Client Watch Report
Client	Bill	Description	Summary	CurrentVersion	Sponsor	Committees	Current Status	Analysis
Budget	HB118	HB 118 - Supplemental appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2008 - June 30,	A BILL to amend an Act providing appropriations for the State Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2008, and ending June 30, 2009, known as the "General Appropriations Act," approved May 14, 2008, as House Bill 990, Act. No. 705 (Ga. L. 2008, Vol. I, Book II	Current Version	Richardson,Glenn 19t	HC:App SC:APPROP	03/13/09 - House Date Signed by Governor	HB118 is FY09 Budget. This budget has deep cuts to all Departments. The Federal Stimulus Bill has helped to modify some of these cuts. Child Welfare and Medicaid Services have been especially hard hit. The Foster Care Per Diem Rate has been restored for the amended budget and CCI rates were left in tact with cuts in utilization.
Budget	HB119	HB 119 - General appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2009 - June 30,	A BILL to make and provide appropriations for the State Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2009, and ending June 30, 201	Current Version	Richardson,Glenn 19t	HC:App SC:APPROP	04/03/09 - Senate Conference Committee Report Adopted	HB119 is the FY10 Budget that will go into effect on July 1, 2009. This budget has deep cuts to all Departments. The Federal Stimulus Bill has helped to modify some of these cuts. Child Welfare and Medicaid Services have been especially hard hit. The Foster Care Per Diem Rate has been restored for the amended budget and CCI rates were left in tact with cuts in utilization.
Budget	HB237	HB 237 - Human Resources, Department of; financial assistance for adoptive parents; revise prov	A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 49-5-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the powers and duties of the Department of Human Resources with respect to programs and protection for children, so as to revise a provision relating to financial assistance for adoptive parents; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes	Current Version	Lindsey,Edward 54t	HC:C&Y SC:H&HS	03/25/09 - Senate Passed/Adopted	HB237 - Human Resources, Department of; financial assistance for adoptive parents; revise provision relating to financial assistance for adoptive parents; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Under current law, adoption assistnace payments begin after the consummation of a legal adoption. The bill limits adoption assistance to the amount of money that would have been paid to support the child in family foster care and for uncovered medical costs.
Child Welfare	HB228	HB 228 - State health and human services agencies; reorganize and reestablish; provi	A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend various titles of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated so as to reorganize and reestablish various state health and human services agencies; to establish the Department of Health, the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Behavioral Health; to reassign various functions of the Department of Community Health and the Department of Human Resources to the new agencies; to provide for transition to the new agencies; to create a new board for each agency and to abolish the Board of Community Health and the Board of Human Resources; to establish the position of State Health Officer; to establish the Behavioral Health Coordinating Council; to amend various titles for purposes of conformity; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes	Current Version	Butler,Mark 18t	HC:App SC:GvtO	04/03/09 - House Conference Committee Report Adopted	HB228 was legislation that saw passage this session concerning the reorganization of DHR. This legislation creates two new Departments, the Department of Human Services and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. The new Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities would oversee the mental health, addictive disease and developmentally disabilities programs currently housed in DHR. . The reorganization plan would place the Division of Public Health and the health regulation programs of DHR within the Department of Community Health. Most health care regulatory activities now in the Office of Regulatory Services would be moved to this new Division of Public Health. The licensing functions of the Office of Regulatory Services of Children's Residential Services would remain with DHR and would regulate only residential child care and community living arrangements. In HB228 they were given vast new powers to issue warrants to secure entry into agencies and to secure their records without the permission of the agency. These warrants must be secured from a judge for cause. Community Living Arrangements licensing will remain with DHR. The remaining social services under DHR would become the Department of Human Services. Programs included in this department would include Developmental Disabilities, Aging, Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) and Child Support.
Child Welfare	HB237	HB 237 - Human Resources, Department of; financial assistance for adoptive parents; revise prov	A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 49-5-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the powers and duties of the Department of Human Resources with respect to programs and protection for children, so as to revise a provision relating to financial assistance for adoptive parents; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes	Current Version	Lindsey,Edward 54t	HC:C&Y SC:H&HS	03/25/09 - Senate Passed/Adopted	HB237 - Human Resources, Department of; financial assistance for adoptive parents; revise provision relating to financial assistance for adoptive parents; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Under current law, adoption assistnace payments begin after the consummation of a legal adoption. The bill limits adoption assistance to the amount of money that would have been paid to support the child in family foster care and for uncovered medical costs.
