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GeorgiaSB 4392025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

"Fair Business Practices Act of 1975"; regulation of referral agencies for assisted living communities and personal care homes; provide

Sponsored By: Max Burns (Republican), Drew Echols (Republican), Russ Goodman (Republican), Shawn Still (Republican)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Care home seekers gain referral protections

Georgia referral agencies paid by assisted living communities or personal care homes must explain their services before making referrals. They must disclose referral fees, ties to the residence, possible gaps in their lists, and the right to end services. Residents or their representatives must acknowledge receiving these disclosures by the referral, in writing, electronically, or verbally. Agencies must keep that acknowledgment; it creates no contract or exclusive relationship and leaves residents free to choose other homes. Residents or representatives can end services anytime by written or electronic notice, and agencies must stop services and using residents’ personal information.

Care home referral fees face limits

Referral agencies cannot collect fees unless the residence and prospective resident or representative receive the required disclosure acknowledgment. They also cannot collect fees when more than 24 months pass between referral and move-in. After 12 months, an assisted living community can confirm in writing that no agreement to enter a referred residence exists. The agency must then resubmit the referral, which stays active for the remaining 12 months. These limits govern fees paid by residences, not a new payment to households.

State enforces referrals; private claims barred

The Georgia Attorney General enforces the care-home referral rules under the Fair Business Practices Act. Affected people cannot enforce these requirements through the private right of action under Code Section 10-1-399.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Max Burns

    Republican • Senate

  • Drew Echols

    Republican • Senate

  • Russ Goodman

    Republican • Senate

  • Shawn Still

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • John LaHood

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 221 • No: 0

House vote • 3/19/2026

PASSAGE

Yes: 168 • No: 0 • Other: 7

Senate vote • 3/6/2026

PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 53 • No: 0 • Other: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective Date

    7/1/2026

  2. Senate Date Signed by Governor

    5/11/2026Senate

  3. Act 510

    5/11/2026

  4. Senate Sent to Governor

    4/10/2026Senate

  5. House Third Readers

    3/19/2026House

  6. House Passed/Adopted

    3/19/2026House

  7. House Committee Favorably Reported

    3/18/2026House

  8. House Second Readers

    3/10/2026House

  9. House First Readers

    3/9/2026House

  10. Senate Third Read

    3/6/2026Senate

  11. Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/6/2026Senate

  12. Senate Read Second Time

    2/25/2026Senate

  13. Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    2/24/2026Senate

  14. Senate Read and Referred

    2/2/2026Senate

  15. Senate Hopper

    1/29/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • SB 439/AP* (v9)

    PDF

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