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Georgia Establishes Foster Care Autism Pilot Program and Screening Mandate
Original title: Social services; establish a pilot program for autism spectrum disorder to children in foster care; provide
Last action · May 11, 2026: House Date Signed by GovernorSponsors: Deborah Silcox and 5 others
Bill progressHistory & official text ↓
Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Law
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Public stanceCommunity reactions are separate from the official record and reporting.
What This Bill Does
Georgia enacted House Bill 943, requiring the Division of Family and Children Services to create a five-year pilot program providing autism s, s, and training for foster children and caregivers. The program launches in three regional service areas in its first year and expands annually until covering the entire state. Priority is given to foster children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, reactive attachment disorder, or those prescribed psychotropic medications.
Why it matters
Establishes a structured rollout of developmental s and caregiver training across Georgia's foster care system, with annual reporting requirements running through July 1, 2031, subject to legislative appropriations.
Background
- The Division of Family and Children Services operates within the Georgia Department of Human Services to oversee child welfare and foster care systems. context
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Directly affected
Children in foster care
Eligible to receive autism screenings, clinical evaluations, and associated services through the new pilot program.
Directly affected
Division of Family and Children Services
Required to develop, implement, staff, and annually report on the five-year autism pilot program.
Directly affected
Caregivers of children in foster care
Eligible to receive training, services, and resources regarding autism spectrum disorder.
Key Facts
- The Division of Family and Children Services must develop and implement a five-year pilot program for autism spectrum disorder screenings and clinical evaluations for children in foster care, subject to appropriations.
- The pilot program begins in three regional service areas in its first year and expands annually until all regional service areas are included.
- Priority for screenings and services is given to foster children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or reactive attachment disorder, or those prescribed psychotropic medications.
- Training, services, and resources on autism spectrum disorder must be provided to regional directors, county directors, supervisors, case managers, staff, healthcare providers, and caregivers, and may be offered online.
Show all 7 facts
- The division must establish expansion plans, communication strategies with caregivers, ensure sufficient medical consultants, and provide technical assistance and dedicated staff.
- After one year of operation and annually thereafter until July 1, 2031, the division must submit a detailed written report on the pilot program's implementation and effectiveness to the Governor and legislative committee leadership.
- The code section establishing the pilot program is automatically repealed by operation of law on July 1 of the year following the submittal of the final report.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to receive autism screenings and clinical evaluations under this pilot program?
Children in foster care are eligible, with priority given to those diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or reactive attachment disorder, or those who have been prescribed psychotropic medications.
How quickly will the pilot program expand across Georgia?
The program starts in three regional service areas in the first year and expands to additional regional service areas each subsequent year until all areas are included.
Who receives the annual reports on the effectiveness of the pilot program?
Reports are submitted to the Governor, Speaker of the House of Representatives, President of the Senate, and the chairpersons of specific legislative committees including Public and Community Health, Judiciary Juvenile, and Health and Human Services.
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Current status: Signed into law.
