Georgia 2025-2026 Regular Session

Georgia House Bill HB291 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1	1		25 LC 57 0257S
2		-	House Bill 291 (COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE)
3		-	By: Representatives Taylor of the 173
4		-	rd
5		-	, Dempsey of the 13
6		-	th
7		-	, Cooper of the 45
8		-	th
9		-	, Mathiak of
10		-	the 82
11		-	nd
12		-	, Hawkins of the 27
13		-	th
14		-	, and others
	2	+	The House Committee on Public and Community Health offers the following substitute
	3	+	to HB 291:
15	4		A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
16	5		AN ACT
17		-	To amend Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health, so as to
18		-	1
	6	+	To amend Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health, so as to1
19	7		provide for the certification of community health workers; to provide for definitions; to2
20	8		provide for the establishment of the Georgia Community Health Worker Certification3
21	9		Committee; to provide for membership, powers, and duties of the committee; to provide for4
22	10		committee abolishment and transfer of powers and duties to the Department of Public Health;5
23	11		to provide for administrative support; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for6
24	12		standards; to provide for the approval of training programs; to provide for application7
25	13		procedures; to provide for requirements; to provide for related matters; to provide for an8
26	14		effective date conditioned on appropriations; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other9
27	15		purposes.10
28	16		BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:11
29	17		SECTION 1.12
30	18		Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health, is amended by revising13
31	19		Chapter 31, which is reserved, as follows:14
32	20		H. B. 291 (SUB)
33	21		- 1 - 25 LC 57 0257S
34		-	"CHAPTER 31
35		-	15
	22	+	"CHAPTER 3115
36	23		31-31-1.16
37		-	As used in this chapter, the term:
38		-	17
	24	+	As used in this chapter, the term:17
39	25		(1) 'Certified community health worker' means an individual to whom the committee has18
40	26		issued a certificate to serve as a certified community health worker based on standards19
41	27		and requirements approved by the department.20
42	28		(2) 'Commissioner' means the commissioner of public health.21
43	29		(3) 'Committee' means the Georgia Community Health Worker Certification Committee22
44	30		established by Code Section 31-31-2.23
45	31		(4) 'Community health worker' means a frontline public health worker who is a trusted24
46	32		member of a community or has a demonstrated knowledge of a community and25
47	33		individuals served and:26
48	34		(A) Provides culturally appropriate health education, information, and outreach in27
49	35		community based settings such as homes, schools, clinics, shelters, local businesses,28
50	36		and community centers;29
51	37		(B) Bridges or culturally mediates between individuals, communities, and health and30
52	38		human services, including actively building individual and community capacity;31
53	39		(C) Assures that community members access the services they need;32
54	40		(D) Provides direct services, such as informal counseling, social support, care33
55	41		coordination, and health screenings;34
56	42		(E) Advocates for individual and community needs with an emphasis on healthcare35
57	43		needs; and36
58	44		(F) Provides any additional services that may emerge in the development of37
59	45		community health worker practice.38
60	46		(5) 'Core competencies' means the knowledge and skills a certified community health39
61	47		worker is expected to demonstrate in order to carry out the mission and goals of the40
62	48		H. B. 291 (SUB)
63	49		- 2 - 25 LC 57 0257S
64	50		profession. Such term includes, but is not limited to, communication skills; interpersonal41
65	51		and relationship-building skills; service coordination and navigation skills;42
66	52		capacity-building skills; patient advocacy skills; education and facilitation skills;43
67	53		individual and community assessment skills; community outreach and engagement skills;44
68	54		evaluation and research skills; and knowledge base.45
69	55		(6) 'Department' means the Department of Public Health.46
70	56		(7) 'Training program' means an education and training program that meets the47
71	57		curriculum and training required for a community health worker to be eligible for48
72	58		certification and that has been approved by the department based on standards and49
73	59		requirements recommended by the committee. Reserved.50
74	60		31-31-2.51
75	61		(a) There is established the Georgia Community Health Worker Certification Committee.52
76	62		The commissioner shall appoint the 11 voting members of the committee as follows:53
77	63		(1) One licensed physician with a specialization in primary care or family medicine;54
78	64		(2) One licensed physician with a specialization in maternal and child health;55
79	65		(3) One licensed physician with a specialization in geriatrics;56
80	66		(4) One licensed social worker;57
81	67		(5) Three representatives of community health worker employers, one of whom shall58
82	68		represent hospitals, one of whom shall represent a federally qualified health center, and59
83	69		one of whom shall represent a community based organization;60
84	70		(6) One person with experience and training in public health policy, with special61
85	71		consideration given to an active member of the Georgia Community Health Worker62
86	72		Advocacy Coalition;63
87	73		(7) Two practicing community health workers, provided that such persons are eligible64
88	74		for certification as community health workers in this state and shall obtain such65
89	75		certification within a time frame specified in bylaws adopted by the committee; and66
90	76		H. B. 291 (SUB)
91	77		- 3 - 25 LC 57 0257S
92	78		(8) One active member of the Georgia Community Health Worker Advisory Board.67
93	79		(b) The commissioner shall appoint two department representatives to serve as nonvoting68
94	80		members of the committee.69
95	81		(c) Any voting member of the committee shall serve a two-year term, and no such member70
96	82		shall serve on the committee for more than two consecutive full terms. A member71
