- Home
- >
- Get Involved
- >
- Learn
- >
- Track Health Legislation
Deprecated: Creation of dynamic property Flexy_Breadcrumb_Trail::$before_wrap is deprecated in /home/axelson/ghf.jasonaxelson.com/wp-content/plugins/flexy-breadcrumb/includes/class-flexy-breadcrumb-shortcode.php on line 66
Deprecated: Creation of dynamic property Flexy_Breadcrumb_Trail::$after_wrap is deprecated in /home/axelson/ghf.jasonaxelson.com/wp-content/plugins/flexy-breadcrumb/includes/class-flexy-breadcrumb-shortcode.php on line 67
Track Health Legislation
Deprecated: Creation of dynamic property GHFSocialMediaButtons::$args is deprecated in /home/axelson/ghf.jasonaxelson.com/wp-content/themes/ghf-sage/ghf/ghf-social-media-buttons.php on line 25
The 2020 Legislative Session began on January 13, 2020. Below please find a listing of bills that Georgians for a Healthy Future is tracking during this session. New bills will be added as they are introduced. For email updates on how to stay involved sign up for action alerts.
Georgians for a Healthy Future Legislative Priorities
Filter By:| Sort By: Bill Title Bill Status | Bill | Status |
| Surprise Billing Consumer Protection Act; enact | HB 888 | House Withdrawn, Recommitted |
| ‘Surprise Billing Consumer Protection Act’; certain consumer protections against surprise billing; provide | SB 359 | Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute |
Highways, bridges, and ferries; funding sources and a consolidated state entity for the planning and implementation of mobility and transit services; provisions
Sponsor: Tanner, Kevin 9th Committee: Transportation SummaryA BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Titles 32, 36, 45, 48, and 50 of the O.C.G.A., relating to highways, bridges, and ferries; local government; to repeal and reserve Chapter 32 of Title 50 of the O.C.G.A., relating to the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority; to amend Title 40 of the O.C.G.A., relating to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to correct a cross-reference; to amend Article 2 of Chapter 10 of Title 32 of the O.C.G.A., relating to the State Road and Tollway Authority, so as to redesignate Code sections relative to such authority to a new chapter and make conforming changes to reflect such transfer; to amend the O.C.G.A., so as to make conforming and cross-reference changes relating to such redesignation and transfer; to reserve Article 2 of Chapter 10 of Title 32 of the O.C.G.A., relating to the State Road and Tollway Authority; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
FULL BILL| Date | Updates |
| March 8, 2019 |
Senate Read and Referred |
| March 7, 2019 |
House Passed/Adopted By Substitute |
| March 7, 2019 |
House Third Readers |
| March 5, 2019 |
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute |
| March 1, 2019 |
House Second Readers |
| February 28, 2019 |
House First Readers |
| February 27, 2019 |
House Hopper |
Mental health; procedures regarding emergency involuntary treatment; revise
Sponsor: Efstration, Chuck 104th Committee: Judiciary Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 7 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to hospitalization and treatment of alcoholics, drug dependent individuals, and drug abusers, so as to revise procedures regarding emergency involuntary treatment; to require the affidavits of the persons upon which an emergency involuntary treatment order is based to be made part of the patient evaluation and among the documents that influence treatment decisions; to provide for notification of such persons; to allow such persons to be designated as patient representatives; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| March 1, 2019 |
House Second Readers |
| February 28, 2019 |
House First Readers |
| February 28, 2019 |
House Hopper |
Georgia Licensed Midwife Act; enact
Sponsor: Mathiak, Karen 73rd Committee: Health & Human Services SummaryA BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 31 of the O.C.G.A., relating to health, so as to repeal in its entirety Chapter 26, relating to the practice of midwifery; to amend Title 43 of the O.C.G.A., relating to professions and businesses, so as to provide for the licensure and regulation of midwives; to provide for definitions; to provide for the creation of the Advisory Board for Licensed Midwives; to provide for its membership and duties; to provide for licensure requirements; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| January 13, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| April 2, 2019 |
House Withdrawn, Recommitted |
| April 2, 2019 |
House First Readers |
| March 29, 2019 |
House Hopper |
Crimes and offenses; modernization of HIV related laws; provide
Sponsor: Silcox, Deborah 52nd Committee: Health & Human Services Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 16 of the O.C.G.A., relating to crimes and offenses, so as to provide for the modernization of HIV related laws to align with science to ensure that laws and policies support current understanding of best public health practices for preventing and treating HIV, scientific evidence about routes of transmission, and the public health goals of promoting HIV prevention and treatment; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| January 13, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| April 2, 2019 |
House First Readers |
| March 29, 2019 |
House Hopper |
Social services; two or more dental service organization administrators for dental services for Medicaid recipients and PeachCare for Kids participants; provide
Sponsor: Taylor, Darlene 173rd Committee: Health & Human Services Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 7 of Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to medical assistance generally, so as to provide for two or more dental service organization administrators for dental services for Medicaid recipients and PeachCare for Kids participants; to require the Department of Community Health to competitively bid out and contract with such dental service organization administrators; to provide for requirements for the dental service organization administrators; to provide for applicability; to provide for an amendment to the state plan if necessary; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| January 14, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| January 13, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| April 2, 2019 |
House Hopper |
Excise tax; certain tobacco products; increase
Sponsor: Stephens, Ron 164th Committee: Ways & Means Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 48-11-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the excise tax on tobacco products, so as to increase the amount of such tax with respect to certain tobacco products; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| January 14, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| January 13, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| April 2, 2019 |
House Hopper |
Mental health; authorization of peace officers to take a person to a physician or emergency receiving facility for emergency examination under certain circumstances; provide
Sponsor: Cooper, Sharon 43rd Committee: Public Safety and Homeland Security Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 3 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to examination and treatment for mental illness, so as to provide for authorization of peace officers to take a person to a physician or emergency receiving facility for emergency examination under certain circumstances; to provide for immunity; to provide for reports; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| January 16, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| January 15, 2020 | House First Readers |
| January 14, 2020 |
House Hopper |
Insurance; creation of a surprise bill rating system based upon the number of certain physician specialty groups contracted with a hospital within a health insurer’s network; provide
Sponsor: Newton, Mark 123rd Committee: Special Committee On Access to Quality Health Care Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 20C of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to accurate provider directories, so as to provide for the creation of a surprise bill rating system based upon the number of certain physician specialty groups contracted with a hospital within a health insurer’s network; to provide for definitions; to provide for a requirement that insurers include hospital surprise bill ratings online and in print provider directories; to provide for a requirement that each insurer that advertises any hospital as in-network shall disclose such hospital’s surprise bill rating within such advertisement; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 4, 2020 |
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute |
| January 28, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| January 27, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| January 16, 2020 |
House Hopper |
Pharmacists; dispense up to a 90 day supply of a maintenance medication under certain conditions; authorize
Sponsor: Stephens, Ron 164th Committee: Health & Human Services Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 26-4-80 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to license required for practice of pharmacy, dispensing prescription drugs, prescription drug orders, electronically transmitting drug orders, refills, and Schedule II controlled substance prescriptions, so as to authorize a pharmacist to dispense up to a 90 day supply of a maintenance medication under certain conditions; to provide for exceptions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| January 28, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| January 27, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| January 16, 2020 |
House Hopper |
Medical assistance; health care services by providers in bordering states to Georgia Medicaid recipients under certain conditions; provide
Sponsor: Scott, Sandra 76th Committee: Health & Human Services Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 7 of Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to medical assistance generally, so as to provide for health care services by providers in bordering states to Georgia Medicaid recipients under certain conditions; to authorize the Department of Community Health to enter into agreements and compacts with other states; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| January 28, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| January 27, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| January 16, 2020 |