Child Welfare	HB292	HB 292 - Gambling; nonprofit organizations; noncash prizes; provi	A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to gambling and related offenses, so as to provide that certain nonprofit organizations may give away certain noncash prizes to advance the purposes of such nonprofit organization; to provide conditions for the giving of such prizes by nonprofit organizations and businesses; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes	Current Version	Geisinger,Harry 48t	HC:W&M SC:	02/05/09 - House Second Readers	SB 292 would comprehensively modernize and streamline O.C.G.A. Title 15. The bill rewrites Georgia´s juvenile code to improve the manner in which courts interact with children. The lead partners of the JUSTGeorgia coalition are the Barton Clinic, Georgia Appleseed and Voices for Georgia´s Children.
Child Welfare	SB222	SB 222 - State Health/Human Services; reorganize and reestablish various age	A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend various titles of the O.C.G.A. so as to reorganize and reestablish various state health and human services agencies; to establish the Department of Health, the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Behavioral Health; to reassign various functions of the Department of Community Health and the Department of Human Resources to the new agencies; to provide for transition to the new agencies; to provide for a board for each agency; to reconstitute the Board of Community Health; to abolish the Board of Human Resources; to establish the position of State Health Officer; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes	Current Version	Unterman,Renee 45t	SC:GvtOHC:App	03/18/09 - House Second Readers	SB 222 takes a slightly different approach than HB 228. The bill would establish the Department of Health, the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Behavioral Health. The Department of Health would house the functions of the current Department of Community Health and the Division of Public Health. The Department of Behavioral Health would house the functions of the current Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Addictive Diseases (MHDDAD). Similar to HB 228, the Department of Human Resources (DHR) would become the Department of Human Services and would retain the Division of Family and Children Services and Aging.
Child Welfare	SR399	SR 399 - Georgia Nonprofit Organization and Their Governmental Partnerships; create Senate Study Comm	A RESOLUTION creating the Senate Study Committee on Georgia nonprofit Organizations and Their Governmental Partnerships; and for other purposes	Current Version	Thomas,Don 54t	SC:H&HSHC:	04/01/09 - Senate Passed/Adopted	This resolution will study the impact that non profits have in the provision of services in Georgia along with their public sector providers.
Juvenile Justice	HB228	HB 228 - State health and human services agencies; reorganize and reestablish; provi	A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend various titles of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated so as to reorganize and reestablish various state health and human services agencies; to establish the Department of Health, the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Behavioral Health; to reassign various functions of the Department of Community Health and the Department of Human Resources to the new agencies; to provide for transition to the new agencies; to create a new board for each agency and to abolish the Board of Community Health and the Board of Human Resources; to establish the position of State Health Officer; to establish the Behavioral Health Coordinating Council; to amend various titles for purposes of conformity; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes	Current Version	Butler,Mark 18t	HC:App SC:GvtO	04/03/09 - House Conference Committee Report Adopted	HB228 was legislation that saw passage this session concerning the reorganization of DHR. This legislation creates two new Departments, the Department of Human Services and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. The new Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities would oversee the mental health, addictive disease and developmentally disabilities programs currently housed in DHR. . The reorganization plan would place the Division of Public Health and the health regulation programs of DHR within the Department of Community Health. Most health care regulatory activities now in the Office of Regulatory Services would be moved to this new Division of Public Health. The licensing functions of the Office of Regulatory Services of Children's Residential Services would remain with DHR and would regulate only residential child care and community living arrangements. In HB228 they were given vast new powers to issue warrants to secure entry into agencies and to secure their records without the permission of the agency. These warrants must be secured from a judge for cause. Community Living Arrangements licensing will remain with DHR. The remaining social services under DHR would become the Department of Human Services. Programs included in this department would include Developmental Disabilities, Aging, Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) and Child Support.
Juvenile Justice	HB245	HB 245 - Delinquent and unruly children; disposition; change provi	A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 7 of Article 1 of Chapter 11 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to delinquent and unruly children, so as to change provisions relating to disposition of delinquent children; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes	Current Version	Willard,Wendell 49t	HC:JudyNC SC:JUDY	03/30/09 - Senate Passed/Adopted	HB 245 would amend O.C.G.A. § 15-11-66 related to the disposition of a delinquent child. Specifically, the bill would reduce the short term program (STP) from 60 days to 30 days. The bill is part of the legislative package of the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) and they estimate the provision will save DJJ $7 million.
