08 LC 33
2553
House
Resolution 1606
By:
Representative Manning of the
32nd
A
RESOLUTION
Creating
the House Study Committee on Children's Mental Health in Georgia; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS,
the Georgia House of Representatives is concerned with the increasing incidence
of mental health problems in children and adolescents in Georgia, and the
resulting impact this has on these children, their families, our schools and
other institutions, and the citizens of our state; and
WHEREAS,
mental health problems in children can impact their ability to learn and
function successfully in educational settings, their future job performance and
productivity as later adults, their families, and others; and
WHEREAS,
the array of resources available to help and treat these children is stretched
beyond its ability to cope with the need; and
WHEREAS,
there is a shortage in Georgia of qualified mental health professionals,
including child psychiatrists, child psychologists, and other mental health
professionals trained to treat children and adolescents for mental health
problems; and
WHEREAS,
other resources for children and adolescents with mental health problems,
including those operated under the auspices of the state, also face funding,
staffing, and administrative challenges which strain their ability to deliver
optimal care for these children.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that there is created
the House Study Committee on Children's Mental Health in Georgia to be composed
of five members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker
of the House of Representatives. The Speaker shall also designate a member of
the committee as chairperson of the committee. The chairperson shall call all
meetings of the committee.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee may conduct such meetings at such places
and at such times as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to
exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish
the objectives and purposes of this resolution including, without limitation, a
study of the problem of children's mental health in Georgia, its impact on child
and later adult health, and solutions to solve or ameliorate this problem which
may be undertaken. The legislative members of the committee shall receive the
allowances authorized for legislative members of interim legislative committees
but shall receive the same for not more than five days unless additional days
are authorized. The funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this
resolution shall come from the funds appropriated to the House of
Representatives. The committee shall report its findings and recommendations,
with suggestions for proposed legislation if any, on or before December 15,
2008. The committee shall stand abolished on December 15, 2008.