SR 342: Senate Study Committee on Certified Peer Specialists, Addiction Recovery Programs, and Protocols; create

This resolution creates the Senate Study Committee on Certified Peer Specialists, Addiction Recovery Programs, and Protocols. It does not change any Georgia law directly; instead it sets up a temporary panel of six senators, appointed by the President of the Senate, to study substance use disorders and recovery programs in the state and consider whether new legislation is needed. The committee's chairperson calls meetings, and members can be paid the standard legislative allowances under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8 for up to five days unless more are approved, funded through the Senate's existing budget. If the committee approves findings or recommendations, including any proposed legislation, the chairperson must file a report with the Secretary of the Senate before the committee is abolished on December 1, 2025.

• 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.
• Directs the committee to study addiction related issues, including recovery programs and Certified Peer Specialists, and recommend any needed legislation.
• Allows the committee's chairperson to call and organize meetings wherever needed to carry out the study.
• Sets legislative member pay using existing per diem allowance rules and limits paid days to five unless more are authorized.
• Requires a report with any findings or recommendations to be filed with the Secretary of the Senate before the committee ends.
• Abolishes the committee automatically on December 1, 2025.

The six senators appointed to the committee, the Senate as an institution funding the study, and indirectly Georgians affected by addiction, including people under supervision by the Department of Corrections or the Department of Community Supervision, Certified Peer Specialists, healthcare providers, law enforcement, and educators who may be studied or consulted.

The resolution itself changes no laws; it only sets up a temporary committee to gather information and consider recommendations on addiction recovery efforts in Georgia. Any real changes to programs, funding, or protocols would depend on future legislation the committee might propose after its study.

• 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) gives the committee authority to study addiction related conditions and needs and recommend action or legislation.
• Paragraph (5) sets member pay under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, capped at five paid days unless extended, funded by Senate appropriations.
• Paragraph (6) requires any approved findings or recommendations to be filed as a report 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-42)Primary sponsor

• addiction recovery
• peer specialists
• substance use disorder
• Senate study committee
• mental health policy