Georgia legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Georgia SB402: Children and Youth; pilot program provision for screenings, clinical evaluations, training for autism spectrum disorder to children in foster care; establish
Status: Signed into law, May 11, 2026
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to programs and protection for children and youth, so as to establish a pilot program relating to the provision of screenings, clinical evaluations, training, services, and resources for autism spectrum disorder to children in foster care; to provide for definitions; to provide for the Division of Family and Children Services of the Department of Human Services to develop and implement such pilot program; to provide for a final report and recommendations; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for automatic repeal; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
What the bill says
To amend Chapter 5 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to programs and protection for children and youth, so as to establish a pilot program relating to the provision of screenings, clinical evaluations, training, services, and resources for autism spectrum disorder to children in foster care; to provide for definitions; to provide for the Division of Family and Children Services of the Department of Human Services to develop and implement such pilot program; to provide for a final report and recommendations…
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED To amend Chapter 5 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to programs and protection for children and youth, so as to establish a pilot program relating to the provision of screenings, clinical evaluations, training, services, and resources for autism spectrum disorder to children in foster care; to provide for definitions; to provide for the Division of Family and Children Services of the Department of Human Services to develop and implement such pilot program; to provide for a final report and recommendations; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for automatic repeal; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA: SECTION 1. Chapter 5 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to programs and protection for children and youth, is amended in Article 1, relating to children and youth services, by adding a new Code section to read as follows: "49-5-26. (a) As used in this Code section, the term: S. B. LC 48 1826S (1) 'Autism spectrum disorder' means a neurobiological disorder or developmental disability characterized by challenges with verbal communication, nonverbal communication, social skills, and restricted or repetitive behaviors, as defined by the most …