The Georgia Council for Recovery
Legislative Agenda 2026
Georgia Recovers in Communities
As we begin 2026, the Georgia Council for Recovery has prepared an aggressive set of legislative priorities to advance peer-positive addiction recovery policy. While significant strides have been made, there is still much work to be done in every community across Georgia.
“The reality of substance use disorder (addiction) medical issues demands a serious and dedicated response from government at all levels. Our communities are stepping up; we need our government to follow suit. In the United States, every year, more than 107,000 people die from drug overdoses and 178,000 from alcohol use. Fentanyl has been a leading contributor to many of these deaths. Georgia’s annual share of those tragic deaths is 2,570 and 5,214, respectively. In addition to the loss of our loved ones, the economic impact of untreated alcohol misuse far exceeds $6 billion for the state of Georgia every year. Georgia is facing an epidemic regarding addiction. It doesn’t have to be this way. Our public servants must provide new funding to support peer-led recovery programs,” said Laurisa Guerrero, Executive Director, The Georgia Council for Recovery.
“The Number One domestic Policy issue is the Addiction Epidemic. The Number one cause of death in America, including Georgia, for people 18 – 45 is overdose/fentanyl poisoning. There are 46 MILLION Americans in active addiction / 1.3 MILLION across Georgia. There are over 900,000 people across Georgia in recovery from addiction / 29 MILLION nationwide. Together, with our family and friends, we will be working to educate our public officials on the importance of expanding funding for existing peer-led recovery programs in communities across Georgia,” said Jeff Breedlove, Strategic Policy Advisor, The Georgia Council for Recovery.
The Georgia Council for Recovery, in partnership with the Georgia Association of Recovery Residencies, is supportive of legislation to establish a statewide licensure for recovery residences and establish the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) as the licensing body. GC4R thanks Senator Randy Robertson and the Georgia State Senate for their work on this issue with the Senate Study Committee of Recovery Residencies. GC4R also thanks Commissioner Kevin Tanner for the work of the Addictive Diseases Subcommittee of the Behavioral Health Reform and Innovation Commission on this critical policy issue.
The Georgia Council for Recovery works closely with RCOs and peer-led organizations across the state. Beyond housing and transportation, the number one barrier we continue to hear about is access to peer support services for individuals under state supervision. GC4R is working with leaders at the State Capitol to determine the best vehicle for legislative support that would allow communities across Georgia to provide much needed services to their peers.
HB 219 by Representative Ron Stephens establishes a professional health program to provide for the monitoring and rehabilitation of healthcare professionals experiencing substance use disorders.
HB 657 by Representative Leesa Hagan to legally define an RCO to protect the integrity of community-based peer programs
SB 131 by Senator Mike Hodges which includes language from Representative Katie Dempsey to create a Parity Compliance Review Panel to ensure compliance with the Georgia Parity Act
SB 277 by Senator Blake Tillery to revise the definition of drugs to include alcohol and its derivatives
SB 33 by Senator Kay Kirkpatrick includes Delta 8 and other dangerous variants of THC in the total percentage of THC in hemp products and requires testing and labeling like Delta 9
HB 419 by Representative Lee Hawkins to facilitate Opioid Reversal Boxes on University System of Georgia and Technical College System of Georgia properties
#GARecovers
