06/04/2026
Today is a beautiful day in Fulton County.
I cannot thank Commissioner Dana Barrett enough for sponsoring a proclamation recognizing the passage and signing into law of House Bill 1283, and Commissioner Marvin Arrington Jr for serving as a co-sponsor.
Commissioner Barrett has been a steadfast champion of this initiative from the very beginning. She has worked tirelessly to ensure that women, children, and families in Fulton County have access to the resources and support they need. She took a genuine interest in this effort, attending meeting after meeting, participating in trainings, and helping move this vision forward. Her commitment to victims and survivors has been unwavering.
House Bill 1283 marks a major step forward for survivors and families across Georgia by paving the way for the establishment of Family Justice Centers throughout our state. Family Justice Centers are a nationally recognized model that bring law enforcement, prosecutors, advocates, counselors, and community organizations together under one roof to provide coordinated, compassionate, and victim-centered services.
This work is deeply personal to me. Since taking office, one of my top priorities has been bringing a Family Justice Center to Fulton County in honor of my aunt, Brenda Baham, who was murdered by her husband—my uncle of more than 30 years. Her loss inspired me to remain committed to a career in prosecution after receiving that harrowing call as a young prosecutor and ultimately led me to seek the office of District Attorney.
For years, members of my team and I have traveled across the country studying successful Family Justice Centers, identifying best practices, and developing a vision for what this resource could mean for victims and survivors in Fulton County. House Bill 1283 also strengthens protections for survivors by significantly extending the retention period for sexual assault kits in certain cases.
Thank you again to Commissioners Barrett and Arrington for standing with me and championing this important issue. I look forward to continuing our work with community partners to open Fulton County's first-ever Family Justice Center and provide survivors with the support, services, and pathways to justice they deserve.
