Georgia SB500: Behavioral Health Care Workforce Data Base; expand to include data from licensed health care professionals

What the bill says

To amend Chapter 10 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce, so as to expand the Behavioral Health Care Workforce Data Base to include data from licensed health care professionals; to revise definitions; to rename such data base as the Health Care Workforce Data Base; to provide for conforming changes; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

From the introduced text:

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED To amend Chapter 10 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce, so as to expand the Behavioral Health Care Workforce Data Base to include data from licensed health care professionals; to revise definitions; to rename such data base as the Health Care Workforce Data Base; to provide for conforming changes; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA: SECTION 1. Chapter 10 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce, is amended by revising subsections (a) and (b) and paragraph (9) of subsection (d) of Code Section 49-10-5, relating to Behavioral Health Care Workforce Data Base, as follows: "(a) As used in this Code section, the term: (1) 'Addictive disease' has the same meaning as in Code Section 37-1-1 Reserved. S. B. LC 60 0342S (2) 'Behavioral health care provider' 'Health care professional' means any health care provider professional regulated by a licensing board who primarily provides treatment or diagnosis of mental health or substance use disorders. (3) 'Licensing board' means: (A) Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists; (B) Georgia Board …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Rick Townsend (R, 179) · primary sponsor
• Mike Hodges (R, 3) · primary sponsor
• Ben Watson (R, SD-001)
• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, 32)
• Larry Walker (R, 20)
• Sally Harrell (D, 40)
• Billy Hickman (R, 4)
• Carden Summers (R, 13)
• Chuck Hufstetler (R, 52)
• Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)
• Ricky Williams (R, 25)

Latest actions

1. July 1, 2026: Effective Date
2. May 12, 2026: Act 629
3. May 12, 2026: Senate Date Signed by Governor
4. April 10, 2026: Senate Sent to Governor
5. March 27, 2026: Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub
6. March 23, 2026: House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
7. March 23, 2026: House Third Readers
8. March 18, 2026: House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
9. March 4, 2026: House Second Readers
10. March 3, 2026: House First Readers

Votes

• Senate Vote #839 (March 27, 2026): 45 yea, 2 nay, passed
• House Vote #749 (March 23, 2026): 164 yea, 1 nay, passed
• Senate Vote #595 (February 26, 2026): 46 yea, 3 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB500?

SB500 is a bill in the Georgia Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Behavioral Health Care Workforce Data Base; expand to include data from licensed health care professionals.

What does SB500 do?

In its own words: To amend Chapter 10 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce, so as to expand the Behavioral Health Care Workforce Data Base to include data from licensed health care professionals; to revise definitions; to rename such data base as the Health Care Workforce Data Base; to provide for conforming changes; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

What is the status of SB500?

Signed into law as of May 12, 2026. Latest action: Effective Date (July 1, 2026).

Who sponsored SB500?

Rick Townsend (R, 179), with 10 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB500?

On the Georgia Legislature website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73166