---
title: O.C.G.A. § 37-12-12. Funding and budgeting; collaboration.
collection: code
id: 37-12-12
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 37-12-12 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/37-12-12
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/37-12-12.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/37-12-12/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t37-t39-(v28)-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=6f93000f_0#page=151
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/code/37-12.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/37-12-11.md
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index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: MENTAL HEALTH / GEORGIA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND PEACE OFFICER CO-RESPONDER PROGRAMS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 37-12-12. Funding and budgeting; collaboration.

(a) The requirements contained in this chapter shall be contingent upon the appropriation of funds by the General Assembly or the availability of other funds.

(b) No later than July 15, 2023, and annually thereafter, the department shall submit to the board proposed budgets for co-responder programs for each community service board. The proposed budget for each community service board shall be based on each community service board’s operational analysis and shall include the salaries of an adequate number of staff dedicated to the responsibilities of the co-responder program and shall delineate unique factors existing in the area served, such as the population and demographics.

(c) In the event that full funding or staffing is not obtained by a community service board, such board may work collaboratively with other entities, including but not limited to the Georgia Association of Community Service Boards, to identify and apply for potential sources of additional funding, identify and pursue additional recruiting options, and identify the elements of the co-responder program that will be implemented given the resources available, until full resources are obtained.

(d) The department may pursue funding for purposes of implementing the co-responder program pursuant to this chapter, including without limitation from block grants, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act of 2020, P.L. 116-136; the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, P.L. 117-2; and other grants.

## History

Code 1981, § 37-12-12, enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 722, § 5/SB 403.

## Editor's Notes

Funds were appropriated at the 2022 session of the General Assembly.