SR182: SR182 Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), Community Service Boards (CSBs), and First Responders; commend

This resolution recognizes the impact of Co-Responder programs, which pair law enforcement officers with behavioral health professionals to respond to mental health crises. These programs were created under a 2022 law, Senate Bill 403, known as the Georgia Behavioral Health and Peace Officer Co-Responder Act. The resolution praises the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), local Co-Responder programs, community service boards, and first responders for helping people in crisis get treatment instead of unnecessary jail time, while easing the burden on law enforcement. It designates February 19, 2025 as Co-Responder Day at the state capitol, and directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to DBHDD, law enforcement agencies, community service boards, the public, and the press. As a resolution, it does not change any Georgia law; it is a formal statement of praise and recognition.

• Formally commends the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and local Co-Responder programs for their work responding to mental health crises.
• Recognizes February 19, 2025 as Co-Responder Day at the state capitol to highlight crisis response efforts.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to DBHDD, law enforcement agencies, community service boards, the public, and the press.
• Does not create new funding, requirements, or changes to Georgia law; it is a commendation, not a statute.

The resolution names the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, local Co-Responder programs, community service boards, law enforcement agencies, and behavioral health professionals across Georgia who take part in responding to mental health crises.

While the resolution itself changes no laws or funding, it publicly highlights and endorses Co-Responder programs that pair police with behavioral health professionals, work that supporters say helps divert people in crisis away from jail and toward treatment.

• The preamble cites the 2022 Georgia Behavioral Health and Peace Officer Co-Responder Act (Senate Bill 403) as the legal basis for Co-Responder programs pairing officers with behavioral health professionals.
• The first resolving clause commends DBHDD and local Co-Responder programs for their role in crisis response.
• The second resolving clause designates February 19, 2025 as Co-Responder Day at the state capitol.
• The final resolving clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies to DBHDD, law enforcement agencies, community service boards, the public, and the press.

1. 2025-02-13Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-02-12Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Ben Watson (R, SD-001)Primary sponsor
• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)
• Greg Dolezal (R, SD-027)
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)
• Lee Anderson (R, SD-024)
• Bill Cowsert (R, SD-046)
• Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)

• mental health crisis response
• law enforcement
• behavioral health
• first responders
• Co-Responder programs