ATLANTA, Ga. — The Georgia House has approved a scaled-back version of the “Mandi Ballinger Act,” opting to create a study committee rather than immediately shift 17-year-olds out of the adult criminal justice system.
House Bill 1061 originally sought to move 17-year-olds into juvenile court jurisdiction but was reduced from a 23-page proposal to a three-page measure establishing an “organizational committee” to examine costs and logistics. The bill passed unanimously Friday.
Sponsor Rep. Beth Camp (R-Concord) said the revised version is intended to determine whether the transition is financially and structurally feasible. “It gives it time for this group of people to come together as a think tank to figure out how we can do this in our state,” Camp said.
Georgia remains one of five states that prosecute 17-year-olds as adults. Criminal justice advocates argue years of research already support raising the age. Joshua Rovner of The Sentencing Project called further study “a stalling tactic,” citing evidence that placing minors in adult facilities increases risks of abuse and recidivism.
Law enforcement groups expressed caution but did not oppose the study committee. Supporters, including some district attorneys and Democratic lawmakers, described the measure as a first step toward balancing public safety and rehabilitation.
Sources:
News From the States – MBFC Rating
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