Keeping Current @ the Capitol - 2/25/2022
HOT TOPIC: Childhood Lead Exposure
Lead poisoning occurs when lead builds up in the body. Children can get lead in their bodies by breathing or swallowing lead dust, or by eating soil or paint chips with lead in them. Little by little, lead can collect in your child's blood, brain and bones. Symptoms may take a long time to appear, but at toxic levels, lead poisoning can affect your child's language, attention and even IQ. Lead can affect people of all ages, but children aged 6 and younger are especially at risk, in part because their growing bodies absorb more lead. Rep. Katie Dempsey sponsored HB1355, to ensure Georgia's policies aligns with the nationally recognized guidelines regarding lead exposure in children. For more information, click here.
BILLS TO WATCH
SB338: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 7 of Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to medical assistance generally, so as to increase postpartum coverage under Medicaid from six months to one year following birth; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. **Top HMHBGA Agenda Priority
SB496: Medical Examinations on the Death of Pregnant Women: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 16 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to death investigations, so as to require a medical examiner's inquiry when a pregnant female dies and an inquest; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
SB342: Annual Reporting Regarding Mental Health Parity: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 24 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance generally, so as to provide for annual reporting regarding mental health parity in healthcare plans; to provide definitions; to establish penalties; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws and for other purposes.
HB1348: Georgia Smoke-Free Air Act: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the O.C.G.A., relating to offenses against public health and morals, so as to provide that vaping in restricted areas is a misdemeanor punishable by fine; to amend Chapter 1A of Title 20 of the O.C.G.A., relating to early care and learning, so as to provide that operators of early care and education programs shall post signs prohibiting vaping; to amend Chapter 12A of Title 31 of the O.C.G.A., relating to smoke-free air, so as to revise the short title; to prohibit vaping in designated smoke-free areas; to provide for exemptions; to provide that "No Smoking" signs may include the words "or Vaping"; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. **Top HMHBGA Agenda Priority
HB1092: Georgia Women's CARE Act: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 4 of Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to arrest by law enforcement officers generally, so as to revise provision relating to the arrests of pregnant women; to provide that women who have been arrested are offered pregnancy testing upon detention; to enact a provision regarding delayed sentencing for postpartum female inmates; to amend Article 1 of Title 42 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to inmate policies, so as to revise provisions relating to the treatment of pregnant and postpartum female inmates; to provide for a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes
HB1013: Mental Health Parity Act: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Titles 15, 20, 31, 33, 37, 45, and 49 of the O.C.G.A., relating to courts, education, health, insurance, mental health, public officers and employees, and social services, respectively, so as to implement the recommendations of the Georgia Behavioral Health Reform and Innovation Commission; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
HB864: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to public assistance, so as to provide for the submission of a waiver request by the Department of Human Services to permit the recipients of certain public assistance benefits to use such benefits for the purpose of purchasing diapers or menstrual hygiene products if the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service makes such waiver available to states; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
HB825: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 7 of Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to medical assistance generally, so as to provide for Medicaid coverage for medically necessary donor human milk; to provide for submittal of a state plan amendment or waiver request, if necessary; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A Tool for Advocating: PROJECT 236
Project 236 is an advocacy tool that can be used to understand the state of maternal and infant health in your legislative district! Outcomes include rates of preterm birth, low birthweight, infant mortality, and prenatal care inadequacy. In this age of virtual advocacy, we hope that this can be used as a way to advocate for improved maternal and infant health in your own backyard.
How does your district compare to the state of Georgia overall? Is there an area where your Senate district is performing lower? Speak with your Senator about how comprehensive policies can address negative outcomes. Does your House district have outcomes that are better than the state of Georgia? Talk with your Representative about what they can do to make sure it stays that way or even improves. Fact sheets for all 236 of Georgia's legislative districts are available.
CLICK HERE to access Project 236