SR342: SR342 Senate Study Committee on Certified Peer Specialists, Addiction Recovery Programs, and Protocols; create

This resolution does not change any law directly. Instead, it creates the Senate Study Committee on Certified Peer Specialists, Addiction Recovery Programs, and Protocols, made up of six senators appointed by the President of the Senate, who also names a chairperson. The committee is tasked with studying substance use disorders and addiction in Georgia, including the role of Certified Peer Specialists (trained individuals who help people in recovery, including those released from prison or on probation), and looking at how healthcare providers, law enforcement, educators, faith leaders, business leaders, and local governments might better address addiction. The committee can hold meetings as needed, members receive standard legislative allowances under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, and the committee must file any findings or recommended legislation with the Secretary of the Senate before it is abolished on December 1, 2025.

• Establishes the Senate Study Committee on Certified Peer Specialists, Addiction Recovery Programs, and Protocols, made up of six senators.
• Directs the President of the Senate to appoint the six members and designate one as chairperson.
• Authorizes the committee to study addiction-related issues in Georgia and recommend legislation or other action.
• Sets legislative allowances for committee members under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, capped at five paid days unless additional days are approved.
• Requires any approved findings or recommendations to be filed as a report with the Secretary of the Senate before the committee ends.
• Abolishes the committee automatically on December 1, 2025.

Georgia state senators appointed to the committee, Certified Peer Specialists, people in addiction recovery including those on parole or probation, healthcare providers, law enforcement and first responders, educators, faith and business leaders, and local governments involved in addressing addiction.

The resolution itself changes no laws or funding, but its study could shape future legislation on addiction recovery support, peer specialist programs, and coordination among schools, employers, law enforcement, and healthcare providers across Georgia communities.

• Paragraph (1) creates the Senate Study Committee on Certified Peer Specialists, Addiction Recovery Programs, and Protocols.
• Paragraph (2) sets committee membership at six senators appointed by the President of the Senate, who also names the chairperson.
• Paragraph (3) charges the committee with studying addiction-related conditions and problems and recommending action or legislation.
• Paragraph (5) ties member pay to existing legislative allowance law (O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8) and limits paid days to five unless more are authorized, funded through Senate appropriations.
• Paragraph (6) requires committee reports, if adopted, to be signed by the chairperson and filed with the Secretary of the Senate before abolishment.
• Paragraph (7) abolishes the committee on December 1, 2025.

1. 2025-03-06Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2. 2025-03-04Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)Primary sponsor

• addiction recovery
• peer specialists
• substance use disorder
• legislative study committee
• criminal justice reentry