House Bill 155

Chair's Name: Wendell Willard

Committee: Judiciary

House Sponsor: Wendell Willard

HB 155 creates a new code section which requires background checks for owners of personal care facilities who have access or control over the facilities. Similar requirements are already in place for employees of these facilities. If an owner has a criminal record which includes certain crimes, DHR must deny or revoke that owner�s license. If DHR denies or revokes a license, an automatic review process is triggered.

The committee substitute received a Do Pass recommendation from the Judiciary Committee and comes to the House Floor under the Open Rule. 

Chairman Willard�s opinion of this legislation:

WHAT PROBLEM/OPPORTUNITY DOES THIS LEGISLATION ADDRESS?

HB155 provides protection for our most vulnerable citizens by prohibiting certain violent criminals from operating personal care homes.  The bill gives the Department of Human Resources the regulatory power to protect residents of personal care homes.  Applicants for a license to own/operate a personal care home, private home care provider or community living arrangement will be subject to a background check and barred from obtaining a license if the applicant has a criminal record as defined in the statute.

WHAT IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THIS LEGISLATION?

The Department of Human Resources is concerned about the safety of residents of personal care homes in Georgia from sex offenders and violent criminals.

THIS LEGISLATION:

• Strengthens our Traditional Family Structure: 

This bill will allow families to feel safer about putting family members in personal care homes to get the best possible care.