House Hopper |
Health; limit the number of patients that may be assigned to a registered professional nurse in specified situations in hospitals; provide
Sponsor: Scott, Sandra 76th Committee: Health & Human Services Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 7 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to regulation and construction of hospitals and other health care facilities, so as to limit the number of patients that may be assigned to a registered professional nurse in specified situations in hospitals; to provide for definitions; to provide that nothing shall preclude a hospital from assigning fewer patients to a registered professional nurse than the established limits; to require the adoption of written policies and procedures for the training and orientation of nursing staff by hospitals; to provide for sanctions; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| January 28, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| January 27, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| January 16, 2020 |
House Hopper |
Gracie’s Law; enact
Sponsor: Williams, Rick 145th Committee: Insurance Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding health, so as to prohibit providers from discriminating against potential organ transplant recipients due solely to the physical or mental disability of the potential recipient; to amend Chapter 24 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance generally, so as to prohibit health insurers from discriminating against potential organ transplant recipients due solely to the physical or mental disability of the potential recipient; to provide for a short title; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 20, 2020 |
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute |
| January 31, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| January 30, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| January 29, 2020 |
House Hopper |
Quality Basic Education Act; recess for students in kindergarten and grades one through five; provide
Sponsor: Douglas, Demetrius 78th Committee: Education Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 15 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to miscellaneous provisions under the “Quality Basic Education Act,” so as to provide for recess for students in kindergarten and grades one through five; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| January 31, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| January 30, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| January 29, 2020 |
House Hopper |
Excise tax; sale of vapor devices and consumable vapor products; provide
Sponsor: Rich, Bonnie 97th Committee: Ways & Means Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 11 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to taxes on tobacco products, so as to provide for excise taxes to be levied on the sale of vapor devices and consumable vapor products; to provide for the collection and remittance of such taxes; to require licensure for persons dealing with vapor devices or consumable vapor products and to provide for application and renewal of such licenses; to provide for appeals of certain decisions made by the state revenue commissioner; to provide for civil and criminal penalties; to provide for rules and regulations; to revise and provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 3, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| January 31, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| January 30, 2020 |
House Hopper |
Domestic relations; provisions relating to safe places for newborns; revise
Sponsor: Cooper, Sharon 43rd Committee: Health & Human Services Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 19 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to domestic relations, so as to revise provisions relating to safe places for newborns; to authorize a newborn child to be left with an ambulance service or in a newborn safety incubator; to provide for definitions; to provide for limited liability; to provide for posting of signs on ambulance service vehicles; to provide for rules and regulations governing newborn safety incubators; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 5, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| February 4, 2020 | House First Readers |
| February 3, 2020 |
House Hopper |
Surprise Billing Consumer Protection Act; enact
Sponsor: Hawkins, Lee 27th Committee: Special Committee On Access to Quality Health Care Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 33 of the O.C.G.A., relating to insurance, so as to provide for certain consumer protections against surprise billing; to provide for a short title; to provide for applicability; to provide for definitions; to provide mechanisms to resolve payment disputes between insurers and out-of-network providers regarding the provision of healthcare services; to require the department to provide for the maintenance of an all-payer health claims data base; to provide for in-network cost-sharing amounts in healthcare plan contracts; to establish an arbitration process; to require the Commissioner of Insurance to contract with one or more resolution organizations; to require the promulgation of department rules; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 19, 2020 |
House Withdrawn, Recommitted |
| February 19, 2020 |
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute |
| February 18, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| February 5, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| February 4, 2020 |
House Hopper |
Crimes and offenses; sale or distribution of cigarettes, tobacco, tobacco related objects, vapor products, and marijuana flavored products; increase age
Sponsor: Cooper, Sharon 43rd Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to crimes and offenses, so as to increase the age of individuals to which the sale or distribution of cigarettes, tobacco, tobacco related objects, vapor products, and marijuana flavored products are prohibited; to change certain definitions; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 19, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| February 18, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| February 5, 2020 | House Hopper |
Georgia Licensed Midwife Act; enact
Sponsor: Mathiak, Karen 73rd Committee: Regulated Industries Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health, so as to repeal in its entirety Chapter 26, relating to the practice of midwifery; to amend Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to professions and businesses, so as to provide for the licensure and regulation of midwives; to amend Code Section 43-26-12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to exceptions to the operation of the “Georgia Registered Professional Nurse Practice Act,” so as to provide for an exception relating to the practice of midwifery; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 19, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| February 18, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| February 5, 2020 |
House Hopper |
Community Health, Department of; engage an actuary to conduct a study of the fiscal impact of carving out pharmacy benefits from the state’s current Medicaid care management organizations; require
Sponsor: Knight, David 130th Committee: Special Committee On Access to Quality Health Care Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 7 of Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to Medicaid generally, so as to require the Department of Community Health to engage an actuary to conduct an actuarial study of the fiscal impact of carving out pharmacy benefits from the state’s current Medicaid care management organizations; to provide for actions based on the results of the actuarial study; to provide for submission of a waiver if necessary; to provide for related matters; to provide for legislative findings; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 21, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| February 21, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| February 19, 2020 |
House Hopper |
Pharmacies; prohibit corporations that own and operate multiple pharmacies from implementing policies and procedures that restrict the quantity of controlled substances dispensed or restrict the prescriber
Sponsor: Cooper, Sharon 43rd Committee: Special Committee On Access to Quality Health Care Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 6 of Chapter 4 of Title 26 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to pharmacies, so as to prohibit corporations that own and operate multiple pharmacies from implementing policies and procedures that restrict the quantity of controlled substances dispensed or restrict the prescriber; to provide for an exception; to prohibit retaliation; to provide for a civil penalty; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 21, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| February 20, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| February 19, 2020 |
House Hopper |
Health; identification of high-cost prescription drugs for which the state expends significant health care funds; provide
Sponsor: Park, Sam 101st Committee: Insurance Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health, so as to provide for the identification of high-cost prescription drugs for which the state expends significant health care funds; to provide for submission of a list of the identified drugs to the Attorney General; to authorize the Attorney General to require certain information from drug manufacturers; to provide for an annual report to the General Assembly; to provide for confidentiality; to provide for civil penalties for noncompliance; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 21, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| February 20, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| February 19, 2020 |
House Hopper |
Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired Act; enact
