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HR 611

House Study Committee on Abandoned Child Placement Following Hospital Discharge; create

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Sharon Cooper and 4 co-sponsors

HR 611 creates a temporary study committee to analyze gaps in services for minors discharged from psychiatric or out-of-home care and to propose improvements.

House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
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Bill Summary · HR 611

Summary — HR 611: House Study Committee on Abandoned Child Placement Following Hospital Discharge

Status: House Passed/Adopted by Substitute (introduced Jan 22, 2025; House adoption Apr 4, 2025)
Classification: House resolution (study committee)
Companion: S 185

Purpose / Intent

HR 611 creates a temporary House study committee to examine the challenges faced by minors who are abandoned or otherwise without placement following discharge from psychiatric hospitalization, acute hospital emergency rooms, or other out‑of‑home care. The committee is charged with conducting a gap analysis of services and resources and identifying shortfalls and opportunities to improve care coordination, prevention, treatment, and reunification supports.

Key provisions

  • Creates the House Study Committee on Abandoned Child Placement Following Hospital Discharge.
  • Membership: five members of the Georgia House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker; the Speaker designates the chair.
  • Scope of study includes:
    • Gap analysis of public, nonprofit, and private community services and resources available at discharge from psychiatric and acute hospital settings.
    • Availability of step‑down services, community‑based supports, and evidence‑based prevention and treatment services.
    • Delineation of responsibilities of the state, hospital providers, and health insurers for minors admitted to and discharged from psychiatric or other out‑of‑home care.
    • Ways to improve care coordination for discharged minors.
    • Estimation of costs associated with meeting the needs of Georgia children with mental health issues.
    • Review of programs to prevent parental disengagement/abandonment and to assist parents in service, treatment, and reunification plans.
  • Meetings to be convened by the committee chair at times and places the committee deems necessary.
  • Legislative members receive allowances under O.C.G.A. § 28‑1‑8; substitute limits the authorized allowance days to three days (original draft allowed up to six) unless additional days are authorized.
  • Funding for the committee comes from funds appropriated to the House of Representatives.
  • Reporting: any approved findings or recommendations (including proposed legislation) must be filed with the Clerk before the committee is abolished. If no approved report exists, the chair may file meeting minutes in lieu of a report.
  • Abolishment: the committee automatically dissolves on December 1, 2025.

Who would be affected

  • Primary focus: minors discharged from psychiatric hospitals, emergency departments, or other out‑of‑home care who lack placement.
  • Entities likely to be examined/impacted by resulting recommendations: state agencies (e.g., child welfare and behavioral health agencies), hospitals and psychiatric providers, health insurers, community and nonprofit service providers, and parents/caregivers.
  • Immediate effect: none in law or service delivery — the resolution establishes a study body whose findings may inform subsequent legislation or administrative actions.

Procedural timeline / notable actions

  • Introduced: Jan 22, 2025; referred to multiple committees.
  • House committee favorable report: Mar 27, 2025.
  • Adopted/Placed on calendars and read through the House during Mar–Apr 2025.
  • Reported enrolled: Apr 1, 2025.
  • House Passed/Adopted by Substitute: Apr 4, 2025.
  • Committee abolishment date (per resolution): Dec 1, 2025.

Note: As a study resolution, HR 611 does not itself change statutes or funding levels but is intended to produce findings and recommendations that could lead to future legislative or administrative proposals.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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