Friend–
The first 30 days of the 2019 legislative session
are behind us, are we’ve got a lot of bills to update you on! Thanks to you, our supporters, we have seen progress on a historic number of bills on our legislative priorities. TEN legislative days remain, so make a contribution now and help continue to push for these bills:
For the first time in the history of our state, the House of Representatives passed a bill that specifically protects the LGBTQ community. HB 426, the State Hate Crime Statute, passed the House after hundreds of Georgia Equality supporters contacted their legislators! It now heads to the Senate, and we’re going to need your help again!
By contrast, because of the huge outpouring of opposition, SB 221, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act which would legalize discrimination under the guise of religious liberty did not receive a hearing in committee, which is another huge accomplishment for our community! We’ve got 10 days left to stop RFRA and push for hate crime legislation donate now to help us finish the fight.
Also advancing through the House of Representatives was a trio of HIV/AIDS related bills that Georgia Equality is proud to be supporting–
HB 158, which syncs the Medicaid and ADAP (AIDS Drug Assistance Program) formularies concerning access to antiretroviral drugs,
HB 217, which allows certain groups to distribute clean needles, and
HB 290 which establishes pilot PrEP distribution programs around the state.
The State Senate passed SB 106, the Patients First Act, which would allow the State Department of Community Health the apply for a waiver with the US Department of Health and Human Services for medicaid expansion.
Other bills that we are watching, that did not receive a vote in committee are:
HB 19, the State Civil Rights Bill which would protect LGBTQ people from discrimination in housing, employment and in public spaces,
HB 133, which would ensure medically accurate information is included in HIV/AIDS prevention education,
HB 580, sponsored by Rep. Matthew Wilson, would ban conversion therapy,
We have 10 legislative days left to finish the fight. Are you with us?
Jeff Graham
Executive Director
PS: Don’t forget to join us for LGBTQ Lobby Day on March 21. RSVP now!