Hundreds of bills are filed each year during Georgia’s General Assembly, all of which could tremendously impact your life. Learn more about those bills, where they are in the session, and what they could mean for you here.
Spotlighted bills:
House Bill 47, which was introduced by Representative Matt Ramsey (R-Peachtree City), would permit out of state insurance policies to be sold in Georgia. By allowing out of state insurance policies, Georgia substitute the laws that our legislature has enacted and our insurance commissioner enforces with regulations from another state where Georgia voters have no say. Status: The bill successfully passed out of the life and health subcommittee of the insurance committee of the Georgia House of Representatives. It now moves to the committee for a vote. If it passes there, it will move to the House floor.
Senate Bill 17 would amend Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated to establish the Special Advisory Commission on Mandated Health Insurance Benefits, responsible for reviewing proposed legislation containing a mandated health insurance benefit. The bill is sponsored by Senators Tim Golden (R – Valdosta), Greg Goggans (R – Douglas), and David Shafer (R – Duluth). The bill, and its current status, can be found here.
House Bill 214 would amend Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated to establish a Department of Public Health. The functions of the current Division of Public Health within the Georgia Department of Community Health would be transferred to this new Department. The Bill is sponsored by Representatives Mickey Channell (R – Greensboro), Butch Parrish (R – Swainsboro), Terry England (R-Auburn), Donna Sheldon (R – Dacula), Sharon Cooper (R – Marietta), and Hank Huckaby (R – Watkinsville). The bill, and its current status, can be found here.
House Bill 147 would amend Title 43 of the “Patient Right to Know Act of 2001” to include a patients’ right to know whether a physician has medical malpractice insurance. The Bill is sponsored by Representatives Ben Watson (R – Savannah), Sharon Cooper (R – Marietta), Matt Ramsey (R – Peachtree City), Matt Hatchett (R – Dublin), and B.J. Pak (R – Lilburn). The bill, and its current status, can be found here.
Senate Bill 22 authorizes and directs the Governor to apply for a federal waiver of the medical loss ratio requirements in the state of Georgia. The bill is sponsored by Senators Judson Hill (R – Marietta), Bill Heath (R – Bremen), Jim Butterworth (R – Cordelia), and Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock). The bill, and its current status, can be found here.
Senate Bill 42 would prohibit employers from requesting credit reports on potential employees except in relevant circumstances. The bill is sponsored by Senators Donzella James (D – College Park), Gail Davenport (D – Jonesboro), Gloria Butler (D – Stone Mountain), Emanuel Jones (D – Decatur). The bill, and its current status, can be found here.
Other bills:
Senate Bill 76 would amend section 31-11-102 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, revising provisions related to the duties and responsibilities of the Georgia Trauma Care Network Commission with regard to uncompensated trauma care services provided by emergency medical services. The bill is sponsored by Senators Jeff Mullis (R – Chickamauga), Renee Unterman (R – Buford), Chip Rogers (R – Woodstock), Doug Stoner (D – Smyrna), Greg Goggans (R – Douglas), and Cecil Staton (R – Macon). The bill can be found here.
Senate Bill 39 would amend Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated to create mental health court divisions, providing for assignment of cases and the formation of work groups and work plans to complete mental health court division programs. The bill is sponsored by Senators Johnny Grant (R – Milledgeville), Jason Carter (D – Decatur), John Crosby (R –Tifton), Renee Unterman (R – Buford), Bill Cowsert (R – Athens), and Freddie Powell Sims (D – Dawson). The bill can be found here.
Senate Bill 63 entitled “The Georgia Medical Assistance Fraud Prevention Program,” the bill would amend Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated to provide for a medical assistance fraud prevention pilot program to be implemented by the Department of Community Health. The bill is sponsored by John Albers (R-Roswell), Cecil Staton (R – Macon), William Ligon, Jr. (R – Brunswick), Butch Miller (R – Gainesville), Charlie Bethel (R – Dalton), and Frank Ginn (R – Danielsville). The bill can be found here.
Senate Bill 20 provides that no department or agency shall implement any provision of federal health care reform legislation unless the department or agency provides a certain report to the General Assembly and the General Assembly authorizes implementation by statute. The bill is sponsored by Senator Judson Hill (R – Marietta). The bill can be found here.
Senate Bill 23 imposes a moratorium on rule-making with regard to implementation and enforcement of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The bill is sponsored by Senators Judson Hill (R – Marietta), Bill Heath (R – Bremen), Jim Butterworth (R-Cornelia), Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock), and David Shafer (R-Duluth). The bill can be found here.
