House Bill 535

Chairman: Sharon Cooper

Committee:Health & Human Services

House Sponsor: Mark Butler

Chairman Cooper’s Opinion of the Legislation:

HB 535 creates a state ombudsman for mental health, developmental disabilities, and addictive diseases.  This ombudsman would investigate complaints in our mental health system, as well as act as an advocate for patients.  This ombudsman would act independently of any government agency and would have full investigatory powers. Due to recent trouble in Georgia’s mental health system, it is important that patients have a voice as well as someone who will investigate all complaints concerning the care that those in our mental health, developmental disabilities, and addictive diseases systems.

This bill comes to the House Floor under the Open Rule.

Further Action

The Senate added some changes to the Review Committee that the Sponsor agrees with. However, they also weakened the powers and protections the House provided to the ombudsman. The House agreed as amended by the House,  restoring the original powers and protections.