Juvenile Justice	HB246	HB 246 - Juvenile proceedings; arrest and detention of accused children; risk assessment instrument; provi	A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 5 of Article 1 of Chapter 11 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to arrest and detention in juvenile proceedings, so as to change provisions relating to when interim control or detention of accused children is permitted; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for use of a risk assessment instrument for purposes of determining secure detention; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes	Current Version	Willard,Wendell 49t	HC:JudyNC SC:	02/03/09 - House Second Readers	HB 246 would amend O.C.G.A. § 15-11-46.1 related to the pre-adjudication detention of children. The bill would require the use of a written risk assessment instrument at intake before a child can be detained pre-adjudication. The court would retain the ability to override the instrument with written findings that consider a set of factors such as the nature of the allegations against the child, the age of the child, and the child's prior history, among others. Pre-adjudication detention is allowable under HB 246 in order to ensure the child's appearance in court, reduce the risk of harm to others, or reduce the risk of harm to the child at the request of the child.
Juvenile Justice	HB254	HB 254 - Human Resources, Department of; juvenile proceedings; locate adult relatives; provi	A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 11 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to juvenile proceedings, so as to provide that the Department of Human Resources shall attempt to locate the adult relatives of a child removed from the custody of his or her parents; to provide for notice; to provide that the court shall order the disclosure of adult relatives of such child; to provide conditions for the placement of a child following a termination order; to provide for findings of fact; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes	Current Version	Peake,Allen 137t	HC:Judy SC:JUDY	04/03/09 - Senate Recedes from amend/sub	HB254 - Human Resources, Department of; juvenile proceedings; locate adult relatives of a child removed from the custody of his or her parents; to provide for notice; to provide that the court shall order the disclosure of adult relatives of such child; to provide conditions for the placement of a child following a termination order; to provide for findings of fact; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Referred to Judiciary Non-Civil,
Juvenile Justice	HB292	HB 292 - Gambling; nonprofit organizations; noncash prizes; provi	A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to gambling and related offenses, so as to provide that certain nonprofit organizations may give away certain noncash prizes to advance the purposes of such nonprofit organization; to provide conditions for the giving of such prizes by nonprofit organizations and businesses; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes	Current Version	Geisinger,Harry 48t	HC:W&M SC:	02/05/09 - House Second Readers	SB 292 would comprehensively modernize and streamline O.C.G.A. Title 15. The bill rewrites Georgia's juvenile code to improve the manner in which courts interact with children. The lead partners of the JUSTGeorgia coalition are the Barton Clinic, Georgia Appleseed and Voices for Georgia's Children.
Juvenile Justice	HB544	HB 544 - Records and hearings; sharing of confidential information; pr	A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 8 of Article 1 of Chapter 11 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to access to records and hearings, so as to provide for sharing of confidential information; to define a term; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes	Current Version	Willard,Wendell 49t	HC:Judy SC:	03/09/09 - House Committee Favorably Reported	HB544 - Would amend Part 8 of Article 1 of Chapter 11 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to access to records and hearings, so as to provide for sharing of confidential information without risk of prosecution for the best interests of child. HB582 - would amend Georgia Code 16-6-9 and 16-616 by mandating a minimum age of 18 years old for the prosecution of the offenses of prostitution and masturbation for hire. The bill would codify that prostituted children are victims of adult exploiters rather than offenders.
Juvenile Justice	HB582	HB 582 - Sexual offenses; minimum age for prosecution; ma	A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 6 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to sexual offenses, so as to mandate a minimum age for the prosecution of the offenses of prostitution and masturbation for hire; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes	Current Version	Willard,Wendell 49t	HC:JudyNC SC:	03/03/09 - House Second Readers	This bill would amend the law by mandating a minimum age of 18 years old for the prosecution of the offenses of prosittuion and masturbation for hire. The bill would codify that prostituted children are victimes of adults exploiters rather than offenders.
