2025 Legislative Session Highlights 

A note from the GHA Team: 

We want to extend our sincere thanks to each of our members for your active engagement and support throughout the legislative session. Your leadership, collaboration, and willingness to step up made a significant difference in our collective efforts to promote better hospital care for all Georgia’s patients. This success was truly the result of a team effort, and your involvement was crucial. From thoughtful input, to traveling long distances to show the importance of in-person advocacy, you helped make the hospital industry and healthcare voice strong. We’re grateful for the strong sense of unity and shared purpose that made this session so impactful, and we look forward to building on this momentum together into the second year of this biennium. 

The Governor now has 40 calendar days to sign or veto legislation that made it to his desk, and legislation that is not signed will automatically become law after the veto period ends. GHA will provide an update with the legal impact of each bill after the signing period has ended on May 14, 2025. 

During the 2025 legislative session, the GHA government relations team and policy staff worked hard to serve you. During the legislative session, GHA....

• Tracked 312 bills total.  
• Added 15 bills to the "GHA Hot List."
• Attended daily committee meetings across 21 committees and provided testimony and expert policy perspective on issues impacting hospitals. 
• Actively engaged on more than 25 individual bills and issues with legislators and stakeholders, including providing in-depth policy analyses, legislative language, and individual hospital perspectives.
• Participated in multiple media interviews on legislative issues. 
• Wrote multiple position letters to share on the desks of senators and representatives as well as committees. 
• Testified in committee multiple times. 
• Reviewed and made changes to legislation as needed. 
• Created 12 Capitol Check-Up videos to share weekly updates.
• Sent 40 Capitol Health Hotline communications. 
• Sent 10+ Calls to Action.  
  • Additionally, multiple hospital members testified in Committee.

Major Highlights:  
House Bills 
✅HB 54, introduced by Rep. David Clark (R-Buford), carried by Sen. Matt Brass (R-Newnan), would authorize physician assistants (PA) to order home healthcare services for patients of licensed home health agencies. The bill also clarifies definitions related to home health agencies and services, including specifying the types of care that can be provided, such as nursing, therapy, and medical social services. The bill also states that PAs complete continuing education on death certificates. An amendment was added on the Senate floor to allow advance practice registered nurses (APRNs) these same abilities and prohibits referrals from providers that have an ownership interest. GHA has not taken a position on this bill. HB 54 now moves to the Governor’s desk for final consideration.  
 
✅HB 89, introduced by Rep. Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta), carried by Sen. Bo Hatchett (R-Cornelia), requires healthcare providers, facilities, and pharmacies to provide medical and psychiatric records to the Maternal Mortality Review Committee, which will assess maternal deaths and make recommendations for prevention. The bill establishes the Regional Perinatal Center Advisory Committee to oversee the state's regional perinatal system, assess its adequacy every four years, and provide recommendations for improvement. Hospitals seeking designation as regional perinatal centers must meet specific criteria and report their capabilities. The Department of Public Health (DPH) is tasked with presenting a perinatal care plan every four years and implementing related rules and regulations. GHA worked with DPH on the language and intent of this legislation to ensure existing perinatal centers are not negatively impacted. GHA also provided DPH with recommended language changes to provide clarification for regional perinatal centers across the state. HB 89 now moves to the Governor’s desk for final consideration. 
 
❌ HB 139, introduced by Rep. Todd Jones (R-South Forsyth), would prohibit drug manufacturers and wholesalers from restricting licensed pharmacies from acquiring and dispensing drugs purchased through federal 340B drug discount program arrangements. No action was taken as this was a hearing only, but there were many representatives from the pharmaceutical and wholesale industries in attendance and joining by video to testify in opposition to this legislation. GHA worked with Chairman Jones on this legislation and is grateful for his support of the 340B program. HB 139 remains in the House Health Committee and is viable for the 2026 Legislative Session.  
 
❌ HB 251, introduced by Rep. Lauren McDonald (R-Cumming), would allow certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) to order and administer anesthesia and develop an anesthesia plan under certain conditions. This bill specifies that CRNAs must administer anesthesia under the direction and responsibility of a licensed physician while coordinating with another licensed physician. It clarifies that healthcare facilities may establish their own policies on anesthesia provisions and that physicians not directly involved in anesthesia delivery are not liable for a CRNA’s actions. No action was taken today. The bill will be heard again in committee tomorrow. GHA supports the ability of healthcare providers to practice at the full extent of their training and experience. HB 251 remains in the House Regulated Industries Committee and is viable for the 2026 Legislative Session. 
 
