HR252: HR252 Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), community service boards (CSBs), and first responders; commend

This resolution honors the work of Co-Responder programs in Georgia, which pair law enforcement officers with behavioral health professionals to respond to mental health crisis calls. It notes that the framework for these programs came from a 2022 law, Senate Bill 403, known as the Georgia Behavioral Health and Peace Officer Co-Responder Act. The resolution states that the House commends the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and local Co-Responder programs for their role in crisis response and recognizes the importance of their continued operation. It designates February 19, 2025 as Co-Responder Day at the state capitol to highlight these efforts. It also directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to the department, law enforcement agencies, community service boards, the public, and the press.

• Formally commends the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and local Co-Responder programs for their crisis response work.
• Designates February 19, 2025 as Co-Responder Day at the state capitol to highlight crisis response and public safety efforts.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to distribute copies of the resolution to the department, law enforcement agencies, community service boards, the public, and the press.
• Recognizes the continued operation of Co-Responder programs statewide without creating new funding or legal requirements.

The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, community service boards, law enforcement agencies, and behavioral health professionals involved in Co-Responder programs are named in the resolution, along with individuals experiencing mental health crises who interact with these programs.

While the resolution does not change any law or fund any program, it publicly recognizes Co-Responder teams that pair police officers with mental health professionals, a practice tied to a 2022 law, and sets aside a day to spotlight their role in diverting people from jail and toward treatment.

• Whereas clauses describe the 2022 Georgia Behavioral Health and Peace Officer Co-Responder Act (Senate Bill 403) as the origin of the Co-Responder program framework.
• First resolving clause commends the department and local Co-Responder programs for their role in responding to mental health crises.
• Second resolving clause designates February 19, 2025 as Co-Responder Day at the state capitol.
• Third resolving clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to the department, law enforcement agencies, community service boards, the public, and the press.

1. 2025-02-12House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2025-02-12House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-02-12House Hopper (House)

• Sharon Cooper (R, HD-045)Primary sponsor
• Derrick McCollum (R, HD-030)
• Scott Hilton (R, HD-048)
• Deborah Silcox (R, HD-053)
• Katie Dempsey (R, HD-013)

• mental health crisis response
• law enforcement
• behavioral health
• public safety
• ceremonial resolution