Juvenile Justice	HB616	HB 616 - Juvenile proceedings; admit general public to hearings; provi	A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 11 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to juvenile proceedings, so as to admit the general public to hearings in juvenile court with certain exceptions; to authorize juvenile court to close a hearing under exceptional circumstances upon its own motion or by a motion of a party; to prohibit the inspection of files and records by the general public of a proceeding in juvenile court without an order of the court; to permit certain persons, the Division of Family and Children Services, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and certain service providers to inspect files and records without an order of the court; to provide that certain records may be sealed; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes	Current Version	Manning,Judy 32n	HC:Judy SC:	03/04/09 - House Second Readers	HB 616 would amend O.C.G.A. § 15-11-78 to allow the general public to attend truancy, status, delinquency, and deprivation proceedings in juvenile court, unless the court closes the proceedings upon a finding that (1) exceptional circumstances exist, (2) the proceeding involves allegations of a sexual offense or (3) closing the proceeding is in the best interest of the child, considering the child's age, the nature of the allegations, and any potential effect of publicity on achieving reunification of the family. Additionally, the court may refuse to admit any person to a hearing upon making a finding on the record that the person's presence would be detrimental to the best interest of the child, impair the fact-finding process, or otherwise be contrary to the interest of justice. HB 616 further requires that the court request the media not to publicize any identifying information regarding the child or the child's family and directs that any requests for installation of electronic recording equipment be made to the court two days in advance of the hearing. The bill also limits the inspection of juvenile court records to the child, the child's guardian ad litem, the child's attorney, the child's parents, guardian or custodian -- provided that the parent is not the abuser-- the Department of Family and Children Services, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and service providers working with the child. HB 616 also permits the juvenile court to seal a record containing identifying information about a victim of a sexual offense.
Juvenile Justice	SB207	SB 207 - Proceedings; admit general public to hearings in juvenile court with certain excep	A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 11 of Title 15 of the O.C.G.A., relating to juvenile proceedings, so as to admit the general public to hearings in juvenile court with certain exceptions; to authorize a juvenile court to close a hearing under exceptional circumstances upon its own motion or by a motion of a party; to prohibit the media from publicizing the name, identity, or likeness of any child involved in a juvenile court proceeding; to prohibit the inspection of files and records by the general public of a proceeding in juvenile court without an order of the court; to permit certain persons and the Division of Family and Children Services to inspect files and records without an order of the court; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purpose	Current Version	Wiles,John 37t	SC:S JUDYHC:JudyNC	04/03/09 - House Agree Senate Amend or Sub	This would allow the general public to attend some juvenile court proceedings, except adoption proceedings and delinquency proceedings, unless the court closed the proceedings upon a findig on the record and a signed order as to the reasons for closing the hearing. The bill also limits the inspection of juenile court records to the child, the child's guardian ad litem, the child's attorney, the child's parents, guardian or custodian -- provded that the parent is not the aubser -- DFCS, DJJ, and services providers working with the child.
Medicaid	SB92	SB 92 - Social Services; convert Medicaid/PeachCare for Kids Program funds to premium assistance; low-income; private sector health insurance	A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to social services, so as to convert Medicaid and the PeachCare for Kids Program funds to premium assistance to allow low-income families to participate in private sector health insurance plans; to provide for definitions; to provide for an amended state plan for Medicaid and PeachCare; to designate qualified health benefit plans; to provide for enrollment in a qualified health benefit plan; to provide for premium assistance; to provide for premiums and cost sharing; to provide for an individual incentive program; to provide for health opportunity accounts; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes	Current Version	Hill,Judson 32n	SC:I&LHC:	03/04/09 - Senate Read Second Time	SB92 - Social Services; convert Medicaid/PeachCare for Kids Programs funds to premium assistance; low-income; private sector health insurance plan to allow low-income families to participate in private sector health insurance plans; to provide for definitions; to provide for an amended state plan for Medicaid and PeachCare; to designate qualified health benefit plans; to provide for enrollment in a qualified health benefit plan; to provide for premium assistance; to provide for premiums and cost sharing; to provide for an individual incentive program; to provide for health opportunity accounts; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. This bill will add a another level of complexity to providers who primarily serve foster children or the poor. It will expand the number of Care Management Organizations that these providers must comply with their regulations and procedures. It will not expand the number of children and families eligible to be served.
Mental Health	SR506	SR 506 - Mental Health Continuum Care; create Senate Study Comm	A RESOLUTION creating the Senate Study Committee on Mental Health Continuum Care; and for other purposes	Current Version	Unterman,Renee 45t	SC:H&HSHC:	04/01/09 - Senate Passed/Adopted	This resolution would create a study commission to study the impact of sexual exploitation on children with mental health issues.