SR589: SR589 Marriage and Family Therapy Day; recognize February 11, 2026

This resolution from the Georgia Senate commends licensed marriage and family therapists for their work supporting Georgia families, individuals, and communities. It notes that marriage and family therapy is one of five mental health professions licensed in Georgia, overseen by the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists, and that practitioners must complete graduate education and supervised clinical training. The resolution formally designates February 11, 2026, as Marriage and Family Therapy Day at the Capitol. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide a copy of the resolution to the Georgia Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. The resolution does not change any law, create funding, or impose new requirements; it is a ceremonial recognition.

• Commends licensed marriage and family therapists in Georgia for their work with families, individuals, and communities.
• Designates February 11, 2026, as Marriage and Family Therapy Day at the Capitol.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to the Georgia Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.
• Does not alter licensing requirements, create funding, or change any existing Georgia law.

The resolution directly names licensed marriage and family therapists in Georgia and the Georgia Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, which will receive a copy. It has no binding effect on other groups.

While largely symbolic, the resolution gives formal recognition to marriage and family therapists' role in mental health care and signals legislative acknowledgment of the profession, without changing licensing rules, funding, or day-to-day practice requirements.

• The resolved clause commends licensed marriage and family therapists for their contributions to mental, relational, and community health in Georgia.
• The resolved clause designates February 11, 2026, as Marriage and Family Therapy Day at the Capitol.
• A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute a copy of the resolution to the Georgia Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

1. 2026-01-27Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2026-01-22Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Larry Walker (R, SD-020)Primary sponsor
• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)
• Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)
• John Albers (R, SD-056)

• marriage and family therapy
• mental health
• Georgia Senate resolutions
• professional licensing