97	83		appointed for less than a full term may serve two consecutive full terms, and a former72
98	84		member shall be eligible again for appointment after a lapse of one or more years.73
99	85		(d) If there is a vacancy on the committee, such position shall be filled in the same manner74
100	86		as the original appointment. Members of the committee may be removed from office by75
101	87		the commissioner under the same conditions for removal from office of members of76
102	88		professional licensing boards provided in Code Section 43-1-17.77
103	89		(e) Members shall serve without compensation, but they may be reimbursed by the78
104	90		department, subject to fund availability, in the same manner as state officials and79
105	91		employees for travel and other expenses actually incurred by them in carrying out their80
106	92		duties as members of the committee.81
107	93		(f) The committee shall be abolished June 30, 2029, and the powers and duties of the82
108	94		committee shall transfer to the department upon such abolishment.83
109	95		31-31-3.84
110	96		(a) The committee shall meet at least quarterly and may meet at such other times at the call85
111	97		of the chairperson or by a majority of the members as necessary to transact its business.86
112	98		Such meetings may be conducted in person, by telephone, by virtual means, or any87
113	99		combination thereof.88
114	100		(b) The committee shall elect a chairperson, vice chairperson, and secretary from among89
115	101		its membership. Such officers shall serve for terms of two years.90
116	102		(c) A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum and shall have91
117	103		the authority to act upon any matter properly brought before the committee. The92
118	104		H. B. 291 (SUB)
119	105		- 4 - 25 LC 57 0257S
120	106		committee shall follow all policies and procedures of Chapter 14 of Title 50, relating to93
121	107		open and public meetings.94
122	108		(d) The committee shall have the following powers and duties:95
123	109		(1) To make recommendations to the department on the standards and requirements for96
124	110		approval of training programs and a means for programs providing education and training97
125	111		to community health workers prior to July 1, 2026, to become approved training98
126	112		programs;99
127	113		(2) To make recommendations to the department on the standards and requirements for100
128	114		the certification of community health workers and a means for individuals employed or101
129	115		engaged as community health workers prior to July 1, 2026, to become certified102
130	116		community health workers;103
131	117		(3) To make recommendations to the department on the standards and a means to assess104
132	118		the mastery of core competencies necessary for an individual to become a certified105
133	119		community health worker;106
134	120		(4) To provide for an expedited means for a community health worker duly certified in107
135	121		another jurisdiction to become a certified community health worker in this state;108
136	122		(5) To make recommendations to the department on the establishment of tiered levels of109
137	123		practice for certified community health workers and requirements for each established110
138	124		level, including a level that qualifies a certified community health worker to act as an111
139	125		educator or trainer in an approved training program;112
140	126		(6) To establish a process for the receipt, review, approval, and denial of applications for113
141	127		certification;114
142	128		(7) To establish a process for the receipt and review of complaints related to the practice115
143	129		of certified community health workers;116
144	130		(8) To establish disciplinary procedures and actions, including revocation or denial of117
145	131		a certificate issued, or a combination of the foregoing; and118
146	132		H. B. 291 (SUB)
147	133		- 5 - 25 LC 57 0257S
148	134		(9) To perform such other functions and duties in order to protect public health, safety,119
149	135		and welfare as may be required to carry out this chapter.120
150	136		(e) The department shall provide reasonably necessary administrative support for121
151	137		committee activities.122
152	138		(f) The department shall be authorized to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to123
153	139		implement the provisions of this article, including recommendations from the committee.124
154	140		31-31-4.125
155	141		(a) All training programs in this state shall satisfy the requirements established by the126
156	142		department. No entity shall hold itself out as providing training and education for certified127
157	143		community health workers in this state unless its training program has been approved by128
158	144		the committee.129
159	145		(b) The department shall post on its website the requirements and the application form for130
160	146		a training program to become approved and for the renewal of such approvals. Such131
161	147		requirements shall include 45 hours of core competency training, of which 16 hours shall132
162	148		include training on specific health topics.133
163	149		(c) An applicant for an approved training program shall submit an application to the134
164	150		committee demonstrating satisfaction of the requirements for a training program and pay135
165	151		a fee set by the department; provided, however, that, if an applicant provided education and136
166	152		training to community health workers prior to July 1, 2026, such applicant shall submit an137
167	153		application to the committee demonstrating satisfaction of requirements for such program,138
168	154		pay a fee set by the department, and provide a list of students who successfully completed139
169	155		such program at any time from January 1, 2016, to July 1, 2026.140
170	156		(d) An application is not complete until the committee has received all the required141
171	157		materials. The committee shall notify the applicant within 15 calendar days after receipt142
172	158		of an application whether such application is complete or incomplete and identify any143
173	159		materials that are needed to complete such application. When the applicant fails to provide144
174	160		H. B. 291 (SUB)
