SB485Introduced in the Senate
Professional Counselors; applicants for a license in social work enrolled in a master's degree program to take the master's social work licensing examination in their final semester of the program; authorize
Introduced by Chuck Payne, District 54
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 10A of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to examination regarding professional counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists, so as to authorize applicants for a license in social work enrolled in a master's degree program to take the master's social work licensing examination in their final semester of the program; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Where it stands
Effective Date 2026-07-01
May 11, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House votes
1 recorded vote · each counted separately
Senate votes
2 recorded votes · each counted separately
SenateStage: Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #856 · March 27, 2026
46
Yes
0
No
8
Absent or Not Voting
54 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
See how each senator voted
| Senator | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Ben Watson | 1 | Yes |
| Derek Mallow | 2 | Absent |
| Mike Hodges | 3 | Yes |
| Billy Hickman | 4 | Yes |
| Sheikh Rahman | 5 | Yes |
| Matt Brass | 6 | Yes |
| Russ Goodman | 8 | Yes |
| Nikki Merritt | 9 | Yes |
| Emanuel Jones | 10 | Yes |
| Sam Watson | 11 | Yes |
Bill history
Senate Hopper
Senate Read and Referred
Senate Committee Favorably Reported
Senate Read Second Time
Senate Tabled
Senate Taken from Table
Senate Third Read
Senate Passed/Adopted
House First Readers
House Second Readers
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
House Third Readers
House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub
Senate Sent to Governor
Senate Date Signed by Governor
Act 514
Effective Date 2026-07-01
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