A bill recently introduced by State Rep. Marvin Lim in the Georgia House seeks to create a pathway for sexual assault survivors to request protective orders, the Georgia State House reports.
Labeled HB1456, the legislation was introduced on Wednesday, Feb. 25, during the 2026 session of the 158th General Assembly. It is formally titled: ’Crimes and offenses; protective orders or consent agreements for victims against persons who have committed acts of sexual assault; provide’.
The following summary is based on the original bill text, with interpretations provided to clarify components.
Broadly, this legislation would give individuals subjected to defined sexual offenses a mechanism to obtain protective orders or consent agreements against accused individuals. “Sexual assault” is specifically defined in the bill, encompassing crimes such as rape, child molestation, sexual battery, trafficking, and related acts. Survivors, or minors with their parent or guardian, could file a sworn petition and would have to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that sexual assault occurred, was threatened, or feared. Courts could issue temporary ex parte orders, as well as long-term protection orders, to address the behavior and prevent harassment; violations could result in contempt proceedings and misdemeanor penalties.
Other sponsors of the bill include Rep. David Wilkerson (Democrat-38th), Rep. Bill Werkheiser (Republican-157th), and Rep. Karen Lupton (Democrat-83rd).
Since the start of the session, Lim has introduced an additional 14 pieces of legislation.
Rep. Lim earned a BA from Emory University in 2005 and a JD from Yale University in 2013.
Lim, a Democrat, began serving in the Georgia State House representing the 98th House District in 2023, succeeding David Clark.
As described in Georgia, the legislative process, a bill’s journey begins when a lawmaker, sometimes prompted by a constituent, collaborates with the Office of Legislative Counsel on drafting. Bills are filed with the Clerk of the House or Secretary of the Senate for a first reading, then moved to committee for detailed review. If the committee advances it, the bill is read a third time, debated, and considered for a vote on the chamber floor. Each measure must pass both legislative chambers, possibly undergoing a conference committee’s revision if discrepancies arise, before reaching the governor. The governor has six days during session—or 40 days after adjournment (Sine Die)—to sign the bill, veto it, or let it become law without signature. The General Assembly meets for 40 days annually beginning the second Monday in January.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| HB1314 | 02/12/2026 | Banking and finance; require licensees to disclose whether a transaction is reportable to a credit reporting agency |
| HB1161 | 02/02/2026 | Motor vehicles; proper operation upon approach by an authorized emergency vehicle or by a law enforcement vehicle for purposes of a traffic stop; provide |
| HB1053 | 01/27/2026 | Law enforcement officers and agencies; local law enforcement involvement with immigration and cooperation with federal authorities; repeal provisions |
| HB1010 | 01/16/2026 | Commerce and trade; annual reports of the value of securities sold or offered to be sold; provide |
| HB673 | 02/27/2025 | Criminal procedure; limitations on bars to first offender treatment for certain minor offenders adjudicated as adults; provide |
| HB642 | 02/26/2025 | Georgia Dye Free School Meals Act; enact |
| HB641 | 02/26/2025 | Public utilities; require electric supplier to hold the proposed discontinuation of electrical service to a residential customer who suffers from a serious illness in abeyance for a certain period of time |
| HB607 | 02/24/2025 | Public Health, Department of; two-year pilot program for home visiting in homes of children with asthma; provisions |
| HB606 | 02/24/2025 | FAIR Plan Stabilization Act; enact |
| HB605 | 02/24/2025 | Public Health, Department of; continue operation of Georgia Tobacco Quit Line, subject to appropriations of funds; require |
| HB437 | 02/12/2025 | State Board of Education; establish rules and regulations for local school system outreach efforts regarding ESOL program; require |
| HB190 | 01/29/2025 | Property; prohibit condominium and property owners’ associations from retaliating against property owners for taking certain actions |
| HB189 | 01/29/2025 | Notaries public; limitations regarding certain notarial acts; provide |
| HB188 | 01/29/2025 | Criminal procedure; extend certain protections for victims of family violence and stalking with respect to residential leases |
Information in this article was obtained from the Georgia State House. The source data can be found here.
