Posted on

Senate Streamlines Compensation to Families of Emergency Workers Killed While on Duty

ATLANTA (March 16, 2011) – The Georgia State Senate today passed Sen. John Albers’ (R-Roswell) legislation to streamline compensation to families of public emergency workers who are killed in the line of duty.

“Georgia’s emergency personnel put their lives on the line every day for the safety and security of the people of this state,” said Albers. “The least we can do is to ensure that their families receive compensation in the tragic event that their loved one is killed while serving in the line of duty. This bill will bring consistency to the way payments are made to family members, ensuring that the process is structured and fair.”

Currently, if a law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, emergency management specialist, or prison guard is killed or suffers organic brain damage in the line of duty, payment from the Georgia Indemnification Fund will be made to the surviving family members. Senate Bill 155 outlines who the payments go to first, beginning with the deceased’s spouse, to the deceased’s dependent children in the event there is no surviving spouse, or in the event that there is no surviving spouse or dependent children, equally to the deceased’s surviving dependents, including dependent parents and siblings. In the case of organic brain damage, payment will be made to the legal guardian.

SB 155, also known as the “Jarrett Little Act”, is named in honor of a Walker County and Fort Oglethorpe firefighter who died in January 2009. Little was a single, 23-year-old volunteer firefighter who was killed when the fire truck he was driving overturned on the way to a fire.

Albers is a fourth-generation firefighter serving as a volunteer in Alpharetta. “I have a keen interest in public safety and protecting those who sacrifice their lives to protect their fellow citizens. Serving alongside these brave men and women has given me a unique perspective on how their families are impacted when they lose their loved one, and I believe it’s our responsibility as elected officials to ensure that the law works in their favor,” added Albers.

The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Sen. John Albers represents the 56th Senate District, which includes portions of North Fulton County. He may be reached at his office at 404.463.8055 or by email at john.albers@senate.ga.gov.

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
March 16, 2011
For Information Contact:
Natalie Strong, Director
Kallarin Richards, Deputy Director
Kallarin.Richards@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028

Posted on

Sen. Albers to Host Alpharetta Town Hall Meeting

ATLANTA (February 22, 2011) – Sen. John Albers (R-Roswell) will host a town hall meeting in Alpharetta on Saturday, Feb. 26, where he will deliver a presentation of legislative updates.  Attendees will then have the opportunity to participate in a question and answer session.  All residents of the 56th Senate District are invited to attend. 

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

WHERE: Alpharetta City Hall
2 South Main Street
Alpharetta, GA 30009

Sen. John Albers represents the 56th Senate District, which includes parts of North Fulton County.  He may be reached at 404.463.8055 or by e-mail at john.albers@senate.ga.gov.  

ADVISORY
For Immediate Release:
February 22, 2011
For Information Contact:
Natalie Strong, Director
Kallarin Richards, Deputy Director
kallarin.richards@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028

Posted on

Sen. Albers Co-Sponsors Parent Trigger Act

ATLANTA (February 11, 2011) – Sen. John Albers (R-Roswell) has co-sponsored the Parent Trigger Act, which gives parents the power to intervene if their child’s school is failing to meet federal standards.  Senate Bill 68 allows a minimum of 50 percent of the school’s parents to sign a petition to require the local school board to implement certain reforms.

“This bill puts control over their child’s education back in the hands of parents,” said Albers.  “When school systems in this state are in danger of losing their accreditation or are embroiled in an ethics scandal, parents should have the power to step in and do something.  Improving Georgia’s education system will require cooperation from everyone, including teachers, school administrators and state officials, and this legislation guarantees parents a seat at the table.  At the end of the day, education is all about the kids, and we must focus on how to better prepare them for the future.”

The benchmarks that determine when a school is underperforming include when it fails to meet adequate yearly progress for two or more consecutive years in the same subject, or is a high school that has failed to graduate at least 60 percent of its students within four years of entering ninth grade for the past three years.

Albers is co-sponsoring the bill with Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock).  Similar legislation was passed in California last year.

Sen. John Albers represents the 56th Senate District, which includes portions of North Fulton County. He may be reached at his office at 404.463.8055 or by email at john.albers@senate.ga.gov.

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
February 11, 2011
For Information Contact:
Natalie Strong, Director
Kallarin Richards, Deputy Director
kallarin.richards@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028

Posted on

Sens. Albers and Ligon Introduce Bill to Stop Medicaid Fraud

ATLANTA (February 9, 2011) – Sens. John Albers (R-Roswell) and William Ligon (R-Brunswick) have co-sponsored a bill aimed at protecting taxpayer dollars from Medicaid fraud.  Using enhanced technology, Senate Bill 63 requires that Medicaid cards integrate a computer chip that includes a digital photograph and fingerprint of the card holder.  The use of smart card technology prevents such abuse as card sharing and phantom billing that cost U.S. taxpayers $60 billion a year. 

Continue reading “Sens. Albers and Ligon Introduce Bill to Stop Medicaid Fraud”