Georgia’s 2024 legislative session ends on Thursday, March 28, Day 40.
To date, the General Assembly has moved some meaningful legislation that protects the voiceless and the vulnerable, including:
SB 335, the Safeguarding Adopted Children from Sexual Violence Act, led by Senator John Albers. The bill protects adopted children by expanding definitions of recipients of familial sexual violence
SB 370, Human Trafficking Hotline, led by Senator Mike Hodges in cooperation with First Lady Marty Kemp. The bill compels certain public and private establishments to post human trafficking hotline information in physical locations and on websites.
SB 376, led by Senator Blake Tillery, improves timely permanent placement of a child removed from their home.
SB 493, led by Senator Bo Hatchett, creates additional penalties for registered sexual offenders convicted of photographing a minor without the consent of the minor's parent or guardian.
HB 1037, Georgia Commission on Maternal and Infant Health, led by Representative Lauren Daniel, establishes a commission to measure perinatal care outcomes and to make policy recommendations.
The only constitutional requirement of the General Assembly is to pass a balanced budget. GLA’s priority this session impacts the budget with a well-founded request to markedly increase funding for Georgia’s Positive Alternatives for Pregnancy and Parenting Grant Program. Georgia led its neighboring states by establishing this grant which provides funding to non-profit organizations who support women and their babies for at least one year following birth. However, our state funding has fallen behind our neighboring states who spend at least twice the annual amount.
The budget (HB 916) passed out of the House with an increase removed. Late Thursday, the Senate passed their version without an increase. The budget bill now goes to conference committee for final passage on sine die, March 28th.
