Lt. Governor Burt Jones’s Children and Families Priority Legislative Package Update

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 2, 2024

ATLANTA | Today, Lt. Governor Burt Jones issued a statement on his Children and Families priority legislative package. The package’s four bills have each been signed into law, and the resolutions creating the Senate Study Committee on Affordable Childcare and urging quality legal representation through the Department of Health and Human Services were passed by the Senate during the 2024 Legislative Session.  

“I am extremely pleased with the support we have received for my Children and Families legislative priorities,” said Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones. “I was proud to prioritize this legislative package as part of our ongoing efforts to protect our most vulnerable Georgians. I would like to thank Governor Kemp, Speaker Burns, Commissioner Broce, and Chairwoman Kirkpatrick for their leadership on this vitally important issue. I look forward to continuing our work to improve our foster care system and protect the next generation of Georgians.”

Senate Bill 376 – Improves timely permanent placement of a child removed from his or her home by the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services.

Senate Bill 387 – Provides for the free issuance of a state identification card for children ages 14 to 17 who are in the legal custody of the Division of Family and Children Services.

Senate Bill 401 – Provides for data collection by juvenile courts in cases in which a child who is alleged or adjudicated to be dependent is placed in foster care.

Senate Bill 483 – Enables Georgia to enter into the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children.

Senate Resolution 471 – Creates the Senate Study Committee on Affordable Childcare.

Senate Resolution 474 – Highlights the availability of federal funding through the Department of Health and Human Services to support local programs offering quality legal representation (QLR) in cases involving child welfare and protection.