Did You Know?
3 asks of you to help #RaisetheAge!

URGENT!!!
Good Afternoon!
 
HB 272, which raises the age of youth served by juvenile court to include most 17-year-olds, is currently in the Senate Judiciary Committee, and we think those committee members and other senators need to hear the support for HB 272 from constituents.
 
We have three asks of you:
  1. Call Senate Judiciary Committee members (find contact info here)
  2. Share the below Action Alert widely (also available here)
  3. Post and share the below social media posts this week
 
As always, THANK YOU for helping us bring attention to this important bill for Georgia’s teens!!! Don’t hesitate if you have any questions.
 
Very best,
Camille Pendley Hau 
Voices for Georgia's Children
 
Social Media Posts
Georgia’s senators should vote to #RaisetheAge of juvenile court jurisdiction to include 17-year-olds, as 47 other states have already done! Should kids be punished like adults for non-serious offenses? NO. Tell your senator you want what’s in the #bestinterestofthechild. #HB272
 
Don't know who your state senator is? Find out here: https://openstates.org/find_your_legislator/
 
1, 2, 3, ….47. 47 other states and DC process most 17-year-olds thru their juvenile justice systems, but GA still treats 17 yos as adults, even for lesser offenses. This is NOT in the #bestinterestofthechild. Call and ask your state senator to vote YES on #HB272 to #RaisetheAge!
 
Don't know who your state senator is? Find out here: https://openstates.org/find_your_legislator/
 
Kids in the justice system need support, not harsh punishment, but currently GA locks up 17-year-olds w/adults. GA should #RaisetheAge of juvenile jurisdiction & treat 17 yos as the kids they are – it's in the #bestinterestofthechild. Ask your state senator to vote YES to #HB272!
 
Don't know who your state senator is? Find out here: https://openstates.org/find_your_legislator/
 
Georgia is one of the last three states to still treat 17-year-olds as adults rather than the kids they are. But we have a chance to change that! Call your state senator and ask them to support #HB272 and #RaisetheAge – it’s in the #bestinterestofthechild.
 
Voices’ Raise the Age Factsheet can be found here if you’d like to share it as well.
 
Action Alert
 
ACTION ALERT:
RAISE THE AGE OF JUVENILE COURT JURISDICTION 
 

 
THE ASK
 
CALL members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and ask them to vote YES when HB 272 comes up for a vote.
 
WHAT IS THE BILL?
 
HB 272 raises the age (“RTA”) of youth served by juvenile court to include most 17-year-olds. 17-year-olds who commit more serious offenses will continue to be tried in adult court as they are now. 
 
WHO TO CALL
 
 
 
WHAT TO SAY
Calling work best!
 
Dear Senator ______,
Please support HB 272, which raises the age (“RTA”) of youth served by juvenile court to include most 17-year-olds. 17-year-olds who commit more serious offenses will continue to be tried in adult court as they are now. There is much support from parents, youth, law enforcement officers across the state, and groups like the American Legislative Exchange Council and National Sheriffs’ Association for this bill. Almost every other state – 47 of them – have successfully included 17-year-olds in their juvenile population, and states that recently raised the age have not seen costs increase as they anticipated. Georgia can raise the age too – and the implementation committee established by the bill ensures the voices of all relevant stakeholders will be heard as they determine how Georgia will put this common-sense law into practice. Thank you for your service and for prioritizing Georgia’s children.
 

 
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Voices for Georgia's Children
75 Marietta Street NW, Suite 401, Atlanta, GA
Atlanta, GA 30303