Georgia CommonsHR 1587: Licensed Professional Counselors Appreciation Day at the state capitol; 3/5/26; recognize
Last action March 4, 2026 · House Read and Adopted
A Georgia House resolution designates March 5, 2026, as Licensed Professional Counselors Appreciation Day at the state capitol, honoring the state's licensed professional counselors and licensed associate professional counselors.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the resolution and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Introduced version, the latest LegiScan holds.
In plain language
This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives sets aside March 5, 2026, as Licensed Professional Counselors Appreciation Day at the state capitol. It does not change any Georgia law; instead it formally recognizes the work of licensed professional counselors (LPCs) and licensed associate professional counselors, who the resolution says number more than 13,000 statewide. The resolution's preamble describes counselors' training, their role in expanding mental health access, and their connection to the 988 crisis line. It also notes that LPCs can practice independently, bill insurance directly, diagnose clients, and conduct assessments. The resolution directs the Clerk of the House to make copies available to the public and press, which is standard for ceremonial resolutions of this kind.
What the bill does
- Designates March 5, 2026, as Licensed Professional Counselors Appreciation Day at the Georgia state capitol.
- Encourages all Georgians to recognize the importance of mental health and the work of licensed professional counselors.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare copies of the resolution for distribution to the public and press.
- Contains no funding, penalties, or changes to any Georgia statute; it is a symbolic recognition only.
Who it affects
Licensed professional counselors and licensed associate professional counselors in Georgia, whom the resolution says number more than 13,000, along with the Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia and members of the public who interact with the mental health system.
Why it matters
The resolution carries no legal or funding changes, so it does not alter how counselors practice, get licensed, or bill insurers. Its practical effect is a one-day ceremonial honor at the capitol intended to raise public awareness of counselors' role in mental health care.
Key provisions
- The preamble describes LPCs' training in areas like psychopathology, testing and assessment, ethics, and human development.
- The preamble states Georgia has more than 13,000 licensed professional counselors and licensed associate professional counselors.
- The preamble links LPCs to the expansion of the 988 crisis line's referral network.
- The resolving clause formally recognizes March 5, 2026, as Licensed Professional Counselors Appreciation Day at the state capitol.
- A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
From the bill
“we commend the autonomy and comprehensive capabilities of our LPCs who are sanctioned to practice independently, bill insurance companies directly, diagnose clients, administer vital clinical assessments, and conduct thorough mental health evaluations independently.”
“the members of this body recognize March 5, 2026, as Licensed Professional Counselors Appreciation Day at the state capitol”
Status timeline
- House Read and Adopted (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Alan Powell (R, HD-033)
- Houston Gaines (R, HD-120)
- Holt Persinger (R, HD-119)
- Brent Cox (R, HD-028)
- Kimberly New (R, HD-040)
- Karen Mathiak (R, HD-082)
Topics
- mental health
- licensed professional counselors
- ceremonial resolution
- Georgia state capitol