Senate Bill 24 amends Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated to provide for waivers for continuing education requirements for dentists in circumstances of hardship, disability or illness. In addition, the legislation authorizes waiving five hours of continuing education requirements for persons who have completed 20 hours of volunteer practice for public agencies or not-for-profit organizations. The bill is sponsored by Senators Lester Jackson (D – Savannah), Doug Stoner (D – Smyrna), Greg Goggans (R – Douglas) and Renee Unterman (R –Buford). The bill can be found here.
Senate Bill 25 provides that no department or agency shall implement any provision of federal health care reform legislation unless the department or agency provides a certain report to the General Assembly and the General Assembly authorizes implementation by statute. The bill is sponsored by Senator Judson Hill (R – Marietta), David Shafer (R –Duluth), Bill Heath (R – Bremen), and Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock). The bill can be found here.
Senate Bill 36 provides for the establishment of the Electronic Database Review Advisory Committee to monitor the prescribing and dispensing of Schedule II, III, IV, and V controlled substances. The bill is sponsored by Senators Renee Unterman (R – Buford), Buddy Carter (R – Pooler), Greg Goggans (R – Douglas), William Ligon Jr. (R –Brunswick), Charlie Bethel (R – Dalton), and Butch Miller (R – Gainesville). The bill can be found here.
Senate Bill 63 entitled “The Georgia Medical Assistance Fraud Prevention Program,” the bill would amend Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated to provide for a medical assistance fraud prevention pilot program to be implemented by the Department of Community Health. The bill is sponsored by John Albers (R – Roswell), Cecil Staton (R – Macon), William Ligon, Jr. (R Brunswick), Butch Miller (R – Gainesville), Charlie Bethel (R – Dalton), and Frank Ginn (R – Danielsville). The bill can be found here.
Senate Bill 66 revises continuing education requirements for clinical perfusionists, redefining “perfusion” and revising requirements for renewal of licensure for clinical perfusionists. This bill is sponsored by Senators Buddy Carter (R – Pooler), Renee Unterman (R – Buford), Greg Goggans (R – Douglas) and Johnny Grant (R – Milledgeville). The bill can be found here.
Senate Bill 67 prohibits the use of the title “nurse” unless licensed as a registered professional nurse or a licensed practical nurse. The bill is sponsored by Buddy Carter (R – Pooler), Renee Unterman (R – Buford), Greg Goggans (R –Douglas) and Johnny Grant (R – Milledgeville). The bill can be found here.
Senate Bill 81 would require applicants and registrants to the practice of pharmacy, upon reasonable grounds, to submit to a physical or mental examination by a licensed health care provider designated by the board, in addition to submitting to a background check. The bill is sponsored by Senator Buddy Carter (R – Pooler). The bill can be found here.
Senate Bill 93 changes certain provisions related to Schedule I, III, IV, and V Controlled Substances, also amending the definition of “dangerous drug”. The bill is sponsored by Senators Buddy Carter (R – Pooler), Gregg Goggans (R – Douglas), and Charlie Bethel (R – Dalton) and can be found here.
Senate Bill 100 amends the “Georgia Registered Professional Nurse Practice Act” to redefine “approved nursing education program. ’The bill is sponsored by Senators Mitch Seabaugh (R – Sharpsburg), Don Balfour (R – Snellville), and Jim Butterworth (R – Cornelia) and can be found here.
Senate Bill 4 to provide for legislative findings relating to insurance so as to opt out of funding certain abortions through qualified health plans. The bill is sponsored by Judson Hill (R – Marietta) and can be found here.
Senate Bill 6 amends the amount and method of computing tax on insurance premiums in order to offset losses of the Georgia High Risk Individual Reinsurance Pool. It also provides that conversion option coverage for qualified individuals shall no longer be offered once the individual is offered coverage through the High Risk Pool. The bill is sponsored by Senator Judson Hill (R – Marietta) and can be found here.
Senate Bill 7 provides that workers compensation benefits shall not be paid to noncitizens who are not employed legally. The bill is sponsored by Senators Bill Heath (R – Bremen), Chip Rogers (R – Woodstock), Jack Murphy (R – Cumming), Jeff Mullis (R – Chickamauga), Barry Loudermilk (R – Cassville), Ross Tolleson (R – Perry) and can be found here.
Senate Resolution 24 proposes an amendment to the Constitution so as to authorize the General Assembly to provide for the allocation of a percent of premium taxes collected to offset losses of the Georgia High Risk Individual Reinsurance Pool. The resolution is sponsored by Judson Hill (R – Marietta) and can be found here.
