HB 214 removes the public health duties of the Department of Community Health and re-creates the Department of Public Health.

Under current law, a peace officer is required to transport mental health patients who need emergency or involuntary treatment. HB 231 would allow a peace officer to request that medical transport provider be used, which could result in savings and redirect some offenders from the local jails.

This bill allows members of a mobile crisis response team contracted with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to assist in the transport and admission of individuals who are mentally ill. Currently, only law enforcement officers provide this service.

This bill adds burn centers who treat at least 300 burn patients annually to the list of designated trauma centers.

Revises numerous statutes regarding the care of the developmentally disabled by the state to reflect the implementation of community based services.

This bill allows the establishment of short term residential crisis stabilization to provide psychiatric stabilization and detoxification services. These services would be licensed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities instead of the Department of Community Health.

This bill includes assisted living communities as a type of business from which counties can collect a regulatory fee.

This language was added to SB 178 and passed both chambers.

HB 714 would require health clubs to have at least one automated external defibrillator (AED) on site by December 31, 2012. Health clubs would be required to notify the local emergency medical services system of the existence and location of the AED before it is placed in use.

HR 252 creates the House Study Committee on Adult Mental Health and Disability Facilities to examine the conditions, needs, issues and problems related to closing adult mental health treatment facilities.

SB 76 was amended to include language that requires criminal background checks for the initial certification of EMS personnel.  This requirement will not apply to EMS personnel currently certified.  This legislation changes the way that the Georgia Trauma Commission distributes funds during the first two fiscal years that funds are appropriated. It also allows EMS to receive payment for uncompensated care for transporting trauma patients to any medical facility, currently patients must be transported to a trauma center for EMS to receive payment.

This bill includes assisted living communities as a type of business from which counties can collect a regulatory fee.