HB 1138 Georgia House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Increasing Access to Contraceptives Act; enact

Summary
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 4 of Title 26 of the O.C.G.A., relating to practice of pharmacy, so as to authorize pharmacists in certain circumstances to dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptives or administer injectable hormonal contraceptives; to amend Article 1 of Chapter 24 of Title 33 of the O.C.G.A., relating to general provisions regarding insurance generally, so as to provide minimum amounts of certain contraceptives that shall be provided by insurers; to amend Article 1 of Chapter 34 of Title 43 of the O.C.G.A., relating to the Georgia Composite Medical Board, so as to waive civil liability, criminal culpability, and professional discipline under certain circumstances; to amend Article 7 of Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the O.C.G.A., relating to medical assistance generally; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Signed May 11, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

LC 46 1485S/RCS HB 1138/AP* · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was finalized as passed by both legislative chambers, updating its title to reflect this status. The core policy changes expand the group of healthcare providers who can authorize pharmacist access to contraceptives from just physicians to include advanced practice nurses and physician assistants. Additionally, the regulatory oversight for this program shifts from the Medical Board to the Department of Public Health, and the new protocol now includes specific requirements for patient referrals and infection control.
Scope change
The bill's scope of authorized providers was expanded to include advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants, and the regulatory oversight body was changed from the Georgia Composite Medical Board to the Department of Public Health.
ELIGIBILITY

The definition of 'prescribing practitioner' was broadened to include advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants, in addition to physicians.

REQUIREMENT

The joint protocol agreement now requires pharmacists to refer patients to a practitioner and ensure appropriate space is provided to prevent infection spread.

ENFORCEMENT

The agency responsible for issuing the joint protocol agreement changed from the Georgia Composite Medical Board to the Department of Public Health.

DEFINITION

The term 'prescribing practitioner' was updated to 'practitioner' to reflect the expanded group of authorized providers.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 2, 2026 · House Mar 4, 2026

How they voted

421
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 47
Apr 2, 2026
D Democratic18
15 Yea 3
83% Yea
R Republican29
27 Yea 1 Nay 1
93% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
19
Key actions
6
Committee
3
Amendments
1
May 11, 2026
Signed into law
Act 447
upper
May 11, 2026
Signed into law
House Date Signed by Governor
lower
Apr 2, 2026
Introduced
House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub
lower
Apr 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
upper
Mar 25, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
upper
Mar 6, 2026
Committee
Senate Read and Referred
upper
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
lower
Feb 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
lower
Feb 2, 2026
Introduced
House Hopper
lower
6 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors