Legislative Update
 
PUBLIC POLICY
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ADVOCACY
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SAVE THE DATE!

"Tee Off for Mental Health 2015"

24th Annual Golf Tournament

Thursday, April 23, 2015
Registration: 8:30am
Shotgun Start: 10am

Chateau Elan
Braselton, GA

Honorary Chair
MICKEY CHANNEL
Former Chair
House Ways & Means 
Committee

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ADVOCACY UPDATE

March 9, 2015                                                                                

Because there is no health without Mental Health!

Public Policy Update

Monday, March 9, 2015

 

Ellyn Jeager, Mental Health America of Georgia

 

This coming Friday, March 13th, is day 30 of the legislative session, or "cross-over day." This means that bills must clear the chamber in which they originated before they can move to another chamber. Bills failing to "cross-over" can be held until next year's legislative session. An exception to this rule would be a bill which is later attached onto another bill that crossed over in time.

 

HB 359 - Sponsor: Representative Beskin - Relating to professional counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists, so as to change certain provisions relating to separate standards committees for the professional counseling specialty, the social work specialty, and the marriage and family therapy specialty. STATUS: Referred to Regulated Industries Committee

 

HB 498 - Sponsor: Representative Hawkins - Relating to definitions relative to professional counselors, social workers, and others, so as to revise the definition of "professional counseling." STATUS: Referred to Regulated Industries

 

HB 395 - Sponsor: Representative Chandler - Defines the term "psychological testing" and 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 485 - Sponsor: Representative Kidd - Creates a new level of access badge for lobbyists.  This badge would require a criminal background check and fingerprints to be obtained before a badge could be issued.  The bill excludes any person who has been hospitalized as an inpatient in any psychiatric hospital or alcohol or drug treatment center within the five years immediately preceding the application for an access badge.  STATUS: The bill is in the Government Affairs Committee.

 

SB 131 - Sponsor: Senator Dugan - Moves crisis stabilization units (CSUs) from being "licensed" to being "certified."  This modification would allow more flexibility as changes to CSUs need to be made.  STATUS: This bill is in Health & Human Services.

 

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 now 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. This bill is also known as Haleigh's Law.  STATUS: Passed the House and is now headed to the Senate.

 

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.

TAKE A PROACTIVE STAND!

 

What's the best way to make your voice heard?  Have you been to the Capitol lately?  Being there, seeing your legislator in action or speaking with them directly is the best way to advocate on behalf of our public mental health system. 

 

If you would like to learn more about how to set up your visit and what to do when you are there, please contact Ellyn at 678-904-1965.  She'll be glad to walk you through the process.

We need your help to move our advocacy voice forward!

 

MHA of GA is a leader in the mental health advocacy community. You can learn more on our website, www.mhageorgia.org.
 

 

Your donation will help ensure that MHA of GA continues to keep mental health awareness in front of Georgia's legislators. This is a critical time for our community, and now is the time to act!!

 

Click here to support mental health advocacy in the state of Georgia.