§ 19-6-51.Members; terms; chairperson, other officers, and committees; staffing and funding
Chapter 6. Alimony and Child Support · Article 2. Georgia Child Support Commission · Last amended 2010 · Last verified October 9, 2026
Full Text of § 19-6-51
Plain-English Summary
The Georgia Child Support Commission has 15 members, and the Governor appoints all of them. The seats break down this way: three superior court judges; one Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia or Judge of the Court of Appeals, or that Justice’s or Judge’s designee; two members of the House of Representatives and two members of the Senate; and seven other members.
Members serve four-year terms or until a successor is appointed, and they can be reappointed. Legislators are the exception: they serve until their current terms of office end. The first superior court judges served three-year terms, the first appellate member a four-year term and the first seven other members two-year terms. The original members had to be appointed by May 22, 2005, and later members begin their terms on July 1 of the year they’re appointed. A member who holds an elected office must leave the commission once he or she no longer serves as an elected official.
The Governor names the chairperson, and the commission may elect other officers as it needs them. The chairperson may form committees from the membership and appoint other people to carry out functions consistent with Article 2. The chairperson votes only to break a tie. For administration, the commission is attached to the Department of Human Services, which provides its staff and must use any funds appropriated for that purpose to support the commission’s work. The section was last amended in 2010.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who sits on the Georgia Child Support Commission?
Fifteen members, all appointed by the Governor: three superior court judges; one Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia or Judge of the Court of Appeals, or a designee; two state representatives and two state senators; and seven other members. The section doesn’t set qualifications for the seven other seats, so the Governor has room to choose.
How long do Child Support Commission members serve?
Four years, or until a successor is appointed, and members may be reappointed. Legislative members serve until their current terms of office end. Later members start their terms on July 1 of the year they’re appointed. A member who holds elected office must leave the commission once he or she no longer serves as an elected official.
Who chairs the Georgia Child Support Commission?
The Governor designates the chairperson. The commission may elect other officers as needed, and the chairperson may appoint committees from the membership and other people to carry out functions consistent with Article 2. One limit stands out: the chairperson votes only to break a tie, so the chair doesn’t vote on ordinary questions.
Which state agency supports the Child Support Commission?
The Department of Human Services. The commission is attached to the Department for administrative purposes only. The Department provides staff support and must use any funds specifically appropriated to it to support the commission’s work. Under § 19-6-52, members’ expense money comes from other sources: their own departments or the funds appropriated to the House and Senate.
Can a judge’s designee serve on the Child Support Commission?
Yes, for one seat. The seat set aside for a Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia or a Judge of the Court of Appeals can be filled by that Justice’s or Judge’s designee. The three superior court seats carry no designee option in the text; those members must be superior court judges.
Amendment History
Laws 2005, Act 52, § 11, eff. April 22, 2005; Laws 2009, Act 102, § 2-2, eff. July 1, 2009; Laws 2010, Act 624, § 19, eff. June 3, 2010.