SR 533: Senate Study Committee on Enhancing Public Safety and Civic Health; create

This resolution creates the Senate Study Committee on Enhancing Public Safety and Civic Health. The resolution notes that people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can face communication barriers and heightened anxiety during emergencies, and points to existing medical alert bracelets as a possible model for a new type of bracelet that would help police, fire, and EMS personnel recognize someone experiencing a PTSD episode or autism-related distress. The committee would have five Senate members, with two cochairpersons (one from each party), and would study whether Georgia should create such a bracelet program, potentially developed by the Department of Public Health with the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency. Members get standard legislative per diem allowances (O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8) for up to four meeting days, paid from Senate funds. The committee must file any findings before it is abolished on December 1, 2026.

• Establishes a five-member Senate study committee to examine creating an emergency alert bracelet program for people with PTSD or autism.
• Directs the committee to study current challenges these individuals face during emergency responder encounters and recommend legislation if appropriate.
• Sets committee structure, requiring two cochairpersons, one from the majority party and one from the minority party.
• Authorizes standard legislative allowances for members for up to four meeting days, funded through the Senate's budget.
• Requires the committee to file an approved report or meeting minutes before it is abolished on December 1, 2026.

People diagnosed with PTSD or autism spectrum disorder, the appointed Senate committee members, the Georgia Department of Public Health, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, and local law enforcement, fire, and EMS agencies that could be involved in any future bracelet program.

If the committee's study leads to legislation, Georgia could adopt a new identification tool meant to help emergency responders recognize and better assist people with PTSD or autism during crisis encounters, potentially changing how first responders interact with these individuals in the field.

• Paragraph (1) creates the Senate Study Committee on Enhancing Public Safety and Civic Health.
• Paragraph (2) requires the President of the Senate to appoint five members and two cochairpersons from different parties.
• Paragraph (3) charges the committee with studying emergency response challenges for people with PTSD or autism and recommending legislation.
• Paragraph (5) sets member allowances under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, capped at four days unless additional days are authorized, funded by Senate appropriations.
• Paragraph (6) requires any approved findings or recommendations to be filed as a report before the committee's abolishment date.
• Paragraph (7) abolishes the committee on December 1, 2026.

1. 2026-03-31Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Senate)
2. 2026-03-31Senate Third Read (Senate)
3. 2026-03-27Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
4. 2026-03-27Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (Senate)
5. 2025-04-02Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
6. 2025-04-01Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Donzella James (D, SD-028)Primary sponsor

1. PassedSenate voteMarch 31, 2026

   48 yea, 0 nay (3 not voting, 3 absent)

   Consent Calendar For Senate Study Committees: Senate Vote #875

• public safety
• autism
• PTSD
• emergency response
• legislative study committees