8007 Government Relations and Legislative Affairs | ADMINISTRATION-5600-MANUAL

The Division of Aging Services (DAS) supports legislators, public agencies, and other government entities by providing assistance and information that is timely, appropriate, fact- based, and coordinated.

Refer to DHS PRO 1501 (Communications) regarding responses to requests that fall into the following categories:

DAS staff must forward requests for budget information to the following DAS officials: the Director, the Deputy Director, and the Chief Financial Officer, with a courtesy copy to the appropriate section manager.

For all other requests described above, DAS staff must immediately notify the DHS Office of Legislative Affairs and Communications the DAS Director, and the DAS Deputy Director. Staff must provide a courtesy copy to the Community Affairs Manager and the appropriate Section Manager.

Refer to MAN 5600 (Administration), 8004 Constituent Services for procedures regarding Constituent Services inquiries and complaints.

Before agreeing to participate in an event hosted by a legislator, DAS employees must notify the following DAS officials: the Director, the Deputy Director, the Community Affairs Manager, and the appropriate Section Manager. The Community Affairs Manager will notify the DHS Office of Legislative Affairs and Communications as needed.

Refer to MAN 5300 (Home and Community Based Services), Chapter 206.7 (Senior Center Requirements – Political activity) for guidelines regarding the use of senior center facilities for political events and the distribution of political materials within senior centers.

Refer to MAN 1300 (Human Services/Personnel Policies), Section 1201 (Standards of Conduct), Attachment 2 (Governor’s Executive Order – Deal), Section 8 (Lobbying). See specifically, part d.

Note these laws and regulations that grant certain entities access to elected officials and the authority to lobby:

Long-Term Care Ombudsman: See Older Americans Act, Section 712 (State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program). Refer to Functions (3), part G.

Georgia Council on Aging: See TITLE 49 (Social Services), Chapter 6 (Services for the Aging), Article 2 (Council on Aging) - O.C.G.A. § 49-6-21 (Duties and powers of council) / Alternative Link to § 49-6-21

DAS will appoint staff members to serve on the DAS Legislative Review Team during each General Assembly Session. As team coordinator, the Community Affairs Manager will receive legislative review assignments from the DHS Office of Legislative Affairs and Communications and will disseminate them to members.

The team will have 24 to 48 hours to analyze each assigned bill or resolution, answering questions provided in advance. Reviewers may confer with other DAS staff in order to analyze legislation, but they are not permitted to consult non-staff.

The DAS Director will review compiled responses and make revisions as needed before the Community Affairs Manager submits a final consolidated DAS statement to the Office of Legislative Affairs and Communications.

DAS staff are required to follow all policies and procedures set forth in POL 1300 and MAN 1300 (OHRMD Policy and Manual), Section 1202 (Political Activity).