Rep. Katie Dempsey

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 2 of Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the university system, so as to require quarterly reports regarding certain funding received from individuals or entities related to China; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1A Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to early care and learning, so as to revise provisions regarding employee comprehensive background checks for early care and education programs and Head Start programs; to provide for definitions; to provide for revocation and nonissuance of licenses and commissions for early care and education programs; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 11 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants, so as to revise provisions regarding the Georgia Board of Dentistry issuance of a dental or dental hygiene license for the sole purpose of teaching or instructing in an accredited dental school, dental hygiene school, or academic medical center in this state; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 26 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to standards, labeling, and adulteration of food, so as to authorize the production and sale of cottage food items with certain exemptions, requirements, and disclosures; to provide for definitions; to provide for inspections; to provide for a civil penalty; to provide for conforming changes; to amend Chapter 60 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions applicable to counties and municipal corporations, so as to prohibit local regulation of cottage food items; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A RESOLUTION urging increased state autonomy to allow for the creation of innovative solutions to work disincentives and the reform of social safety net programs; and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill, HR 129, is a resolution to compensate Daryl Lee Clark for his wrongful imprisonment. Clark was exonerated in 2022 after over 25 years in prison for a murder he did not commit, based on suppressed evidence, unreliable witness testimony, and police misconduct. The resolution directs Georgia's Department of Administrative Services to pay Clark $1,917,128 - $75,000 per year of wrongful incarceration - with an initial payment of $632,652 and the remainder paid in monthly installments over ten years via an annuity. It addresses Georgia’s lack of a statutory compensation system for exonerees, as Clark was the first to receive such payment under this private resolution.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 31-7-18 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to vaccinations for influenza and pneumococcal disease for certain discharged patients, vaccinations or other measures for health care workers and other employees in hospitals, immunity from liability, and standing orders, so as to lower the age from 50 to 18 years old at which hospitals shall offer inpatient vaccinations for the influenza virus prior to discharge; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryHR 816 is a procedural resolution creating a House Study Committee to examine the feasibility of establishing a Georgia registry for individuals substantiated to have abused at-risk populations, including people with disabilities and older adults. The committee, composed of legislative and non-legislative members (including disability/elder advocates and state officials), will study existing models like Tennessee’s registry, assess costs and due process protections, and evaluate impacts on caregiving employment. It will make recommendations by December 2025 but does not create the registry itself. This study directly affects vulnerable populations and systems serving them, focusing on prevention through policy analysis.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Titles 17 and 28 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to criminal procedure and General Assembly, respectively, so as to allow for wrongful conviction compensation claims; to provide for a short title; to provide for notice of claims; to require administrative law judges within the Office of State Administrative Hearings to hear and evaluate such claims; to provide for the burden of proof and evidence to be considered by an administrative law judge; to require the Supreme Court of Georgia and the State Board of Pardons and Paroles to provide certain individuals with a copy of this Act; to provide for definitions; to exclude wrongful conviction compensation claims from the purview of the Claims Advisory Board; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryHR 847 creates a House Study Committee to examine Georgia's public health funding structure. The committee, composed of five House members appointed by the Speaker, will study current funding levels, services provided by public health agencies, and whether additional state support is needed - addressing that less than 10% of health agency funds currently go to public health. It cannot change funding directly but will recommend potential legislative actions. The committee must complete its work and submit a report by December 1, 2025. This resolution does not allocate new funds or alter existing budgets.