House Bill 168

Chair's Name: David Ralston

Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil

House Sponsor: Robert Mumford

HB 168 requires associate juvenile court judges appointed after July 1, 2007 to meet the same qualifications as juvenile court judges. Currently, juvenile court judges must be at least 30 years old, a Georgia citizen for three years, and have practiced law for five years.

This bill received a Do Pass recommendation from the Judiciary Non-Civil Committee and comes to the House Floor under the Modified Structured Rule. 

Chairman Ralston�s opinion of this legislation:

WHAT PROBLEM/OPPORTUNITY DOES THIS LEGISLATION ADDRESS?

This bill establishes statewide qualifications for an associate juvenile judge

WHAT IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THIS LEGISLATION?

The varying qualification requirements of associate juvenile judges from judicial circuit to judicial circuit.

Senate Changes:

The Senate added language from HB 303 to authorize a 12 month extension in a deprivation case in juvenile court. HB 303 passed out of the house committee, but did not make it to the Senate before crossover. Representative Mumford will likely move to agree.