The unprovoked murder of two teenagers at house parties in the Atlanta-area, is fueling a plan to study the causes of teen violence. Georgia State Representative Roger Bruce has pre-filed a resolution at the Capitol calling for a Joint Teen Violence Study Commission. The six-member commission will study teen violence and make recommendations to the legislature.
Resolution HR9, calls for the Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate, and the Governor to each choose two members for the Commission, with a chair appointed by the Governor. Their mission will be to gather insight from experts in juvenile justice and child welfare as well as crime victims and teen perpetrators.
Last November Bobby Tillman was beaten to death at a house party, allegedly while other teens watched. Four young people were arrested. Within the week another teenager, Daquavious Mapp, was shot to death at a second party.
As JJIE.org reported last November, other pre-filed legislation includes HB 23, the Foster Children's Psychotropic Medication Monitoring Act which will limit the use of psychiatric drugs on children in foster care.