Sponsor: Gilliard, Carl 162nd Committee: Health & Human Services Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 30 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to handicapped persons, so as to create the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired; to provide for a short title; to provide for definitions; to provide for the purpose of the commission and the policy of this state; to provide for the composition and appointment of commission members; to provide for an executive director; to provide for duties and powers; to provide for an annual report; to require the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency to consult with the commission; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 24, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| February 21, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| February 20, 2020 |
House Hopper |
Disabled Adults and Elder Persons Protection Act; retaliation against a person relating to a report that a disabled adult or elder person is in need of protective services or has been the victim of abuse; prohibit
Sponsor: Nguyen, Bee 89th Committee: Human Relations & Aging Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 30 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the “Disabled Adults and Elder Persons Protection Act,” so as to prohibit retaliation against a person relating to a report that a disabled adult or elder person is in need of protective services or has been the victim of abuse, neglect, or exploitation; to provide for a right of action; to provide for relief; to provide for statutory construction; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 24, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| February 21, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| February 20, 2020 |
House Hopper |
Health; additional measures for the protection of elderly persons; provide
Sponsor: Cooper, Sharon 43rd Committee: Health & Human Services Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 31 of the O.C.G.A., relating to health, so as to provide additional measures for the protection of elderly persons; to increase the maximum fines for violation by health care facilities; to provide for staffing, training, and financial stability requirements for certain personal care homes and assisted living communities; to provide for limited nursing services in assisted living communities; to provide for certification of memory care centers; to provide for definitions; to amend Title 43 of the O.C.G.A., relating to professions and businesses, so as to provide for definitions; to rename the State Board of Nursing Home Administrators the State Board of Long-Term Care Facility Administrators; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 24, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| February 21, 2020 |
House Hopper |
Social services; convene advisory working group to review tools and protocols for the screening of children for trauma within the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment Program; provisions
Sponsor: Park, Sam 101st Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 7C of Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to therapy services for children with disabilities, so as to convene an advisory working group to review tools and protocols for the screening of children for trauma within the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment Program; to provide for findings and recommendations; to provide for abolishment of the advisory working group; to provide for subsequent periodic review of screening protocols and tools; to provide for implementation only if certain conditions are met; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 24, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| February 21, 2020 |
House Hopper |
Healthcare Transparency and Accountability Act; enact
Sponsor: Hatchett, Matt 150th Committee: Special Committee On Access to Quality Health Care Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health, so as to provide for transparency relating to state healthcare plans and its contractors; to provide for a short title; to provide for definitions; to provide for an oversight committee; to provide for its members and powers; to provide for information from state contractors and others to the oversight committee regarding state healthcare plans; to provide for confidentiality of certain records; to provide for penalties; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 24, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| February 21, 2020 |
House Hopper |
‘Balance Billing Consumer Protection Act’; certain consumer protections against balance billing; provide; enact
Sponsor: Hufstetler, Chuck 52nd Committee: Insurance and Labor SummaryA BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 33 of the O.C.G.A., relating to insurance, so as to provide for certain consumer protections against balance billing; to amend Chapter 1 of Title 10 of the O.C.G.A., relating to selling and other trade practices, so as to provide the Attorney General with new enforcement authority against providers; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| January 15, 2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
| January 14, 2020 |
Senate Hopper |
Crimes and Offenses and Education; protections for and education to minors regarding smoking and vaping; provide
Sponsor: Unterman, Renee 45th Committee: Regulated Industries and Utilities Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Titles 16 and 20 of the O.C.G.A., relating to crimes and offenses and education, respectively, so as to provide protections for and education to minors regarding smoking and vaping; to revise and provide certain definitions regarding the sale or distribution to, or possession by, minors of cigarettes, tobacco, tobacco related objects, and vapor products to include vapor products that do not contain nicotine; to prohibit such sales or distribution to individuals under the age of 21; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 18, 2020 |
Senate Read Second Time |
| February 5, 2020 |
Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute |
| January 16, 2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
| January 15, 2020 |
Senate Hopper |
‘Georgia Right to Shop Act’; greater transparency of prices for nonemergency healthcare services; provide
Sponsor: Watson, Ben 1st Committee: Insurance and Labor Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 24 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance generally, so as to provide for greater transparency of prices for nonemergency health care services; to provide for a short title; to provide for definitions; to provide for the disclosure of certain pricing information through insurer websites to allow consumers to compare prices; to provide that insurers may use third parties to comply with such requirements; to provide for certain notice requirements; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 25, 2020 |
Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute |
| February 25, 2020 |
Senate Third Read |
| February 18, 2020 |
Senate Read Second Time |
| February 5, 2020 |
Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute |
| January 27, 2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
| January 16, 2020 |
Senate Hopper |
“Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact”; enter into compact; licensing provisions; revise
Sponsor: Seay, Valencia 34th Committee: Health and Human Services Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 44 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to speech-language pathologists and audiologists, so as to revise licensing provisions; to enter into an interstate compact known as the “Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact”; to authorize the State Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology to administer the compact in this state; to provide for definitions; to provide for conditions; to provide for eligibility; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| January 27, 2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
| January 21, 2020 |
Senate Hopper |
“The Living Hope Home Act”; related to supportive housing for pregnant women age 18 or older; enact
Sponsor: Unterman, Renee 45th Committee: Health & Human Services Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to programs and protection for children and youth, so as to provide for registration of supportive housing maternity residences to provide housing for pregnant women; to define a term; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for the right to inspect; to provide for statutory construction; to provide for related matters; to provide a short title; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| January 28, 2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
| January 27, 2020 |
Senate Hopper |
Pharmacy Benefits Managers; regulation and licensure; extensive revisions; provide
Sponsor: Burke, Dean 11th Committee: Insurance and Labor Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 64 of Title 33 of the O.C.G.A., relating to regulation and licensure of pharmacy benefits managers, so as to provide extensive revisions regarding pharmacy benefits managers; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| January 28, 2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
| January 27, 2020 |
Senate Hopper |
Physician Assistants; relating to the number a physician can authorize and supervise at any one time; provisions; revise
Sponsor: Hufstetler, Chuck 52nd Committee: Health & Human Services Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 34 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to physicians, assistants, and others, so as to revise provisions relating to the number of physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses a physician can authorize and supervise at any one time; to remove a limitation on where a physician assistant is authorized to practice; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| January 29, 2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
| January 28, 2020 |
Senate Hopper |
Public Assistance; healthcare coverage to individuals not eligible; PeachCare Public Option Program; provide
