A committee tasked with studying current state policies and regulations regarding Foster Care and Adoption in Georgia will soon begin its work after Lt. Gov. Burt Jones announced legislative and citizen appointments. The committee was created with the passage of Senate Resolution 282 during the 2023 session.
“The issues this committee will consider are critical for Georgia’s children and I’m confident they will do a great job,” said Jones. “I am looking forward to their findings and recommendations.”
When making his appointments, Jones thanked Gov. Brian Kemp for signing all five of his children and families priorities into law following the legislation session.
“Additionally, I am grateful for all of the hard work by the bill sponsors and the Georgia Department of Human Services Commissioner Candice Broce to ensure these bills received final passage,” said Jones. “The Senate Study Committee on Foster Care and Adoption will build on the foundation and great work of these bills. This study committee will give a bigger platform to foster care and adoption, two policies which impact children and families across our state. They will meet this summer and I look forward to the recommendations they will develop for the 2024 session.”
Members of the committee are:
● Senator Kay Kirkpatrick (R-Marietta) – Chairwoman of the Study Committee.
● Senator Bo Hatchett (R-Cornelia)
● Senator Kim Jackson (D-Stone Mountain)
● Senator Harold Jones (D- Augusta)
● Senator Chuck Payne (R-Dalton)
● Senator Randy Robertson (R-Cataula)
● Dr. John Constantino – Chief, Behavioral and Mental Health, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
● Bob Bruder-Mattson – President and CEO FaithBridge Foster Care
● Juli Wilkes Wisotsky – Attorney, Wisotsky Law, Inc.
SR 282 states: “the current state of foster care and adoption processes in this state could benefit from revising and streamlining such processes and to that end the current funding barriers, fee structures, and requirements for public and private adoptions and the care of Georgia’s foster children should be examined.”
Kirkpatrick was the main sponsor of the resolution. Meeting dates and locations will be announced soon.
