Rep. Sharon Cooper

Maddy summaryHR 546 is a symbolic resolution recognizing May 2025 as Myositis Awareness Month. It does not create new laws or allocate funding but aims to raise public awareness about myositis, a rare autoimmune muscle disease affecting people with symptoms like muscle weakness, pain, and fatigue. The resolution highlights challenges such as delayed diagnosis, limited specialist access, and health disparities for women and people of color with the condition. It specifically calls for recognition through the Georgia House of Representatives, directing the Clerk to distribute copies to the public and press. This resolution directly affects individuals living with myositis and the broader rare disease community.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 50 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to licensing, so as to provide for licensure for graduates of foreign colleges or schools of veterinary medicine who are board certified in a specialty; to provide for an exemption; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 64 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to regulation and licensure of pharmacy benefits managers, so as to provide that such managers have a duty of care to insureds, health plans, and providers; to provide for definitions; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for a priority of duties; to provide for a private right of action; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 2 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding the administration of mental health, developmental disabilities, addictive diseases, and other disability services, so as to add a member to the Behavioral Health Coordinating Council; to establish a parity compliance review panel; to provide for its composition and duties; to require health care providers to report suspected mental health parity violations to the panel; to provide for evaluation of complaints; to provide for recommendations for punitive actions; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HR 478) recognizing Reverend Art Wilder's 40 years of ministry at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, including 38 years in pastoral care. It formally commends his service, leadership in discipleship and missions, and his work addressing spiritual and physical needs of church members. The resolution has no policy impact; it simply expresses the House's gratitude and authorizes distributing a copy to Reverend Wilder upon his retirement. It directly affects only Reverend Wilder as a ceremonial honor.

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Kathryn Fletcher for her service as chair of the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 2A, Chapter 3, and Chapter 5 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions of the Department of Public Health, county boards of health, and administration and enforcement, respectively, so as to transfer all authorities and responsibilities relating to environmental health from the county boards of health to the Department of Public Health; to describe responsibilities and authorities of the Department of Public Health related to environmental health; to provide for definitions; to provide for statutory construction; to amend Code Section 12-5-7 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to local variances from state restrictions on outdoor watering, limitations on outdoor irrigation, and exceptions, so as to make a confirming revision; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 24 of Title 33 of the O.C.G.A., relating to general provisions regarding insurance, so as to require major medical coverage for annual prostate cancer screenings for certain men; to amend Part 1 of Article 1 of Chapter 18 of Title 45 of the O.C.G.A., relating to state employees' health insurance plan, so as to require coverage for annual prostate cancer screenings for certain men; to amend Article 7 of Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the O.C.G.A., relating to medical assistance generally, so as to require coverage for annual prostate cancer screenings for certain men; to provide for a plan amendment when necessary; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryHR 397 creates a House Study Committee on Healthcare Quality and Reporting to examine Georgia's healthcare data systems. The committee, composed of nine members including five legislators and four non-legislative experts (like healthcare data analysts and Medicaid representatives), will study how healthcare reporting affects providers, Medicaid, and insurers. It will assess data integration, HIPAA compliance, reporting burdens, and best practices for improving healthcare quality and cost transparency. The committee must report its findings by December 1, 2025, but will not enact laws itself.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 376) is a ceremonial House of Representatives commendation honoring HOPE AACR, a nonprofit organization that provides animal-assisted crisis support. It recognizes HOPE AACR’s work deploying trained handlers and therapy dogs to assist individuals affected by disasters, such as hurricanes, and to support agencies like FEMA and the Red Cross. The resolution has no policy impact - it solely expresses formal recognition of the organization’s volunteer service. It was adopted by the House on February 24, 2025, with no new requirements or funding.