Children and Youth; pilot program provision for screenings, clinical evaluations, training for autism spectrum disorder to children in foster care; establish
Summary
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to programs and protection for children and youth, so as to establish a pilot program relating to the provision of screenings, clinical evaluations, training, services, and resources for autism spectrum disorder to children in foster care; to provide for definitions; to provide for the Division of Family and Children Services of the Department of Human Services to develop and implement such pilot program; to provide for a final report and recommendations; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for automatic repeal; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Jan 15, 2026
Signed May 11, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons
What changed between versions
LC 48 1826S/hss
→
SB 402/AP*
·
1 edit
MINOR
The bill text was updated to reflect its passage by the Senate, replacing the previous House Judiciary Committee substitute version. The substantive policy content, including the pilot program for autism screenings and services for children in foster care, remains unchanged.
TECHNICAL
The bill title page was updated from a House substitute version to the version 'As Passed' by the Senate, and page headers were adjusted to match the new versioning.
Floor votes · Senate Feb 6, 2026 · House Mar 31, 2026
How they voted
46–0
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 51
Feb 6, 2026
D
Democratic20
85% Yea
R
Republican31
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 11, 2026
Signed into law
Act 491
upper
May 11, 2026
Signed into law
Senate Date Signed by Governor
upper
Apr 2, 2026
Introduced
Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub
upper
Mar 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
lower
Mar 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
lower
Feb 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
upper
Jan 28, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
upper
Jan 16, 2026
Committee
Senate Read and Referred
upper
Jan 15, 2026
Introduced
Senate Hopper
upper
19 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Billy Hickman
RRepublican
P
Blake Tillery
RRepublican
P
Brian Strickland
RRepublican
P
Chuck Payne
RRepublican
P
Clint Dixon
RRepublican
P
Drew Echols
RRepublican
P
Jason Anavitarte
RRepublican
P
Kay Kirkpatrick
RRepublican
P
Larry Walker
RRepublican
P
Matt Brass
RRepublican
P
Max Burns
RRepublican
P
Mike Hodges
RRepublican
P
Randy Robertson
RRepublican
P
Rick Williams
RRepublican
P
Russ Goodman
RRepublican
P
Sam Watson
RRepublican
P
Shawn Still
RRepublican
P
Steve Gooch
RRepublican
P
Tim Bearden
RRepublican
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