HR 54

26LC 112 4331
     House Resolution 54EX
     By: Representatives Sanchez of the 42nd, Gisler of the 121st, Berry of the 56th, Tran of the
     80th, Drenner of the 85th, and others
                                   A RESOLUTION
1 Honoring the anniversary of the Unites States Supreme Court's Olmstead decision and the
2 courage of its plaintiffs; and for other purposes.
3 WHEREAS, the United States Supreme Court decided in Olmstead v. L.C., 527 U.S. 581
4 (1999), that states are required to place individuals with mental disabilities in community
5 settings, rather than institutions, when treatment professionals determine such placement is
6 appropriate, the individual consents, and such placement can reasonably be accommodated;
7 and
8 WHEREAS, as a result of the decision, the State of Georgia released lead plaintiff Lois
9 Curtis into community care, and she lived happily for over 20 years outside of institutional
10 confinement; and
11 WHEREAS, June 22, 2026, will be the 27th anniversary of the Olmstead decision; and
12 WHEREAS, the State of Georgia is currently working to improve compliance with the
13 Olmstead decision pursuant to a consent decree with the United States Department of Justice;
14 and
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26LC 112 4331
15 WHEREAS, fellow plaintiff Elaine Wilson passed away on December 4, 2005; and
16 WHEREAS, Lois Curtis passed away on November 3, 2022, from pancreatic cancer; and
17 WHEREAS, the advocacy of Lois Curtis and Elaine Wilson secured an important legal
18 standard for enforcing the rights of individuals with mental disabilities; and
19 WHEREAS, on June 18, 2026, the United States Department of Justice released a memo
20 claiming that the Olmstead decision has increased homelessness and does not impose an
21 integration mandate; and
22 WHEREAS, the members of this body wish to express the strongest disapproval of this
23 memo, which legal experts do not believe to be enforceable.
24 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
25 the members of this body honor the courage and memory of Lois Curtis and Elaine Wilson.
26 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body express their continued will
27 to improve disability rights in Georgia in accordance with the Olmstead decision.
28 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body condemn attacks on the
29 Olmstead decision and the framework it lays out for improving disability rights.
30 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
31 and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the
32 public and the press.
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