❌ HB 262, introduced by Rep. Angie O’Steen (R-Ambrose), establishes a grant program under the Georgia Department of Community Health to provide funding for small rural hospitals under 100 beds, in a rural county (50,000 residents or less), and on the list of counties included by the Governor in the State of Emergency. The department will work with the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency to set grant criteria and determine award amounts. Priority will be given to hospitals without existing backup generators. GHA is supportive of this bill. HB 262 remains in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and is viable for the 2026 Legislative Session. 
 
❌ HB 291, introduced by Rep. Darlene Taylor (R-Thomasville), would establish a certification system for community health workers. This bill would create the Georgia Community Health Worker Certification Committee, set standards for training programs and certification requirements, establish tiered levels of practice, and provide for complaint resolution and disciplinary actions. It also mandates that all community health workers and training programs be certified and regulated by the committee with oversight from the Department of Health. GHA supports this bill and other efforts to grow and certify the healthcare workforce. HB 291 remains in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and is viable for the 2026 Legislative Session. 
 
❌ HB 298, introduced by Rep. Trey Kelley (R-Cedartown), focuses on enhancing nurse staffing standards in hospitals, ensuring adequate patient care, and establishing mechanisms for reporting and monitoring staffing conditions. In this bill, hospitals are required to establish nurse staffing committees composed of representatives from various nursing services to develop written nurse staffing plan recommendations to hospital leadership for consideration, but these plans are not required to be implemented. Many of the requirements of this legislation are already required via licensure standards or Joint Commission standards. Importantly, this bill does NOT contain mandatory staffing ratios for hospitals, nor does it require hospitals to implement prescribed staffing ratios within their facility. An amendment was added in committee that would change the percentage from 50 to 75 percent of patient care during work time for members of the staffing committee. This amendment clarifies that the committee members must be giving direct patient care. The amendment also would include 2 representatives (on lines 147, 152, and 156), for certain categories of a Governor appointed statewide recommendation committee. GHA has worked with the author and other stakeholders prior to and after the introduction of this bill to ensure hospitals are able to comply without overburdensome regulation, and that the bill does not mandate staffing ratios or require leadership to implement committee recommendations. HB 298 remains in the House Health Committee and is viable for the 2026 Legislative Session. 
 
❌ HB 471, introduced by Rep. Mike Cheokas (R-Americus), mandates that licensed general hospitals and birthing centers in Georgia make available a water safety education video to parents or guardians before discharge from a hospital or birthing center. GHA has not taken a position on this bill. HB 471 remains in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and is viable for the 2026 Legislative Session. 
 
❌ HB 612, introduced by Rep. Katie Dempsey (R-Rome), creates a new process for reporting and analyzing mental health parity violations. The bill establishes a new Parity Compliance Review Panel under the Behavioral Health Coordinating Council and requires healthcare providers, including individual practitioners, hospitals, and other facilities to report suspected violations of Georgia’s mental health parity laws to the new panel. GHA is working with stakeholders to ensure that any parity requirements are inclusive of all insurer data and do not impose a burden on hospital resources and staff. HB 612 remains in the Senate Insurance and Labor Committee and is viable for the 2026 Legislative Session. 
 
❌ HB 662, introduced by Rep. Angie O’Steen (R-Ambrose), would revise the definition of "rural hospital organization" for rural hospital tax credit eligibility. Specifically, the bill is written to allow Federally designated “rural emergency hospitals” to participate in the tax credit program. This is the sister bill to SB 80. An amendment was added to line 12 to include “operates an outpatient emergency department,” which would allow freestanding emergency departments to participate in the rural hospital tax credit program. GHA is evaluating the impact of the amendment adopted in committee. HB 662 remains in the House Health Committee and is viable for the 2026 Legislative Session. 
 
❌ HR 592, introduced by Rep. Mark Newton (R-Augusta), would create the House Study Committee on Noncompete Clauses in Physician Contracts. This study committee would evaluate the effect that noncompete clauses in physician contracts have on patient care and the healthcare system. GHA has not taken a position on this bill. HR 592 remains in the House Health Committee and is viable for the 2026 Legislative Session. 
 
✅ HR 611, introduced by Rep. Katie Dempsey (R-Rome), establishes the House Study Committee on Abandoned Child Placement Following Hospital Discharge to analyze gaps in community services for minors discharged from psychiatric hospitalization or emergency care. The committee will examine the availability of step-down and community-based support services, clarify the responsibilities of state agencies, hospitals, and insurers, and explore ways to improve care coordination. It will also assess the financial costs of addressing mental health needs and explore programs to prevent parental disengagement. GHA has not taken a position on this resolution. HR 611 was adopted by the House. 
 
