HR1109: HR1109 Mental Health Sentencing and Treatment Alternatives Act; commend advancement by General Assembly; recognize urgent need for sentencing alternatives for Georgians with serious mental illness

This resolution does not change any Georgia law itself. Instead, it states the House of Representatives' recognition that thousands of incarcerated Georgians live with serious mental illness, often without adequate treatment, and that Georgia currently lacks a uniform sentencing-stage framework connecting people to mental health alternatives. The resolution formally supports passage of a separate proposal called the 'Mental Health Sentencing and Treatment Alternatives Act,' describing it as a way to ensure continuity of mental health care from sentencing through release, make use of Medicaid and federal funding, and build in oversight. It directs the Clerk of the House to send copies of the resolution to the Governor, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, the Department of Community Health, and the Administrative Office of the Courts.

• States the House's recognition that many incarcerated Georgians with serious mental illness lack adequate treatment, contributing to recidivism and homelessness.
• Declares House support for passage of the separate 'Mental Health Sentencing and Treatment Alternatives Act,' without itself enacting that act's provisions.
• Directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to the Governor and named state agencies and courts administrators.
• Cites Washington state's mental health sentencing alternatives as an example while asserting Georgia could adopt a more comprehensive model.

The resolution speaks to people incarcerated in Georgia prisons and jails who have serious mental illness, along with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, the Department of Community Health, the Administrative Office of the Courts, and the Governor's office, which would receive copies of it.

Because this is a resolution rather than a bill amending Georgia law, it creates no new sentencing rules or funding on its own. Its practical effect is to put the House's support on record for a future act addressing mental health treatment for incarcerated Georgians.

• The whereas clauses describe the current lack of a uniform statutory framework for mental health sentencing alternatives in Georgia.
• The resolving clause states House support for passage of the 'Mental Health Sentencing and Treatment Alternatives Act,' a separate proposed law.
• The final clause directs the Clerk of the House to send copies to the Governor, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, the Department of Community Health, and the Administrative Office of the Courts.

1. 2026-02-02House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-01-29House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-01-28House Hopper (House)

• Sandra Scott (D, HD-076)Primary sponsor
• Kim Schofield (D, HD-063)
• Viola Davis (D, HD-087)

• mental health
• criminal sentencing
• prisons and jails
• behavioral health policy