Public Policy Update
Monday, February 23, 2015
Ellyn Jeager, Mental Health America of Georgia
The 2015 Budget from both the House and the Senate is now on the Governor's desk awaiting his signature.
The Appropriations committee for the 2016 House budget is finalizing its work, and changes to the 2016 budget will be heard on Tuesday morning (2/24) in appropriations committee meetings. The Senate has scheduled its budget appropriations meeting for this Friday morning, February 27th.
Bills being Tracked:
HB 177 - Sponsor: Representative Wilkerson - Requires that a report on child abuse made by a school employee must receive findings from the Division of Family and Children's Services (DFCS) within five days. DFCS must make the report to the school counselor or the school principal, whether or not the abuse was confirmed or unconfirmed. STATUS: The bill passed the House Juvenile Justice Committee and is now in House Rules.
SB 8 & SR 7 - Sponsor:Senator Unterman - Recognizes that sexually exploited children are the victims of a crime and should be treated as victims. The bill creates a fund to pay for rehab, housing & treatment. It also creates the Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Children Fund Commission to support such services. Funds come through additional fines on convicted traffickers and adult entertainment business fees. STATUS: Passed the Senate and is waiting to be heard in the House Juvenile Justice committee.
HB 268 - Sponsor: Representative Reeves - Adds human traffickers to the State Sexual Offender Registry. STATUS: Currently in the House Judiciary Non Civil Committee.
HB 198 - Sponsor:Representative Dempsey - The Department of Education would require that all certified public school personnel receive annual training in suicide awareness and prevention, and each school system would adopt a policy on student suicide prevention. STATUS: Passed the House and has moved to the Senate Health & Human Services Committee.
HB 1 - Sponsor: Representative Peake - Provides for regulated medical use of cannabis and its derivatives for certain medical conditions. STATUS: The bill was heard in the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee today and passed as amended. The bill will now go to the House Rules Committee.
HB 288 - Sponsor: Representative Dempsey - Would add two additional members to serve on the Behavioral Health Coordinating Council. STATUS: Bill is in the House Health & Human Services Committee.
HR 301 - Sponsor: Representative Parrish - Addresses the shortage of doctors in Georgia and urges Congress for additional federal dollars to address the health workforce needs of the state. STATUS: Passed the House Health & Human Services Committee and is now moving to Rules.
HB 395 - Sponsor: Representative Chandler - Provides for the definition for the term "psychological testing" and clarifies who cannot provide this service. The bill also clarifies the role of a psychologist as the only provider able to do psychological testing. STATUS: Bill is in the House Health & Human Services Committee.
HB 135 - Sponsor: Representative Howard - "Too Young to Suspend Act." This bill requires that no public educational institution be allowed to suspend or expel a student in pre-kindergarten or kindergarten unless the school principal determines the student has willfully caused, attempted to cause, or threatened serious bodily injury to another person (unless in self-defense). It also calls for the state school superintendent to issue guidelines for suspension. STATUS: This bill is currently in the House Educational Academic Support Subcommittee.
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