--- title: SR 182. Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), Community Service Boards (CSBs), and First Responders; commend collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sr182 cite_as: SR 182, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr182 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr182.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr182/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70290 date: 2025-02-13 status: passed corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13 license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice. up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr181.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr183.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 94 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr182.md?full=1 bill_number: SR 182 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: Senate bill_type: resolution status_date: 2025-02-13 last_action: Senate Read and Adopted sponsors: - Ben Watson - Kay Kirkpatrick - Greg Dolezal - Matt Brass - Lee Anderson - Bill Cowsert - Bo Hatchett text_version: Enrolled has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR182/2025 upstream_id: 1968194 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - mental health crisis response - law enforcement - behavioral health - community service boards --- # SR 182. Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), Community Service Boards (CSBs), and First Responders; commend ## Text Senate Resolution 182 By: Senators Watson of the 1st, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Dolezal of the 27th, Brass of the 6th, Anderson of the 24th and others A RESOLUTION Commending the impact of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), community service boards (CSBs), and first responders; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, in 2022, the Georgia General Assembly passed Senate Bill 403, known as the Georgia Behavioral Health and Peace Officer Co-Responder Act, establishing the framework for Co-Responder programs, which bring together law enforcement officers and behavioral health professionals to respond to mental health crises; and WHEREAS, Co-Responder programs have since demonstrated their commitment and passion for assisting individuals in crisis, effectively intervening in behavioral health-related calls for service, diverting individuals from unnecessary incarceration, and improving access to behavioral health services while enhancing public safety; and WHEREAS, the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) has played a key role in supporting the implementation and coordination of Co-Responder teams through collaboration with first responders, community service boards, and behavioral health providers; and WHEREAS, these programs have contributed to better outcomes for individuals in crisis by facilitating appropriate treatment, reducing strain on law enforcement resources, and strengthening collaboration between public safety agencies and mental health professionals to collectively respond to crises within local communities throughout the State of Georgia; and WHEREAS, maintaining and expanding these efforts will further strengthen Georgia's response to behavioral health crises, redirect individuals from undesirable outcomes, promote collaboration at the intersection of criminal justice and behavioral health, recognize that recovery is possible through early intervention and deflection, and improve the efficiency of public safety and emergency services. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body commend the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and local Co-Responder programs for their role in responding to mental health crises as well as acknowledge the importance of their continued operation throughout the state. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body recognize February 19, 2025, as Co-Responder Day at the state capitol to highlight the ongoing efforts of these programs in enhancing crisis response and public safety. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, law enforcement agencies and community service boards within the State of Georgia, the public, and the press. ## Summaries written by Georgia Commons The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary. A Senate resolution commends the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, community service boards, and Co-Responder programs, and designates February 19, 2025 as Co-Responder Day at the state capitol. ### Plain-language summary This resolution is a ceremonial statement from the Georgia Senate rather than a law that changes anyone's rights or obligations. It recalls that the General Assembly passed Senate Bill 403 in 2022, the Georgia Behavioral Health and Peace Officer Co-Responder Act, which set up Co-Responder programs pairing law enforcement officers with behavioral health professionals to respond to mental health crises. The resolution praises the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), community service boards, and first responders for their work coordinating these programs and improving outcomes for people in crisis. It formally recognizes 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. ### What it does - Commends DBHDD and local Co-Responder programs for their role in responding to mental health crises across Georgia. - 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 penalties; it is a commendation with no regulatory effect. ### Who it affects The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, community service boards, law enforcement agencies, and behavioral health professionals involved in Co-Responder programs are named and praised, along with individuals experiencing mental health crises who these programs serve. ### Why it matters While the resolution does not change any law or provide funding, it publicly recognizes Co-Responder programs that pair police officers with behavioral health professionals, signaling legislative support that could shape future attention or funding decisions for these crisis response efforts. ### Key provisions - Recalls Senate Bill 403 from 2022, the Georgia Behavioral Health and Peace Officer Co-Responder Act, which created the Co-Responder program framework. - Formally commends DBHDD and local Co-Responder programs for their role in mental health crisis response. - Designates February 19, 2025 as Co-Responder Day at the state capitol. - Directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies to DBHDD, law enforcement agencies, community service boards, the public, and the press. ## Status - Status: Passed (2025-02-13) - Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2025-02-13) - Sponsors: Ben Watson, Kay Kirkpatrick, Greg Dolezal, Matt Brass, Lee Anderson, Bill Cowsert, Bo Hatchett - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70290 > The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr182.md?full=1