Health and Human Services (58)
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Date of Last Recorded Action: 4/8/2024

HB 0178 WatchCreation of "Assisted Outpatient Treatment" Pilot Programs Don Hogan
2/11/2019 House Second Readers Health and Human Services --
2019/02/08 Report Debra Nesbit Health and Human Services
This legislation creates pilot program for "Assisted Outpatient Treatment" for persons who have been court ordered to treatment as a result of Involuntary Commitment by the probate court.  The bill provides for procedures, standards, and criteria for the program as well as a framework for services to be delivered in every county.  The bill also creates an Assisted Outpatient Program Advisory Council to oversee and make recommendations to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.
HB 0198 EvaluatingElimination of the Certificate of Need Requirement for all Health Care Facilities Except Long Term Care Facilities James Hatchett
4/2/2019 House Withdrawn, Recommitted Special Committee On Access to Quality Health Care --
2019/03/01 Report Debra Nesbit Health and Human Services
This legislation eliminates the certificate of need requirements for hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, etc. with the exception of certain long term care facilities and services.  The bill also provides new reporting requirements for donors and extends the repeal date of the Rural Hospital Tax Credit until December 31, 2024.
HB 0236 OpposeAllows Any First Responder to Engage in Emergency Transport of Patients Roger Bruce
2/13/2019 House Second Readers Public Safety and Homeland Security --
2019/02/15 Report Debra Nesbit EMS/Ambulance Fire Services Health and Human Services
Public Safety and Courts
This legislation circumvents the current process for obtaining an EMS zone through the rules of the Department of Public Health to provide EMS services.
HB 0242 NeutralFramework for the Regulation of Massage Therapy Lee Hawkins
5/6/2019 Effective Date Regulated Industries Regulated Industries and Utilities -
2019/02/15 Report 2019/03/01 Report 2019/03/15 Report 2019/03/22 Report 2019/03/29 Report
Debra Nesbit Health and Human Services

