Bill
Bill > SB535
summary
Introduced
02/19/2026
02/19/2026
In Committee
02/24/2026
02/24/2026
Crossed Over
02/26/2026
02/26/2026
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, titled "Mental Health; the re-creation of community service boards," aims to significantly restructure how community service boards (CSBs), which are public agencies providing mental health, developmental disabilities, and addictive diseases services, are governed and operated. Key provisions include redefining "community service board" as an "agency" rather than a "board," reconstituting their governing boards to include an executive director appointed by the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, who will also be an employee of the department, and establishing new rules for the composition of these governing boards, including a greater emphasis on consumer and family member representation. The bill also clarifies the powers and duties of the governing board, the CSB itself, and the executive director, authorizing the delegation of authority to the executive director under certain limitations. Furthermore, it modifies how CSBs can convert their organizational structures, requiring commissioner approval for conversions to private nonprofit corporations, units of county government, or hospital authorities. Finally, the bill revises provisions related to teleconference meetings for CSBs, allowing them to conduct meetings remotely under specific conditions that ensure public access and participation.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute (on 02/26/2026)
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/73414 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/244410 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/243600 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/243246 |
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