HB 584 Georgia House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Health; reassign licensing and oversight of certain treatments and programs from Departments of Community Health to Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

HB 584 transfers licensing and oversight of drug abuse treatment programs, narcotic treatment programs, community living arrangements, and adult residential mental health programs from Georgia's Department of Community Health to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. The bill establishes the new department as the authority for regulating these programs, including setting fees, enforcing standards, and conducting inspections. It updates definitions, requires annual reporting on treatment data, and ensures continuity for existing licenses through December 31, 2025. The law takes effect on January 1, 2026, and repeals conflicting provisions.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Feb 21, 2025 Signed May 1, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

LC 57 0238/a HB 584/AP* · 8 edits
MODERATE
This bill was updated from its original draft to its final passed version, incorporating significant new provisions focused on protecting residents in community living arrangements and addressing suspected abuse or exploitation. The changes expand the bill's scope beyond just drug abuse treatment programs to include broader behavioral health protections.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from primarily regulating drug abuse treatment and education programs to also include protections for residents and former residents in community living arrangements, requirements for reporting suspected abuse or exploitation, and duties for the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.
SCOPE

Added new provisions requiring reports by certain persons concerning suspected abuse or exploitation of residents in community living arrangements.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirements for the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and certain law enforcement agencies to perform specific duties related to resident protections.

PROTECTIONS

Added provisions to provide protections for residents and former residents in community living arrangements.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Added provisions to protect the confidentiality of abuse or exploitation reports.

IMMUNITY

Added provisions to grant immunity to certain persons who report suspected abuse or exploitation in good faith.

ENFORCEMENT

Added provisions to prohibit retaliation against persons who report suspected abuse or exploitation.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions related to community living arrangements and abuse/exploitation reporting requirements.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill title and header information to reflect that it has passed both the House and Senate.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 20, 2025 · House Mar 4, 2025

How they voted

510
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 55
Mar 20, 2025
D Democratic22
20 Yea 2
90% Yea
R Republican33
31 Yea 2
93% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
16
Key actions
6
Committee
3
Amendments
1
May 1, 2025
Signed into law
Act 44
upper
May 1, 2025
Signed into law
House Date Signed by Governor
lower
Mar 28, 2025
Introduced
House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub
lower
Mar 20, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
upper
Mar 13, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
upper
Mar 6, 2025
Committee
Senate Read and Referred
upper
Mar 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Passed/Adopted
lower
Feb 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Committee Favorably Reported
lower
Feb 21, 2025
Introduced
House Hopper
lower
6 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors