Resolution would create study panel to consider an at‑risk populations abuse registry

Representative Hilton introduced House Resolution 816 to create a study committee to examine whether Georgia should adopt a cross‑population abuse registry for at‑risk populations, drawing lessons from other states, including Tennessee.

Rina Harrison of the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities told the committee Georgia currently lacks an effective cross‑population registry and cited DBHDD data that several deaths of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in 2024 involved prior substantiated abuse. "Georgia has a serious and dangerous gap in how we protect people who are at risk of abuse, neglect, and exploitation," Harrison said, urging a study focused on feasibility, due process and mechanisms for appeal.

The proposed study committee would include three legislators and five nonlegislative members (including a public health commissioner or designee, advocacy representatives, prosecuting attorneys and a person with lived experience) and would evaluate employment impacts, appeals and community input. Harrison recommended studying Tennessee's publicly available cross‑agency registry, which includes substantiated findings and built‑in due‑process protections.

Committee members asked which agencies had been consulted; Harrison said the draft included input from Georgia Protection & Advocacy and that DCH had indicated the mechanics of a registry were feasible. The chair asked the sponsor to return next week with additional materials and the item was deferred for follow up. No vote occurred during the hearing.