HB 242 establishes board certification of massage therapy educational programs, within and outside the state, which meet the standards for training and curriculum set by the rules of the Georgia Board of Massage Therapy. The bill allows the board to request on-site inspections of massage therapy businesses and requires these businesses to continuously maintain liability insurance coverage for bodily injuries and property damages. Further, massage therapy businesses must comply with appropriate advertising. The bill increases fines for non-compliance and unlawful acts.  A provision was added that allows local governments to run criminal background checks on owners and employees.  The massage therapists themselves will undergo a criminal background check through the secretary of state.
HB 0262 NeutralAddition of a Circumstance of Death in which the Coroner or Medical Examiner is Authorized to Investigate Sheila Nelson
2/14/2019 House Second Readers Governmental Affairs --
2019/02/15 Report Coroners/Medical Examiners Debra Nesbit Health and Human Services Public Safety and Courts
This legislation adds a circumstance of death in a compensated care setting to the list of circumstances in which the coroner or medical examiner is authorized to conduct an investigation.
HB 0264 OpposeEMSC Transparency Bill William Werkheiser
6/25/2020 House - House Conference Committee Appointed #2 116th, 157th, 16th Health and Human Services Ethics -
2019/02/22 Report 2019/03/08 Report 2019/03/15 Report 2019/03/22 Report 2019/03/29 Report
Debra Nesbit EMS/Ambulance Health and Human Services Public Safety and Courts
This legislation sets forth requirements for lobbying disclosures when promoting or opposing any matter before one or more local coordinating entities.  The bill also requires that all meetings be conducted in accordance with the open meetings statute and requires that each member of the local coordinating entity to comply with conflict of interest policies.  The legislation also prohibits any employee, operator, contractor, or owner of an ambulance provider currently providing service for a territorial zone or of an ambulance provider that has submitted a proposal for a new ambulance service in such territorial zone from serving on any committee, subcommittee, or ad hoc committee that is involved in the seletion of ambulance provider for the zone or from voting on any proposals from ambulance providers for new service within the zone.  The bill also sets forth procedures for appealing decisions and provides the final decision under the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act. Finally the legislation requires the Department of Public Health to make recommendations to each local coordinating entity on benchmarks for accountability standards for each territorial zone.  On and after October 1, 2020 each ambulance provider shall submit quarterly reports outlining the number of 911 calls received; the number of 911 call answered; the response times; and a copy of quarterly reports submitted to the local entity.
HB 0321 SupportExtension of the Hospital Provider Fee for Medicaid Financing Program and Transparency Requirements for Hospitals Jodi Lott
4/25/2019 Effective Date Appropriations Finance -
2019/03/29 Report Debra Nesbit Health and Human Services Hospital Authority
 This legislation extends the sunset provision for the hospital provider fee known as the "Medicaid Financing Program" as state match in pulling down edicaid dollars until June 30, 2025.  The bill also provides for reporting of donations to rural hospitals whereby donors receive a tax credit.
HB 0328 NeutralSets Forth Permitting Requirements for Body Artists and Body Art Studios (Tattoo Studios) Karen Mathiak
4/2/2019 House Withdrawn, Recommitted Regulated Industries --
2019/02/22 Report 2019/03/01 Report Debra Nesbit Health and Human Services
This legislation requires that all body artists and body art studios be permitted and regulated by the local health departments.
HB 0369 NeutralDepartment of Education and Department of Public Health Must Provide Fact Sheet on Opioid Drug for Student Athletes David Wilkerson
2/21/2019 House Second Readers Education --
Debra Nesbit Health and Human Services
This legislation requires that the Department of Education and the Department of Public Health to develop and provide a fact sheet concerning the use and misuse of opioid drugs in the event of a sports injury by a student athlete.  This information shee must be provided by August 1, 2019.
HB 0442 NeutralGrant Program to Encourage Physicians to Practice in Underserved Areas Kim Schofield
2/26/2019 House Second Readers Appropriations --
Debra Nesbit Health and Human Services
HB 0457 SupportViolation of Seat Belt Law may be Considered in any Civil Action as Admissible Evidence Todd Jones
2/27/2019 House Second Readers Judiciary --
2019/03/01 Report Debra Nesbit Health and Human Services Insurance
This legislation will allow violations of the seat belt law to be used as evidence in any civil action as admissible evidence.
HB 0477 OpposeExempt Apartment/Condo's from Public Health Rules Ron Stephens
2/27/2019 House Second Readers State Planning and Community Affairs --
2019/03/01 Report Debra Nesbit Health and Human Services
This legislation exempts all apartment complex and condominium complex swimming pools from regulation by the Department of Public Health.
HB 0514 SupportCreation of the Georgia Behavioral Health Reform and Innovation Commission Kevin Tanner
7/1/2019 Effective Date Health and Human Services Health and Human Services -
2019/03/01 Report 2019/03/08 Report 2019/03/15 Report 2019/03/22 Report Debra Nesbit
Health and Human Services