Senate Resolution 19 creates the Senate Study Commission on Advance Directives to establish a uniform format for Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) forms and to consider mandating the use of POLST forms in all hospitals in Georgia to ensure that the patient and physician discuss and develop clear medical treatment plans that are based upon patient decisions and that respect patient wishes for a peaceful death with dignity. The resolution is sponsored by Senator Judson Hill (R – Marietta) and can be found here.
Senate Resolution 54 creates the Study Committee on Health Transformation to study models from other states with regard to Consumer Driven Health Care and the effects of implementation of the PPACA. The resolution is sponsored by Senator Judson Hill (R – Marietta) and can be found here.
Senate Resolution 55, also called the “Healthcare Freedom of Choice Act,” proposes an amendment to the constitution to provide that no rule or law or regulation shall compel any person, provider or employer to participate in any health care system, and to authorize persons or employers to purchase health care services without penalties or fines. The resolution is sponsored by Judson Hill (R – Marietta), Jim Butterworth (R – Cornelia), David Shafer (R – Duluth), Chip Rogers (R – Woodstock), Bill Heath (R – Bremen), Jack Murphy (R – Cummings). The Resolution can be found here.
Senate Resolution 104 creates the Joint Crematoria Study Committee to study the conditions, needs, issues and problems of crematoriums. The resolution is sponsored by Senators Steve Henson (D – Tucker) and Jim Butterworth (R – Cornelia) and can be found here.
House Bill 197 would amend Title 42 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated to limit certain medical charges by hospitals for providing emergency medical services to inmates in a municipal or county detention facility. The bill is sponsored by Representatives Barbara Sims (R – Augusta), Billy Horne (R – Newnan), Jimmy Pruett (R – Eastman), Bill Hembree (R – Winston), and Billy Mitchell (D – Stone Mountain). The bill can be found here.
House Bill 231 would amend Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, providing community alternatives to institutionalized care for the treatment of mental illness and substance abuse issues. The bill is sponsored by Representatives Wendell Willard (R – Sandy Springs), Mary Margaret Oliver (D – Decatur), Sharon Cooper (R – Marietta), Pat Gardner (D – Atlanta), Doug McKillip (R – Athens), and Stacey Evans (D – Smyrna). The bill can be found here.
House Bill 23, also called the the “Foster Children’s Psychotropic Medication Monitoring Act,” would require the Department of Human Services to establish regulations governing the use of psychotropic medications for foster children in state custody. The intent is to provide for the health and well-being of children in the custody of DHS due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment, and to manage rising health care costs in Georgia by ensuring that foster children receive appropriate mental health care, including psychotropic medications. The bill is sponsored by Representatives Mary Margaret Oliver (D – Decatur), Kathy Ashe (D – Atlanta), Judy Manning (R – Marietta), Stephanie Benfield (D – Atlanta), Pat Gardner (D – Atlanta), and Michele Henson (D – Stone Mountain). The bill can be found here.
House Bill 99 requires fingerprint record checks for applicants for licensure as a licensed practical nurse. The bill is sponsored by Valerie Clark (R – Lawrenceville), Ed Rynders (R – Albany), Sharon Cooper (R – Marietta), Don Parsons (R – Marietta), Barbara Sims (R – Augusta), and Margaret Kaiser (D – Atlanta). The bill can be found here.
House Bill 145 amends the definition of physical therapy in the “Georgia Physical Therapy Act.” The bill is sponsored by Matt Hatchett (R – Dublin), Edward Lindsey (R – Atlanta), Sharon Cooper (R – Marietta), Ben Watson (R – Savannah), and Matt Ramsey (R – Peachtree City). The bill can be found here.
House Bill 187 would amend Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated to require the Department of Community Health to provide for a single administrator of dental services for Medicaid and PeachCare recipients through competitive bidding. The bill is sponsored by Representatives Mickey Channell (R – Greensboro), Sean Jerguson (R – District 22), Sharon Cooper (R – Marietta), Butch Parrish (R – Swainsboro), and Hank Huckaby (R – Watkinsville). The bill can be found here.
House Bill 231 would amend Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, providing community alternatives to institutionalized care for the treatment of mental illness and substance abuse issues. The bill is sponsored by Representatives Wendell Willard (R – Sandy Springs), Mary Margaret Oliver (D – Decatur), Sharon Cooper (R – Marietta), Pat Gardner (D – Atlanta), Doug McKillip (R – Athens), and Stacey Evans (D – Smyrna). The bill can be found here.
