SB 188: Georgia Adult and Aging Services Agency; create

Georgia currently handles services for older adults and adults with disabilities through the Division of Aging Services inside the Department of Human Services. This bill rewrites that part of state law (O.C.G.A. Title 49, Chapter 6) to create a separate agency, the Georgia Adult and Aging Services Agency, that would take over those duties starting July 1, 2025. The bill creates a seven-member Georgia Adult and Aging Services Board, appointed by the Governor, the Speaker of the House, the Lieutenant Governor, and the agency's own director, to oversee the new agency and hire its director. It transfers the Division of Aging Services' staff, property, funds, contracts, and pending cases to the new agency, keeps transferred employees' pay and benefits intact, and has the agency submit its budget straight to the Governor and General Assembly instead of through the Department of Human Services. It also keeps the long-term care ombudsman program independent, and requires the agency to file an annual report to the Governor starting in 2026.

• Creates the Georgia Adult and Aging Services Agency to take over aging and adult services currently run by the Division of Aging Services in the Department of Human Services.
• Establishes a seven-member Georgia Adult and Aging Services Board appointed by the Governor, House Speaker, Lieutenant Governor, and the agency director to set policy and hire the director.
• Transfers the Division of Aging Services' employees, property, records, funds, and pending legal matters to the new agency effective July 1, 2025, while protecting transferred employees' pay and benefits.
• Lets the new agency submit its budget request directly to the Governor and General Assembly instead of routing it through the Department of Human Services.
• Keeps the state long-term care ombudsman program operating independently of the new agency's director and board.
• Requires the agency to file an annual report on its activities and legislative recommendations to the Governor starting in 2026.

Older Georgians and adults with disabilities who use aging or guardianship services, current employees of the Division of Aging Services who would be transferred to the new agency, the Department of Human Services, the Office of Planning and Budget, and members of the long-term care ombudsman program.

Georgians who rely on aging or adult services, from home and community based care to guardianship, would be served by a new stand-alone agency rather than a division inside a larger department, changing who sets policy, controls the budget, and answers to the Governor and legislature.

• Code Section 49-6-3 creates the seven-member Georgia Adult and Aging Services Board, with two members required to be older adults and staggered initial terms of one, two, and three years.
• Code Section 49-6-4 has the board select a director experienced in adult or aging services, who hires a deputy director, chief financial officer, chief operating officer, and other staff.
• Code Section 49-6-5 transfers the Division of Aging Services' powers, employees, property, funds, and pending cases to the new agency on July 1, 2025, and requires the agency to submit its budget directly to state leaders.
• Code Section 49-6-5(l) keeps the office of the state long-term care ombudsman operating independently of the agency's director and board.
• Code Section 49-6-6 makes the agency the state's designated body for federal aging programs and directs it to coordinate services with local governments.
• Code Section 49-6-10 requires the agency to submit an annual report on its work and any legislative recommendations to the Governor starting in 2026.
• Section 2 repeals any existing laws that conflict with the new article.

1. 2025-02-19Senate Read and Referred (Senado)
2. 2025-02-18Senate Hopper (Senado)

• Jason Esteves (D, SD-035)Patrocinador principal
• Harold Jones (D, SD-022)
• Nabilah Islam Parkes (D, SD-007)
• Kim Jackson (D, SD-041)
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
• Donzella James (D, SD-028)
• Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)
• Sally Harrell (D, SD-040)
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
• Nikki Merritt (D, SD-009)
• Elena Parent (D, SD-044)
• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
• Michael Rhett (D, SD-033)
• Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)
• Josh McLaurin (D, SD-014)

• aging services
• state government reorganization
• disability services
• long-term care
• Department of Human Services