Concussion bill on way to governor
The state Senate passed a measure Tuesday placing greater emphasis on young athletes’ well-being, sending House Bill 284 to Gov. Nathan Deal for his signature.
The bill would create protocols for informing parents about the dangers of concussions and for identifying and treating players with head injuries.
Any student in a public or private k-12 school who shows signs of a concussion would be removed from practice and games and would not be able to return until a doctor says it is safe.
The House passed HB 284 earlier this month.
— Kristina Torres
Bills set in motion work next year on 2 new DeKalb cities
State lawmakers filed two bills late Monday that could pave the way for at least two new cities in DeKalb County.
State Sen. Fran Millar’s placeholder bill for Lakeside includes a new map, the third, for that proposed city in north DeKalb. The latest version removes most of Tucker from the would-be city after residents there protested against earlier drafts that gobbled up half but not all of their community.
State Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver’s placeholder calls only for a new city in DeKalb to be defined and named later. The bill would allow residents in the Druid Hills area to create their own city, as some have begun researching in response to Lakeside extending into that community’s commercial areas.
Filing the proposals this year allows the Legislature to take up both cities for consideration during next year’s session.
— April Hunt
Pauper cremation bill awaits Deal’s signature
Local governments would be given the option of cremating dead paupers under legislation headed for Gov. Nathan Deal’s desk.
Senate Bill 83 received final approval Monday.
Cities and counties now must provide burial for deceased indigents. SB 83 would give them another, often cheaper, option.
— Aaron Gould Sheinin
