SR 393: Senate Study Committee on Improving Family Caregiver Services; create

Senate Resolution 393

By: Senators Jones II of the 22nd, Wicks of the 34th, Davenport of the 17th, Anderson of the 43rd and James of the 28th

ADOPTED SENATE

A RESOLUTION

Creating the Senate Study Committee on Improving Family Caregiver Services; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the Georgia senior population is rapidly growing and the need to assist family caregivers is growing; and

WHEREAS, there are over 1 million Georgians who are family caregivers, and they provide over 1 billion hours of care per year; and

WHEREAS, the Georgia legislature understands the value of family caregivers, having passed the Georgia Caregiver Bill of Rights; and

WHEREAS, family caregiving is more than just an act of love and family responsibility but is a critical element that supports the healthcare system; and

WHEREAS, family caregivers handle difficult medical tasks including providing injections, managing medical equipment, and performing personal hygiene care tasks for their loved ones; and

WHEREAS, family caregivers must advocate for their loved ones, coordinate care through complex health insurance plans, contend with transportation obstacles, and address other care concerns; and

WHEREAS, many family caregivers are employed in the workforce, which can create difficulty for such caregivers as they care for their loved ones; and

WHEREAS, employers of family caregivers face economic impacts as such employers may lose valued employees because of the family caregivers' care obligations; and

WHEREAS, family caregivers confront emotional, physical, and financial concerns as they care for their loved ones; and

WHEREAS, family caregivers deserve our support and assistance; and

WHEREAS, a study is needed to determine policy goals and identify legislative actions to improve family caregiving.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE:

(1) Creation of Senate study committee. There is created the Senate Study Committee on Improving Family Caregiver Services.

(2) Members and officers. The committee shall be composed of five members of the Senate to be appointed by the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall designate a member of the committee as chairperson of the committee.

(3) Powers and duties. The committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs, issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any action or legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate.

(4) Meetings. The chairperson shall call all meetings of the committee. The committee may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution.

(5) Allowances and funding. The legislative members of the committee shall receive the allowances provided for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. The allowances authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any member of the committee for more than five days unless additional days are authorized. Funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from funds appropriated to the Senate.

(6) Report.

(A) In the event the committee adopts any specific findings or recommendations that include suggestions for proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file a report of the same prior to the date of abolishment specified in this resolution, subject to subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.

(B) In the event the committee adopts a report that does not include suggestions for proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file the report, subject to subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.

(C) No report shall be filed unless the same has been approved prior to the date of abolishment specified in this resolution by majority vote of a quorum of the committee. A report so approved shall be signed by the chairperson of the committee and filed with the Secretary of the Senate.

(D) In the absence of an approved report, the chairperson may file with the Secretary of the Senate a copy of the minutes of the meetings of the committee in lieu thereof.

(7) Abolishment. The committee shall stand abolished on December 1, 2025.