Week Eight of the 2019 Session has come to a close. It was a busy and productive week here under the Gold Dome! So far we have completed eight weeks and 29 legislative days, of the 2019 session and we have made much progress in passing helpful and meaningful legislation for all Georgia citizens. During week 8 the House passed many different bills, including HB 346, HB 324, HB 234, HB 511, and HB 247. I have provided a brief synopsis of each bill for you below.

House Bill Number: 346

House Bill 346 will allow for a claim of retaliation to be made by an aggrieved renter when they have been dispossessed for filing a complaint against the landlord regarding the living conditions of the building. This bill gives renters the right to place a claim of retaliation when they have been dispossessed for filing a complaint against bad living conditions

House Bill Number: 324

House Bill 324, also known as Georgia’s Hope Act, allows for the production, manufacturing, and dispensing of low THC oil with a lawful valid license issued by the Low THC Oil License Oversight Board for sixteen diseases currently allowed under Georgia law. This bill will give individuals who are legally permitted to use low THC oil for medical purposes greater access to the treatment they so desperately need!

House Bill Number: 234

House Bill 234, also known as the Anti-Human Trafficking Protective Response Act, authorizes the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) to provide emergency care and supervision of any child who is the victim of human trafficking without a court order or consent of the parents or legal guardian. It also directs DFCS and law enforcement to take the child to an available victim services organization that is certified by the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council to provide comprehensive trauma-informed services. Further, HB 234 limits the prosecution of prostitution to individuals who are 18 years of age or older.

House Bill Number: 511

House Bill 511 creates the Department of Mobility and Innovation to govern and coordinate transit services across the state. It will also establish a fee on ride-share services used for transit and transit projects, as well as create a pilot program for incentives to employers who provide transit benefits to employees. This bill abolishes the Georgia Regional Transit Authority and moves current employees to the new department. Finally, the State Road and Tollway Authority and the Atlanta-Region Transit Link would be administratively attached to this department.

House Bill Number: 247

House Bill 247 provides that all forms of battery against a person 65 or older is a felony, and changes the definition of exploitation to include the illegal taking of resources belonging to a disabled adult or elder person when access to those resources was obtained due to the victim’s incapacity. This bill also allows law enforcement to conduct inspections of unlicensed personal care homes when acting as an agent of the Department of Community Health. Protecting our senior citizens is a top priority of the Georgia House Republican Caucus!

Stay Up-to-Date:

Once again, if you are interested in learning more about all that goes on during the Legislative session then the Georgia House of Representatives website has everything you need to stay up to date and informed. From press releases to live video broadcasts of the House Floor, you can experience your state government in action up close. Click here to learn more.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding these committees please do not hesitate to reach out to me.

As the 2019 Session continues to move forward, I promise I will continue to work diligently to pass meaningful and helpful legislation for all citizens of Georgia. If you find yourself in Atlanta during this session, I encourage you to visit me at my Capitol office! Also, please do not hesitate to call or email me if you have any questions or concerns regarding any current or upcoming legislation. My Capitol office is located at 401-D Coverdell Legislative Office Bldg, 18 Capitol

Square SW, Atlanta, GA 30334. My office phone number is 404.656.0152.  I can also be reached via email at Dale.Washburn@house.ga.gov.

As always, thank you for allowing me to be your representative and God bless you and your family.

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