SB434: SB434 Office of Homeless Youth Prevention and Protection; establishment

Georgia currently has no single state office focused on homeless youth. This bill would create the Office of Homeless Youth Prevention and Protection within the Department of Community Affairs, led by a director appointed by the commissioner. The office would coordinate state agencies, local governments, and community partners, collect statewide data on homeless youth, and develop programs aimed at reducing youth homelessness and increasing permanent family placements. The office would have to begin operating by January 1, 2027, and would publish an annual report to top state officials and legislative committees starting the first April 1 after it becomes operational. A 12-member advisory committee, including social workers, lawmakers, youth who have experienced homelessness, and caregivers, would advise the office and would be abolished on December 31, 2029. The whole law only takes effect if the General Assembly specifically appropriates funding for it.

• Creates the Office of Homeless Youth Prevention and Protection inside the Department of Community Affairs, led by a director the commissioner appoints.
• Directs the office to coordinate state agencies, local governments, and community partners to track, fund, and close gaps in homeless youth services.
• Requires the office to collect statewide data on homeless youth, including housing status, family reunification, and runaway status.
• Establishes a 12-member advisory committee with set categories of members, two-year terms, and quarterly meetings, to be abolished December 31, 2029.
• Requires an annual report to the Governor, legislative leaders, and specific House and Senate committees starting the first April 1 after the office becomes operational.
• Makes the entire law effective only if the General Assembly specifically appropriates money for it in a budget act.

Homeless and at-risk youth up to age 25, the Department of Community Affairs and its new office staff, the Division of Family and Children Services, licensed social workers, legislators serving on the advisory committee, and parents, guardians, or kinship caregivers supporting youth experiencing homelessness.

If funded, the bill would give Georgia a dedicated state office tracking homeless youth data and coordinating services across agencies, potentially improving identification of at-risk youth and closing service gaps. Because it takes effect only with a specific appropriation, its real-world impact depends entirely on future budget decisions.

• New Code Section 49-5-26(a) defines 'homeless youth,' 'office,' and 'young person' (up to age 25) for purposes of the law.
• Subsection (b) establishes the office within the Department of Community Affairs, attached for administrative purposes.
• Subsection (d) lists office responsibilities, including statewide coordination, data-sharing agreements, and programs to reduce youth homelessness and increase permanent placements.
• Subsection (e) requires an annual report by April 1 covering data trends, outcome measures, policy gaps, and recommended legislative and budget actions.
• Subsection (f) creates a 12-member advisory committee appointed by the Governor by January 1, 2027, with specified seats for social workers, legislators, homeless youth, and caregivers.
• Subsections (g)-(j) set two-year terms, quarterly meetings, unpaid service with per diem reimbursement, and a December 31, 2029 abolition date for the committee.
• Subsection (k) requires the office to begin operations no later than January 1, 2027.
• Section 2 conditions the entire Act's effectiveness on a specific funding appropriation by the General Assembly.

1. 2026-01-29Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2. 2026-01-28Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Kim Jackson (D, SD-041)Primary sponsor
• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)
• Harold Jones (D, SD-022)
• Carden Summers (R, SD-013)

• youth homelessness
• child welfare
• state agencies
• Department of Community Affairs
• foster care and family services