House Bill 514 creates the Georgia Behavioral Health Reform and Innovation Commission. The purpose of this commission is to conduct a comprehensive review of the behavioral health system in Georgia. The commission will review the behavioral health services and facilities available in Georgia, the identification of behavioral health issues in children, adolescents, and adults, as well as the role the education system has in the identification and treatment of behavioral health issues. Additionally, the commission will review the impact behavioral health issues have on the criminal justice system, the state's homeless population, delivery of care, access to care, the role of payers in such access, and the impact untreated behavioral illness has on children transitioning into adulthood. The commission will conclude on June 30, 2023.  
HB 0518 OpposeAutomatic Qualification for EMS Zone Within Boundaries of Existing Zones Michael Wilensky
3/1/2019 House Second Readers Health and Human Services --
2019/03/01 Report Debra Nesbit EMS/Ambulance Health and Human Services Public Safety and Courts
This legislation provides automatic approval for an EMS zone within the boundaries of an existing zone for municipalities that would qualify for seven or more ground ambulances.  
HB 0524 SupportCreation of Foundation to Fund the Georgia Apex Program David Stover
3/1/2019 House Second Readers Ways and Means --
2019/03/01 Report Debra Nesbit Health and Human Services
This legislation creates a foundation to receive donations to fund the Georgia Apex Program which provides mental health services within the school setting.  The bills provides for tax credits to those who donate, for a single head of household the maximum credit is $2,500; for a married couple the maximum credit is $5,000; for companies and corporations the maximum credit is $10,000.  The maximum tax credits awarded per year is capped at $5 million.
HB 0535 NeutralRegulation of Body Artists and Body Art Studios Lee Hawkins
4/2/2019 House Withdrawn, Recommitted Regulated Industries --
Debra Nesbit Health and Human Services
This legislation requires that body artists and body art studios or tattoo artists be regulated by the Department of Public Health.
HB 0542 EvaluatingCreation of a Charity Care Exchange for Purchase and Sell of Charity Care Credits Todd Jones
3/12/2020 House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute Human Relations and Aging --
2019/03/01 Report 2020/03/13 Report Debra Nesbit Health and Human Services
This legislation creates an exchange by which health care facilities may buy and sell charity care credits necessary to meet CON requirements.
HB 0544 EvaluatingRevise Procedures Regarding Emergency Involuntary Treatment of Mentally Ill Chuck Efstration
3/10/2020 House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute Judiciary --
2019/03/01 Report Debra Nesbit Health and Human Services
This legislation revises procedures for involuntary treatment for mentally ill, to include acceptance of affidavits that may become a part of the overall evaluation.  The bill also includes a provision to require notification of relatives or family members upon the release of individual from involuntary treatment.  The bill also includes a provision for mandatory outpatient treatment and case management.
HB 0760 WatchAuthorization for Additional Discretion for First Responders Transporting Mentally to Emergency Receiving Facility Sharon Cooper
1/16/2020 House Second Readers Public Safety and Homeland Security --
2020/01/17 Report Debra Nesbit Health and Human Services Law Enforcement
This legislation expands the jurisdiction of law enforcement to transport those believed to be in mental health crisis.
HB 0767 WatchCreation of Commission on Veterans Suicide Prevention Sandra Scott
1/16/2020 House Second Readers Defense and Veterans Affairs --
Debra Nesbit Health and Human Services
This legislation creates a Commission on Veteral Sucide Prevention.
HB 0809 WatchProhibition of Sale of Tobacco Products and Related Objects to Persons Under 21 Angelika Kausche
1/29/2020 House Second Readers Regulated Industries --
Alcohol/Tobacco Debra Nesbit Health and Human Services
 This legislation prohibits the sale of tobacco products and related objects to persons under the age of 21.  Criminal Sanctions outlined for those are charged with selling these products to persons under 21.
HB 0813 EvaluatingPublic assistance; Medicaid Expansion Program; provide establishment Donna McLeod
1/29/2020 House Second Readers Special Committee On Access to Quality Health Care --
Debra Nesbit Health and Human Services
HB 0857 NeutralProhibition - Burning Chemically Treated Wood Products Alan Powell
8/4/2020 Effective Date Natural Resources and Environment Regulated Industries and Utilities -
2020/03/13 Report Air Quality Fire Services Health and Human Services Kathleen Bowen
Nat. Res. & the Environment Public Safety and Courts

This legislation prohibits biomass plants in Georgia from burning wood products treated with creosote or naphthenate compounds.

See article here for more details. 
HB 0881 NeutralAddition of Ambulance Services to Locations Required to Become a Safe Place for Newborns Sharon Cooper
3/13/2020 Senate Read and Referred Health and Human Services Assignments -
2020/02/07 2020/03/13 Report Debra Nesbit EMS/Ambulance Fire Services
Health and Human Services Public Safety and Courts
This legislation requires that ambulance services become one the mandated locations for a Safe Place for Newborns.  All ambulances will be required to place a sign on their vehicles indicating that they are a Safe Place for Newborns.
HB 0958 OpposeThe Maternity Supportive Housing Act Ed Setzler
6/17/2020 Senate - Senate Withdrawn & Recommitted Juvenile Justice Health and Human Services -
2020/02/21 Report 2020/03/06 Report 2020/03/13 Report Debra Nesbit Health and Human Services
 This legislation allows the establishment of maternity supportive housing, without any regulation or approval process, additionally zoning requirements for these home cannot exceed what is required for single family residences.
Green background on status indicates a bill has been acted on the last recorded legislative day.



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