175	161		- 6 - 25 LC 57 0257S
176	162		the required documentation within 120 calendar days of notification, the committee may145
177	163		administratively close such application or deny the application. An applicant whose146
178	164		application is administratively closed or denied may reapply and submit a new application147
179	165		and a new application fee.148
180	166		(e) The approvals of training programs under this Code section shall be valid for up to two149
181	167		years and shall expire biennially unless renewed. Suspension and revocation of approvals150
182	168		shall be subject to the administrative procedures contained in Chapter 13 of Title 50, the151
183	169		'Georgia Administrative Procedure Act.'152
184	170		31-31-5.153
185	171		(a) The title 'certified community health worker' shall only be used by individuals who154
186	172		have met the requirements and qualifications for certification as a community health155
187	173		worker as established by the committee and have been duly certified by the committee. An156
188	174		individual certified as a community health worker shall identify himself or herself as a157
189	175		certified community health worker during any patient interactions and shall not utilize any158
190	176		other titles that such individual is not certified or licensed to use.159
191	177		(b) The department shall post on its website the requirements and the application form for160
192	178		a community health worker to become certified and for the renewals of such certificates.161
193	179		(c) An applicant for a certified community health worker shall submit an application to the162
194	180		committee demonstrating satisfaction of the requirements for a certified community health163
195	181		worker and pay a fee set by the department. A certified community health worker shall:164
196	182		(1) Be 18 years of age or older;165
197	183		(2) Possess a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent;166
198	184		(3) Not be ineligible for certification on grounds established by the committee;167
199	185		(4) Provide professional references, one of which shall be a current or former supervisor,168
200	186		with direct knowledge of the applicant's work and ability in the core competencies for169
201	187		community health workers;170
202	188		H. B. 291 (SUB)
203	189		- 7 - 25 LC 57 0257S
204	190		(5) Have received satisfactory results from a fingerprint record check report conducted171
205	191		by the Georgia Crime Information Center and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as172
206	192		determined by the committee. Application for the issuance of a certificate under this173
207	193		chapter shall constitute express consent and authorization for the department to perform174
208	194		a criminal background check. Each applicant who submits an application to the175
209	195		committee for a certificate agrees to provide the department with any and all information176
210	196		necessary to run a criminal background check, including, but not limited to, classifiable177
211	197		sets of fingerprints. Such applicant shall be responsible for all fees associated with the178
212	198		performance of such background check;179
213	199		(6) Submit proof of successful completion of an approved training program and 2,000180
214	200		hours of employment as a community health worker within ten years of the date of181
215	201		application; and182
216	202		(7) Any other requirements established by rules and regulations promulgated by the183
217	203		department.184
218	204		(d) An applicant may satisfy the requirement provided in paragraph (6) of subsection (c)185
219	205		of this Code section if such applicant submits an application prior to July 1, 2027, and186
220	206		proof of:187
221	207		(1) Successful completion of an education and training program for community health188
222	208		workers completed between July 1, 2016, and July 1, 2026, and 2,000 hours of189
223	209		employment as a community health worker within ten years of the date of application as190
224	210		established by the committee; or191
225	211		(2) At least 4,000 hours of employment as a community health worker within ten years192
226	212		of the date of application and an attestation from an employer that such applicant193
227	213		performed duties that included core competencies and is competent to perform activities194
228	214		as a certified community health worker as established by the committee.195
229	215		(e) An application for a certified community health worker is not complete until the196
230	216		committee has received all the required materials. The committee shall notify the applicant197
231	217		H. B. 291 (SUB)
232	218		- 8 - 25 LC 57 0257S
233	219		within 15 calendar days after receipt of an application whether such application is complete198
234	220		or incomplete and identify any materials that are needed to complete such application.199
235	221		When the applicant fails to provide the required documentation within 120 calendar days200
236	222		of notification, the committee may administratively close such application or deny the201
237	223		application. An applicant whose application is administratively closed or denied may202
238	224		reapply and submit a new application and a new application fee.203
239	225		(f) Certificates issued pursuant to this Code section shall be valid for up to two years and204
240	226		shall expire biennially unless renewed. Suspension and revocation of certificates shall be205
241	227		subject to the administrative procedures contained in Chapter 13 of Title 50, the 'Georgia206
242	228		Administrative Procedure Act.'"207
243	229		SECTION 2.208
244	230		(a) This Act shall become effective only if funds are specifically appropriated for the209
245	231		purposes of this Act in an appropriations Act enacted by the General Assembly.210
246	232		(b) If funds are so appropriated, then this Act shall become effective on the later of:211
247	233		(1) The date on which such appropriations Act becomes effective; or212
248	234		(2) The beginning date of the fiscal year for which such appropriations are made.213
249	235		SECTION 3.214
250	236		All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.215
251	237		H. B. 291 (SUB)
252	238		- 9 -