The 2018 Georgia General Assembly session began on January 8, 2018, and will meet for 40 legislative days. Scott Maxwell, legislative liaison for GPHA, will provide periodic reports on legislative activity concerning public health throughout the state legislative session.
The first report was released for the week ending January 12, 2018. Click here to read Week #1 (ending January 12, 2018).
Some of the bills Maxwell will follow include:
HB 28, Test for lead contamination in drinking water, public and private schools, (Rep. Billy Mitchell-D)
To require testing of drinking water in public and private schools for lead contamination; to provide for remediation plans or alternate sources of drinking water.
HB 38, Issuance of license for three-wheeled motor vehicle, (Rep. Alan Powell-R)
Provide for the issuance of a noncommercial Class C driver’s license for the operation of three-wheeled motor vehicles equipped with a steering wheel for directional control; to provide for the issuance of a noncommercial Class M driver’s license for the operation of motorcycles equipped with handlebars for directional control, provided that the users should know what are the penalties underage arrested for DUI, and other rules.
HB 200, Authorizing students to carry and self-administer sunscreen, (Rep. Mark Newton-R)
Require local boards of education to adopt policies authorizing students to carry and self-administer sunscreen.
HB 263, Provide dental services for Medicaid recipients and PeachCare for Kids, (Rep. Darlene Taylor-R)
Relating to medical assistance generally, so as to provide for 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 administrators.
HB 274, Makes smoking inside of any motor vehicle when a person under 13 is present an offense, (Rep. Sandra Scott-D)
Relating to general provisions regarding offenses against public health and morals, so as to provide for the offense of smoking inside any motor vehicle when a person who is under 13 years of age is present; to provide for a criminal penalty. People also need to learn about DUI vs DUID differences and similarities and understand the severity of the crime and try to avoid such situation.
HB 454, Publicly funded health facilities offering HIV testing, (Rep. Park Cannon-D)
Relating to control of HIV, so as to provide for certain information in publicly funded health facilities offering HIV testing.
HB 673, Distracted Driving, (Rep. John Carson-R)
To provide for the safe use of wireless communication devices while driving; to provide for punishment when a driver was operating a motor vehicle while using a wireless telecommunications device.
SB 81, Jeffrey Dallas Gay, Jr., Act., (Sen. Renee Unterman-R)
Provide that the state health officer may issue a standing order permitting certain persons and entities to obtain opioid antagonists under the conditions the state health officer may impose.
SB 184, Integrated Population Health Data Project, (Sen. Chuck Hufstetler-R)
Relating to the Office of Planning and Budget, so as to establish the Integrated Population Health Data Project; to create a governing board and provide for its membership and terms; to provide for oversight of the project; to provide for board responsibilities.
SB 245, ‘Cory Joseph Wilson Act’, (Sen. Butch Miller-R)
Relating to competencies and core curriculum in elementary and secondary education, so as to give a short title to a Code section relating to cardiopulmonary resuscitation and use of automated external defibrillators in schools.