SR150: SR150 Georgia Addiction Counselors Association; commend

This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate, not a change to state law. It recognizes the Georgia Addiction Counselors Association, an organization representing more than 1,500 counselors, educators, and other addiction focused health care professionals in Georgia, as it marks 45 years of service. The resolution describes the wide range of settings where addiction professionals work, including outpatient centers, hospitals, prisons, probation agencies, and detoxification centers, and notes their role in responding to the opioid crisis. The Senate formally congratulates the association and directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to the group for their records.

• Formally congratulates the Georgia Addiction Counselors Association for 45 years of service to Georgia.
• Commends the association's leadership in supporting people across Georgia seeking recovery from addiction.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and send a copy of the resolution to the association.
• Creates no new legal requirements, funding, or penalties since it is a commendatory resolution rather than a law.

The Georgia Addiction Counselors Association and its members, including counselors, educators, and other addiction focused health care professionals working in outpatient centers, hospitals, prisons, probation agencies, and detoxification centers across Georgia.

The resolution carries symbolic weight rather than legal effect. It publicly recognizes the work of addiction counselors across Georgia but does not change funding, licensing rules, or services available to people seeking treatment for substance use disorders.

• The resolution's whereas clauses describe the addiction workforce as more than 1,500 counselors, educators, and health care professionals working across many settings.
• The resolved clause has the Senate congratulate the association for 45 years of service and commend its leadership.
• A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute a copy of the resolution to the association.

1. 2025-02-11Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-02-10Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)Primary sponsor
• Jason Esteves (D, SD-035)
• Lee Anderson (R, SD-024)
• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)
• Michael Rhett (D, SD-033)
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
• Ben Watson (R, SD-001)
• Nikki Merritt (D, SD-009)
• Mike Hodges (R, SD-003)
• Shawn Still (R, SD-048)
• Sally Harrell (D, SD-040)
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
• Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)
• Larry Walker (R, SD-020)
• Elena Parent (D, SD-044)
• Josh McLaurin (D, SD-014)
• Derek Mallow (D, SD-002)
• Steve Gooch (R, SD-051)
• Marty Harbin (R, SD-016)
• Ed Setzler (R, SD-037)
• Brandon Beach (R, SD-021)
• Max Burns (R, SD-023)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)

• addiction treatment
• substance use disorders
• opioid crisis
• Georgia Senate resolutions
• health care workforce