HR 252: Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), community service boards (CSBs), and first responders; commend

This resolution does not change any Georgia law. It is a formal statement from the House of Representatives praising the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) and Co-Responder programs, which pair law enforcement officers with behavioral health professionals to respond to mental health crises. The resolution recalls that the 2022 Georgia Behavioral Health and Peace Officer Co-Responder Act (Senate Bill 403) created the framework for these programs. It states that the programs have helped divert people from unnecessary incarceration, connect them to treatment, and ease strain on law enforcement. The House designates February 19, 2025 as Co-Responder Day at the state capitol and directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to DBHDD, law enforcement agencies, community service boards, the public, and the press.

• Formally commends DBHDD and local Co-Responder programs for their role in responding to mental health crises, without creating any new legal requirement.
• Designates February 19, 2025 as Co-Responder Day at the state capitol to highlight crisis response efforts.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to distribute copies of the resolution to DBHDD, law enforcement agencies, community service boards, the public, and the press.
• References the 2022 Georgia Behavioral Health and Peace Officer Co-Responder Act (Senate Bill 403) as the legal basis for the programs being commended.

The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, community service boards, local law enforcement agencies, and behavioral health professionals involved in Co-Responder programs are named and commended, along with the individuals in crisis these programs serve.

While the resolution carries no legal force, it publicly recognizes and highlights Co-Responder programs that pair police officers with mental health professionals, which the resolution says help redirect people in crisis toward treatment instead of jail.

• Recites that Senate Bill 403 (2022), the Georgia Behavioral Health and Peace Officer Co-Responder Act, established the Co-Responder program framework.
• Resolves that the House commends DBHDD and local Co-Responder programs for responding to mental health crises.
• Resolves that February 19, 2025 is recognized as Co-Responder Day at the state capitol.
• Directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to DBHDD, law enforcement agencies, community service boards, the public, and the press.

1. 2025-02-12House Read and Adopted (Cámara de Representantes)
2. 2025-02-12House First Readers (Cámara de Representantes)
3. 2025-02-12House Hopper (Cámara de Representantes)

• Sharon Cooper (R, HD-045)Patrocinador principal
• Derrick McCollum (R, HD-030)
• Scott Hilton (R, HD-048)
• Deborah Silcox (R, HD-053)
• Katie Dempsey (R, HD-013)

• mental health crisis response
• behavioral health
• law enforcement collaboration
• Co-Responder programs