Three judges will be taking on the task of finding ways for the justice system to help those with behavioral health challenges, following an appointment Thursday from Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Harold D. Melton.

Melton named three members to the newly created Georgia Behavioral Health Reform and Innovation Commission. The General Assembly passed legislation creating the commission this year. The move was applauded by criminal justice and mental health reform advocates.

Georgia Code § 37-1-112 calls upon the chief justice to appoint one justice of the Supreme Court and two judges from elsewhere in the state to the 24-member commission, Melton said. The other members are to be appointed by the governor, president of the state Senate, and speaker of the House of Representatives.

The commission was created by Georgia Code § 37-1-111 "for the purpose of conducting a comprehensive review of the behavioral health system in Georgia." The review will cover many areas, including "the identification of behavioral issues in children, adolescents, and adults," "the impact behavioral health issues have on the court system and correctional system," and "the impact on how untreated behavioral illness can impact children into adulthood," Melton said.

The judicial members Melton appointed are:

• Georgia Supreme Court Justice Michael P. Boggs, who helped lead Gov. Nathan Deal's criminal justice reform movement and who as a Waycross Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge founded the Waycross Judicial Circuit Drug Court Program.
• Flint Judicial Circuit Superior Court Chief Judge Brian J. Amero of Henry County, who has lead accountability courts for people with drug use issues and child support challenges, and
• Bibb County Probate Court Judge Sarah S. Harris of Macon, who was recognized this year by the Council of Probate Judges of Georgia with the Outstanding Probate Judge of the Year award, voted on by each elected probate judge in Georgia's 159 counties.