Bill
Bill > HB1368
summary
Introduced
02/18/2026
02/18/2026
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT To amend Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to mental health, so as to provide for the re-creation of community service boards; to reconstitute the governing boards of community service boards; to provide that a governing board contain an executive director; to provide that the executive director be appointed by the commissioner of behavioral health and developmental disabilities; to provide that appointed executive directors are department employees; to provide for individuals currently serving as executive directors; to provide for the powers, duties, and responsibilities of the governing board, community service board, and executive director; to authorize the delegation of authority to the executive director, subject to limitation; to change provisions for community service boards to convert their organizational structures; to provide for definitions; to provide for conforming changes; to amend Code Section 50-14-1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to meetings open to the public, limitation on action to contest agency action, recording, notice of time and place, access to minutes, and teleconferences, so as to revise a provision authorizing community service boards to conduct teleconference meetings under certain circumstances; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
AI Summary
This bill re-creates community service boards (CSBs), which are public agencies providing mental health, developmental disabilities, and addictive diseases services, by reconstituting their governing boards and establishing a new structure for their executive leadership. Key changes include defining "community service board" as an "agency" rather than a "board," and introducing the role of an "executive director" who will be appointed by and become an employee of the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, though existing executive directors will have the option to remain employees of the CSB. The bill also revises the composition and appointment process for CSB governing boards, introduces requirements for unified bylaws, and clarifies the powers and duties of the governing board, the CSB itself, and the executive director, with significant authority now vested in the executive director, including hiring, firing, contract termination, and policy creation, subject to certain limitations and the governing board's oversight. Additionally, the bill modifies provisions for CSBs to convert their organizational structures, such as becoming private nonprofit corporations or units of county government, and updates rules regarding teleconference meetings for CSBs to allow for greater public access and commentary.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (5)
Last Action
House Second Readers (on 02/20/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73348 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/243072 |
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