SR746: SR746 Self-Direction Day; recognize March 18, 2026

This resolution does not change Georgia law. It formally recognizes March 18, 2026 as Self-Direction Day in honor of a service model called self-direction, which lets people with disabilities and elderly Georgians choose how, when, and from whom they receive home and community based care (HCBS) instead of having a provider make those choices for them. The resolution recounts that self-direction began in Georgia in April 2005 through the Independent Care Waiver Program and is now offered through five different Home and Community-Based Waiver Programs. It states that self-direction has been linked to better satisfaction, quality of life, and lower costs compared to traditional provider-directed services. The Senate directs its Secretary to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and the press.

• Formally designates March 18, 2026 as Self-Direction Day in Georgia, a symbolic recognition rather than a change to state law.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public and the press.
• Describes the history and structure of Georgia's self-direction model, including its 2005 start in the Independent Care Waiver Program and its current availability in five Home and Community-Based Waiver Programs.

The resolution primarily touches people with disabilities and elderly Georgians who use self-directed home and community based services, along with the state agencies and waiver programs that administer those services and the Senate staff tasked with distributing copies of the resolution.

Because this is a resolution rather than a bill amending law, it creates no new rights, funding, or requirements. Its main real-world effect is public recognition, drawing attention to a care option that lets Georgians with disabilities and elderly residents control their own in-home services and supports.

• The whereas clauses explain that self-direction lets individuals decide how, when, and from whom their services are delivered, aiming to maximize independent living in the community.
• The whereas clauses note self-direction began in Georgia in April 2005 through the Independent Care Waiver Program and is now available in five Home and Community-Based Waiver Programs.
• The resolving clause recognizes March 18, 2026 as Self-Direction Day.
• The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies available to the public and the press.

1. 2026-02-11Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2026-02-10Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)Primary sponsor
• Ben Watson (R, SD-001)
• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)
• Mike Hodges (R, SD-003)
• Ed Setzler (R, SD-037)
• Sally Harrell (D, SD-040)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• Chuck Hufstetler (R, SD-052)
• Frank Ginn (R, SD-047)
• Ricky Williams (R, SD-025)
• Clint Dixon (R, SD-045)
• Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)
• Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)
• Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)
• Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)
• Jason T. Dickerson (R, SD-021)
• Max Burns (R, SD-023)
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)

• disability services
• home and community based care
• Medicaid waiver programs
• elder care
• Georgia Senate resolutions