Speaker Ralston’s Mental Health Parity Act, made its appearance on the House floor and garnered nearly unanimous support as it crossed the rotunda to the Senate. Senate signed off on legislation to expand apprenticeships in the state.
Today’s work, as lawmakers close on the sixth week since the session’s opening, focused on local legislative initiatives in the House while there was more variety of subjects taken up by the Senate. In this Report: Floor Action, Committee Reports, New Legislation.
Today’s work, as lawmakers close on the sixth week since the session’s opening, focused on local legislative initiatives in the House while there was more variety of subjects taken up by the Senate. In this Report: Floor Action, Committee Reports, New Legislation.
Today’s work, as lawmakers close on the sixth week since the session’s opening, focused on local legislative initiatives in the House while there was more variety of subjects taken up.
Committee Reports
Senate Health and Human Services Committee
Chairman Ben Watson (R-Savannah) and the Health and Human Services Committee took up one proposal, SB 116, authored by Senator Randy Robertson (R-Cataula). The legislation seeks to enact in Chapter 5 of Title 49 the “Maternity Supportive Housing Act.” The legislation would allow nonprofits to own and operate housing for women who are ages 18 and older and who need a place to live while pregnant and for up to 18 months after the child is born; pregnant women can bring their existing children to these homes. These facilities would be different than homes provided to younger girls (typically those in foster care who become pregnant). Senator Robertson noted that it was to exclude government interference; there is a need for these homes as waiting lists exist. Senator Robertson reminded the Committee as a former law enforcement officer he knew well the pipeline to prison and this would perhaps help alleviate some of this