ATLANTA (March 7, 2013) – Senator Emanuel Jones (D-Decatur) led the State Senate in the passage of Senate Bill 113 with a vote of 49-0. If signed into law, the bill would change the requirements for personal service of a summons on a corporation. Continue reading “Sen. Jones Leads Passage of Personal Service on a Corporation Bill”
Medical Identity Fraud Bill Passes Senate
ATLANTA (March 7, 2013) – Senate Bill 170, which creates the offense of medical identity fraud and defines associated terms, passed the Senate today by a vote of 52 to 1. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Judson Hill (R – Marietta).
“When people cheat the system by using another person’s identity, medical facilities have to raise costs to recover their lost profits,” said Sen. Hill. “Unfortunately, this ultimately leads to higher insurance premiums and medical costs for honest, hardworking Georgians. By passing this legislation, we’re sending a message to would-be identity thieves that this behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”
SB 170 states that a person commits medical identity fraud when he or she willfully and fraudulently uses identifying information of any real, fictitious or deceased person of any age to obtain medical care, prescription drugs, health care services, money or other financial gain. This legislation would coordinate medical identity fraud with identity fraud for jurisdiction and prosecution purposes.
Under SB 170, medical identity fraud is coordinated with financial identity fraud for purposes of:
- Authorizing the State Attorney General and prosecuting attorneys to conduct criminal prosecution
- Identifying the information necessary within the county where the victim resides or is found
- Granting local law enforcement agencies the jurisdiction to compile incident reports
- Enacting punishment, including incarceration, fines, and restitution
- Allowing victims to bring actions against perpetrators, including increased damages for intentional violations
SB 170 will now transfer to the House of Representatives for consideration.
RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
March 7, 2013
For Information Contact:
Jennifer Yarber, Interim Director
Jennifer.Yarber@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028
Senate Passes Bill to Allow For Health Care Financial Overview Committee
ATLANTA (March 7, 2013) – Senate Bill 62 passed the Senate today by a vote of 45 to 5. Sponsored by Sen. Judson Hill (R – Marietta), this bill would create the Federal and State Funded Health Care Financing Programs Overview Committee. The Committee would be charged with periodically reviewing the actions of the Board of Community Health (BCH) and the Department of Community Health (DCH) to evaluate the success and functionality of their programs.
“I’m pleased by the favorable consideration this legislative body gave Senate Bill 62,” said Sen. Hill. “This bill would ensure functionality and efficiency in our state’s health care industry and oversight. With rising costs of health care, Georgia must make every effort to ensure the integrity of our health care system. It is also important to ensure that our healthcare safety net programs are not abused by people not qualified to receive benefits.”
Ever-expanding government healthcare programs necessitates that the Georgia legislature more frequently assesses existing programs in order to more wisely consider necessary reforms.
The BCH and DCH must submit any reports or data as required by the Committee. The Attorney General may legally enforce any laws related to the duties and obligations of the BCH and DCH, in regards to federal and state funded health care programs. On January 1 of each year, and other times deemed necessary, the Committee will submit a report to the General Assembly with recommendations.
SB 62 will now travel to the House of Representatives for consideration.
RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
March 7, 2013
For Information Contact:
Jennifer Yarber, Interim Director
Jennifer.Yarber@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028
Bill Requiring CPR/AED Training in Schools Passes Senate
ATLANTA (March 5, 2013) – A bill requiring certain local school systems to instruct students in CPR and automated defibrillator (AED) use, beginning with the 2013 – 2014 school year, passed the Senate today by a vote of 44 to 6. Senate Bill 212 was sponsored by Sen. Jeff Mullis (R – Chickamauga). Continue reading “Bill Requiring CPR/AED Training in Schools Passes Senate”
Constitutional Amendment: Fireworks, Future Sales and Framework Passes Senate
ATLANTA (March 5, 2013) – A resolution that would set the framework for the sale of fireworks in Georgia passed the Senate today by a vote of 44 to 5. Senate Resolution 378 contains a proposed constitutional amendment allowing local authorization in regards to the sale of fireworks in Georgia, with taxes on the fireworks being exclusively used for trauma care and firefighter training. SR 378 was sponsored by Sen. Jeff Mullis (R – Chickamauga). Continue reading “Constitutional Amendment: Fireworks, Future Sales and Framework Passes Senate”