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HB1041 • 2025

Courts; expedition of child custody and visitation modification hearings in certain circumstances; provide

Courts; expedition of child custody and visitation modification hearings in certain circumstances; provide

Children
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Scott, Sandra
Last action
2026-01-29
Official status
House Second Readers
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official text confirms the intent but does not provide the detailed code sections defining 'certain circumstances' for expedited hearings.

HB1041: Faster Court Hearings for Child Custody Changes and Rules on Denying Visitation

This bill speeds up court hearings to change child custody or visitation in specific cases and sets rules that allow courts to modify custody, reduce parenting time, lower child support, or apply other sanctions if a parent denies ordered visitation.

What This Bill Does

  • Speeds up the schedule for certain child custody and visitation modification hearings.
  • Allows courts to change custody or parenting time orders if a parent refuses court-ordered visitation.
  • Permits courts to suspend or reduce child support payments as a penalty for denying visitation.
  • Establishes definitions, notice requirements, procedures, and protections for enforcing these rules.
  • Repeals existing laws that conflict with the new provisions.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Parents involved in custody or visitation disputes
  • Children subject to court-ordered parenting time arrangements
  • Courts handling juvenile and domestic relations cases

Terms To Know

Expedition of hearings
Making the legal process happen faster than usual.
Modification
A change to an existing court order regarding custody or visitation.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The provided text does not specify the exact time limits for how fast hearings must be held.
  • It is unclear which specific circumstances qualify a case for faster processing without reading the full code amendments.
  • The effective date of when these rules begin is not listed in the provided metadata.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-29 Georgia General Assembly

    House Second Readers

Official Summary Text

Courts; expedition of child custody and visitation modification hearings in certain circumstances; provide