Procedural history
15 actions- Jul 11, 2026Georgia General AssemblyEffective Date
- May 11, 2026HouseEnrolledHouse Date Signed by Governor
- May 11, 2026GovernorEnrolledAct 477
- Apr 7, 2026HouseHouse Sent to Governor
- Mar 31, 2026SenateSenate Third Read
- Mar 31, 2026SenateFloorSenate Passed/Adopted
Show 9 earlier actions
- Mar 25, 2026SenateCommitteeSenate Committee Favorably Reported
- Mar 25, 2026SenateSenate Read Second Time
- Feb 19, 2026SenateIntroducedSenate Read and Referred
- Feb 18, 2026HouseHouse Third Readers
- Feb 18, 2026HouseFloorHouse Passed/Adopted By Substitute
- Feb 12, 2026HouseCommitteeHouse Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
- Jan 14, 2026HouseHouse Second Readers
- Jan 13, 2026HouseIntroducedHouse First Readers
- Jan 12, 2026HouseIntroducedHouse Hopper
Version history & redline
4 versions on fileComparing LC 48 1741S/hcs → HB 943/AP*
removed addedOfficial text
26 LC 48 removed: 1741S
added: 1741S/AP
House Bill 943 removed: (COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE)
added: (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE)
By: Representatives Silcox of the 53rd , Hawkins of the 27 th , Cooper of the 45th , Franklin of
the 160th , and
[…]
areas are included. To the extent possible, the pilot program should prioritize screenings, clinical evaluations, and services for children in foster care who have removed: been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactive disorder or reactive attachment disorder added: H. B. 9 or who have been prescribed psychotropic medications. (c) As part of the pilot program, the division shall establish plans for the incremental expansion of
[…]
Redline computed from the official version text (record lane).View this version →
Voting Record
PASSAGE
Total
54
- Yes
- 46
- No
- 0
- Present
- 0
- Not voting
- 1
- Abstain
- 0
- Other positions
- 7
How they voted (54)
David LucasParty not recordedyes
Jason AnavitarteParty not recordedyes
Chuck HufstetlerParty not recordedyes
Donzella JamesParty not recordedexcused
Kim JacksonParty not recordedyes
Emanuel JonesParty not recordedexcused
Tim BeardenParty not recordedyes
Billy HickmanParty not recordedexcused
Nan OrrockParty not recordedexcused
Max BurnsParty not recordedyes
Drew EcholsParty not recordedyes
Steven McNeelParty not recordedyes
Tonya AndersonParty not recordedyes
Russ GoodmanParty not recordedyes
Nikki MerrittParty not recordedexcused
Chuck PayneParty not recordedyes
Ed SetzlerParty not recordedyes
RaShaun KempParty not recordedyes
Ben WatsonParty not recordedexcused
Randy RobertsonParty not recordedyes
Derek MallowParty not recordedyes
Sam WatsonParty not recordedyes
Jason DickersonParty not recordedyes
Frank GinnParty not recordedyes
30 more members
Gail DavenportParty not recordedyes
Brian StricklandParty not recordedyes
Elena ParentParty not recordedyes
Shawn StillParty not recordedyes
Josh McLaurinParty not recordedyes
Steve GoochParty not recordedyes
John AlbersParty not recordedyes
Matt BrassParty not recordedyes
Bill CowsertParty not recordedyes
Rick WilliamsParty not recordedyes
Sally HarrellParty not recordedyes
Kenya WicksParty not recordedyes
Blake TilleryParty not recordedyes
Freddie Powell SimsParty not recordedexcused
Lee AndersonParty not recordedyes
Carden SummersParty not recordedyes
Randal ManghamParty not recordedyes
Jaha HowardParty not recordedyes
Sheikh RahmanParty not recordedyes
Doc RhettParty not recordedyes
Mike HodgesParty not recordedyes
Sonya HalpernParty not recordedyes
Harold JonesParty not recordednot voting
Greg DolezalParty not recordedyes
Marty HarbinParty not recordedyes
Bo HatchettParty not recordedyes
Larry WalkerParty not recordedyes
Clint DixonParty not recordedyes
Ed HarbisonParty not recordedyes
Kay KirkpatrickParty not recordedyes
Show 1 earlier roll call
PASSAGE
Total
176
- Yes
- 164
- No
- 2
