From the surprising medical billing to the official state grape, here are some of the laws that will come into effect in the new year.
ATLANTA – New year, new you – and new laws in Georgia.
On January 1, several bills signed by Governor Brian Kemp during the 2019-20 legislature will come into effect.
Among them is the controversial Police Hate Crimes Bill, which was signed in response to a broader hate crime law passed following the murder of Ahmaud Arbery – a black jogger shot dead by a white father and son duo in South Georgia has been.
There are several other consumer protection laws – including the Surprise Billing Consumer Protection Act and a law that regulates some automatic renewals for some contract services.
From surprising medical billing to determining an official state grape, here are some of the laws that will come into effect in the new year.
This bill would require physical therapists and physical therapist assistants to take an FBI background exam through the Georgia Crime Information Center in order to obtain a state license.
The bill would change the name of the Public Security Assistance Office within the State Department of Public Security to the Public Security Assistance Office.
However, during the summer it also became known as the “Police Hate Crimes Bill” as anyone who “intimidates, harasses or terrorizes” a police officer for being a police officer is guilty of a biased crime – that is, a hate crime.
This bill, also known as the Surprise Billing Consumer Protection Act, would provide certain consumer protection against surprise billing. It would also establish methods of resolving payment disputes between insurers and providers outside the network, as well as arbitration.
It would allow military spouses licensed in other states to practice certain professions and occupations and obtain a license to practice in that state.
Would revise the information sex offenders are required to provide upon registration so that a sex offender residing in a government or privately operated hospice facility, qualified nursing home, or inpatient health facility can meet annual registration requirements by registering at anytime during the sex offender’s month of birth and to remove the requirement that a sex offender be fingerprinted in these facilities with the consent of the sheriff of the county where the offender lives.
This bill relates to the booming film and entertainment industry in Georgia and would shift certain sound recordings from “skilled production activities” to production expenses.
This bill relates to automatic renewals and would provide additional protection for consumers who enter into contracts that “contain lengthy automatic renewal provisions”.
The bill, also known as the Lacee Act, provides coverage under the state health insurance plan for additional checkups for those at high risk of breast cancer.
Another bill related to medical billing would prohibit certain insurers from imposing a co-payment, co-insurance or office visit fee on an insured person that is higher than the fees for medical or osteopathic services for services of a physiotherapist, occupational therapist or chiropractor.
This bill would restrict some crime stories and arrest information after a certain period of time, if “the conditions are met since a conviction”.
This bill would eliminate “redundant” processes of removing “unattended ships” in public waters.
SB 310 would establish certain regulations regarding boxing, wrestling and martial arts federations and associations.
The bill would revise the definition, require training and, among other things, outline illegal practices. It would also allow registration certificates to be issued to professionals.
This bill would allow the re-employment, training and compensation of retired peace officials and law enforcement officers in the event of disasters and emergencies.
The bill would designate the Muscadine grape as an “official state grape”.
This bill would allow state investment in railways and railroad facilities.
The Senate bill would revise the attachment procedure. It would provide “standard procedures” for garnishment measures, provide definitions and limit the maximum portion of garnishment earnings available in relation to certain educational or student loans.