Sponsor: Harrell, Sally 40th Committee: Appropriations Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to public assistance, so as to provide for a Medicaid public option program to provide healthcare coverage to individuals not eligible for Medicare, Medicaid, or the PeachCare for Kids Program; to provide for definitions; to provide for the establishment of the PeachCare Public Option Program; to provide requirements for the design of the program; to provide requirements for the administration and implementation of the program; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for a design and actuarial study; to provide for contingent effectiveness and automatic repeal; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| January 30, 2020 |
Senate Withdrawn Bill/Res Consideration |
| January 30, 2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
| January 29, 2020 | Senate Hopper |
Public Assistance; healthcare coverage to individuals not eligible; Medicaid public option network; provide
Sponsor: Harrell, Sally 40th Committee: Appropriations Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to public assistance, so as to provide for a Medicaid public option network to provide health care coverage to individuals not eligible for Medicare, Medicaid, or the PeachCare for Kids Program; to provide for definitions; to provide for the establishment of the Georgia Reliable Insurance Network; to provide requirements for the design of the network; to provide requirements for the administration and implementation of the program; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for a design and actuarial study; to provide for contingent effectiveness and automatic repeal; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| January 31, 2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
| January 30, 2020 |
Senate Hopper |
“Consumer Right to Access Act”; insurer requirements concerning provider network classification; enact
Sponsor: Kirkpatrick, Kay 32nd Committee: Insurance and Labor Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance, so as to provide for certain insurer requirements concerning provider network classification; to require the Department of Insurance to assess provider network adequacy on an annual basis; to provide health insurers with the right to request a hearing when network adequacy plans are refused; to provide for definitions; to provide for a short title; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 3, 2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
| January 31, 2020 |
Senate Hopper |
Online Provider Directories; certain coverage requirements concerning providers that become out-of-network during a plan year; provide
Sponsor: Burke, Dean 11th Committee: Insurance and Labor Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 33-20C-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to online provider directories, so as to provide for certain coverage requirements concerning providers that become out-of-network during a plan year; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 24, 2020 |
Senate Read Second Time |
| February 21, 2020 |
Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute |
| February 4, 2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
| February 3, 2020 |
Senate Hopper |
‘Surprise Billing Consumer Protection Act’; certain consumer protections against surprise billing; provide
Sponsor: Hufstetler, Chuck 52nd Committee: Health & Human Services Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance, so as to provide for certain consumer protections against surprise billing; to provide mechanisms to resolve payment disputes between insurers and out-of-network providers regarding the provision of healthcare services; to require the department to provide for the maintenance of an all-payer health claims data base; to provide for in-network cost-sharing amounts in healthcare plan contracts; to establish an arbitration process; to require the Commissioner of Insurance to contract with one or more resolution organizations; to require the promulgation of department rules; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 24, 2020 |
Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute |
| February 24, 2020 |
Senate Third Read |
| February 21, 2020 |
Senate Read Second Time |
| February 20, 2020 |
Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute |
| February 5, 2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
| February 4, 2020 |
Senate Hopper |
Public Health; provisions; modernize, clarify, and update; certain councils and committees; eliminate
Sponsor: Tillery, Blake 19th Committee: Health and Human Services Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend various titles of the O.C.G.A., so as to modernize, clarify, and update provisions relating to public health; to amend Article 1 of Chapter 10 of Title 17 of the O.C.G.A., relating to procedure for sentencing and imposition of punishment, so as to revise a provision regarding the requirement of defendants to submit to HIV tests for AIDS transmitting crimes; to amend Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 19 of the O.C.G.A., relating to license and ceremony for marriage generally; to amend Title 31 of the O.C.G.A., relating to health, so as to revise provisions regarding the Office of Women’s Health; to amend various titles of the O.C.G.A., so as to update terminology relating to sexually transmitted diseases; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 18, 2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
| February 5, 2020 |
Senate Hopper |
Cigarettes and Tobacco Related Products; additional penalties regarding any person under 21 years of age; provide; definition of vapor product; revise
Sponsor: Mullis, Jeff 53rd Committee: Regulated Industries and Utilities Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 7 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to sale or distribution to, or possession by, minors of cigarettes and tobacco related products, so as to provide for additional penalties regarding any person under 21 years of age and vapor products; to revise the definition of vapor product; to provide for seizure by law enforcement of any cigarettes, tobacco products, tobacco related objects, alternative nicotine products, or vapor products sold to and in the possession of any person under 21 years of age; to provide for fine and penalties; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 18, 2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
| February 7, 2020 |
Senate Hopper |
Insurance; out-of-pocket cost of consumers requiring insulin; reduce
Sponsor: Jordan, Jennifer 6th Committee: Insurance and Labor Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 24 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding insurance, so as to reduce out-of-pocket cost of consumers requiring insulin; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 18, 2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
| February 7, 2020 |
Senate Hopper |
“Early Prescription Refills During Emergencies Act”; health insurers to provide coverage for early refills of a 30 day supply; require; enact
Sponsor: Kirkpatrick, Kay 32nd Committee: Health and Human Services Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 24 of Title 33 of the O.C.G.A., relating to general provisions regarding insurance, so as to require health insurers to provide coverage for early refills of a 30 day supply of certain prescription medications under certain emergency situations; to amend Code Section 26-4-80 of the O.C.G.A., relating to license required for practice of pharmacy, dispensing of prescription drugs, prescription drug orders, electronically transmitted drug orders, refills, and schedule II controlled substance prescriptions, so as to allow pharmacists to dispense certain refill prescription medications under certain circumstances; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to provide for legislative findings; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 20, 2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
| February 19, 2020 |
Senate Hopper |
Legislation we’re watching
Filter By:| Sort By: Bill Title Bill Status | Bill | Status |
| Highways, bridges, and ferries; funding sources and a consolidated state entity for the planning and implementation of mobility and transit services; provisions | HB 511 | Senate Read and Referred |
| Mental health; procedures regarding emergency involuntary treatment; revise | HB 544 | House Second Readers |
| Georgia Licensed Midwife Act; enact | HB 717 | House Second Readers |
| Crimes and offenses; modernization of HIV related laws; provide | HB 719 | House Second Readers |
| Social services; two or more dental service organization administrators for dental services for Medicaid recipients and PeachCare for Kids participants; provide | HB 725 | House Second Readers |
| Excise tax; certain tobacco products; increase | HB 731 | House Second Readers |
| Mental health; authorization of peace officers to take a person to a physician or emergency receiving facility for emergency examination under certain circumstances; provide | HB 760 | House Second Readers |
| Insurance; creation of a surprise bill rating system based upon the number of certain physician specialty groups contracted with a hospital within a health insurer’s network; provide | HB 789 | House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute |
| Pharmacists; dispense up to a 90 day supply of a maintenance medication under certain conditions; authorize | HB 791 | House Second Readers |
| Medical assistance; health care services by providers in bordering states to Georgia Medicaid recipients under certain conditions; provide | HB 800 | House Second Readers |
| Health; limit the number of patients that may be assigned to a registered professional nurse in specified situations in hospitals; provide | HB 801 | House Second Readers |
| Gracie’s Law; enact | HB 842 | House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute |
| Quality Basic Education Act; recess for students in kindergarten and grades one through five; provide | HB 843 | House Second Readers |
| Excise tax; sale of vapor devices and consumable vapor products; provide | HB 864 | House Second Readers |
| Domestic relations; provisions relating to safe places for newborns; revise | HB 881 | House Second Readers |
| Crimes and offenses; sale or distribution of cigarettes, tobacco, tobacco related objects, vapor products, and marijuana flavored products; increase age | HB 909 | House Second Readers |
