With the clock running out on the 2016 legislative session, the House and Senate resuscitated Marsy’s Law for Georgia, forming a committee that will study the victims’ rights amendment language over the summer months.

“With a very short session this year, legislators simply did not have enough time to responsibly craft appropriate language to put before voters,” said House Judiciary Non-Civil Chairman Rich Golick (R-Smyrna). “Crime victims’ rights deserves to be studied. Holding committee hearings between the legislative sessions will give the committee time to consider all the benefits, and any unintended consequences, of a constitutional amendment.”

Senate Judiciary Non-Civil Committee Chairman Jesse Stone (R-Waynesboro) regrets that his chamber didn’t get the chance to consider Marsy’s Law this session – an issue he seeks to remedy. “I was pleased that a proposal came forward this session to place enforceable rights for victims of crime in our state constitution and was disappointed the Senate did not have the opportunity to work on it,” Stone said. “I have agreed to bring senators  together between now and next year’s session to work through the details and bring something back before the General Assembly next year, with the goal of placing an item before voters in 2018.”

As the study committee does its important work, the Marsy’s Law for Georgia will continue to garner grassroots support from victims and advocates across the state – a network of support that will be critical once we get Marsy’s Law for Georgia on the ballot in 2018.