On Wednesday, the House passed its version of the Amended FY 2024 Appropriations Act by a vote of 167-2, marking a key milestone in the session. Now, the House shifts its focus on adjustments to the “big budget,” the FY 2025 Appropriations Act, that begins July 1st. As these two bills proceed through the legislative process, differences will be reconciled through a Conference Committee, jointly comprised of Senate and House leaders, before final passage near the end of session.
The legislature was also busy on the floor this week, as well as in committee. Here is this week’s recap of new legislation introduced, as well as bills of interest that were considered by committees this week:
New legislation of interest introduced this week:
- HB 1128: The “Georgia Women’s Bill of Rights”
- Introduced by Representative Jodi Lott (R-Evans).
- The bill provides definitions related to sex and gender such as “female,” “male,” “woman,” “man,” “girl,” and “boy” based on biological criteria, addressing accommodations for individuals with disorders or differences in sex development, and asserting that distinctions between sexes in certain contexts (such as athletics and restroom facilities) are substantially related to important governmental objectives. The bill also mandates alterations in language usage to reflect gender inclusivity and consistency across various legal contexts, including forms for probate court, criminal procedure reports, sentencing guidelines, education policies, motor vehicle regulations, and other social services.
- The bill was assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.
- HB 1144: Licensure by endorsement for military spouses
- Introduced by Representative Chuck Martin (R-Alpharetta).
- The bill would change requirements for the issuance of licenses by endorsement for spouses of active or transitioning members of the armed forces to align with federal law.
- HB 1144 was assigned to the House Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.
- HB 1154: Medicaid coverage for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders screening
- Introduced by Representative Park Cannon (D-Atlanta).
- The bill would mandate Medicaid coverage for maternal screening for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders when offered and performed by pediatricians.
- HB 1154 was assigned to the House Public Health Committee.
- HB 1155: The “Newborn Baby and Mother Protection Act”
- Introduced by Representative Park Cannon (D-Atlanta).
- The bill would mandate insurance coverage by state regulated health plans when pediatricians offer and provide mothers with screening for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
- HB 1155 was assigned to the House Public Health Committee.
- HB 1170: Opioid antagonists in state government buildings
- Introduced by Representative Lee Hawkins (R-Gainesville)
- All qualified government buildings, courthouses, and university buildings must maintain a supply of opioid antagonists and ensure accessibility during regular and non-business hours. This bill would also require government entities to establish and implement internal training policies for opioid antagonist administration, with immunity provided for individuals involved.
- HB 1170 was assigned to the House Public Health Committee.
- HB 1175: Eliminate Physical Therapy eight visit cap for self-referral patients
- introduced by Representative Chas Cannon (R-Moultrie).
- The bill would eliminate an existing eight visit cap for self-referral patients for PT services. Under current Georgia law, PTs must assess self-referral patients to first ensure that their symptoms do not require the care or intervention of a physician. Once the PT determines that physician intervention is not necessary, they are limited to eight visits with the patient. This bill eliminates the eight-visit cap for self-referral patients who do not need physician intervention for therapy services. HB 1175 was assigned to the House Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.
- HB 1176: Mandate coverage of infant formula when mother is medically unable to breastfeed
- introduced by Representative Trey Kelley (R-Cedartown).
- The bill requires coverage for infant formula under state regulated insurance policies, the state health benefit plan, and the state Medicaid program when medically necessary. The bill also requires DCH, in consultation with the Composite Medical Board, to compile, publish, and disseminate information related to breastfeeding alternatives to physicians.
- HB 1176 was assigned to the House Public Health Committee.
- HB 1179: Prohibit step therapy for drugs to treat serious mental illness by Georgia Medicaid CMOs and PBM
- Introduced by Representative Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta),
- The bill prohibits the imposition of step therapy protocols for prescription drugs used to treat serious mental illnesses by any Georgia Medicaid or CHIP contractor on and after July 1, 2024. The bill defines “serious mental illness” based on the DSM in effect on July 1, 2024.
- HB 1179 was assigned to the House Public Health Committee.
Bills under committee consideration this week:
- HB 991: Medicaid Hospital Provider Payment Program (“bed tax”) reauthorization
- Introduced by Representative Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire).
- Reauthorizes the DCH Board to continue to administer the hospital “bed tax” program through June 30, 2030.
- The House Appropriations committee approved the bill unanimously; a House floor vote is expected as early as next week.
- HB 1098: “Bridging the Gap for ALS and Chronic Kidney Disease Act”
- Introduced by Representative Lee Hawkins (R-Gainesville).
- The bill allows for the issuance and renewal of Medigap supplemental policies for individuals under 65 years of age who are eligible due to disability under federal law.
- This bill was a hearing only in the Insurance Life and Health subcommittee, so no action was taken.
- HB 1077: Behavioral Health Provider Student Loan Repayment Program
- Introduced by Representative Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta).
- The bill would require the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce, subject to appropriations, to distribute funds to eligible institutions sponsoring clinical behavioral health training programs. The bill establishes a Behavioral Health Provider Student Loan Repayment Program in which providers meeting certain criteria can contract with the board for the repayment of a portion of their eligible student loan expenses.
- This bill passed out of committee unanimously.
- HB 434: Licensure of Radiologist Assistants
- Introduced by Representative Lee Hawkins (R-Gainesville).
- The bill would provide for the licensing of radiologist assistants by the Georgia Composite Medical Board, and that a radiologist may use the services of a licensed radiologist assistant under his or her direct supervision.
- This bill passed unanimously out of the Senate Regulated Industries committee.
- HB 363: Georgia HEART Rural Hospital Tax Credit reauthorization
- The bill would extend the sunset by five years to December 31, 2029 and increase the annual cap on contributions from $75 million to $80 million.
- There are three bills with various language iterations related to the Rural Hospital Tax Credit Program, including HB 101, and HB 504.
- HB 363 passed out of the House Ways and Means committee unanimously.