ATLANTA — During the most recent legislative session, state lawmakers proposed 615 pieces of legislation. Of those, 305 bills passed with Gov. Nathan Deal signing the vast majority of them into law. Some became law upon the governor’s signature, while a large number take effect on Tuesday, the start of the state’s fiscal year.
Here is a summary of some of the major bills set to take effect:
Gun bill
The Georgia Safe Carry Protection Act, criticized by one group as the “guns everywhere” bill, expands where licensed carriers can take their weapons and includes varying rules affecting bars, churches, schools and government buildings. Under House Bill 60, licensed carries can bring their guns into government buildings that don’t have metal detectors or security guards screening visitors. School districts are now able, if they so choose, to allow some employees to carry a firearm on school grounds under certain conditions. Lawmakers removed any mention of bars from this section of law, which means guns are permitted unless a bar owner posts a sign saying otherwise. For places of worship, the assumption is still that guns aren’t allowed but lawmakers gave religious leaders the ability to say they are OK.
Medicaid expansion
House Bill 990 limits the governor’s ability to expand Medicaid under the federal health care law, something the governor has already said he doesn’t want to do. The legislation forbids state government from changing the income eligibility rules and thereby enabling more people to join the program without legislative approval.
Criminal justice
Senate Bill 365 represents the third installment of criminal justice reform since Deal took office. Under the law, corrections officials are required to establish a program so inmates can complete treatment plans and vocational training while in prison to help prepare them to re-enter society. Meanwhile, House Bill 749 creates a criminal offense of cargo theft with sentences varying based on the value of the stolen goods and House Bill 838 establishes a criminal offense for those convicted of transmitting explicit or nude photos or video of an adult with the purpose of harassment or to cause financial loss. House Bill 845 seeks to crackdown on websites that post photos of people under arrest and charge for such photos to be removed. The law requires those requesting such arrest booking photos to submit a statement affirming the photo will not be used in a publication or on a website that requires payment to remove or delete the photo.
via Laws on guns, Medicaid expansion set for Tuesday | savannahnow.com.
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