Georgia Health Department supports laws on filming, vaping and more

However, visual imagery in public health facilities has also played a role in revealing issues, for example by depicting long wait times for COVID-19 vaccinations and tests. DPH spokeswoman Nancy Nydam said such a law would not affect the work of journalists because “they mostly work with (DPH officers) on video requests” and are more familiar with statutory data protection rights.

As Georgia’s law against smoking in restaurants and other venues in front of e-cigarettes came into effect, DPH wants lawmakers to clarify that it means banning not only smoking cigarettes, but also vaping. Vaping is usually different from cigarettes as it does not contain tobacco tar but has a much higher nicotine content.

Georgian law does not currently meet national standards when it comes to acceptable blood lead levels in children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says if a child’s blood contains 3.5 or more micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood, it warrants public health intervention. Georgian law states that intervention is only justified at 10 or more micrograms, and DPH wants Georgian law to be consistent with CDC guidelines. In a study panel, DPH reported that low lead levels in children can lead to IQ decline, hyperactivity, and social withdrawal.

When DPH fingerprints new individuals licensed to work in emergency medical services, a national program called “Rap Back” would allow the Georgia Bureau of Investigation under legislation requiring DPH (Senate Bill 404) to retain those fingerprints and monitor them over time for public safety alerts.