Georgia Family Connection honored for 25 years of service; Bills Related to Children and Families Move as Legislators Prepare for Crossover Day
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The General Assembly honored Georgia Family Connection on Feb. 17 for its 25 years of service to children and families. Members of Family Connection’s State Peer-to-Peer Advisory Committee (SPPAC), representing the statewide network, were recognized in both the House and Senate chambers and hosted a reception for legislators at the State Capitol.
“This is such an important organization that goes way beyond the reach of what the government can do to help our children and families,” said Rep. Katie Dempsey (Dist. 13) when she introduced HR 1287, which she and Rep. Terry England (Dist. 116) initiated. “Every county in the state benefits from the great work Family Connection does. They are making gigantic differences to help children and families survive and thrive.” Sen. Jack Hill (Dist. 4), who introduced SR 945, added, “They do a great job of bringing families together and protecting the interests of children—and they do it on a very low budget.” Gov. Nathan Deal also commended the network for its years of service to Georgia and took
Sen. Jack Hill (Dist. 4), who introduced SR 945, added, “They do a great job of bringing families together and protecting the interests of children—and they do it on a very low budget.” Gov. Nathan Deal also commended the network for its years of service to Georgia and took time to briefly speak with SPPAC members during their Capitol visit. The pace of the legislative session picked up last week, as each passing day increased the pressure on legislators to get bills through committee and onto the floor of the originating chamber for a vote by Crossover Day. The 30th legislative day, which took place yesterday, is typically like the final day of session—very busy, and often lasting into the evening as legislators work to pass bills before the cutoff. Although Crossover Day marks the final day bills can be passed from one chamber to the other, bills that
The pace of the legislative session picked up last week, as each passing day increased the pressure on legislators to get bills through committee and onto the floor of the originating chamber for a vote by Crossover Day. The 30th legislative day, which took place yesterday, is typically like the final day of session—very busy, and often lasting into the evening as legislators work to pass bills before the cutoff.
Although Crossover Day marks the final day bills can be passed from one chamber to the other, bills that cross over can still be amended as they progress through the other chamber. During that process, it is possible for language from bills that did not cross to be added to bills that did, as long as the added language is germane to the original bill to which it is affixed.
Budget News
Senate Appropriations subcommittees have been meeting about the FY17 budget, and they are expected to finalize their recommendations by the end of this week. Accordingly, a Senate version of the FY17 budget is expected to be released by next week. Schedule This week, legislators are scheduled to be in session Monday and Wednesday for the 30th and 31st legislative days. The House and Senate previously passed an adjournment resolution establishing the legislative calendar through the end of
Schedule
This week, legislators are scheduled to be in session Monday and Wednesday for the 30th and 31st legislative days. The House and Senate previously passed an adjournment resolution establishing the legislative calendar through the end of session.
Legislation
HB 722 (Rep. Allen Peake, 141st) legalizes additional forms of medical marijuana in addition to cannabis oil and broadens the list of qualifying conditions that can be treated by cannabis. The bill also allows for up to six in-state manufacturers of medical cannabis.
Status: After several hearings and input from a variety of sources, including law enforcement, the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee passed a substitute version of the bill. Language that allowed approved in-state medical cannabis manufacturers was removed from the bill, and the list of approved medical conditions the substance can be used to treat was shortened. The bill was scheduled for a vote on the House floor on Feb. 29.
HB 727 (Rep. Paul Battles, 15th) amends legislation passed last year allowing the sale and use of fireworks in Georgia by limiting the hours of use from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Exceptions provided for in the bill include New Year’s Eve and the Fourth of July, when fireworks can be used until 1 a.m. and midnight, respectively. Under the current law that went into effect in 2015, fireworks can be used until 2 a.m. throughout the year. SB 369 (Sen. Jeff Mullis, 53rd) is a similar bill.
Status of HB 727: The House Regulated Industries Committee passed a substitute version of the bill on Feb. 24, and it was scheduled for a vote on the House floor on Feb. 29.
Status of SB 369: The Senate passed the bill on Feb. 26, and it has not yet been assigned to a House committee.
HB 777 (Rep. Mike Dudgeon, 25th) allows school bus drivers to use cell phones while the bus is in motion for live communication with school or public safety officials.
Status: The House passed a substitute version of the bill on Feb. 18, which clarifies that bus drivers cannot use cell phones except for live communication with school or public safety officials and only if the driver remains seated with a safety belt. The bill is now assigned to the Senate Public Safety Committee.
SB 130 (Sen. Bruce Thompson, 14th), the Smokefree Cars for Children Act, makes it a misdemeanor for a person to smoke in a car—or permit another occupant of the car to smoke—while a child under 15 is in the vehicle. The person cannot be charged with this violation unless stopped for another traffic offense, and fines for the offense will not exceed $100.
Status: During the 2015 session, the Senate passed the bill. The House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee also passed a substitute version of the bill in 2015, clarifying that this offense will not be considered a moving traffic violation nor constitute child abuse, but it was recommitted. On Feb. 26, 2016, the bill was assigned to the Setzler Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee.
