The 2019 session adjourned Sine Die on April 2, 2019, and the legislature sent over 200 pieces of legislation for Governor Brian P. Kemp to review for his approval or veto. The bills covered a variety of issues that will have an impact on all of Georgia’s citizens. Along with passing a record budget which includes a $3,000 raise for certified educators and staff in every school district in the state, we passed legislation to address access to quality health care, broadband expansion, business courts, and increasing penalties for those who commit crimes, among other important issues. While some of these bills are already law, there are several that went into effect on July 1, 2019.

Below are some highlights of legislation that I sponsored or carried during the session which is already law or became effective on July 1st:

Senate Bill 122 will alter and clarify current franchise laws regarding the relationship between motor vehicle manufacturers and dealers. The provisions within this bill will set up regulations regarding consumer data protection, incentive programs, audits and performance criteria. This bill went into effect on July 1, 2019.

Senate Bill 157 establishes a direct deposit placement program that gives local banks the option to secure public funds through the use of third party collateral. The third party would place the deposit into accounts that are fully insured by the FDIC. This will allow for our local governments to have more options on where to deposit their funds and allow more monies to be used for local loans, to help our local and rural economies. This bill went into effect on May 2, 2019.

Senate Bill 190 will make several changes to the Child Custody Intrastate Jurisdiction Act. Specifically, it will remove certain definitions of terms related to child custody and add definitions for “legal custody” and “physical custody.” Additionally under SB 190, revisions will be made to procedures relating to child custody including changing the legal status of a child, as well as visitation rights. This bill went into effect on July 1, 2019.

House Bill 228 will raise the minimum age for marriage to 17 years and limit the age difference to four years when a minor is involved. The current marriage age is 16 years. This will work to protect very young girls from what can be abusive and unhealthy relationships that detrimentally effect the rest of their lives. This bill went into effect on July 1, 2019.

House Bill 424 addresses the criminal act of human trafficking while revising Georgia’s Rape Shield Statute to clarify what kinds of evidence may be admitted in court. Under HB 424, human trafficking is included within the definition of “criminal gang activity” when trafficking occurs for labor or sexual servitude, a person keeps a place of prostitution, or commits the act of pimping or pandering. This bill went into effect on April 18, 2019.

Below are some highlights of other legislation that went into effect on July 1, 2019:

Senate Bill 6 will prohibit anyone from flying a drone over a place of incarceration unless they are given permission by the warden, superintendent or their designated representative.

Senate Bill 48 instructs the State Board of Education to develop a policy of dyslexia screening for all kindergarten students, referral for students with identified dyslexia characteristics in grades one to three, as well as screening for those who did not attend kindergarten or were not screened in kindergarten. This will be done through a phase-in process.

Senate Bill 60 addresses requirements for the Department of Education regarding sudden cardiac arrest training and procedures for students participating in interscholastic athletic activities and anyone else involved.

House Bill 12 will require public schools to post a clearly visible sign notating the toll-free telephone number for the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) of the Department of Human Services to report child abuse or neglect.

House Bill 62 will require health care facilities that conduct mammograms to notify the patient when their results show dense breast tissue.

House Bill 478 will make numerous changes to the child abuse reporting process.