Georgia 2025-2026 Regular Session

Georgia House Bill HB191 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	25 LC 48 1403
2	2	House Bill 191
3	3	By: Representatives Moore of the 91
4	4	st
5	5	, Cummings of the 39
6	6	th
7	7	, Crawford of the 89
8	8	th
9	9	, Park of
10	10	the 107
11	11	th
12	12	, Westbrook of the 163
13	13	rd
14	14	, and others
15	15	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
16	16	AN ACT
17	17	To amend Title 19 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to domestic relations,
18	18	1
19	19	so as to provide for substitute service when respondent is avoiding service to delay a hearing;2
20	20	to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.3
21	21	BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:4
22	22	SECTION 1.5
23	23	Title 19 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to domestic relations, is6
24	24	amended in Chapter 13, relating to family violence, by revising subsection (e) of Code7
25	25	Section 19-13-3, relating to petition seeking relief from family violence, temporary relief ex8
26	26	parte, hearing, dismissal of petition upon failure to hold hearing, procedural advice for9
27	27	victims, and delays, as follows:10
28	28	"(e) If the court finds a party is avoiding service to delay a hearing, the court may delay11
29	29	dismissal of the petition for an additional 30 days or may authorize service:
30	30	12
31	31	(1) By delivering the citation with a copy of the petition to the respondent in person or13
32	32	by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested;14
33	33	(2) Upon motion supported by affidavit, by leaving a true copy of the citation with a15
34	34	copy of the petition attached with anyone over 16 years of age at the location specified16
35	35	H. B. 191
36	36	- 1 - 25 LC 48 1403
37	37	in the affidavit that can be an employee of the respondent's place of employment or a17
38	38	known relative; or18
39	39	(3) By publication or any other manner that the affidavit or other evidence before the19
40	40	court shows will be reasonably effective to give the defendant notice of the petition."20
41	41	SECTION 2.21
42	42	Said title is further amended in Chapter 13A, relating to dating violence protective orders,22
43	43	by revising subsection (d) of Code Section 19-13A-3, relating to temporary relief to protect23
44	44	from dating violence, hearing and evidentiary standard, non-attorney assistance, and delays,24
45	45	as follows:25
46	46	"(d) If the court finds a party is avoiding service to delay a hearing, the court may delay26
47	47	dismissal of the petition for an additional 30 days or may authorize service:27
48	48	(1) By delivering the citation with a copy of the petition to the respondent in person or28
49	49	by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested;29
50	50	(2) Upon motion supported by affidavit, by leaving a true copy of the citation with a30
51	51	copy of the petition attached with anyone over 16 years of age at the location specified31
52	52	in the affidavit that can be an employee of the respondent's place of employment or a32
53	53	known relative; or33
54	54	(3) By publication or any other manner that the affidavit or other evidence before the34
55	55	court shows will be reasonably effective to give the defendant notice of the petition."35
56	56	SECTION 3.36
57	57	All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.37
58	58	H. B. 191
59	59	- 2 -