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GNA 2020 Legislative Session Update No. 2

Posted about 5 years ago by Charlotte Endemano

As we previously reported on the GNA 2020 Legislative Session Update No. 1, last Thursday was Crossover Day at the General Assembly- the last day proposed bills in one chamber can be passed and sent to the other chamber. Below we state the current status of the stand-alone bills of primary interest to GNA. 2020 is the final year of the current two-year (biennial) legislative session. Thus, bills that failed to clear their chamber of origin prior to the end of Crossover Day will need to be reintroduced in the 2021 Legislative Session.

Also last Thursday, leadership in both the House and the Senate working in concert with the Office of Governor Brian Kemp took unprecedented action by suspending the 2020 Legislative Session indefinitely in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. On Monday, a special legislative session was convened to grant Governor Kemp emergency powers in order to streamline the response to the pandemic.

There is still hope that the legislature will re-convene for the remaining 10 days of the session. However, it is also very likely that when and if the session is reconvened it will be for the sole purpose of finalizing the state budget, which is the only Constitutional obligation of the legislature.

Furthermore, the Georgia Presidential Primary, originally scheduled for March 24th, will now take place on May 19th in addition to the legislative and municipal primaries.

We will continue to update members as things progress.

GNA Priorities

GNA works to advance the initiatives included in the GNA 2020 Legislative Platform.

The following bills have been introduced during the 2020 Session:

  • Safe Staffing
    • HR 448 (Cooper, 43rd) – Create a Joint Study Committee on the Safe Staffing of Nurses in Georgia/
    • HB 801 (Scott, 76th) - Limit the number of patients that may be assigned to a registered professional nurse in specified situations in hospitals/ GNA is supportive of the concept. However, our stated position does not call for mandated staffing ratios. We have engaged the representative and are working to produce legislation that will benefit nurses in the workplace optimally. You may read our position in the GNA Safe RN Staffing White Paper.

Update: These bills failed to pass the House prior to Crossover Day and will need to be reintroduced in the next legislative session.

  • Scope of Practice Expansion
    • HB 1092 (Co-sponsored by Chairman Alan Powell and Rep. Randy Nix) - It is the replacement bill for the previous radiographic bill HB 409.
      • It authorizes APRNs the ability to order all types of advanced imaging (CT scan, MRIs, PET scans, & Nuclear scans).
      • Currently, APRNs can only order advanced imaging during life-threatening emergencies only.
      • Georgia is the only state left with these restrictions on ordering radiographic imaging for APRNs.
      • Extends the ratio from 1 MD:4 APRNs to 1 MD:6 APRNs in nurse protocol agreements.

Update: This bill passed the full House in the final hour of Crossover Day by a vote of 114-38. This bill awaits assignment to committee in the Senate, which will take place when and if the legislature reconvenes this year.

  • Maternal Mortality
    • HB 1114 (Cooper, 43rd) - Extends access to Medicaid coverage from 60 days postpartum to six months to ensure that medical and behavioral health conditions can be managed and treated before becoming progressively severe and/or before another pregnancy. Would also clear the way for roughly $250,000 a year in funding for lactation care services for new mothers.

Update: This bill passed the full House with a budgetary allocation to fund it and awaits assignment to committee in the Senate which will take place when and if the legislature reconvenes this year.

  • Surgical Smoke
    • SB 347 (Butler, 55th) - Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities; surgical smoke evacuation system; require/

Update: This bill was given a hearing only by the Senate Health & Human Services Committee on Monday March 2, 2020 but was not put to a vote and failed to pass out of Committee prior to Crossover Day. It will need to be reintroduced in the next legislative session.

  • Nurses Public Home Addresses
    • GNA remains actively engaged with the Office of the Secretary of State in advocating for the removal of Nurse Addresses from their website.
  • State Funding for the GNA-PAP
    • $150,000 for the GNA Peer Assistance Program (GNA-PAP) was reduced to $50,000 in the budget for the Georgia Department of Public Health but it remains in the budget approved by the House and on hold until a clearer budgetary forecast can be provided by the legislature.

Other Bills of Interest

  • HB 666 (Dollar, 45th) - To provide for the licensing of surgical assistants; to provide for definitions; to provide for powers and responsibilities of the Georgia Composite Medical Board; to provide for licensing standards and requirements; to provide for the issuance of licenses and exceptions to licensure requirements; to provide for licenses and their duration, renewal, and filing.

Update: This bill failed to pass the House prior to Crossover Day.

  • HB 722 (Cooper, 43rd) - Relating to actions against certain applicants or licensees, so as to increase fine amount limits; to repeal conflicting laws.

Update: This bill failed to pass the House prior to Crossover Day.

  • HB 914 (Clark, 147th) - To provide for military spouses licensed in other states to practice certain professions and occupations to obtain a license by endorsement to practice in this state.

Update: This bill passed the full House and was assigned to the Committee on Veterans, Military and Homeland Security in the Senate where it awaits consideration

  • HB 910 (Mathiak, 73rd) - To provide for the licensure and regulation of midwives; to amend Code Section 43-26-12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to exceptions to the operation of the "Georgia Registered Professional Nurse Practice Act," so as to provide for an exception relating to the practice of midwifery.

Update: This bill failed to pass the House prior to Crossover Day.

  • SB 267 (Jackson, 2nd) - To provide for the licensure and regulation of community midwives; to provide for a short title; to provide for definitions; to provide for the creation of the Certified Community Midwife Board; to provide for its membership and duties; to provide for licensure requirements; to provide for the issuance, renewal, and revocation of licenses.

Update: This bill failed to pass the Senate prior to Crossover Day.

  • SB 321 (Hufstetler, 52nd) - To revise provisions relating to the number of physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses a physician can authorize and supervise at any one time.

Update: This bill passed the full Senate and was assigned to The Regulated Industries Committee in the House where it awaits consideration

  • SB 298 (Unterman, 45th) - Provide certain definitions regarding the sale or distribution to, or possession by, minors of cigarettes, tobacco, tobacco related objects, and vapor products to include vapor products that do not contain nicotine; to prohibit such sales or distribution to individuals under the age of 21.

Update: This bill failed to pass the Senate prior to Crossover Day.

GN-PAC

The purpose of the GN-PAC is to promote the improvement of the health care of the citizens of Georgia by raising funds from within the nursing community and friends of nursing and contributing to the support of worthy candidates for State Office who believe, and have demonstrated their belief, in the legislative objectives of the Georgia Nurses Association.  

The Georgia Nurses Association Political Action Committee (GN-PAC) actively and carefully reviews candidates for local, state and federal office. This consideration includes the candidate's record on nursing issues and value as an advocate for the nursing profession. Your contribution to GN-PAC today will help GNA continue to protect your ability to practice and earn a living in Georgia. Your contribution will also support candidates for office who are strong advocates on behalf of nursing

CONTRIBUTE TO THE GEORGIA NURSES POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE TODAY!

GNA Legislative Committee

Stay engaged and abreast of all that is going on under the Gold Dome to advance the nursing profession by joining the Georgia Nurses Association Legislative Committee.

Members need only to complete the Volunteer Interest Form indicating their interest in joining and they will be added to the committee listserv.

UAPRN & CAPRN

Our APRN colleagues provide many great opportunities for nurses to engage in the legislative process. Please consider participating in one of the programs or events that they are hosting listed below.

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