Rep. Lee Hawkins

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 34 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to medical practice, so as to authorize certified nurse practitioners and physician assistants to perform artificial insemination; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryHB 197 requires health care providers to make a specific effort to discuss a patient's care with insurance review agents (like private or utility review entities) when medical necessity is questioned. This includes contacting providers directly, using callback systems, or offering website scheduling for later communication during normal business hours. The bill also mandates that insurers implement performance-based programs to reduce prior authorization requirements for high-performing providers who follow evidence-based medicine, with annual reporting to the state department by 2026. It applies to all Georgia health insurance policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 567 authorizes licensed dentists in Georgia to provide teledentistry services under specific regulations, directly affecting dentists, dental hygienists, and patients seeking remote dental care. The bill requires dentists to maintain a physical office in Georgia, establish a referral relationship with a local dentist for in-person care, and limit teledentistry to services like emergency evaluations, second opinions, and monitoring - excluding orthodontics or dental appliance delivery. It also mandates that insurance plans cover teledentistry services and defines key terms like "referred dentist" and "store and forward technologies" to ensure proper oversight. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, after being signed by the governor as Act 79.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 10 of Title 13 of the O.C.G.A., relating to contracts for public works, so as to increase the dollar value of certain public works contracts exempt from provisions relating to retention of contractual payments; to amend Article 10 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the O.C.G.A., relating to contracts and purchases by public schools; to amend Article 11 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the O.C.G.A., relating to public school property and facilities; to amend Chapter 4 of Title 32 of the O.C.G.A., relating to state, county, and municipal road systems; to amend Chapter 91 of Title 36 of the O.C.G.A., relating to public works bidding; to amend Part 1 of Article 3 of Chapter 5 of Title 50 of the O.C.G.A., relating to general authority, duties, and procedure for state purchasing; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 50-14-1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to meetings open to the public, limitation on action to contest agency action, recording, notice of time and place, access to minutes, and teleconferences, so as to authorize county and regional library boards to conduct meetings via teleconference; to provide for related matters; 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 7 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to income taxes, so as to revise a tax credit for certain medical preceptor rotations; to add dentistry; to increase the value of the tax credit; to revise definitions; to provide for an aggregate annual cap; to extend the sunset provision for such tax credit; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 24 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance generally, so as to require coverage for certain expenses for standard fertility preservation services when a medically necessary treatment for cancer, sickle cell disease, or lupus may directly or indirectly cause an impairment of fertility; to provide for definitions; to provide for exclusions; to allow for certain cost-sharing requirements; to provide for rules and regulations; 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 13 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to controlled substances, so as to provide for certain provisions relating to Schedule I controlled substances; to provide for certain provisions relating to the definition of dangerous drugs; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryHR 593 creates a temporary House Study Committee to examine access to maternal, prenatal, and pediatric healthcare in Georgia. The committee will investigate barriers to care, funding disparities, workforce needs, and potential solutions, with a requirement to hold at least two meetings in rural hospital counties. The committee must complete its work and submit a report by December 1, 2025, after which it will be abolished. This resolution does not allocate funding or create new laws - it solely establishes a committee to study existing healthcare access issues.