Senate panel approves narrow Atlanta HMIS reporting requirement amid concern from faith groups

The Georgia Senate Health and Human Services Committee on March 17 passed HB 13‑96 (LC560608), a measure requiring organizations that receive state funds — and certain privately funded outreach groups operating within 1,000 feet of schools, universities or public parks in the city of Atlanta — to enter information about services and recipients into the Homelessness Management Information System (HMIS) administered by the Department of Community Affairs.

"We want to make sure that state funds are being spent effectively and that unsheltered individuals are actually receiving services they need," Leader Estrachian (S12) told the committee, describing the bill as a limited step to improve data collection and reduce duplication.

The bill’s sponsor and supporters said the narrow geographic focus is intentional: it targets areas where outreach activity is concentrated so the state can pilot the reporting requirement, provide training, and encourage voluntary compliance before considering broader requirements.

Opponents, including Senator Maggie (S15) and Senator O'Rourke (S7), pressed on whether the measure singles out faith‑based and private organizations and whether it amounts to an unfunded mandate. "I'm very troubled by this legislation requiring a private church, for example, to register," said Senator Maggie (S15), asking whether small volunteer efforts could be caught by the law.

Sponsor Estrachian and supporters responded that organizations already receiving state funding must report to HMIS and that the bill is designed to capture privately funded groups coming from outside Atlanta who provide outreach without local coordination. "All we're saying is that we just need to track what is being offered and to whom it is being given," Estrachian (S12) said, adding that the bill uses a noncriminal administrative citation for compliance rather than criminal penalties.

The committee debated an amendment proposed by Senator (S6) to expand the requirement statewide. The amendment was put to a hand count and failed on the floor. The committee then voted to report the bill favorably.

What happens next: The committee’s passage sends HB 13‑96 to the Senate floor. Supporters intend the limited approach to let outreach organizations be advised and trained on HMIS enrollment before any wider requirement is considered.

Why it matters: Committee members said the state lacks consistent, unduplicated data on people experiencing unsheltered homelessness, hampering efforts to measure outcomes and coordinate services. Supporters argued HMIS data will help target limited state dollars and reduce duplicative outreach.