ATLANTA – State Representative Houston Gaines (R-Athens) today announced that House Bill 231 was signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp on Monday, May 10, 2021. Sponsored by Rep. Gaines, HB 231 creates a new type of temporary protective order for victims who experience abuse by a dating partner.
“With Governor Kemp’s signature and thanks to the work of so many advocates across the state, Georgia now offers civil protection for victims of dating violence,” said Rep. Gaines. “House Bill 231 marks a significant step forward in our efforts to end domestic violence. This new law will save lives, ensuring that victims have protection against abusive dating partners. I’m extremely proud of HB 231 and so appreciative of the many individuals who worked together to make this a reality.”
House Bill 231 creates a new type of temporary protective order (TPO) for dating violence victims, which were not previously covered by a TPO for family violence. This new TPO protects victims from felonies, simple battery, battery, simple assault or stalking between two people with whom a pregnancy has developed, who are in a dating relationship or who had been in a dating relationship in the last six months. Under this bill, a dating relationship is defined as a committed, romantic relationship that involves an intimacy level above that of a mere friendship, but it does not require sexual involvement to be considered a dating relationship.
The bill also ensures that victims in abusive dating relationships have access to immediate relief and allows judges to order the abuser to seek counseling or participate in educational programs offered by the state. Within 10 days of a petition being filed, a hearing must be held in order for the petitioner to present his or her evidence, and the presiding judge must consider the factors specifically outlined to confirm the existence of a dating relationship.
For more information on HB 231, please click here.
Representative Houston Gaines represents the citizens of District 117, which includes portions of Barrow, Clarke, Jackson and Oconee counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2018 and currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education and Secretary of the Health & Human Services Committee. He also serves on the Special Committee on Access to the Civil Justice System, Special Committee on Election Integrity and the Code Revision, Insurance, Juvenile Justice and Ways & Means committees.
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