House Bill 258 – amends Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated to expand definitions and requirements related to the examination and involuntary custody of persons who are mentally ill or drug or alcohol dependent. The bill is sponsored by Representatives Penny Houston (R – Nashville), Sharon Cooper (R – Marietta), Jay Neal (R – LaFayette), John Meadows (R – Calhoun), Mary Oliver (D – Decatur), and Katie Dempsey (R – Rome). The bill can be found here.
House Bill 263 provides for requirements of health care facilities with regard to the minimum education and experience of surgical technologists, prohibiting a health care facility from employing a surgical technologist that does not meet requirements. The bill is sponsored by Representatives Ron Stephens (R – Savannah), Don Parsons (R – Marietta), Chuck Sims (R – Ambrose), and Judy Manning (R – Marietta). The bill can be found here.
House Bill 275 clarifies the health care providers authorized to effectuate an order not to resuscitate. The bill is sponsored by Representatives Mike Cheokas (R – Americus), Valerie Clark (R – Lawrenceville), Sharon Cooper (R – Marietta), Buddy Harden (R – Cordele), Amy Carter (R – Valdosta), and Ann Purcell (R – Rincon). The bill can be found here.
House Resolution 252 creates the House Study Committee on Adult Mental Health and Disability Facilities to study the consequences of closing adult mental health treatment facilities and the appropriateness of community-based care. The resolution is sponsored by Representatives E. Culver Rusty Kidd (I – Milledgeville), Barbara Reece (D – Menlo), and Debbie Buckner (D – Junction City). The resolution can be found here.
House Bill 66 requires that certificate of insurance forms be filed with and approved by the Insurance Commissioner, and that any form which is unjust, unfair, misleading, deceptive or in violation of public policy may be disapproved or withdrawn. The bill is sponsored by Representatives Howard Maxwell (R – Dallas), Quincy Murphy (D-Augusta), John Meadows (R-Calhoun), Bill Hembree (R-Winston), Carl Rogers (R-Gainesville), and Bruce Williamson (R-Monroe). The bill can be found here.
House Bill 121 the “Discretionary Clause Prevention Act” provides that no health insurance policy or contract may contain a provision reserving discretion to the health carrier to interpret the terms of the contract or to provide interpretations that are inconsistent with the laws of Georgia. The bill is supported by Representative Doug McKillup (R-Athens) and can be found here.
House Bill 132 the “Medical Food Equity Act” requires certain insurance coverage for physician prescribed special dietary foods or formulas for specific chronic conditions. The bill is sponsored by Representatives Ben Watson (R – Savannah), Edward Lindsey (R-Atlanta), and Stephanie Benfield (D-Atlanta). It can be found here.
House Bill 156 relates to payment for indemnification for death or disability in the line of duty, adding state highway employees at the same payment amounts as that of police officers, firefighters and other public employees. The bill is sponsored by Representatives Mike Cheokas (R-Americus), John Meadows (R-Calhoun), Jay Roberts (R-Ocilla), Jay Powell (R-Camilla), Timothy Beardon (R-Villa Rica), and Terry England (R-Auburn) and can be found here.
House Bill 167 amends Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to insurance to change some definitions and add the title “Insurance Delivery Enhancement Act of 2011.” The bill is sponsored by Representatives Steve Davis (R-McDonough), John Meadows (R-Calhoun), Howard Maxwell (R-Dallas), Sharon Cooper (R – Marietta), Carl Rogers (R-Gainesville) and Bill Hembree (R-Winston). The bill can be found here.
House Bill 182 requires health benefit coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of infertility. The bill is sponsored by Representative Pedro Marin (D-Duluth) and can be found here.
House Bill 189, also called the “Non-Covered Dental Services Act,” prohibits dental insurers from publishing explanation of benefits which imply that a dentist should extend discounts to patients for non-covered dental services. Violation of this code would be punishable as an unfair trade practice. The bill is sponsored by Joe Wilkinson (R-District 52), Howard Maxwell (R-Dallas), Jason Shaw (R-Lakeland), Bill Hembree (R-Winston), Billy Mitchell (D-Stone Mountain), and Quincy Murphy (D-Augusta). The bill can be found here.
House Bill 248, also called the “Health Care Sharing Ministries Freedom to Share Act,” provides that a health care sharing ministry which enters into a health care cost sharing arrangement shall not be considered an insurance company, health maintenance organization, or health benefit plan and shall not be subject to laws related to such. The bill is sponsored by Representatives Jay Neal (R-LaFayette), Rich Golick (R-Smyrna), John Meadows (R-Calhoun), Paul Battles (R-Cartersville), and Len Walker (R-Loganville). The bill can be found here.