Presented to: DHS Board of Directors

Date: April 15, 2015

DHS Legislative Update

Georgia Department of Human Services

Vision, Mission and Core Values Vision

Stronger Families for a Stronger Georgia.Mission

Strengthen Georgia by providing Individuals and Families access to services that promote self-sufficiency, independence, and protect Georgia's vulnerable children and adults.

Core Values• Provide access to resources that offer support and empower Georgians and

their families. • Deliver services professionally and treat all clients with dignity and respect.

Manage business operations effectively and efficiently by aligning resources across the agency.

• Promote accountability, transparency and quality in all services we deliver and programs we administer.

• Develop our employees at all levels of the agency.

Overview – 2015 General Assembly session

The Georgia General Assembly just completed year one of a two-year legislative session.

Priorities this year included: FY 2015 and 2016 budget Transportation funding Education Creation of a Department of Community Supervision Implementation of the Child Welfare Reform Council Recommendations Requiring insurance companies to provide treatment for children with autism Providing access to cannabidiol oil for Georgians with seizure disorders

Overview – 2015 General Assembly sessionThe Department of Human Services Office of Legislative Affairs and Communications (OLAC) tracked legislative proposals with potential agency impact and educated elected officials on agency programs and the impact of proposals on agency programs.

• OLAC tracked more than 50 legislative proposals that had potential impact on the agency or on agencies that partner with DHS or DFCS

Overview – 2015 General Assembly sessionThe following bills received final passage:Child Welfare • SB 138: Child Welfare Reform Council recommendations

– Creation of a child abuse registry– Restructure DFCS so that Director reports to the Governor

• Maintain connection to DHS so that DHS oversees budgeting with DFCS input• DHS Board still approves rules and regulations

– Revision of purpose for local DFCS boards– Creation of a DFCS Advisory Board– Revision of privacy laws to allow care providers appropriate access to the records relating to children

in their care– Alignment of state law with federal requirements tied to $108 million in funding

• HB 177 and HB 268: Mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect– HB 268 allows electronic reports of abuse; HB 177 makes current DFCS policy a statutory responsibility

• SB 8/SR 7: Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Children Fund

Overview – 2015 General Assembly sessionChild Support• HB 567: Concurrent Jurisdiction

– Allows DCSS to bring contempt actions wherever the non-custodial parent resides

• HB 568: Paternity Testing• Ensures DCSS has the right father before moving forward with a child support order• Allows DCSS to petition the court to set aside an order in cases where an obligor is found

not to be the biological father of the child he is ordered to support

Overview – 2015 General Assembly sessionAging• HB 86: Creates the Department of Aging Services

– Agency would be administratively attached to DCH

• HB 72: Elder Abuse – Protects the disabled and elderly population from abuse, neglect and exploitation

• SB 109: Physician’s Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) – Clarifies the use and effectiveness of the Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment

form

Overview – 2015 General Assembly session

Bills still alive for 2016 Legislative Session:

Child welfare • SB 3: “Supporting and Strengthening Families Act”

– Provides power of attorney for a minor child from a parent to another person in the state

Child support • HB 264 and SB 64: Repeal of voluntary acknowledgements of legitimation

Overview – 2015 General Assembly session

Next steps:• Conduct a legal and programmatic analysis to determine the full impact of

the legislation• Develop and implement any policy and practice changes to meet any new

requirements• Prepare for summer study committees

– A study committee is set to review Georgia’s mandated reporter law– A study committee will look at kinship care, or grandparents raising grandchildren– A study committee will review Adult Day Healthcare Services

• Work with legislators on future legislation– We expect several bills to come in the second year as a result of the House Study

Committee on Child Welfare Providers– Rep. Andy Welch has bills that likely will impact inspections and background checks for

Georgia’s residential child care providers