All interested parties are hereby notified pursuant to O.C.G.A. 50-13-4 that the Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (“the Council”) intends to consider amending the following rules:

144-5-.05 Certification of Crime Victim Assistance Programs
144-4-.06 Crime Victims Compensation Board
144-4-.07 Unclaimed Restitution
144-4-.08 Forensic Medical Exams ("FMEs")
144-4-.09 Forensic Interviews ("FIs")

SYNOPSIS AND EXPLANATION OF PROPOSED RULES

The Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council is tasked with certifying crime victim assistance programs pursuant to O.C.G.A. 15-21-130, et seq., as well as administering the Crime Victims Compensation Program pursuant to O.C.G.A. 17-15-1, et. seq.

During the 2019 legislative session, the General Assembly enacted Senate Bill 158 that requires law enforcement officers or agencies, as well as the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services, to refer any child suspected of being a victim of sexual exploitation or trafficking to a victim service organization as certified by the Council. Rule 144-5-.05 has been updated to reflect the new law. The remaining rules have been amended to modernize the processes of the Crime Victims Compensation Program.

Interested persons may participate in the proposed rulemaking process by submitting their written comments to Robert Thornton, Division Director, Justice and Compliance Division, Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, 104 Marietta Street, Suite 440, Atlanta, Georgia 30303. All written comments must be received by 12:00 p.m. on June 12, 2019. Interested persons may also participate in the proposed rulemaking by presenting comments orally at a public hearing to commence at 10:00 a.m. on June 12, 2019, at the State Bar of Georgia Conference Center, 104 Marietta Street, 3rd Floor, Room 3, Atlanta, Georgia 30303.

Oral presentations at the hearing may be limited to five (5) minutes per person in order to afford all interested persons an opportunity to be heard. If you have a physical impairment and require assistance or have any questions regarding this notice, please contact the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.

Based upon full consideration of all written and oral comments regarding the above matters, the Council may reject or adopt the proposed rules or may make changes to the proposed rules.

The Council intends to consider adopting the rules at its meeting at 10:30 p.m. on June 14, 2019, at the Department of Community Supervision Boardroom, 2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive SE; Suite 458, East Tower Atlanta, GA 30334.

Direct all Correspondence to:

Robert Thornton
Division Director
Justice and Compliance Division
104 Marietta Street, Suite 440
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Telephone Number 404-657-1966
[email protected]

*Please open the files below for more information.

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