| Georgia Licensed Midwife Act; enact | HB 910 | House Second Readers |
| Community Health, Department of; engage an actuary to conduct a study of the fiscal impact of carving out pharmacy benefits from the state’s current Medicaid care management organizations; require | HB 947 | House Second Readers |
| Pharmacies; prohibit corporations that own and operate multiple pharmacies from implementing policies and procedures that restrict the quantity of controlled substances dispensed or restrict the prescriber | HB 952 | House Second Readers |
| Health; identification of high-cost prescription drugs for which the state expends significant health care funds; provide | HB 961 | House Second Readers |
| Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired Act; enact | HB 963 | House First Readers |
| Disabled Adults and Elder Persons Protection Act; retaliation against a person relating to a report that a disabled adult or elder person is in need of protective services or has been the victim of abuse; prohibit | HB 978 | House Second Readers |
| Health; additional measures for the protection of elderly persons; provide | HB 987 | House First Readers |
| Social services; convene advisory working group to review tools and protocols for the screening of children for trauma within the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment Program; provisions | HB 989 | House Hopper |
| Healthcare Transparency and Accountability Act; enact | HB 991 | House First Readers |
| ‘Balance Billing Consumer Protection Act’; certain consumer protections against balance billing; provide; enact | SB 293 | Senate Read and Referred |
| Crimes and Offenses and Education; protections for and education to minors regarding smoking and vaping; provide | SB 298 | Senate Read Second Time |
| ‘Georgia Right to Shop Act’; greater transparency of prices for nonemergency healthcare services; provide | SB 303 | Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute |
| “Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact”; enter into compact; licensing provisions; revise | SB 306 | Senate Read and Referred |
| “The Living Hope Home Act”; related to supportive housing for pregnant women age 18 or older; enact | SB 307 | Senate Read and Referred |
| Pharmacy Benefits Managers; regulation and licensure; extensive revisions; provide | SB 313 | Senate Read and Referred |
| Physician Assistants; relating to the number a physician can authorize and supervise at any one time; provisions; revise | SB 321 | Senate Read and Referred |
| Public Assistance; healthcare coverage to individuals not eligible; PeachCare Public Option Program; provide | SB 330 | Senate Withdrawn Bill/Res Consideration |
| Public Assistance; healthcare coverage to individuals not eligible; Medicaid public option network; provide | SB 339 | Senate Read and Referred |
| “Consumer Right to Access Act”; insurer requirements concerning provider network classification; enact | SB 348 | Senate Read and Referred |
| Online Provider Directories; certain coverage requirements concerning providers that become out-of-network during a plan year; provide | SB 352 | Senate Read Second Time |
| Public Health; provisions; modernize, clarify, and update; certain councils and committees; eliminate | SB 372 | Senate Read and Referred |
| Cigarettes and Tobacco Related Products; additional penalties regarding any person under 21 years of age; provide; definition of vapor product; revise | SB 375 | Senate Read and Referred |
| Insurance; out-of-pocket cost of consumers requiring insulin; reduce | SB 376 | Senate Read and Referred |
| “Early Prescription Refills During Emergencies Act”; health insurers to provide coverage for early refills of a 30 day supply; require; enact | SB 391 | Senate Read and Referred |
Highways, bridges, and ferries; funding sources and a consolidated state entity for the planning and implementation of mobility and transit services; provisions
Sponsor: Tanner, Kevin 9th Committee: Transportation SummaryA BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Titles 32, 36, 45, 48, and 50 of the O.C.G.A., relating to highways, bridges, and ferries; local government; to repeal and reserve Chapter 32 of Title 50 of the O.C.G.A., relating to the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority; to amend Title 40 of the O.C.G.A., relating to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to correct a cross-reference; to amend Article 2 of Chapter 10 of Title 32 of the O.C.G.A., relating to the State Road and Tollway Authority, so as to redesignate Code sections relative to such authority to a new chapter and make conforming changes to reflect such transfer; to amend the O.C.G.A., so as to make conforming and cross-reference changes relating to such redesignation and transfer; to reserve Article 2 of Chapter 10 of Title 32 of the O.C.G.A., relating to the State Road and Tollway Authority; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
FULL BILL| Date | Updates |
| March 8, 2019 |
Senate Read and Referred |
| March 7, 2019 |
House Passed/Adopted By Substitute |
| March 7, 2019 |
House Third Readers |
| March 5, 2019 |
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute |
| March 1, 2019 |
House Second Readers |
| February 28, 2019 |
House First Readers |
| February 27, 2019 |
House Hopper |
Mental health; procedures regarding emergency involuntary treatment; revise
Sponsor: Efstration, Chuck 104th Committee: Judiciary Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 7 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to hospitalization and treatment of alcoholics, drug dependent individuals, and drug abusers, so as to revise procedures regarding emergency involuntary treatment; to require the affidavits of the persons upon which an emergency involuntary treatment order is based to be made part of the patient evaluation and among the documents that influence treatment decisions; to provide for notification of such persons; to allow such persons to be designated as patient representatives; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| March 1, 2019 |
House Second Readers |
| February 28, 2019 |
House First Readers |
| February 28, 2019 |
House Hopper |
Georgia Licensed Midwife Act; enact
Sponsor: Mathiak, Karen 73rd Committee: Health & Human Services SummaryA BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 31 of the O.C.G.A., relating to health, so as to repeal in its entirety Chapter 26, relating to the practice of midwifery; to amend Title 43 of the O.C.G.A., relating to professions and businesses, so as to provide for the licensure and regulation of midwives; to provide for definitions; to provide for the creation of the Advisory Board for Licensed Midwives; to provide for its membership and duties; to provide for licensure requirements; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| January 13, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| April 2, 2019 |
House Withdrawn, Recommitted |
| April 2, 2019 |
House First Readers |
| March 29, 2019 |
House Hopper |
Crimes and offenses; modernization of HIV related laws; provide
Sponsor: Silcox, Deborah 52nd Committee: Health & Human Services Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 16 of the O.C.G.A., relating to crimes and offenses, so as to provide for the modernization of HIV related laws to align with science to ensure that laws and policies support current understanding of best public health practices for preventing and treating HIV, scientific evidence about routes of transmission, and the public health goals of promoting HIV prevention and treatment; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| January 13, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| April 2, 2019 |
House First Readers |
| March 29, 2019 |
House Hopper |
Social services; two or more dental service organization administrators for dental services for Medicaid recipients and PeachCare for Kids participants; provide
Sponsor: Taylor, Darlene 173rd Committee: Health & Human Services Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 7 of Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to medical assistance generally, so as to provide for two or more dental service organization administrators for dental services for Medicaid recipients and PeachCare for Kids participants; to require the Department of Community Health to competitively bid out and contract with such dental service organization administrators; to provide for requirements for the dental service organization administrators; to provide for applicability; to provide for an amendment to the state plan if necessary; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| January 14, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| January 13, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| April 2, 2019 |
House Hopper |
Excise tax; certain tobacco products; increase
Sponsor: Stephens, Ron 164th Committee: Ways & Means Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 48-11-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the excise tax on tobacco products, so as to increase the amount of such tax with respect to certain tobacco products; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| January 14, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| January 13, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| April 2, 2019 |
House Hopper |
Mental health; authorization of peace officers to take a person to a physician or emergency receiving facility for emergency examination under certain circumstances; provide
Sponsor: Cooper, Sharon 43rd Committee: Public Safety and Homeland Security Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 3 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to examination and treatment for mental illness, so as to provide for authorization of peace officers to take a person to a physician or emergency receiving facility for emergency examination under certain circumstances; to provide for immunity; to provide for reports; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| January 16, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| January 15, 2020 | House First Readers |
| January 14, 2020 |
House Hopper |
Insurance; creation of a surprise bill rating system based upon the number of certain physician specialty groups contracted with a hospital within a health insurer’s network; provide