Senate Bills 
 
✅ SB 5, introduced by Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (R-Marietta), carried by Rep. Lee Hawkins (R-Gainesville), requires health insurers to implement programs that selectively reduce prior authorization requirements for healthcare providers based on evidence-based medical practices. This bill is similar to the “gold-card” language that Sen. Kirkpatrick has introduced in the past. GHA supports efforts to streamline the process for providers to be reimbursed for services. A substitute was introduced in committee that would add HB 124. HB 124, introduced by Rep. Mitchell Scoggins (R-Cartersville), would mandate insurance coverage for healthcare services related to Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) and Pediatric Acute Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS). GHA has not taken a position on HB 124. SB 5 now moves to the Governor’s desk for final consideration. 
 
✅ SB 68, introduced by Sen. John Kennedy (R-Macon), carried by Rep. James Burchett (R-Waycross), includes a number of reforms for Georgia’s civil liability laws, including provisions that address GHA’s Healthcare Liability Reform priorities to prohibit anchoring of the jury and allowing evidence of actual medical expenses, among other things. The bill also includes provisions allowing for trial bifurcation, prohibititing the double recovery of attorneys’ fees, allowing a jury to know whether the occupant of a vehicle wore a seatbelt, revising the standard for premises liability, and other procedural reforms. The bill allows either party to suggest a value for a plaintiff’s pain and suffering but limits these statements to the closing argument portion of a trial, and any suggestions must be “rationally related to the evidence of noneconomic damages.” An amendment was adopted on the Senate floor to the phantom damages section that would allow for the introduction of both billed and paid medical charges into evidence. The amendment also addresses letters of protection, requiring plaintiffs to disclose when they have sold their medical bills under a letter of protection to a medical factoring company. A substitute was introduced in the House subcommittee that would clean up multiple sections of the bill. The substitute adds language to the anchoring section to clarify that non-economic damages can be argued in first and second closing arguments and must be the same number for each mention. GHA is strongly supportive of this bill. We are grateful to Sen. Kennedy, Speaker Burns, Lt. Gov. Jones and Gov. Kemp for supporting this important legislation. SB 68 now moves to the Governor’s desk for final consideration. 
 
✅ SB 69, introduced by Sen. John Kennedy (R-Macon), carried by Rep. James Burchett (R-Waycross), is the second bill in the Governor’s tort reform package, and this single-subject bill addresses third-party litigation funding in Georgia. This bill aims to shine a light on financier practices by requiring these entities to register, report, and follow strict guidelines related to practices and involvement in civil cases. This bill also allows for juries in civil cases to be notified if a third-party financier is involved in the case. A substitute was presented in committee that clarifies certain areas of the bill where questions have arisen regarding how it would work in certain situations. An amendment was added on the Senate floor that would include the seatbelt admissibility language from SB 68 and change the effective date of this section. GHA has not taken a position on this particular bill, but we are closely monitoring it due to the impact on hospitals and as a part of the Governor’s tort reform package. SB 69 now moves to the Governor’s desk for final consideration. 
 
❌ SB 80, introduced by Sen. Carden Summers (R-Cordele), revises the definition of a "rural hospital organization" to include acute care hospitals as well as Rural Emergency Hospitals, which are defined as “rural free-standing emergency departments” that have a primary campus located in a rural county or is a critical access hospital, participates in both Medicaid and Medicare, and more. This language was a part of HB 1339 from last legislative session but was removed before final passage. GHA supports this bill. SB 80 remains in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and is viable for the 2026 Legislative Session. 
 
❌ SB 95, introduced by Sen. Ben Watson (R-Savannah), would make exemptions from the certificate of need program for life plan communities. In this bill, both for-profit and nonprofit life plan communities are included, with specific conditions for nonprofit communities. The bill states new sheltered nursing home beds in nonprofit communities to be used by non-residents for up to five years after licensing, with a gradual reduction in non-resident occupancy each year. After five years, the facility must exclusively serve community residents. Existing patients will not be forced to leave, and Medicaid reimbursement is not available for sheltered nursing beds used by non-residents in for-profit communities. GHA supports the preservation of the existing CON process. SB 95 remains in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and is viable for the 2026 Legislative Session. 
 