- Present
- 0
- Not voting
- 1
- Abstain
- 0
- Other positions
- 9
How they voted (176)
Gabe OkoyeParty not recordedyes
Steven SainzParty not recordedyes
Katie DempseyParty not recordedyes
Debbie BucknerParty not recordedyes
Tyler SmithParty not recordedyes
Jaclyn FordParty not recordedyes
Mitchell ScogginsParty not recordedyes
Scott HolcombParty not recordedyes
Devan SeabaughParty not recordedyes
Michael SmithParty not recordedyes
L.C. MylesParty not recordedyes
Martin MomtahanParty not recordedyes
Demetrius DouglasParty not recordedyes
Yasmin NealParty not recordedyes
Todd JonesParty not recordedyes
Carolyn HugleyParty not recordedyes
Al WilliamsParty not recordedyes
Edna JacksonParty not recordedyes
Debra BazemoreParty not recordedyes
Dewey McClainParty not recordedyes
Inga WillisParty not recordedyes
Gabriel SanchezParty not recordedexcused
Phil OlaleyeParty not recordedyes
Steve TarvinParty not recordedyes
152 more members
Jasmine ClarkParty not recordedyes
Johnny ChastainParty not recordedyes
Butch ParrishParty not recordedyes
Dale WashburnParty not recordedyes
Lynn SmithParty not recordedyes
Rob CliftonParty not recordedyes
Jutt HowardParty not recordedyes
Floyd GriffinParty not recordedyes
Eric GislerParty not recordedyes
Derrick McCollumParty not recordedyes
Michelle AuParty not recordedyes
Spencer FryeParty not recordedyes
Houston GainesParty not recordedyes
Lauren McDonaldParty not recordedyes
Chuck MartinParty not recordedyes
Mary Ann SantosParty not recordedyes
Kasey CarpenterParty not recordedyes
El-Mahdi HollyParty not recordedyes
Trey KelleyParty not recordedyes
Matt ReevesParty not recordedyes
Clint CroweParty not recordedyes
Brian PrinceParty not recordedyes
Eddie LumsdenParty not recordedyes
Bill FincherParty not recordedyes
Mitchell HornerParty not recordedexcused
Matt DubnikParty not recordedyes
Deborah SilcoxParty not recordedyes
Imani BarnesParty not recordedyes
Angie O'SteenParty not recordedyes
Tim FlemingParty not recordedyes
Mack JacksonParty not recordedyes
Ron StephensParty not recordedyes
Rob LeverettParty not recordedyes
Patty Marie StinsonParty not recordedyes
Tanya MillerParty not recordedexcused
Sheila JonesParty not recordedyes
Long TranParty not recordedyes
Ginny EhrhartParty not recordedyes
Mike CheokasParty not recordedyes
Bryce BerryParty not recordedyes
Rhonda BurnoughParty not recordedyes
Segun AdeyinaParty not recordedyes
Carter BarrettParty not recordedyes
David JenkinsParty not recordedyes
Bruce WilliamsonParty not recordedyes
Charlice ByrdParty not recordedno
Jesse PetreaParty not recordedyes
Soo HongParty not recordedyes
Buddy DeLoachParty not recordedyes
Carmen RiceParty not recordedyes
Mike CameronParty not recordedyes
Lehman FranklinParty not recordedyes
Bill HitchensParty not recordedyes
Sam ParkParty not recordedyes
Miriam ParisParty not recordedyes
Karlton HowardParty not recordedexcused
James BurchettParty not recordedyes
Bethany BallardParty not recordedyes
Eric BellParty not recordedyes
Joseph GullettParty not recordedyes
Marvin LimParty not recordedyes
Anne WestbrookParty not recordedyes
Rick JasperseParty not recordedyes
Viola DavisParty not recordedyes
Matt BartonParty not recordedyes
Lydia GlaizeParty not recordedyes
Robert DawsonParty not recordedyes
David SampsonParty not recordedyes
Jason RidleyParty not recordedyes
Robert DickeyParty not recordedyes
Beth CampParty not recordedyes
Regina Lewis-WardParty not recordedyes
Kimberly NewParty not recordedyes
Chris ErwinParty not recordedyes
Matt HatchettParty not recordedyes
Gary RichardsonParty not recordedyes
Chuck EfstrationParty not recordedyes
Sharon CooperParty not recordedyes
Don ParsonsParty not recordedyes
David ClarkParty not recordedyes
Josh BonnerParty not recordedyes
John CorbettParty not recordedyes
Terry CummingsParty not recordedyes
Matthew GambillParty not recordedyes
