SB402: SB402 Children and Youth; pilot program provision for screenings, clinical evaluations, training for autism spectrum disorder to children in foster care; establish

Georgia law currently has no dedicated program to screen children in foster care for autism spectrum disorder. This bill adds a new section to the state's child welfare code (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. The program would provide screenings and clinical evaluations for autism spectrum disorder, along with training and resources for caseworkers, healthcare providers, and caregivers of foster children. The pilot would begin in three regional service areas and expand to more each year until it covers the whole state. It would prioritize children already diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or reactive attachment disorder, or those on psychotropic medication. The division must file annual reports to state leaders and would automatically stop operating by law one year after its final report. The bill takes effect once the Governor signs it or it becomes law without a signature.

• Directs the Division of Family and Children Services to create a five-year pilot program screening foster children for autism spectrum disorder.
• Requires the program to expand from three regional service areas in year one to all regional service areas by the pilot's end.
• Requires training, services, and resources on autism spectrum disorder for caseworkers, division staff, healthcare providers, and caregivers, allowing some to be delivered online.
• Directs the division to prioritize children already diagnosed with ADHD or reactive attachment disorder, or prescribed psychotropic medications, for services.
• Requires annual written reports to the Governor, legislative leaders, and specific House and Senate committees on the program's implementation and effectiveness.
• Sets the program to automatically end (repeal by operation of law) one year after the division submits its final report.

Children in foster care, their caregivers (parents, legal guardians, foster parents, and kinship caregivers), Division of Family and Children Services staff and regional directors, healthcare providers who conduct evaluations, and state legislative committees that receive the required reports.

Foster children with autism spectrum disorder may currently go undiagnosed or unsupported within the child welfare system. This pilot would create a structured, funded pathway for screening, diagnosis, and training that caseworkers and caregivers can use, though it is limited to five years and subject to available state funding.

• Subsection (a) defines key terms including 'autism spectrum disorder,' 'caregiver,' 'clinical evaluation,' 'division,' and 'screening.'
• Subsection (b) establishes the five-year pilot program, subject to appropriations (state funding), starting in three regional service areas and expanding annually.
• Subsection (b) directs the division to prioritize children diagnosed with ADHD, reactive attachment disorder, or on psychotropic medications.
• Subsection (c) requires the division to plan incremental expansion, communication strategies for caregivers, sufficient medical consultants, and dedicated staff.
• Subsection (d) requires annual written reports starting after the first year, due by July 1, to the Governor, Speaker, Senate President, and specified committees, including implementation recommendations.
• Subsection (e) authorizes the division to adopt rules and regulations needed to implement the pilot program.
• Subsection (f) automatically repeals the new 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 approval.

1. 2026-05-11Effective Date 2026-05-11
2. 2026-05-11Act 491
3. 2026-05-11Senate Date Signed by Governor (Senate)
4. 2026-04-10Senate Sent to Governor (Senate)
5. 2026-04-02Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub (Senate)
6. 2026-03-31House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (House)
7. 2026-03-31House Third Readers (House)
8. 2026-03-12House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)

• Blake Tillery (R, SD-019)Primary sponsor
• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)
• Clint Dixon (R, SD-045)
• Larry Walker (R, SD-020)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)
• Shawn Still (R, SD-048)
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)
• Billy Hickman (R, SD-004)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• Steve Gooch (R, SD-051)
• Ricky Williams (R, SD-025)
• Mike Hodges (R, SD-003)
• Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)
• Jason T. Dickerson (R, SD-021)
• Max Burns (R, SD-023)
• Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)
• Timothy Bearden (R, SD-030)
• Sam Watson (R, SD-011)
• Russ Goodman (R, SD-008)
• Deborah Silcox (R, HD-053)

1. PassedSenate voteFebruary 6, 2026

   48 yea, 0 nay (0 not voting, 6 absent)

   Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #524

2. PassedHouse voteMarch 31, 2026

   171 yea, 0 nay (1 not voting, 4 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #795

3. PassedSenate voteApril 2, 2026

   52 yea, 0 nay (0 not voting, 2 absent)

   Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #943

• foster care
• autism spectrum disorder
• child welfare
• children and youth services
• healthcare screenings