Sen. Jesse Stone: Week Four Updates From the Capitol

Your Georgia Desk

Week Four Updates From the Capitol

Another eventful week has passed at the Georgia State Capitol, and the Senate has been hard at work passing meaningful legislation that will continue to improve our state. This week, my colleagues and I spent much time discussing, and then passing five very important bills that will help create a better life for Georgia’s children and families and encourage critical economic development. After a busy fourth week, I know that week five promises to be another productive one for the Georgia State Senate.

The passing of Senate Bill 8, or Safe Harbor/Rachel’s Law, was a big step toward ending child sex trafficking in Georgia. SB 8 establishes the Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Children Fund and Commission, which will offer medical treatment, counseling and other assistance programs to victims of child sex trafficking. This legislation will extend the statute of limitations for actions relating to childhood sexual abuse, provide state regulation of certain adult entertainment businesses and will require anyone found guilty of sexually exploiting a child to be registered in the State Sexual Offender Registry. As chairman of the Judiciary Non-Civil Committee, I heard Rachel, the inspiration behind Rachel’s Law, address the committee and express the importance of SB 8.

On Monday, Feb. 9, the Senate passed SB 53, which would allow licensed professional counselors to perform certain emergency examinations of individuals who are mentally ill, or alcohol or drug dependent. I see this bill as an opportunity to diagnose and aid these patients as early as possible to protect them and the public.

SB 3, the Supporting and Strengthening Families Act, was passed by the Senate on Tuesday. It provides that parents may delegate power of attorney and authority regarding the care and of a minor child to another adult for up to one year.

This week, we welcomed several noteworthy guests to the Senate chamber, including representatives from Georgia College, Fort Valley State and the Georgia Girl Scouts, who were kind enough to bring boxes of their cookies to members of the House and Senate. Thank you, Georgia Girl Scouts, the cookies were delicious!

It is always an honor to welcome visitors from District 23. This week, I was proud to welcome the Richmond County FCCLA (Family, Career & Community Leaders of America) and commissioners from Screven, Jefferson and Emanuel Counties. I was also pleased to welcome Rachel Masters from Sylvania as a page on Tuesday, Feb. 10. Tuesday was also Greater Augusta Day; we were visited by representatives of the Chambers of Commerce for Richmond, Columbia and Burke Counties. We also met with Leadership McDuffie and Columbia classes.

I welcome hearing from my constituents in Burke, Screven, Jenkins, Emanuel, Johnson, Jefferson, Glascock, Warren, McDuffie, Columbia and Richmond Counties. You may contact my office at jesse.stone@senate.ga.gov or call (404) 463-1314.