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Bill > SB440
GA SB440
GA SB440Department of Public Health; provisions relative to duties or functions; modernize and update
summary
Introduced
01/29/2026
01/29/2026
In Committee
02/12/2026
02/12/2026
Crossed Over
02/20/2026
02/20/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT To amend Titles 16, 19, 31, 48, and 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to crimes and offenses, domestic relations, health, revenue and taxation, and social services, respectively, so as to modernize and update provisions relative to duties or functions of the Department of Public Health; to eliminate certain powers of state regulatory boards governing prescribers relative to the prescription drug monitoring program database; to eliminate certain requirements of the Department of Public Health relative to the testing and certification of such database; to repeal provisions relative to the Electronic Database Review Advisory Committee; to repeal provisions relative to the preparation and distribution of informational materials regarding AIDS, HIV, testing for sickle cell disease, and marriage; to revise provisions relative to hearing screenings of newborns; to eliminate reporting requirements of certain entities permitted to administer auto-injectable epinephrine; to eliminate certain duties of the Department of Public Health relative to establishing requirements for the storage and oversight of such drugs; to repeal provisions relative to a pilot program for home visitation during pregnancy and early childhood; to revise certain reporting requirements of the Department of Public Health regarding a program providing healthcare services to low-income residents; to revise certain reporting requirements of such department relative to certified stroke centers; to condition reporting requirements of the Office of Cardiac Care on appropriations; to eliminate certain reporting requirements of the SB 440/FA Department of Public Health relative to infants born with neonatal abstinence syndrome; to repeal provisions relative to the Cancer Advisory Committee; to eliminate the cancer control officer position; to revise certain duties of the commissioner relative to a program for cancer prevention, control, and treatment; to repeal the "Osteoporosis Prevention and Treatment Education Act"; to revise provisions related to the establishment of a network of postnatal tissue and fluid banks; to repeal provisions relative to the Georgia Commission for Saving the Cure; to eliminate optional taxpayer contributions to stem cell research; to repeal provisions relative to the Arthritis Prevention and Control Program; to transfer certain duties of the Department of Community Health relative to programs for home delivered meals to the Department of Public Health; to make conforming changes; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
AI Summary
This bill modernizes and updates various duties and functions of the Department of Public Health by removing outdated provisions and streamlining processes. Key changes include eliminating certain powers of state regulatory boards related to the prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) database, removing requirements for the department to test and certify this database, and repealing the advisory committee that reviewed it. The bill also removes requirements for preparing and distributing informational materials on AIDS, HIV, sickle cell disease testing, and marriage, while revising hearing screening requirements for newborns to focus on reporting the number of infants screened and their outcomes. Additionally, it eliminates reporting requirements for entities administering auto-injectable epinephrine and the department's duties related to storing these drugs. The bill repeals a pilot program for home visitation during pregnancy and early childhood, revises reporting requirements for programs serving low-income residents and for certified stroke centers, and makes reporting for the Office of Cardiac Care conditional on appropriations. It also eliminates reporting requirements for infants born with neonatal abstinence syndrome, repeals the Cancer Advisory Committee and the cancer control officer position, and revises the commissioner's duties regarding cancer prevention, control, and treatment programs. The "Osteoporosis Prevention and Treatment Education Act" is repealed, and provisions related to establishing a network of postnatal tissue and fluid banks are revised to allow public or private entities to establish them, while also repealing the Georgia Commission for Saving the Cure. Optional taxpayer contributions to stem cell research are eliminated, and the Arthritis Prevention and Control Program is repealed. Finally, certain duties related to home-delivered meals are transferred from the Department of Community Health to the Department of Public Health.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (7)
Matt Brass (R)*,
Greg Dolezal (R)*,
Drew Echols (R)*,
Sonya Halpern (D)*,
Bo Hatchett (R)*,
Kay Kirkpatrick (R)*,
Ben Watson (R)*,
Last Action
House Second Readers (on 02/25/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72638 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/243551 |
| Floor Amend 1 AM 52 0088 | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/243460 |
| Floor Amend 1B | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/243469 |
| Floor Amend 1A AM 52 0089 | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/243458 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/240910 |
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