Georgia Senate Bill 138 (Act 77) of 2015, To Provide For Various Reforms Regarding The State’s Child Welfare System

On May 5, 2015, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal signed legislation aimed at reforming Georgia’s child welfare system by encouraging communication and data sharing among state agencies and with foster families. The legislation, Senate Bill (SB) 138, implements recommendations made by the Georgia Child Welfare Reform Council, including creation of a file-sharing and data collection system and revision to privacy laws so that DFCS can give foster parents and provider organizations access to children’s medical and educational records, and allow other state agencies and entities such as schools, that also serve children involved with the child welfare system . . .