HB943: HB943 Social services; establish a pilot program for autism spectrum disorder to children in foster care; provide

Children in Georgia's foster care system are not currently guaranteed autism spectrum disorder screening or evaluation through a dedicated state program. This bill adds a new section to Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 49-5-26) directing the Division of Family and Children Services, part of the Department of Human Services, to create a five-year pilot program offering screenings, clinical evaluations, training, services, and resources related to autism spectrum disorder for children in foster care. The program would start in three regional service areas and expand to more areas each year until it covers the whole state, subject to available funding. It would prioritize children already diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or reactive attachment disorder, or those prescribed psychotropic medications. The division must report annually on the program's progress and would need to submit recommendations for making it permanent. The section repeals itself by law one year after that final report, and the bill takes effect once the Governor signs it or it becomes law without a signature.

• Creates a new five-year pilot program within the Division of Family and Children Services to screen and clinically evaluate foster children for autism spectrum disorder.
• Requires training, services, and resources on autism spectrum disorder for division staff, healthcare providers, and caregivers, some of which may be delivered online.
• Directs the program to expand geographically each year, starting with three regional service areas and eventually covering all regions.
• Instructs the division to prioritize foster children already diagnosed with ADHD or reactive attachment disorder, or those on psychotropic medications, for services.
• Requires annual written reports to the Governor, legislative leaders, and specific committees on the program's implementation and effectiveness through 2031.
• Automatically repeals the new law one year after the final required report is submitted, unless further action is taken.

Children in Georgia's foster care system, their caregivers (parents, legal guardians, foster parents, and kinship caregivers), healthcare providers who diagnose and treat autism, and staff of the Division of Family and Children Services, including regional directors, county directors, and case managers.

Foster children with undiagnosed autism spectrum disorder may not receive appropriate care or accommodations. This pilot program would create a structured, state-run process for identifying autism in foster children and training the adults around them, though it depends on state funding being appropriated and expires automatically after the reporting period ends.

• Adds new Code section 49-5-26 to Chapter 5 of Title 49, defining autism spectrum disorder, caregiver, clinical evaluation, division, and screening.
• Subsection (b) requires the division, subject to appropriations, to run a five-year pilot offering screenings and clinical evaluations plus training and resources, expanding from three regions to all regions over time.
• Subsection (c) requires the division to plan for expansion, adopt communication strategies for caregivers, ensure enough medical consultants, and provide dedicated staff.
• Subsection (d) requires an annual written report starting after one year of operation, sent to the Governor, House Speaker, Senate President, and relevant committee chairs, continuing until July 1, 2031.
• Subsection (e) authorizes the division to adopt rules and regulations needed to run the pilot program.
• Subsection (f) automatically repeals this Code section on July 1 of the year following submission of the final report.
• Section 2 sets the effective date as upon the Governor's approval or the bill becoming law without signature.

1. 2026-05-11Effective Date 2026-07-11
2. 2026-05-11Act 477
3. 2026-05-11House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2026-04-07House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2026-03-31Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
6. 2026-03-31Senate Third Read (Senate)
7. 2026-03-25Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
8. 2026-03-25Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)

• Deborah Silcox (R, HD-053)Primary sponsor
• Lee Hawkins (R, HD-027)
• Sharon Cooper (R, HD-045)
• Lehman Franklin (R, HD-160)
• Kim Schofield (D, HD-063)
• Blake Tillery (R, SD-019)

1. PassedHouse voteFebruary 18, 2026

   163 yea, 2 nay (1 not voting, 9 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #528

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 31, 2026

   46 yea, 0 nay (1 not voting, 7 absent)

   Passage: Senate Vote #896

• foster care
• autism spectrum disorder
• child welfare
• Department of Human Services
• developmental disabilities