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HB 0535 - Mental health; patient advocacy board; create

Tracking Level: Monitor
Sponsor: Butler,Mark 18th
Last Action: 5/6/2008 - House Date Signed by Governor
House Committee: H&HS
Senate Committee: H&HS

Staff Analysis of the Legislation

House Bill 535

 

Chairman: Sharon Cooper

 

Committee:Health & Human Services

 

House Sponsor: Mark Butler

 

Chairman Cooper’s Opinion of the Legislation:

HB 535 creates a state ombudsman for mental health, developmental disabilities, and addictive diseases.  This ombudsman would investigate complaints in our mental health system, as well as act as an advocate for patients.  This ombudsman would act independently of any government agency and would have full investigatory powers. Due to recent trouble in Georgia’s mental health system, it is important that patients have a voice as well as someone who will investigate all complaints concerning the care that those in our mental health, developmental disabilities, and addictive diseases systems.

This bill comes to the House Floor under the Open Rule.

 

Further Action

The Senate added some changes to the Review Committee that the Sponsor agrees with. However, they also weakened the powers and protections the House provided to the ombudsman. The House agreed as amended by the House,  restoring the original powers and protections.


Bill Summary from the State Site - Click for the State Summary Page / Click for Current Full Text