Sponsor: Newton, Mark 123rd Committee: Special Committee On Access to Quality Health Care Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 20C of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to accurate provider directories, so as to provide for the creation of a surprise bill rating system based upon the number of certain physician specialty groups contracted with a hospital within a health insurer’s network; to provide for definitions; to provide for a requirement that insurers include hospital surprise bill ratings online and in print provider directories; to provide for a requirement that each insurer that advertises any hospital as in-network shall disclose such hospital’s surprise bill rating within such advertisement; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 4, 2020 |
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute |
| January 28, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| January 27, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| January 16, 2020 |
House Hopper |
Pharmacists; dispense up to a 90 day supply of a maintenance medication under certain conditions; authorize
Sponsor: Stephens, Ron 164th Committee: Health & Human Services Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 26-4-80 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to license required for practice of pharmacy, dispensing prescription drugs, prescription drug orders, electronically transmitting drug orders, refills, and Schedule II controlled substance prescriptions, so as to authorize a pharmacist to dispense up to a 90 day supply of a maintenance medication under certain conditions; to provide for exceptions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| January 28, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| January 27, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| January 16, 2020 |
House Hopper |
Medical assistance; health care services by providers in bordering states to Georgia Medicaid recipients under certain conditions; provide
Sponsor: Scott, Sandra 76th Committee: Health & Human Services Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 7 of Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to medical assistance generally, so as to provide for health care services by providers in bordering states to Georgia Medicaid recipients under certain conditions; to authorize the Department of Community Health to enter into agreements and compacts with other states; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| January 28, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| January 27, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| January 16, 2020 |
House Hopper |
Health; limit the number of patients that may be assigned to a registered professional nurse in specified situations in hospitals; provide
Sponsor: Scott, Sandra 76th Committee: Health & Human Services Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 7 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to regulation and construction of hospitals and other health care facilities, so as to limit the number of patients that may be assigned to a registered professional nurse in specified situations in hospitals; to provide for definitions; to provide that nothing shall preclude a hospital from assigning fewer patients to a registered professional nurse than the established limits; to require the adoption of written policies and procedures for the training and orientation of nursing staff by hospitals; to provide for sanctions; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| January 28, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| January 27, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| January 16, 2020 |
House Hopper |
Gracie’s Law; enact
Sponsor: Williams, Rick 145th Committee: Insurance Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding health, so as to prohibit providers from discriminating against potential organ transplant recipients due solely to the physical or mental disability of the potential recipient; to amend Chapter 24 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance generally, so as to prohibit health insurers from discriminating against potential organ transplant recipients due solely to the physical or mental disability of the potential recipient; to provide for a short title; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 20, 2020 |
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute |
| January 31, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| January 30, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| January 29, 2020 |
House Hopper |
Quality Basic Education Act; recess for students in kindergarten and grades one through five; provide
Sponsor: Douglas, Demetrius 78th Committee: Education Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 15 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to miscellaneous provisions under the “Quality Basic Education Act,” so as to provide for recess for students in kindergarten and grades one through five; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| January 31, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| January 30, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| January 29, 2020 |
House Hopper |
Excise tax; sale of vapor devices and consumable vapor products; provide
Sponsor: Rich, Bonnie 97th Committee: Ways & Means Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 11 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to taxes on tobacco products, so as to provide for excise taxes to be levied on the sale of vapor devices and consumable vapor products; to provide for the collection and remittance of such taxes; to require licensure for persons dealing with vapor devices or consumable vapor products and to provide for application and renewal of such licenses; to provide for appeals of certain decisions made by the state revenue commissioner; to provide for civil and criminal penalties; to provide for rules and regulations; to revise and provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 3, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| January 31, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| January 30, 2020 |
House Hopper |
Domestic relations; provisions relating to safe places for newborns; revise
Sponsor: Cooper, Sharon 43rd Committee: Health & Human Services Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 19 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to domestic relations, so as to revise provisions relating to safe places for newborns; to authorize a newborn child to be left with an ambulance service or in a newborn safety incubator; to provide for definitions; to provide for limited liability; to provide for posting of signs on ambulance service vehicles; to provide for rules and regulations governing newborn safety incubators; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 5, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| February 4, 2020 | House First Readers |
| February 3, 2020 |
House Hopper |
Surprise Billing Consumer Protection Act; enact
Sponsor: Hawkins, Lee 27th Committee: Special Committee On Access to Quality Health Care Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 33 of the O.C.G.A., relating to insurance, so as to provide for certain consumer protections against surprise billing; to provide for a short title; to provide for applicability; to provide for definitions; to provide mechanisms to resolve payment disputes between insurers and out-of-network providers regarding the provision of healthcare services; to require the department to provide for the maintenance of an all-payer health claims data base; to provide for in-network cost-sharing amounts in healthcare plan contracts; to establish an arbitration process; to require the Commissioner of Insurance to contract with one or more resolution organizations; to require the promulgation of department rules; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 19, 2020 |
House Withdrawn, Recommitted |
| February 19, 2020 |
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute |
| February 18, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| February 5, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| February 4, 2020 |
House Hopper |
Crimes and offenses; sale or distribution of cigarettes, tobacco, tobacco related objects, vapor products, and marijuana flavored products; increase age
Sponsor: Cooper, Sharon 43rd Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to crimes and offenses, so as to increase the age of individuals to which the sale or distribution of cigarettes, tobacco, tobacco related objects, vapor products, and marijuana flavored products are prohibited; to change certain definitions; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 19, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| February 18, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| February 5, 2020 | House Hopper |
Georgia Licensed Midwife Act; enact
Sponsor: Mathiak, Karen 73rd Committee: Regulated Industries Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health, so as to repeal in its entirety Chapter 26, relating to the practice of midwifery; to amend Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to professions and businesses, so as to provide for the licensure and regulation of midwives; to amend Code Section 43-26-12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to exceptions to the operation of the “Georgia Registered Professional Nurse Practice Act,” so as to provide for an exception relating to the practice of midwifery; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 19, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| February 18, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| February 5, 2020 |
House Hopper |
Community Health, Department of; engage an actuary to conduct a study of the fiscal impact of carving out pharmacy benefits from the state’s current Medicaid care management organizations; require
Sponsor: Knight, David 130th Committee: Special Committee On Access to Quality Health Care Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 7 of Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to Medicaid generally, so as to require the Department of Community Health to engage an actuary to conduct an actuarial study of the fiscal impact of carving out pharmacy benefits from the state’s current Medicaid care management organizations; to provide for actions based on the results of the actuarial study; to provide for submission of a waiver if necessary; to provide for related matters; to provide for legislative findings; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 21, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| February 21, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| February 19, 2020 |
