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HB 1192

Public assistance; certain accounting practices by Department of Human Services and Department of Community Health; provide

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Chuck Efstration and 5 co-sponsors

Requires separate accounts for designated funds and annual reviews across DHS and DCH to identify savings, with reports to legislature.

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Bill Summary · HB 1192

Overview

HB 1192 (Georgia, 2025-26) aims to strengthen how public assistance funds are accounted for within the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Department of Community Health (DCH). The bill emphasizes maintaining designated funds in separate accounts, increasing transparency, and requiring annual reviews of practices to identify cost savings and efficiency opportunities. It also sets forth annual reporting to key legislative appropriations committees.

Main purpose and intent

  • Ensure funds designated for specific public assistance purposes are not commingled with other funds.
  • Create and maintain separate accounts for designated state and federal funds.
  • Require annual departmental reviews of practices, contracts, and accounting to identify cost savings and efficiency improvements.
  • Provide for annual reporting of review findings to both House and Senate appropriations committees and health-related committees.
  • Establish a framework for accountable administration of welfare and medical assistance programs, with a clarified role for the chief administrative officer in coordinating these efforts.

Key provisions and changes

  • Section 49-2-10 (Public assistance funding)

    • Funds designated for specific purposes must not be commingled.
    • Designated funds (state and federal) must be kept in separate accounts and used only for their designated purpose.
    • The General Assembly will appropriate funds from the general fund or other sources for department activities, with all such funds deemed for a public purpose and expended accordingly.
    • Annual review requirement: The DHS commissioner must review practices, contracts, agreements, and accounting practices to identify cost savings and efficiency opportunities. Findings must be reported by December 31, 2026, and annually thereafter to relevant House and Senate committees.

  • Section 49-4-144 (Chief administrative officer and duties)

    • The Commissioner of Community Health, as established under Chapter 2 of Title 31, will serve as the chief administrative officer of the department, responsible for supervising and administering departmental functions.
    • The commissioner must ensure:
    • Designated funds remain in separate accounts and are not expended for other purposes.
    • Federal funds designated for specific purposes remain in separate accounts and are not expended for other purposes.
    • Annual review requirement: The commissioner must review department practices, provider agreements, rebate programs and agreements, and accounting practices to identify cost savings and efficiency opportunities, with results due December 31, 2026, and annually thereafter to the same set of committees as above.

  • Effective date

    • The act becomes effective upon the governor’s approval or if it becomes law without approval.

Who/what is affected

  • Department of Human Services (DHS)

    • Administration of welfare services, general fund allocations, and related funding practices.
    • Compliance with new separate-account requirements for designated funds.
    • Conduct of annual practice and accounting reviews.

  • Department of Community Health (DCH)

    • Role as chief administrative officer for the department and responsibility for overseeing designated funds and accounting practices.
    • Compliance with identical separate-account and annual review requirements as DHS.

  • Georgia General Assembly (Legislative committees)

    • Receipt of annual review findings from both DHS and DCH.
    • Oversight through the House and Senate Appropriations Committees and the House Public and Community Health Committee and Senate Health and Human Services Committee.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Annual reviews: DHS commissioner and DCH commissioner must annually review practices, contracts, agreements, rebate programs, and accounting practices to identify cost savings and efficiency opportunities.
  • Reporting deadline: First mandated reporting due no later than December 31, 2026, with annual reports continuing thereafter.
  • Effective date: In effect upon governor’s signature or upon becoming law without signature.
  • Repeals: Conflicting laws or parts thereof are repealed by the act.

Potential impact

  • Increased financial accountability and transparency for designated state and federal funds.
  • Improved fiscal discipline through mandatory separation of funds and annual efficiency reviews.
  • Enhanced reporting to legislators, potentially informing budget decisions and policy adjustments.
  • Clarified leadership and responsibilities within DHS and DCH regarding administration and financial controls.

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

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