House Bill 1025
By: Representatives Davis of the 87th, Schofield of the 63rd, and Scott of the 76th
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Article 5 of Chapter 11 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,
relating to child in need of services, so as to provide for funding for the child in need of
services (CHINS) program, subject to appropriations; to provide for legislative findings and
intent; to provide for definitions; to designate the Department of Education as the oversight
agency for the fund; to establish a CHINS Support Fund and regional coordination system;
to provide for the allocation of resources for services and supports; to provide for rules,
regulations, and procedures; to provide for implementation; to provide for a short title; to
provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Children in Need of Services (CHINS)
Funding Act."
SECTION 2.
Article 5 of Chapter 11 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
child in need of services, is amended by adding a new part to read as follows:
<ins>"Part 8
15-11-455.
(a) The General Assembly finds that:
(1) The child in need of services (CHINS) program is essential to address the needs of
youth at risk without resorting to juvenile court or involving the Department of Juvenile
Justice; and
(2) Adequate funding and infrastructure for the CHINS program will prevent status
offenses and behavioral issues from escalating, provide community based interventions,
and reduce recidivism while improving public safety and family stability.
(b) The purpose of this part is to establish dedicated funding, management, and
accountability for the CHINS program to ensure uniform implementation and effectiveness
across this state.
15-11-456.
As used in this part, the term:
(1) 'CHINS' means a child in need of services as such term is defined in Code Section
15-11-2.
(2) 'DOE' means the Department of Education.
(3) 'Fund' means the CHINS Support Fund established by this part.
(4) 'RESA' means a regional educational service agency as provided for in Code Section
20-2-270.
(5) 'Status offense' shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code Section 15-11-381.
</ins>
<ins>15-11-457.
(a) There is established the Children in Need of Services Support Fund to provide
comprehensive support for any youth who commits a status offense to receive appropriate
interventions without involvement from DJJ.
(b) The DOE shall be authorized to coordinate with the Council of Juvenile Court Judges
to ensure state-wide implementation and training for CHINS fund staff in collaboration
with RESAs.
(c) The DOE is authorized to prescribe rules, regulations, and procedures no later than
January 1, 2027, as may be reasonable and necessary to carry out the purposes of this part
and shall administer the fund in accordance with the provisions of this part.
(d) Subject to appropriations made specifically for the purposes of this part, the fund shall
provide grants for:
(1) School based and community based service providers to deliver wraparound
supports, including crisis intervention, mental health and substance use treatment, family
strengthening programs, and academic enrichment;
(2) Residential placement providers to expand services for youth under DJJ supervision
and those no longer under DJJ supervision; and
(3) Housing providers to support emerging adults ages 18 through 24 who are at risk of
homelessness or require specialized care after leaving DJJ supervision.
(e) Nothing contained in this Code section shall prevent the state from receiving grants,
gifts, or bequests for the purposes of the fund as provided for in this Code section and
appropriating such moneys for purposes of the fund.
15-11-458.
Subject to appropriations made specifically for the purposes of this part:
(1) A CHINS state-wide coordinator position shall be established within the Council of
Juvenile Court Judges; and
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<ins>(2) One RESA based CHINS coordinator shall be designated in each of the 16 RESA
regions.
15-11-459.
All moneys accrued by the fund shall be used to provide resources to counties whose
poverty rates exceed the state's overall poverty rate, and allocations from the fund shall be
based on complaint data pursuant to Code Section 15-11-390, child poverty rates,
population, and service needs.
15-11-460.
(a) The DOE shall prepare an annual report detailing:
(1) All revenues and expenditures of the fund for the previous year;
(2) The status of projects and initiatives supported by the fund; and
(3) Recommendations for improvements.
(b) The report provided for in subsection (a) of this Code section shall be submitted to the
Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President of the Senate by
December 31 of each year and made available on the DOE's website."
</ins> SECTION 3.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.