HB 135 (Rep. Henry “Wayne” Howard, 124th) prohibits the suspension of Pre-K and kindergarten students, except when a student has caused or threatened serious bodily harm or is in possession of, or furnished others with, a weapon.
Status: A subcommittee of House Education heard and tabled the bill in 2015. On Feb. 22, 2016, the Academic Support Subcommittee of the House Education Committee passed the bill, and it is now before the full committee. HB 614 (Rep. Valencia Stovall, 74th), the Landon Dunson Act, creates a pilot program for placing monitoring cameras in school classrooms that provide special education services. Status: The House Education Committee passed the bill by
HB 614 (Rep. Valencia Stovall, 74th), the Landon Dunson Act, creates a pilot program for placing monitoring cameras in school classrooms that provide special education services.
Status: The House Education Committee passed the bill by substitute on Feb. 4, and it was sent to the House Rules Committee. The bill was sent back to the House Education Committee due to an objection to setting up another pilot program. The bill was amended to remove the word “pilot” and to make the cameras an option authorized by the Department of Education. The House passed the bill on Feb. 24, and it is now assigned to the Senate Education and Youth Committee.
SB 281 (Sen. William Ligon, 3rd) requires schools to provide information to students and parents prior to using interactive digital learning platforms, including video games that collect and analyze student data. The bill prohibits the use of digital learning platforms unless they include a portal or other mechanism that allows parental access to the platform and all content available to students. Parents may also opt out of the instruction.
Status: The Senate Education and Youth Committee voted on Feb. 25 to hold the bill in committee.
SB 310 (Sen. William Ligon, 3rd), the Transparency in Education Act, prohibits the implementation of any competitive grant over $20 million pertaining to or affecting Pre-K — 12 education until ratified by the Georgia legislature.
Status: The Senate Education and Youth Committee passed a substitute version of the bill, removing the requirement for approval of grants by the legislature and instead requiring that written analyses of the grants be provided to the Senate Education and Youth Committee and House Education Committee 30 days prior to submitting the grant. The bill was scheduled for a vote on the Senate floor on Feb. 29.
SB 328 (Sen. Emanuel Jones, 10th) addresses alternative education programs and disruptive students. The bill provides that, except in the case of serious offenses, the duration of assignment to an alternative education program cannot exceed the remainder of the semester in which the student is suspended or expelled and the following semester. Serious offenses identified by the bill include physical assault, bullying, and possession of drugs or alcohol. Any student may opt to remain in an alternative education program.
Status: The Senate Education and Youth Committee passed a substitute version of the bill on Feb. 23, and it was scheduled for a vote on the Senate floor on Feb. 29.
HB 229 (Rep. Brian Strickland, 111th) allows grandparents, great-grandparents, or siblings of a minor child to file an action for visitation rights.
Status: The bill was introduced during the 2015 session. The House Juvenile Justice Committee passed it on Feb. 24, and it is now assigned to the House Rules Committee.
HB 710 (Rep. Scot Turner, 21st) and HB 768 (Rep. Lee Hawkins, 27th) establish a qualified Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) program in Georgia, allowing eligible individuals to contribute to tax-exempt accounts to pay for qualified expenses related to disabilities.
Status of HB 710: The bill is assigned to the House Ways and Means Committee, and it was scheduled for a hearing in the Income Tax Subcommittee on Feb. 1.
Status of HB 768: The House passed the bill on Feb. 23, and it is now assigned to the Senate Finance Committee.
HB 887 (Rep. Chuck Efstration, 104th) prioritizes placing children with relatives following a termination of parental rights and requires efforts to place siblings together.
Status: The House Juvenile Justice Committee passed a substitute version of the bill, which clarified that priority for placement with relatives is dependent on meeting the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) requirement for relative placement and must be in the best interest of the child. The House passed the bill on Feb. 26, and it has not yet been assigned to a Senate committee.
HB 934 (Rep. Tom Kirby, 114th) authorizes the Department of Human Services (DHS) to provide a separate link or website portal to provide kinship caregivers with information and access necessary to apply for public assistance benefits on behalf of children in their care.
Status: The House Human Relations and Aging Committee passed the bill, and it was scheduled for a vote on the House floor on Feb. 29.
HB 962 (Rep. Stacey Abrams, 89th) creates the position of kinship care enforcement administrator within the DHS. This administrator will ensure compliance with all federal and state laws, rules, and regulations related to pilot programs, subsidies, or benefits available to kinship caregivers or children within their care.
Status: The House passed the bill on Feb. 26, and it has not yet been assigned to a Senate committee.
HB 963 (Rep. Stacey Abrams, 89th) provides for non-legal custodians to give legal consent for a child in his or her physical custody to receive medical care or education services.
Status: The bill was discussed on Feb. 25 in the House Juvenile Justice Committee, which voted to hold the bill.
HB 974 (Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver, 82nd) allows for a DFCS or DHS employee to sign an application for an instructional permit or driver’s license for an applicant committed to the care and custody of DHS. The employee will not be subject to any civil liability, penalty, licensing sanction, or other detrimental action for signing an application.
Status: The bill is assigned to the House Juvenile Justice Committee. The Ballinger Subcommittee passed the bill on Feb. 23.
HB 1006 (Rep. David Clark, 98th) directs DHS to enter into a competitively bid contract to provide verification of initial and ongoing eligibility data for food stamp benefits. Under the bill, cash assistance to a non-minor recipient is limited to a lifetime maximum of 12 months, the lottery corporation is responsible for providing information to DHS about individuals who claim winnings over $1,000, and penalties are provided for individuals who violate certain requirements. SB 389 (Sen. Hunter Hill, 6th) is a related bill which creates a cash diversion program that provides eligible Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients lump sum cash grants for short-term needs, as well as job or career center referrals in lieu of signing up for a long-term monthly cash assistance program.
Status of HB 1006: The bill is assigned to the House Health and Human Services Committee.
Status of SB 389: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee passed a substitute version of the bill, which included language from HB 1006, on Feb. 24. It was scheduled for a vote on the Senate floor on Feb. 29.
HB 713 (Rep. Brad Raffensberger, 50th) amends current law so that causing a child to be conceived as a result of rape, incest, or sex trafficking is grounds for terminating parental rights.
Status: The House Juvenile Justice Committee passed the bill on Feb. 24.
HB 725 (Rep. Wes Cantrell, 22nd) extends the presumption of confidentiality of child abuse records to child advocacy centers.
Status: The bill is assigned to the House Juvenile Justice Committee. The Ballinger Subcommittee passed a substitute version of the bill on Feb. 18, which clarifies the definition of “child advocacy center” and addresses concerns raised by judges and prosecuting attorneys. The Juvenile Justice Committee passed the bill on Feb. 24.
HB 763 (Rep. Penny Houston, 170th) removes the sunset provision for the sales tax exemption currently provided for food sales to food banks.
Status: The House Ways and Means Committee passed a substitute version of the bill on Feb. 17. While the original bill sought to remove the sunset provision entirely, the substitute version extends the sunset date until June 30, 2021. The House passed the bill on Feb. 22, and it is now assigned to the Senate Finance Committee.
HB 770 (Rep. Chuck Efstration, 104th) expands the current definition of sexual servitude to include sexually explicit conduct induced or obtained from individuals with developmental disabilities.
Status: The House passed the bill on Feb. 25, and it is now assigned to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.
HB 825 (Rep. Earnest Smith, 125th) requires that the Department of Defense Family Advocacy Program be notified when there is a report of child abuse by a military parent or guardian.
Status: The House Juvenile Justice Committee passed the bill on Feb. 23, and it was scheduled for a vote on the House floor on Feb. 29.
HB 859 (Rep. Rick Jasperse, 11th), referred to as the Campus Carry Bill, allows students 21 years and older to carry a gun on post-secondary campuses. Students must be licensed gun owners, keep the weapon concealed, and are not allowed in student housing—including fraternity and sorority houses—or at sporting events while armed.
Status: The House passed the bill on Feb. 22. It is now assigned to the Senate Judiciary Non-Civil Committee, and a hearing on the bill is scheduled for March 2.
HB 874 (Rep. Bert Reeves, 34th) amends the juvenile code to prohibit recruitment of street gang members and increases mandatory minimum sentences for criminal street gang activity.
Status: The House passed the bill on Feb. 25, and it is now assigned to the Senate Judiciary Non-Civil Committee.
HB 905 (Rep. Mandi Ballinger, 23rd) updates guidelines and requirements for local child abuse protocol committees and requires the establishment and maintenance of a central child abuse registry.
Status: The House passed the bill on Feb. 25, and it is now assigned to the Senate Judiciary Non-Civil Committee.
HB 915 (Rep. Andrew Welch, 110th) requires criminal records checks for owners and employees of all child-caring institutions, child-placing agencies, children’s transition care centers, and maternity homes. The bill also directs DHS to develop a public scorecard to grade child welfare agencies.
Status: The House Health and Human Services Committee passed the bill on Feb. 25, and it is now assigned to the House Rules Committee.
SB 367 (Sen. John Kennedy, 18th) implements recommendations from the Governor’s Council on Criminal Justice Reform, including several related to juvenile justice. The bill places restrictions on secure detention for youth under age 14, requires schools to use progressive discipline before filing a complaint, puts measures in place to improve fairness in school tribunals, and requires local boards of education and school resource officers to enter into memorandums of understanding to clarify roles and identify differences between delinquent and disciplinary conduct.
Status: The Senate passed the bill on Feb. 25, and it is now assigned to the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee. SB 409 (Sen. JaNice VanNess, 43rd) requires all public schools to post a sign displaying a toll-free number to report child abuse or neglect. Status: The Senate Education and Youth Committee passed the bill on Feb. 25, and it was scheduled for a vote on the Senate floor on Feb. 29.