HR 1945: House Study Committee on Examining the Implementation, Funding, and Effectiveness of Georgia's CHINS Framework; create

House Resolution 1945

By: Representatives Davis of the 87th, Schofield of the 63rd, and Scott of the 76th

A RESOLUTION

Creating the House Study Committee on Examining the Implementation, Funding, and Effectiveness of Georgia's CHINS Framework; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the child in need of services (CHINS) program is essential to address the needs of youth without resorting to juvenile court or involving the Department of Juvenile Justice; and

WHEREAS, status offenses are not criminal acts but often reflect underlying issues such as family instability, behavioral health needs, housing insecurity, poverty, and lack of access to supportive services; and

WHEREAS, the CHINS framework was designed to provide coordinated services through the courts, schools, and community based organizations to address these issues and prevent escalation into the juvenile justice system; and

WHEREAS, since its enactment more than a decade ago, the CHINS framework has largely functioned as an unfunded or underfunded mandate, resulting in inconsistent implementation across the state and limited access to services for many children and families; and

WHEREAS, research and policy evidence demonstrate that early intervention, family stabilization, educational support, and community based services are significantly more effective and less costly than detention and incarceration; and

WHEREAS, preventing youth from entering the juvenile justice system strengthens families, improves educational outcomes, and reduces long-term public expenditures associated with courts, incarceration, and social services; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly recognizes the importance of examining the current CHINS framework to ensure that it is adequately funded, effectively implemented, and producing measurable outcomes for the children and families it was intended to serve; and

WHEREAS, 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; and

WHEREAS, dedicated funding, management, and accountability are necessary for the CHINS program to ensure uniform implementation and effectiveness across this state.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

(1) Creation of House study committee. There is created the House Study Committee on Examining the Implementation, Funding, and Effectiveness of Georgia's CHINS Framework.

(2) Members and officers. The committee shall be composed of seven members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Speaker shall designate a member of the committee as chairperson of the committee.

(3) Powers and duties. The committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs, issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any action or legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate.

(4) Meetings. The chairperson shall call all meetings of the committee. The committee may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution.

(5) Allowances and funding.

(A) The legislative members of the committee shall receive the allowances provided for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.

(B) The allowances authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any member of the committee for more than five days unless additional days are authorized. Funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from funds appropriated to the House of Representatives.

(6) Report.

(A) In the event the committee adopts any specific findings or recommendations that include suggestions for proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file a report of the same prior to the date of abolishment specified in this resolution, subject to subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.

(B) In the event the committee adopts a report that does not include suggestions for proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file the report, subject to subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.

(C) No report shall be filed unless the same has been approved prior to the date of abolishment specified in this resolution by majority vote of a quorum of the committee. A report so approved shall be signed by the chairperson of the committee and filed with the Clerk of the House of Representatives.

(D) In the absence of an approved report, the chairperson may file with the Clerk of the House of Representatives a copy of the minutes of the meetings of the committee in lieu thereof.

(7) Abolishment. The committee shall stand abolished on December 1, 2026.