Georgia CommonsSR151: SR151 Self-Direction Day; recognize February 26, 2025
Last action February 11, 2025 · Senate Read and Adopted
A Georgia Senate resolution recognizes February 26, 2025, as Self-Direction Day, honoring a program that lets people with disabilities direct their own home and community based services.
In plain language
This resolution does not change any Georgia law. It formally designates February 26, 2025, as Self-Direction Day in recognition of the self-direction model, an optional approach to home and community based services that lets people with disabilities choose how, when, and from whom they receive care and support. The resolution recounts that self-direction began in Georgia in April 2005 through the Independent Care Waiver Program and is now available through five different Home and Community-Based Waiver Programs serving elderly and disabled Georgians. It cites benefits such as improved satisfaction, better quality of life, lower costs, and fewer institutional stays. The resolution directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies to the public and press.
What the bill does
- Formally recognizes February 26, 2025, as Self-Direction Day in the Georgia Senate.
- States the Senate's recognition of the history and benefits of the self-direction model of home and community based services in Georgia.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
- Does not create, fund, or amend any Georgia program, agency duty, or statute.
Who it affects
The resolution mainly touches Georgians with disabilities and elderly Georgians who use self-directed home and community based services, along with the state's Home and Community-Based Waiver Programs and the Secretary of the Senate's office, which handles distribution.
Why it matters
Because this is a ceremonial resolution, it does not change funding, eligibility, or rules for the waiver programs. Its main real-world effect is public recognition and awareness of the self-direction model that lets Georgians with disabilities choose their own caregivers and services.
Key provisions
- The resolution's whereas clauses describe self-direction as letting individuals choose how, when, and from whom their services are delivered.
- It notes self-direction began in Georgia in April 2005 through the Independent Care Waiver Program.
- It states the model is now available through five Home and Community-Based Waiver Programs serving elderly and disabled Georgians.
- The resolving clause designates February 26, 2025, as Self-Direction Day.
- A further clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies to the public and press.
From the bill
“NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body29 recognize February 26, 2025, as Self-Direction Day.”
“self-direction is an optional model of home and commun ity-based service2 (HCBS) delivery that enables individuals of all ages, with all types of disabilities, to maintain3 their independence at home in their local community”
Status timeline
- Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
- Senate Hopper (Senate)
Sponsors
- Matt Brass (R, SD-006)
- Larry Walker (R, SD-020)
- Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)
- Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)
- Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)
- Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
- Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
- Harold Jones (D, SD-022)
- Frank Ginn (R, SD-047)
- RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
- Freddie Sims (D, SD-012)
- Derek Mallow (D, SD-002)
- Ricky Williams (R, SD-025)
- Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)
- Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)
- Sam Watson (R, SD-011)
- Timothy Bearden (R, SD-030)
- Blake Tillery (R, SD-019)
- Clint Dixon (R, SD-045)
Topics
- disability services
- home and community based services
- Medicaid waivers
- Georgia Senate resolutions