House Hopper |
Pharmacies; prohibit corporations that own and operate multiple pharmacies from implementing policies and procedures that restrict the quantity of controlled substances dispensed or restrict the prescriber
Sponsor: Cooper, Sharon 43rd Committee: Special Committee On Access to Quality Health Care Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 6 of Chapter 4 of Title 26 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to pharmacies, so as to prohibit corporations that own and operate multiple pharmacies from implementing policies and procedures that restrict the quantity of controlled substances dispensed or restrict the prescriber; to provide for an exception; to prohibit retaliation; to provide for a civil penalty; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 21, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| February 20, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| February 19, 2020 |
House Hopper |
Health; identification of high-cost prescription drugs for which the state expends significant health care funds; provide
Sponsor: Park, Sam 101st Committee: Insurance Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health, so as to provide for the identification of high-cost prescription drugs for which the state expends significant health care funds; to provide for submission of a list of the identified drugs to the Attorney General; to authorize the Attorney General to require certain information from drug manufacturers; to provide for an annual report to the General Assembly; to provide for confidentiality; to provide for civil penalties for noncompliance; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 21, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| February 20, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| February 19, 2020 |
House Hopper |
Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired Act; enact
Sponsor: Gilliard, Carl 162nd Committee: Health & Human Services Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 30 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to handicapped persons, so as to create the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired; to provide for a short title; to provide for definitions; to provide for the purpose of the commission and the policy of this state; to provide for the composition and appointment of commission members; to provide for an executive director; to provide for duties and powers; to provide for an annual report; to require the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency to consult with the commission; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 24, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| February 21, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| February 20, 2020 |
House Hopper |
Disabled Adults and Elder Persons Protection Act; retaliation against a person relating to a report that a disabled adult or elder person is in need of protective services or has been the victim of abuse; prohibit
Sponsor: Nguyen, Bee 89th Committee: Human Relations & Aging Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 30 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the “Disabled Adults and Elder Persons Protection Act,” so as to prohibit retaliation against a person relating to a report that a disabled adult or elder person is in need of protective services or has been the victim of abuse, neglect, or exploitation; to provide for a right of action; to provide for relief; to provide for statutory construction; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 24, 2020 |
House Second Readers |
| February 21, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| February 20, 2020 |
House Hopper |
Health; additional measures for the protection of elderly persons; provide
Sponsor: Cooper, Sharon 43rd Committee: Health & Human Services Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 31 of the O.C.G.A., relating to health, so as to provide additional measures for the protection of elderly persons; to increase the maximum fines for violation by health care facilities; to provide for staffing, training, and financial stability requirements for certain personal care homes and assisted living communities; to provide for limited nursing services in assisted living communities; to provide for certification of memory care centers; to provide for definitions; to amend Title 43 of the O.C.G.A., relating to professions and businesses, so as to provide for definitions; to rename the State Board of Nursing Home Administrators the State Board of Long-Term Care Facility Administrators; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 24, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| February 21, 2020 |
House Hopper |
Social services; convene advisory working group to review tools and protocols for the screening of children for trauma within the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment Program; provisions
Sponsor: Park, Sam 101st Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 7C of Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to therapy services for children with disabilities, so as to convene an advisory working group to review tools and protocols for the screening of children for trauma within the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment Program; to provide for findings and recommendations; to provide for abolishment of the advisory working group; to provide for subsequent periodic review of screening protocols and tools; to provide for implementation only if certain conditions are met; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 24, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| February 21, 2020 |
House Hopper |
Healthcare Transparency and Accountability Act; enact
Sponsor: Hatchett, Matt 150th Committee: Special Committee On Access to Quality Health Care Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health, so as to provide for transparency relating to state healthcare plans and its contractors; to provide for a short title; to provide for definitions; to provide for an oversight committee; to provide for its members and powers; to provide for information from state contractors and others to the oversight committee regarding state healthcare plans; to provide for confidentiality of certain records; to provide for penalties; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 24, 2020 |
House First Readers |
| February 21, 2020 |
House Hopper |
‘Balance Billing Consumer Protection Act’; certain consumer protections against balance billing; provide; enact
Sponsor: Hufstetler, Chuck 52nd Committee: Insurance and Labor SummaryA BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 33 of the O.C.G.A., relating to insurance, so as to provide for certain consumer protections against balance billing; to amend Chapter 1 of Title 10 of the O.C.G.A., relating to selling and other trade practices, so as to provide the Attorney General with new enforcement authority against providers; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| January 15, 2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
| January 14, 2020 |
Senate Hopper |
Crimes and Offenses and Education; protections for and education to minors regarding smoking and vaping; provide
Sponsor: Unterman, Renee 45th Committee: Regulated Industries and Utilities Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Titles 16 and 20 of the O.C.G.A., relating to crimes and offenses and education, respectively, so as to provide protections for and education to minors regarding smoking and vaping; to revise and provide certain definitions regarding the sale or distribution to, or possession by, minors of cigarettes, tobacco, tobacco related objects, and vapor products to include vapor products that do not contain nicotine; to prohibit such sales or distribution to individuals under the age of 21; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 18, 2020 |
Senate Read Second Time |
| February 5, 2020 |
Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute |
| January 16, 2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
| January 15, 2020 |
Senate Hopper |
‘Georgia Right to Shop Act’; greater transparency of prices for nonemergency healthcare services; provide
Sponsor: Watson, Ben 1st Committee: Insurance and Labor Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 24 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance generally, so as to provide for greater transparency of prices for nonemergency health care services; to provide for a short title; to provide for definitions; to provide for the disclosure of certain pricing information through insurer websites to allow consumers to compare prices; to provide that insurers may use third parties to comply with such requirements; to provide for certain notice requirements; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 25, 2020 |
Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute |
| February 25, 2020 |
Senate Third Read |
| February 18, 2020 |
Senate Read Second Time |
| February 5, 2020 |
Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute |
| January 27, 2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
| January 16, 2020 |
Senate Hopper |
“Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact”; enter into compact; licensing provisions; revise
Sponsor: Seay, Valencia 34th Committee: Health and Human Services Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 44 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to speech-language pathologists and audiologists, so as to revise licensing provisions; to enter into an interstate compact known as the “Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact”; to authorize the State Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology to administer the compact in this state; to provide for definitions; to provide for conditions; to provide for eligibility; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| January 27, 2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
