Georgia Governor Signs Bill That Would Overhaul State’s Mental Health System

Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes (D) last week signed legislation that authorizes a "sweeping overhaul" of the state's programs for mental illness, mental retardation and substance abuse, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. The law puts the state Department of Human Resources in charge of mental health and substance abuse programs and their $1 billion annual budget. Previously, such programs were overseen by 13 regional boards "that were not directly accountable to state officials." The measure will preserve the regional boards as "advisory bodies" (Foskett, Atlanta Journal Constitution, 5/17).