Senate panel expands Behavioral Health Reform commission, adjusts membership

The Georgia Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Thursday unanimously approved a bill to expand the Behavioral Health Reform and Innovation Commission and adjust portions of the commission's statutory duties.

Sponsor Sen. Brass told the committee the change “is pretty simple,” and said the bill increases the commission’s membership from 24 to 30, giving the governor, the president of the Senate (the lieutenant governor), and the speaker of the House two additional appointments each. The sponsor described the additional governor appointments as an individual with “lived experience having survived the disease of addiction and certified in addiction recovery,” and an intellectual and developmental disabilities provider. Appointments connected to the Senate president and House speaker were described as similarly targeted toward individuals with family loss to overdose, IDD advocacy experience, nonprofit addiction recovery leadership and parents or individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The bill also removes a statutory provision concerning involuntary commitment and inserts language expanding the commission’s work to include addictive diseases and workforce and system development, the sponsor said. No committee amendments were offered during the hearing; the sponsor said the changes reflected requests and gaps identified by lawmakers and stakeholders.

A single speaker representing Angel’s Epilepsy said the organization supported the change and asked the committee to include IDD perspectives in the commission’s work.

Sen. Harrell seconded the motion to pass the substitute. The committee voted to pass the bill by voice vote; the clerk recorded the motion as passing unanimously.

The measure moves on to the next committee/floor steps required by the Senate.

The committee adjourned at approximately 6:33 p.m.