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Georgia · 2025-2026 Regular Session · Bill

SB 485: 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

Enacted Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

SB 485 is a bill introduced in the Georgia Senate on February 10, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: 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. Primary sponsor: Chuck Payne (Republican), Jason Anavitarte (Republican), Kay Kirkpatrick (Republican), Ed Setzler (Republican), Randy Robertson (Republican), Billy Hickman (Republican), Chuck Hufstetler (Republican), Max Burns (Republican), Frank Ginn (Republican), Bill Cowsert (Republican), Carden Summers (Republican), Mike Hodges (Republican), Ben Watson (Republican), Bo Hatchett (Republican). Most recent recorded action (July 1, 2026): Effective Date.

Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

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.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 14

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Chuck PaynePrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate54
Jason AnavitartePrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate31
Kay KirkpatrickPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate32
Ed SetzlerPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate37
Randy RobertsonPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate29
Billy HickmanPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate4
Chuck HufstetlerPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate52
Max BurnsPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate23
Frank GinnPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate47
Bill CowsertPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate46
Carden SummersPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate13
Mike HodgesPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate3
Ben WatsonPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate1
Bo HatchettPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate50

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

  1. Effective Date
  2. Act 514
  3. Senate Date Signed by Governor
  4. Senate Sent to Governor
  5. Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub
  6. House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
  7. House Third Readers
  8. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
  9. House Second Readers
  10. House First Readers
  11. Senate Passed/Adopted
  12. Senate Third Read

Showing 12 most recent of 18 actions. Full history

Sources

  1. Open States / Plural (data from the official legislature website)
  2. Official legislature source