The Georgia General Assembly is coming into the home stretch, racing toward the April 2nd adjournment date. Our legislative liaison Scott Maxwell has provided the following update on activity through March 22nd, and what’s likely to be the focus of these final days of the session.
News
Our latest news posts are available below, or click the buttons to dig into our Newsletter Archive or Milestone Moments:
Dr. Kathleen Toomey Named DPH Commissioner
Dr. Kathleen Toomey is now Georgia’s top public health official, after Governor Brian Kemp named her Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health. Dr. Toomey is an Honorary member of the Georgia Public Health Association, and the 2005 winner of GPHA’s prestigious Sellers McCroan Award.
March 15 Legislative Update
In our latest legislative report we learn a bit more about the fate of a several new bills, including a new voting machine system in Georgia, term limits for the Lt. Governor, and an update on SB 118 regarding telehealth services in Georgia.
Crossover Day Has Passed; Some Bills Stranded as Others Advance
The Georgia legislative session has advanced beyond “Crossover Day,” the deadline by which a bill must have passed at least one chamber or be stranded until next year. Our legislative update outlines the status of bills involving public health as well as other issues, including HB 83. This bill mandates at least 30 minutes of supervised, but unstructured recess daily for schoolchildren in grades K-5, and passed the House by an overwhelming margin.
Legislative Report for March 1, 2019
The current Georgia legislative session is nearing a critical milestone: this coming Thursday is “crossover day.” Any bill that has not passed out of its house of origin and “crossed over” to the other house by this date will be taken out of consideration until next year.
Mickey Channell, Former GPHA Legislator of the Year, Passes Away at Age 76
Robert Melvin “Mickey” Channell, Jr., 76, died peacefully at his home on February 26, 2019 after a prolonged illness. He earned the title of “GPHA Legislator of the Year ” for his efforts to establish the standalone Department of Public Health in Georgia.
Legislative Update: Budget, Telemedicine and Tattoos
Friday marked the halfway point of the current Georgia legislative session, and also saw passage of the Fiscal Year 2019 Amended Budget. This week’s legislative update also includes information on a bill to update the language regarding tattoo parlors, and a bill to extend telemedicine licenses to more doctors.
Submit an Abstract for GDPH Health System Symposium
The Georgia Department of Public Health is accepting abstracts for posters and break-out sessions for the upcoming Health System Symposium to be held May 13-14, 2019 in Savannah. The symposium theme is “Bridging Health and Healthcare to Achieve Health Equity and Total Population Health.” Submission Deadline: Friday, February 15, 2019
Legislative Report on Budget, Obesity Program, Smoking Bills
The House passes the FYA 2019 budget which now goes to the senate, and we begin following two bills related to obesity management, as well as a bill that would make it illegal to smoke inside a car if a child under age 13 is present.
Reserve Your Seat for Our Pre-conference Workshops
Arrive early for our 2019 Annual Meeting & Conference, and learn even more! We are offering two pre-conference workshops on Monday, May 6. The workshops are only available to conference attendees, and are limited to 60 seats each.