Bill > HB552

This bill, known as the Brittany Patterson Act, aims to protect parents' fundamental constitutional rights in raising their children by modifying Georgia's legal definitions and provisions related to child welfare and parental conduct. The bill revises the definition of "neglect" to explicitly exclude certain independent activities that parents may allow their children to engage in, such as walking or biking to school, playing outdoors alone, remaining in a vehicle for a short time under safe conditions, or staying home alone under specific safety guidelines. The legislation provides legal protection for parents who make reasonable, good-faith decisions about their children's independence, preventing state and local government entities from interfering with parental choices unless a child is demonstrably at imminent risk of harm. Key changes include amending definitions in juvenile and criminal codes to clarify that parents cannot be criminally charged or investigated for allowing children age-appropriate independence, and granting immunity to government officials who follow these new guidelines. The bill's broader intent is to balance child safety with parents' rights, reduce unnecessary government intervention, and provide clear protocols for determining when parental actions are appropriate. The act will become effective on July 1, 2025, and apply to offenses committed on or after that date.

Justice

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70597