HR1945: HR1945 House Study Committee on Examining the Implementation, Funding, and Effectiveness of Georgia's CHINS Framework; create

26 LC 48 1841 House Resolution 1945 By: Representatives Davis of the 87th, Schofield of the 63rd, and Scott of the 76th A RESOLUTION Creating the House Study Committee on Examining the Implementat ion, Funding, and1 Effectiveness of Georgia's CHINS Framework; and for other purposes.2 WHEREAS, the child in need of services (CHINS) program is essential to address the needs3 of youth without resorting to juvenile court or involving the Department of Juvenile Justice;4 and5 WHEREAS, status offenses are not criminal acts but often reflect underlying issues such as6 family instability, behavioral health needs, housing insecurity, poverty, and lack of access7 to supportive services; and8 WHEREAS, the CHINS framework was designed to provide coordinated services through9 the courts, schools, and community based organizations to address these issues and prevent10 escalation into the juvenile justice system; and11 WHEREAS, since its enactment more than a decade ago, the CHINS framework has largely12 functioned as an unfunded or underfunded mandate, resulting in inconsistent implementation13 across the state and limited access to services for many children and families; and14 H. R. 1945 - 1 - 26 LC 48 1841 WHEREAS, research and policy evidence demonstrate that early in tervention, family15 stabilization, educational support, and community based service s are significantly more16 effective and less costly than detention and incarceration; and17 WHEREAS, preventing youth from entering the juvenile justice system strengthens families,18 improves educational outcomes, and reduces long-term public expenditures associated with19 courts, incarceration, and social services; and20 WHEREAS, the General Assembly recognizes the importance of exam ining the current21 CHINS framework to ensure that it is adequately funded, effecti vely implemented, and22 producing measurable outcomes for the children and families it was intended to serve; and23 WHEREAS, adequate funding and infrastructure for the CHINS program will prevent status24 offenses and behavioral issues from escalating, provide community based interventions, and25 reduce recidivism while improving public safety and family stability; and26 WHEREAS, dedicated funding, management, and accountability are necessary for the27 CHINS program to ensure uniform implementation and effectiveness across this state.28 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:29 (1) Creation of House study committee. There is created the House Study Committee30 on Examining the Implementation, Funding, and Effectiveness of Georgia's CHINS31 Framework.32 (2) Members and officers. The committee shall be composed of seven members of the33 House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of34 Representatives. The Speaker shall designate a member of the committee as chairperson35 of the committee.36 H. R. 1945 - 2 - 26 LC 48 1841 (3) Powers and duties. The committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs,37 issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any action or38 legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate.39 (4) Meetings. The chairperson shall call all meetings of the committee. The committee40 may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or41 convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and42 accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution.43 (5) Allowances and funding.44 (A) The legislative members of the committee shall receive the allowances provided45 for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.46 (B) The allowances authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any member47 of the committee for more than five days unless additional days are authorized. Funds48 necessary to carry out the pr ovisions of this resolution shall come from funds49 appropriated to the House of Representatives.50 (6) Report.51 (A) In the event the committee adopts any specific findings or recommendations that52 include suggestions for proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file a report of the53 same prior to the date of abolishment specified in this resolut ion, subject to54 subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.55 (B) In the event the committee adopts a report that does not i nclude suggestions for56 proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file the report, subject to subparagraph (C)57 of this paragraph.58 (C) No report shall be filed unless the same has been approved prior to the date of59 abolishment specified in this resolution by majority vote of a quorum of the committee. 60 A report so approved shall be signed by the chairperson of the committee and filed with61 the Clerk of the House of Representatives.62 H. R. 1945 - 3 - 26 LC 48 1841 (D) In the absence of an approved report, the chairperson may file with the Clerk of the63 House of Representatives a copy of the minutes of the meetings of the committee in lieu64 thereof.65 (7) Abolishment. The committee shall stand abolished on December 1, 2026.66 H. R. 1945 - 4 -