Rep. Beth Camp Developing Legislation to Strengthen DHS Financial Transparency

ATLANTA - State Representative Beth Camp (R-Concord), chair of the House Judiciary Juvenile Committee, is developing legislation for the 2027 Georgia Legislative Session aimed at strengthening financial transparency and providing the General Assembly with a clearer understanding of how taxpayer dollars appropriated to the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) are allocated and used, particularly within the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS).

Through the work of members of the 2025 joint House Judiciary Juvenile Committee and House Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Resources, as well as the 2026 House and Senate Joint Study Committee on Evaluating Escalating Costs in Georgia's Foster Care System, lawmakers have identified areas where greater financial clarity could improve legislative oversight and inform future policy and budget decisions.

These efforts are ongoing as legislators await the results of the DFCS audit and continue the current study committee process.

"As legislators, we have a responsibility not only to appropriate taxpayer dollars but also to understand how those dollars are being used and whether they are achieving the outcomes we intend," said Rep. Camp. "During our committee work, obtaining detailed information about how DHS funding is allocated among various activities within DFCS has sometimes been difficult. Information requested by members has not always been provided with the level of detail needed to fully evaluate programs and expenditures."

The proposed legislation is intended to establish a clearer and more consistent process for providing financial information to the General Assembly, including greater visibility into the allocation and expenditure of state and federal funds administered by DHS.

"This is about creating a better process," Camp said. "DHS and DFCS have tremendous responsibilities, and the General Assembly has an equally important responsibility to provide appropriate funding and oversight. Better information helps both branches of government make better decisions."

Camp emphasized that the legislation is being developed while the audit and committee work remain underway and may be refined based upon their findings and recommendations.

"Transparency benefits everyone," Camp added. "When legislators have timely and meaningful financial information, we can make more informed budget and policy decisions, better evaluate the effectiveness of programs and ultimately better serve the children and families who depend upon these services."

The legislation is currently being developed for introduction during the 2027 Georgia General Assembly.

Representative Beth Camp represents the citizens of District 135, which includes Pike County, as well as portions of Lamar and Spalding counties. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2020 and currently serves as Chair of the House Committee on Judiciary Juvenile. She also serves on the Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications, State Planning & Community Affairs and Ways & Means committees.

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