Children and Families Committee Meeting
children and families committee
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Feb 03, 2026
Meeting Information
The Children and Families Committee convened to discuss and vote on two key legislative proposals: Senate Bill 431, aimed at ensuring immediate school enrollment for foster children, and Senate Resolution 622, proposing a joint study committee to address the Department of Human Services' budget deficit and rising foster care costs.
Meeting Summary
Immediate School Enrollment for Foster Children (SB 431)
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Senator Kirkpatrick introduced Senate Bill 431, which mandates immediate school enrollment for foster children within two school days to prevent issues like lost credits and delayed transfers, a problem identified by a previous study committee. [Video 19:06]
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A committee member raised concerns that immediate enrollment without complete records could endanger other children due to potential behavioral issues, referencing a previous school safety bill (SB 268) that aimed to prevent such situations. [Video 21:02]
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Despite concerns, Senator Kirkpatrick emphasized the unique challenges faced by foster children and the importance of minimizing time out of school. The committee ultimately voted unanimously to pass Senate Bill 431. [Video 24:56] [Video 25:38]
Joint Study Committee on DHS Budget and Foster Care Costs (SR 622)
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Senator Kirkpatrick introduced Senate Resolution 622 to establish a Joint Study Committee to investigate the Department of Human Services' budget deficit and increasing foster care costs, a problem that emerged after previous study committees concluded. [Video 25:49]
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Devin Rudy Johnson from Georgia Empowerment advocated for the inclusion of individuals with lived experience in the study committee to ensure that decisions about young people in foster care are informed by those most impacted. [Video 28:36]
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Reginald Holloway, an advocate with 17 years of lived experience in Georgia's foster care system, emphasized that lived experience voices are 'not optional' but 'necessary' for understanding the true costs and impacts of the system, advocating for their inclusion as subject matter experts. [Video 29:47]
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Darlene Lynch, Legal and Policy Director from Georgia Appleseed, also supported the bill, noting their own study found many counties denying enrollment for children due to new record requirements, reinforcing the need for legislative action. [Video 33:12]
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The committee voted unanimously to pass Senate Resolution 622, with Senator Kirkpatrick committing to work with the House to ensure the inclusion of people with lived experience in the study committee process. [Video 34:19] [Video 33:58]
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on Feb 03, 2026
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