HB291: HB291 Health; certification of community health workers; provide

Community health workers act as trusted go-betweens who connect patients with health and social services, often in homes, schools, and clinics. Georgia currently has no formal certification for this role. This bill adds a new chapter to Georgia's health code (O.C.G.A. Title 31, Chapter 31) that creates the Georgia Community Health Worker Certification Committee, made up mostly of doctors, a social worker, employer representatives, and practicing community health workers appointed by the Commissioner of Public Health. The committee would recommend standards for approving training programs and certifying individuals, while the Department of Public Health would handle rules, applications, and background checks. Certified workers would have to be 18 or older, have a high school diploma, pass a background check, and complete an approved training program plus 2,000 hours of work experience. The committee would be abolished in 2030, transferring its duties fully to the department. The law only takes effect if the General Assembly specifically funds it in a future appropriations act.

• Creates a new legal certification called 'certified community health worker' and restricts use of that title to people who earn it.
• Establishes an 11-member Georgia Community Health Worker Certification Committee appointed by the Commissioner of Public Health to recommend training and certification standards.
• Requires the Department of Public Health to approve training programs, which must include at least 45 hours of core competency training.
• Sets certification requirements including age 18+, a high school diploma, a clean criminal background check, and 2,000 hours of relevant work experience.
• Automatically abolishes the committee on June 30, 2030 and shifts all its powers and duties to the Department of Public Health.
• Makes the entire law contingent on the General Assembly specifically appropriating funding for it.

Community health workers seeking state certification, training programs that educate them, hospitals and community organizations that employ them, and the Department of Public Health, which would run the certification and approval process and eventually absorb the committee's duties.

If funded, Georgians who rely on community health workers for care coordination, health education, and navigating services could see a more standardized, credentialed workforce. Workers would need formal training and background checks, and only certified individuals could legally use the title, changing hiring and practice standards statewide.

• Section 1 adds Chapter 31 to Title 31 of Georgia's health code, defining 'community health worker,' 'certified community health worker,' and 'core competencies.'
• O.C.G.A. § 31-31-2 creates the 11-voting-member committee, sets two-year terms with a two-term limit, and abolishes the committee on June 30, 2030, transferring duties to the Department of Public Health.
• O.C.G.A. § 31-31-3 gives the committee power to recommend training and certification standards, review complaints, and set disciplinary procedures including revoking certificates.
• O.C.G.A. § 31-31-4 requires training programs to be approved by the committee and includes a minimum of 45 hours of core competency training, with approvals lasting up to two years.
• O.C.G.A. § 31-31-5 sets certification requirements: age 18+, high school diploma, background check, professional references, and 2,000 hours of employment within ten years, with alternate paths for workers active before July 1, 2027 or 2028.
• Section 2 makes the entire Act effective only if the General Assembly specifically appropriates funding for it in a future budget act.
• Section 3 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2026-03-27Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (Senate)
2. 2026-01-12Senate Recommitted (Senate)
3. 2026-01-12Senate Taken from Table (Senate)
4. 2025-04-02Senate Tabled (Senate)
5. 2025-03-25Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
6. 2025-03-21Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
7. 2025-03-10Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
8. 2025-03-06House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (House)

• Darlene Taylor (R, HD-173)Primary sponsor
• Katie Dempsey (R, HD-013)
• Sharon Cooper (R, HD-045)
• Karen Mathiak (R, HD-082)
• Lee Hawkins (R, HD-027)
• Karen Bennett (D, HD-094)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)

1. PassedHouse voteMarch 6, 2025

   169 yea, 4 nay (4 not voting, 3 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #240

• community health workers
• health worker certification
• public health
• Department of Public Health
• health workforce training