ATLANTA (March 25, 2013) – The Georgia State Senate passed three bills carried by Senator Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome)in the remaining five days of the 2013 legislative session. The healthcare bills modernize medical terms and requirements while the local legislation allows more options for counties and municipalities.
House Bill 68 passed the Senate on Thursday by a vote of 47-0. HB 68 would revise the continuing education requirements for licensed orthotists and prosthetists. An orthotist and/or prosthetist is a healthcare professional whom designs, measures, fits and adapts orthopedic braces, appliances or prostheses, such as limbs or facial parts for patients with disabling conditions.
This bill allows the Georgia Composite Medical Board to require those renewing their orthotics or prosthetics license to complete board approved continuing education. Every two years, the board may set the number of hours of required continuing education required (with a maximum number of up to 40 hours) and the categories in which the hours should be earned.
House Bill 473 also passed the Senate on Thursday by a vote of 48-0. HB 473 allows for counties and municipalities to enter into multiyear contracts based upon the local government’s fiscal year. Currently, counties and municipalities are authorized to enter into multiyear lease, purchase or lease-purchase contracts based on the calendar year; this bill would allow the option to base the contracts on the fiscal year.
House Bill 192 passed the Senate on Monday by a vote of 47-3. HB 192 will include the treatment of cosmetic conditions in the definition of podiatric medicine. This bill modernizes the definition of podiatric medicine to include the diagnosis and treatment of cosmetic conditions regarding the foot and leg. Cosmetic conditions include, but are not limited to, skin problems such as blemishes, spider veins, and scar revisions.
These three bills will now head to Governor Nathan Deal’s desk for his signature and final approval.
RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
March 25, 2013
For Information Contact:
Jennifer Yarber, Interim Director
Emily Williams, Communications Associate
Emily.Williams@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028