GA SB524

Establishes the Georgia Community Health Worker Certification (CHWC) Committee, a 11-member voting body appointed by the Commissioner, including physicians, social workers, community health worker employers, certification program representatives, and practicing community health workers, plus 2 nonvoting agency representatives.

Creates a formal certification process for community health workers — defined as frontline health workers who provide culturally appropriate health education, care coordination, health screenings, outreach, and advocacy within their communities.

Requires all community health worker training and education programs to be accredited by the CHWC Committee, prohibiting any entity from offering such training without accreditation, and directs the department to publish accreditation requirements and application forms on its website.

Directs the committee to establish tiered levels of certified practice, provide an expedited certification pathway for workers certified in other jurisdictions, and create a grandfathering process for individuals and programs operating prior to July 1, 2024.

Grants the committee authority to establish complaint and disciplinary procedures, with available actions including fines, reprimand, probation, censure, suspension, or revocation of certification.