DHR commissioner says settlement will cost money

ATLANTA - Georgia Department of Human Resources Commissioner B.J. Walker says the state will need to invest money in its mental health system to comply with a U.S. Department of Justice settlement agreement.

Walker says she has not yet figured out how much and that spending will come in future years. She testified Friday at a state budget hearing.

The department is currently slashing its budget as part of steep cuts throughout the state to deal with a historic $2 billion shortfall.

Georgia recently entered into a five-year settlement agreement with the Justice Department to improve services at its mental hospitals. Some lawmakers expressed concern that cuts currently being made to mental health services could jeopardize the settlement.