SR 771: Senate Study Committee on Adoption and Permanency Affordability; create

This resolution sets up the Senate Study Committee on Adoption and Permanency Affordability. It does not change any adoption laws itself. Instead, it directs at least five senators, appointed by the President of the Senate, to study the costs and barriers involved in adopting a child in Georgia, from home studies and agency fees to legal costs and post-placement supervision. The committee will look at whether state regulations, fees, or licensing requirements add unnecessary costs, how well existing tax credits and incentives work, and the specific challenges facing middle-income families and families adopting children with special needs. Members get standard legislative allowances for up to five meeting days, paid from Senate funds. Any findings or recommended legislation must be filed as a report before the committee is abolished on December 1, 2026.

• Creates the Senate Study Committee on Adoption and Permanency Affordability, made up of at least five senators appointed by the President of the Senate.
• Directs the committee to study cost drivers, regulatory burdens, tax incentives, and barriers facing middle-income and special-needs adoptive families in Georgia.
• Authorizes the committee to hold meetings called by its chairperson and to recommend legislation or administrative action.
• Provides legislative members standard per diem allowances under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, capped at five days unless more are approved, funded through Senate appropriations.
• Requires a report with any findings or proposed legislation to be filed with the Secretary of the Senate before the committee's abolishment.
• Sets the committee to automatically dissolve on December 1, 2026.

Georgia senators appointed to the committee, prospective and current adoptive parents, child welfare professionals, adoption agencies (including faith based and nonprofit providers), legal practitioners, and children awaiting adoptive placement, especially those with special needs.

No adoption law changes yet, but the committee's findings could shape future legislation on adoption fees, licensing rules, and tax incentives. Families considering adoption, agencies handling placements, and lawmakers weighing reforms would all be watching what the committee recommends before it disbands at the end of 2026.

• Paragraph 1 creates the Senate Study Committee on Adoption and Permanency Affordability.
• Paragraph 2 sets membership at a minimum of five senators appointed by the President of the Senate, who also names the chairperson.
• Paragraph 3 charges the committee with studying adoption-related conditions and problems and recommending legislation if needed.
• Paragraph 5 sets per diem allowances under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, limited to five paid days unless more are authorized, funded from Senate appropriations.
• Paragraph 6 requires any approved findings or legislative recommendations to be filed as a report with the Secretary of the Senate before abolishment.
• Paragraph 7 abolishes the committee on December 1, 2026.

1. 2026-03-10Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
2. 2026-03-10Senate Third Read (Senate)
3. 2026-02-26Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
4. 2026-02-25Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
5. 2026-02-17Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
6. 2026-02-12Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)Primary sponsor
• Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)
• Blake Tillery (R, SD-019)
• Ed Setzler (R, SD-037)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)
• Billy Hickman (R, SD-004)
• Shawn Still (R, SD-048)
• Mike Hodges (R, SD-003)
• Sam Watson (R, SD-011)
• Russ Goodman (R, SD-008)
• Ben Watson (R, SD-001)
• Max Burns (R, SD-023)
• Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)
• Frank Ginn (R, SD-047)
• Clint Dixon (R, SD-045)
• Marty Harbin (R, SD-016)

1. PassedSenate voteMarch 10, 2026

   50 yea, 0 nay (2 not voting, 3 absent)

   Adoption: Senate Vote #703

• adoption
• child welfare
• family law
• state study committees
• adoption costs