Danny MathisParty not recordedexcused
Brad ThomasParty not recordedyes
Betsy HollandParty not recordedyes
Noelle KahaianParty not recordedyes
Teddy ReeseParty not recordedyes
Omari CrawfordParty not recordedyes
Darlene TaylorParty not recordedyes
Karen MathiakParty not recordedyes
Ruwa RommanParty not recordedexcused
Park CannonParty not recordedyes
Dar'shun KendrickParty not recordedyes
Saira DraperParty not recordedyes
Stacey EvansParty not recordedyes
Carl GilliardParty not recordedexcused
Gerald GreeneParty not recordedyes
Rhonda TaylorParty not recordedyes
Rick TownsendParty not recordedyes
John CarsonParty not recordedyes
Bill WerkheiserParty not recordedyes
Nissa JonesParty not recordedyes
Jan JonesParty not recordedyes
Trey RhodesParty not recordedyes
Victor AndersonParty not recordedyes
Kim SchofieldParty not recordedyes
David WilkersonParty not recordedyes
Emory DunahooParty not recordedyes
Noel WilliamsParty not recordedyes
Vance SmithParty not recordedyes
Doreen CarterParty not recordedyes
Arlene BecklesParty not recordedyes
Rey MartinezParty not recordedyes
Karla DrennerParty not recordedyes
Kimberly AlexanderParty not recordedyes
Mary Margaret OliverParty not recordedexcused
Brent CoxParty not recordedyes
Robert FlournoyParty not recordedyes
Leesa HaganParty not recordedyes
Derrick JacksonParty not recordedyes
Joe CampbellParty not recordedyes
Mary Frances WilliamsParty not recordedyes
Lee HawkinsParty not recordedyes
Alan PowellParty not recordedyes
Lisa CampbellParty not recordedyes
Steven MeeksParty not recordedyes
Mark NewtonParty not recordedyes
Esther PanitchParty not recordedyes
Sandy DonatucciParty not recordedyes
Sylvia Wayfer BakerParty not recordedno
Jordan RidleyParty not recordedyes
Holt PersingerParty not recordedexcused
Solomon AdesanyaParty not recordedyes
Shaw BlackmonParty not recordedyes
Jon BurnsParty not recordednot voting
Karen LuptonParty not recordedyes
Bill YeartaParty not recordedyes
Akbar AliParty not recordedyes
Chas CannonParty not recordedyes
Scott HiltonParty not recordedyes
Shea RobertsParty not recordedyes
John LaHoodParty not recordedyes
Angela MooreParty not recordedyes
Mekyah McQueenParty not recordedyes
Stan GunterParty not recordedyes
Sandra ScottParty not recordedyes
Billy MitchellParty not recordedyes
Tangie HerringParty not recordedyes
Will WadeParty not recordedyes
David HuddlestonParty not recordedyes
Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Show 1 more sponsor
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
policy shift95% confidence
Targeted Health Screening Expansion
The legislation introduces a structured, multi-year rollout specifically integrating autism spectrum disorder evaluations into routine foster care services, prioritizing high-need behavioral diagnoses.
Connected Entities
OrganizationDepartment of Human Services“Parent department of the Division of Family and Children Services.”Map →
OrganizationSenate Health and Human Services Committee“Committee leadership receives annual pilot program reports.”Map →
PersonPresident of the Senate“Recipient of the annual implementation and effectiveness report.”Map →
PersonSpeaker of the House of Representatives“Recipient of the annual implementation and effectiveness report.”Map →
OrganizationDivision of Family and Children Services“Tasked with developing and implementing the pilot program.”Map →
OrganizationHouse Committee on Public and Community Health“Committee leadership receives annual pilot program reports.”Map →
OrganizationHouse Judiciary Juvenile Committee“Committee leadership receives annual pilot program reports.”Map →
Sources
Open source document
www.legis.ga.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy10Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz35Current news / social attention level
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