided by any other provision in this chapter, a court shall not order family12
reunification treatments, programs, or services, including, but not limited to, camps,13
workshops, therapeutic vacations, or educational programs, that, as a condition of14
enrollment or participation, require or result in any of the following:15
H. B. 1209
- 1 - 24 LC 48 1135
(1) Violation of a court order requiring that a child have no contact with his or her parent16
or legal guardian;17
(2) An overnight, out-of-state, or multiday stay;18
(3) A transfer of physical or legal custody of the child;19
(4) The use of private youth transporters or private transportation agents engaged in the20
use of force, the threat of force, physical obstruction, acutely distressing circumstances,21
or circumstances that place the safety of the child at risk; or22
(5) The use of threats of physical force; undue coercion; verbal abuse; isolation from the23
child's family, community, or other sources of support; or other distressing24
circumstances."25
SECTION 3.26
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.27
H. B. 1209
- 2 -