❌ SB 142, introduced by Sen. Kim Jackson (D-Stone Mountain), would facilitate licensure for qualifying international medical graduates. It introduces provisions for provisional, limited, and full licensure including requirements for employment at approved institutions, passing relevant examinations, and meeting board-defined criteria. A substitute was introduced in committee clarifying this would only be for facilities where the staff of this facility would have the capacity, personnel, and ability to provide the services necessary for training. GHA generally supports efforts to expand our healthcare workforce in Georgia. SB 142 remains in the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee and is viable for the 2026 Legislative Session. 
 
❌ SB 162, introduced by Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome), would enable the Georgia Composite Medical Board to implement an automated licensure system for healthcare providers statewide. By July 1, 2025, this system would manage and automate licensure requirement verification for physicians, licensed physician assistants, and anesthesiologist assistants. This information will be accessible to state medical boards and providers, notify applicants of deficiencies, ensure timely processing of applications, and handle additional necessary functions as determined by the board. GHA supports efforts to streamline and expedite the licensure and credentialing process. SB 80 remains in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and is viable for the 2026 Legislative Session. 
 
❌ SB 367, introduced by Sen. Bill Cowsert (R-Athens), is a Certificate of Need bill that was introduced. SB 367 would exempt healthcare facilities, services, and equipment dedicated exclusively to cancer treatment from these CON requirements. It outlines various types of facilities and services that qualify for the exemption, including hospitals, clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, outpatient services, hospice care, clinical trial facilities, and advanced oncological treatment technologies. This specific legislation is not eligible to receive final passage this session because it was introduced after crossover day; however, this language could be amended to another bill to bypass the regular process. GHA has significant concerns about the impact of this legislation to hospitals and has expressed those to the author and Senate, especially in light of the significant changes to the Certificate of Need program during the 2024 Legislative Session. SB 367 remains in the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee and is viable for the 2026 Legislative Session. 
 
Budget Highlights 
After twice being immediately transmitted between chambers, the House and Senate agreed on House Bill 67, the Amended Fiscal Year 2025 budget, which was signed by the Governor March 6th. Highlights of the final version include the following: 
 
$21.9 million in one-time grants to 27 public rural and critical access hospitals to assist in financial stabilization and Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. GHA worked with both the House and Senate prior to Session on this effort to ensure rural hospitals were included and to maximize the final amount of these grant dollars. 
 
$160,000 to eight federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) to assist in financial stabilization and Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. This represents an increase of $60,000 compared to the Senate version and adds three new recipients. 
 
$2.8 million for quality incentive payments at skilled nursing facilities. 
 
$250,000 for a campaign to educate Georgians on the adverse effects of vaping. 
 
$20 million for graduate medical education grants to support new and expanding rural residency programs in South Georgia. This item was added by the Senate and was left unchanged in the final version. 
 
$12.5 million in start-up funds for graduate medical education, $1.5 million in additional graduate medical education grants, and $79,402 for two child and adolescent psychiatric fellowship positions. 
 
The Conference Committee version of House Bill 68, the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Appropriations Bill, incorporates an additional $50 million in revenue—approved by Governor Kemp—to facilitate agreement between the House and Senate while upholding the constitutional requirement for a balanced budget. Key highlights include: 
 
$3.9 million in new state funding, which represents over $11.6 million in total funds, to expand the newborn add-on payment for delivery services in rural Georgia and adds an add-on payment for new sites. These funds will assist in the provision of the necessary infrastructure in order to provide high quality labor and delivery care. GHA worked closely with the House and Senate on this idea in the final days of Session to 
 
 $7.4 million in new funding for graduate medical education. This includes $3 million for 150 new residency slots, $469,654 in new fellowships, and $4 million to establish a grant program to support new and expanding residency programs. 
 
$19.4 million in reimbursement rate increases for providers treating patients on Medicaid across the state. The services include: $6.2 million for emergency medical services (EMS) transports to provide payment for the first 10 miles of transportation and air ambulance transfers; $1.9 million for neonatologists and maternal fetal medicine specialists; $5.4 million for applied behavior analysis; $3.4 million for primary care physicians; $1.6 million for dental code increases; and $500,000 for privately-owned intermediate care facilities treating individuals with intellectual disabilities. 
 
$600,000 is included to support quality improvement at birthing facilities by increasing the number of birthing facilities with verified maternal and neonatal levels of care. 
 
$600,000 is included for six perinatal regional centers to provide for surveillance, training, and monitoring of high-risk infants and increased access to maternal fetal medicine. 
  
Final Passage – Sent to Governor 
Did not pass – remains viable for 2026