| January 21, 2020 |
Senate Hopper |
“The Living Hope Home Act”; related to supportive housing for pregnant women age 18 or older; enact
Sponsor: Unterman, Renee 45th Committee: Health & Human Services Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to programs and protection for children and youth, so as to provide for registration of supportive housing maternity residences to provide housing for pregnant women; to define a term; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for the right to inspect; to provide for statutory construction; to provide for related matters; to provide a short title; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| January 28, 2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
| January 27, 2020 |
Senate Hopper |
Pharmacy Benefits Managers; regulation and licensure; extensive revisions; provide
Sponsor: Burke, Dean 11th Committee: Insurance and Labor Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 64 of Title 33 of the O.C.G.A., relating to regulation and licensure of pharmacy benefits managers, so as to provide extensive revisions regarding pharmacy benefits managers; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| January 28, 2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
| January 27, 2020 |
Senate Hopper |
Physician Assistants; relating to the number a physician can authorize and supervise at any one time; provisions; revise
Sponsor: Hufstetler, Chuck 52nd Committee: Health & Human Services Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 34 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to physicians, assistants, and others, so as to revise provisions relating to the number of physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses a physician can authorize and supervise at any one time; to remove a limitation on where a physician assistant is authorized to practice; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| January 29, 2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
| January 28, 2020 |
Senate Hopper |
Public Assistance; healthcare coverage to individuals not eligible; PeachCare Public Option Program; provide
Sponsor: Harrell, Sally 40th Committee: Appropriations Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to public assistance, so as to provide for a Medicaid public option program to provide healthcare coverage to individuals not eligible for Medicare, Medicaid, or the PeachCare for Kids Program; to provide for definitions; to provide for the establishment of the PeachCare Public Option Program; to provide requirements for the design of the program; to provide requirements for the administration and implementation of the program; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for a design and actuarial study; to provide for contingent effectiveness and automatic repeal; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| January 30, 2020 |
Senate Withdrawn Bill/Res Consideration |
| January 30, 2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
| January 29, 2020 | Senate Hopper |
Public Assistance; healthcare coverage to individuals not eligible; Medicaid public option network; provide
Sponsor: Harrell, Sally 40th Committee: Appropriations Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to public assistance, so as to provide for a Medicaid public option network to provide health care coverage to individuals not eligible for Medicare, Medicaid, or the PeachCare for Kids Program; to provide for definitions; to provide for the establishment of the Georgia Reliable Insurance Network; to provide requirements for the design of the network; to provide requirements for the administration and implementation of the program; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for a design and actuarial study; to provide for contingent effectiveness and automatic repeal; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| January 31, 2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
| January 30, 2020 |
Senate Hopper |
“Consumer Right to Access Act”; insurer requirements concerning provider network classification; enact
Sponsor: Kirkpatrick, Kay 32nd Committee: Insurance and Labor Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance, so as to provide for certain insurer requirements concerning provider network classification; to require the Department of Insurance to assess provider network adequacy on an annual basis; to provide health insurers with the right to request a hearing when network adequacy plans are refused; to provide for definitions; to provide for a short title; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 3, 2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
| January 31, 2020 |
Senate Hopper |
Online Provider Directories; certain coverage requirements concerning providers that become out-of-network during a plan year; provide
Sponsor: Burke, Dean 11th Committee: Insurance and Labor Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 33-20C-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to online provider directories, so as to provide for certain coverage requirements concerning providers that become out-of-network during a plan year; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 24, 2020 |
Senate Read Second Time |
| February 21, 2020 |
Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute |
| February 4, 2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
| February 3, 2020 |
Senate Hopper |
‘Surprise Billing Consumer Protection Act’; certain consumer protections against surprise billing; provide
Sponsor: Hufstetler, Chuck 52nd Committee: Health & Human Services Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance, so as to provide for certain consumer protections against surprise billing; to provide mechanisms to resolve payment disputes between insurers and out-of-network providers regarding the provision of healthcare services; to require the department to provide for the maintenance of an all-payer health claims data base; to provide for in-network cost-sharing amounts in healthcare plan contracts; to establish an arbitration process; to require the Commissioner of Insurance to contract with one or more resolution organizations; to require the promulgation of department rules; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 24, 2020 |
Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute |
| February 24, 2020 |
Senate Third Read |
| February 21, 2020 |
Senate Read Second Time |
| February 20, 2020 |
Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute |
| February 5, 2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
| February 4, 2020 |
Senate Hopper |
Public Health; provisions; modernize, clarify, and update; certain councils and committees; eliminate
Sponsor: Tillery, Blake 19th Committee: Health and Human Services Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend various titles of the O.C.G.A., so as to modernize, clarify, and update provisions relating to public health; to amend Article 1 of Chapter 10 of Title 17 of the O.C.G.A., relating to procedure for sentencing and imposition of punishment, so as to revise a provision regarding the requirement of defendants to submit to HIV tests for AIDS transmitting crimes; to amend Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 19 of the O.C.G.A., relating to license and ceremony for marriage generally; to amend Title 31 of the O.C.G.A., relating to health, so as to revise provisions regarding the Office of Women’s Health; to amend various titles of the O.C.G.A., so as to update terminology relating to sexually transmitted diseases; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 18, 2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
| February 5, 2020 |
Senate Hopper |
Cigarettes and Tobacco Related Products; additional penalties regarding any person under 21 years of age; provide; definition of vapor product; revise
Sponsor: Mullis, Jeff 53rd Committee: Regulated Industries and Utilities Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 7 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to sale or distribution to, or possession by, minors of cigarettes and tobacco related products, so as to provide for additional penalties regarding any person under 21 years of age and vapor products; to revise the definition of vapor product; to provide for seizure by law enforcement of any cigarettes, tobacco products, tobacco related objects, alternative nicotine products, or vapor products sold to and in the possession of any person under 21 years of age; to provide for fine and penalties; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 18, 2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
| February 7, 2020 |
Senate Hopper |
Insurance; out-of-pocket cost of consumers requiring insulin; reduce
Sponsor: Jordan, Jennifer 6th Committee: Insurance and Labor Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 24 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding insurance, so as to reduce out-of-pocket cost of consumers requiring insulin; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 18, 2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
| February 7, 2020 |
Senate Hopper |
“Early Prescription Refills During Emergencies Act”; health insurers to provide coverage for early refills of a 30 day supply; require; enact
Sponsor: Kirkpatrick, Kay 32nd Committee: Health and Human Services Summary A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 24 of Title 33 of the O.C.G.A., relating to general provisions regarding insurance, so as to require health insurers to provide coverage for early refills of a 30 day supply of certain prescription medications under certain emergency situations; to amend Code Section 26-4-80 of the O.C.G.A., relating to license required for practice of pharmacy, dispensing of prescription drugs, prescription drug orders, electronically transmitted drug orders, refills, and schedule II controlled substance prescriptions, so as to allow pharmacists to dispense certain refill prescription medications under certain circumstances; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to provide for legislative findings; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. FULL BILL Take Action! You can make a difference today in the outcome of this bill!| Date | Updates |
| February 20, 2020 |
Senate Read and Referred |
| February 19, 2020 |
Senate Hopper |