GA HB1368

Community service boards providing mental health, developmental disabilities, and addictive diseases services are re-created effective July 1, 2026, with existing governing board members reconstituted on that date.

Executive directors of community service boards will be appointed and removed by the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and become department employees, rather than being hired by local governing boards.

Current executive directors as of June 30, 2026 may elect by August 1, 2026 to remain employees of the community service board under a three-party contract, or become department employees by default.

The department must establish unified bylaws for community service boards by December 31, 2026, covering appointment/removal procedures, staggered terms, quorum requirements, and ensuring consumers and family members constitute at least 50% of governing board membership.

All contracts, debt obligations, and certain governance actions of community service boards after July 1, 2026 must be executed or approved by the commissioner-appointed executive director, shifting operational authority from local governing boards to state oversight.