Bill amended to limit insurance payments for abortion
The state Senate made a surprise move Monday that would make it illegal for any state-sponsored insurance plan to pay for abortions.
The 34-15 vote, largely along party lines, sends House Bill 246 back to the House for consideration. HB 246 is an insurance bill that otherwise would allow the Georgia World Congress Center to make its own decisions related to employee benefits.
The language related to the insurance ban on abortions for state employees was added during a floor debate. The only exception to the proposed ban would be in cases to save a mother’s life, as added by Sen. Mike Crane, R-Newnan, and Senate Health and Human Services Chairwoman Renee Unterman, R-Buford.
The move prompted an emotional, hourlong debate, mirroring controversy seen last year over new restrictions on late-term abortions in Georgia — a bill that Gov. Nathan Deal signed into law.
— Kristina Torres
Juvenile justice overhaul clears last legislative hurdle
Major changes are coming to how the state treats juveniles who get in trouble with the law under legislation that received final passage Monday.
House Bill 242 is now on its way to Gov. Nathan Deal’s desk. The governor has indicated he supports it.
The bill is considered a milestone in the state’s two-year effort to reserve expensive prison bed space in both the adult and juvenile systems for the most violent offenders.
The bill is a rewrite of the entire Georgia juvenile code — which also addresses adoptions, parental rights and children who are neglected or abused. The focus on House Bill 242 as it moved through the legislative process, however, was on aspects of the bill that address the juvenile justice system — those who commit aggravated assaults and armed robberies as well as those accused of misdemeanors and status offenses such as running away or skipping school.
Advocates say the changes could save taxpayers $88 million over five years by diverting the less dangerous juveniles into community-based programs instead of locking them up at a cost to taxpayers of $247 a day or $90,000 a year for each detained juvenile. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Wendell Willard, R-Sandy Springs, has said the changes also would mean Georgia would not have to build two more secure facilities to accommodate the growing number of juvenile offenders in state custody.
— Aaron Gould Sheinin
Conference committee begins work on gun legislation
Lawmakers’ efforts to let Georgians carry concealed weapons in more places went to conference committee Monday.
Three members each from the House and Senate have been appointed to work out a deal on Senate Bill 101 before the state Legislature ends its annual session Thursday.
SB 101 was amended and passed Friday by the House. The changes would allow churches to decide whether the holders of concealed-weapon permits may bring weapons into sanctuaries and would allow guns on most areas of public college campuses.
The measure is now much more sweeping than when it passed the Senate earlier this month.
— Kristina Torres
Trafficking measure on way to governor
A bill that would require strip clubs, job recruitment centers and other businesses to post notices telling human trafficking victims how to get help is headed for Gov. Nathan Deal’s desk.
House Bill 141, sponsored by Rep. Edward Lindsey, R-Atlanta, would require the signs to include information on how to reach the National Human Trafficking Resource Center, a toll-free, anonymous hot line run by the nonprofit Polaris Project.
Hotels, truck stations, bus stops, rest areas and other establishments are also included in the bill.
Businesses that do not comply could be punished by a fine of up to $500 on a first offense. Repeat offenders would face a misdemeanor charge and a $5,000 fine.
— Aaron Gould Sheinin
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
