Behavioral Health Reform and Innovation Commission

The Georgia Behavioral Health Reform and Innovation Commission (BHRIC) was formed to conduct a comprehensive review of the behavioral health system of care in Georgia. In the 2022 session, the Georgia General Assembly passed House Bill 1013, the Georgia Mental Health Parity Act (MHPA), which was informed by the commission’s first report. The act includes provisions for comprehensive behavioral health reform, specifically elements that align Georgia law with the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) and help monitor compliance with MHPAEA. The Georgia law also outlines new work for the commission and extends the commission’s work for two additional years. BHRIC has 24 appointed members and is chaired by former state representative and current Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) Commissioner Kevin Tanner.

The commission has five subcommittees:

1. Children and Adolescent Behavioral Health (CABH), chaired by Dr. Eric Lewkowiez
2. Addictive Diseases, Chaired by Taylor Peyton
3. Hospital and Short-Term Care Facilities (HSCF), chaired by Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald
4. Mental Health Courts and Corrections (MHCC), chaired by Justice Verda M. Colvin
   1. Forensic Competency Advisory (FCA) Committee, chaired by Judge Lindsay Burton
5. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Chaired by Dr. Carol Britton Laws

And one workgroups:

1. School Based Mental Health, Chaired by Dr. Will Schofield
    

• 2020 Annual Report
• 2022 Annual Report
• 2023 Annual Report
• 2024 Annual Report
• 2025 Annual Report

Full Commission Meetings
November 25, 2025 View meeting recording (password: JuJam2Uc)	Agenda	Presentation
June 10, 2024 View meeting recording (password: GaBHRIC2024)	Agenda	Presentation
November 25, 2024 View meeting recording (password: PcrGJUW5)	Agenda	Presentation

Subcommittee Meeting Archive

Inactive Workgroup Meeting Archive