Dear Recovery Leaders:
It was a brilliant Session for the Georgia Recovery Community. The Georgia Council for Recovery was on duty for the Georgia Recovery Community advocating for those bills which advance peer positive policy and working to educate those who supported bills less than positive for peers and families impacted by the disease of addiction.
We are excited to report that 15 bills, supported by the Georgia Council for Recovery, passed the General Assembly.
Some of these bills have already been signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp, and we have every confidence the others will, likewise, be signed into law in the next few weeks.
We made history with three bills which advance the availability of opioid antagonists to be available in time of crisis in more places across Georgia. Opioid antagonists are now required in primary schools and most state and local government buildings across Georgia. There was also a bill to clarify and make legal opioid antagonists in vending machines. This will save lives in communities across Georgia.
The positive work to advance peer positive policy and reform the behavioral health system in Georgia continued and we made tremendous strides. Significant work was done to build a stronger workforce, with peers included, and allow for historic reforms in licensing to allow for more services to more people in more communities across Georgia.
There were other important bills passed addressing serious policy issues such as local governments and compliance with federal law regarding zoning applications and addiction services and how Georgia will address the fentanyl crisis.
The Georgia Council for Recovery:
- Led on passing 15 peer positive behavioral health bills.
- Hosted four General Assembly Town Hall Meetings.
- Gave testimony six times before legislative committees.
- Hosted the largest ARAD – Addiction Recovery Awareness Day in history.
- Co-hosted the Third Annual Rural Recovery Rally.
- Hosted The Inaugural Recovery Is Real Under the Gold Dome Advocacy Day.
- Coordinated the effort to include peers on the six Opioid Settlement Community Meetings.
- Participated the 25th Anniversary of Peer Support in Georgia Celebration on the House Floor.
- Hosted the Georgia Recovers Bus Tour announcement for Commissioner Kevin Tanner of DBHDD.
- Co-hosted 11 Mental Health Monday Advocacy events.
- Served as a local host partner for the Rx Summit – the largest addiction conference in America.
- Hosted an event to celebrate the installation of the Overdose Reversal Kit in the State Capitol.
- Delivered remarks at Mental Health Day at the Capitol.
- Delivered remarks at Harm Reduction Day at the Capitol.
- Delivered remarks at the Georgia Department of Community Affairs Housing Symposium.
- Delivered remarks at Health Mothers Healthy Babies Day at the Capitol.
- Participated in Prevention Day at the Capitol.
- Participated in Mental Health Parity Day at the Capitol.
- Participated in the Unholy Tour – in support of ending human trafficking.
It was a busy Session. It is important to thank Governor Brian Kemp, Lt. Governor Burt Jones, Speaker David Ralston and Commissioner Kevin Tanner for their resolute leadership and support. It is equally important to thank the General Assembly Working Group on Addiction and Recovery and the General Assembly Mental Health Caucus for their bipartisan support for peers and families impacted by addiction.
Additionally, our deepest thanks and appreciation to everyone who volunteered in response to an advocacy call to action. No matter how you participated: via sending e-mails, making phone calls, on social media, or in person at the Capitol – it was your voice that made the difference – you are the power behind peer led recovery advocacy and we thank you – very much.
One special note, there was one person who went above and beyond. Without this person driving several hours a day, several days a week, every week of the Session. Paying for parking and gas at their own expense. Missing their day job and being away from family. Jon Langston showed up, spoke up, and showed what peer led advocacy can accomplish. Thank you, Jon Langston, for your leadership and commitment – you saved lives.
It is a tremendous privilege to serve you as we advocate. I have good news…now that the General Assembly has adjourned Sine Die, we will do four things:
- Prepare our efforts to educate and advocate with our Georgia Congressional Delegation
- Work in local communities across Georgia with local elected officials.
- Bring a number of FREE advocacy training courses (with a new format) to a community near you.
- Prepare for the 2025 Georgia General Assembly, ARAD, and Rural Recovery Rally.
Recovery is Real.
Onward
For Recovery
Jeff Breedlove
#GARecovers
SB 395 By Senator Clint Dixon – FINAL PASSAGE AWAITING GOVERNOR ACTION
*** SB 395 had HB 1170 and HB 1035 opioid antagonist language added. All three opioid antagonist bills passed under SB 395 **
SB 395 By Senator Clint Dixon – FINAL PASSAGE AWAITING GOVERNOR ACTION
A: authorizes opioid antagonists in elementary and secondary education schools. This is a necessary legal requirement to define legal protections regarding the storage and administration of opioid antagonists on school property. It is necessary to establish legal immunity for any person who administers an opioid antagonist and to spell out legal protocols for activation of the emergency medical services system and notification of emergency contacts.
B: requires that certain state government buildings, courthouses, and university buildings maintain and make accessible opioid antagonists. The bill allows for opioid antagonists to be placed in all buildings where the state requires a defibrillator.
C: permits an expansion of supplying opioid antagonists through vending machines addressing the Department of Public Health standing order to allow for more opioid antagonists to be stocked in these machines and expand the exemption of naloxone from the definition of a dangerous drug to include any opioid antagonist when used for drug overdose prevention; it also will authorize the board of pharmacy to regulate the sale and supply of opioid antagonists through vending machines and provide that practitioners may dispense and supply opioid antagonists to certain individuals and entities; it also will repeal the requirement that an opioid antagonist must have a prescription in order for a individual who administers it to have civil, criminal, and professional immunity; and it will provide immunity for harm reduction organizations that supply opioid antagonists to certain individuals.
HB 181 By Representative Rick Townsend – FINAL PASSAGE AWAITING GOVERNOR ACTION
HB 181 – The Kratom Bill was complex and has seen many substitutes and amendments. Initially, GC4R OPPOSED HB 181 as the initial version sought to classify kratom as a Schedule 1 drug which would make its possession a felony. GC4R testified in opposition to this version of the bill and advocated for language to allow the Georgia Harm Reduction Community to continue to have access to kratom. GC4R appreciates Representative Rick Townsend for agreeing to our position. After much deliberation between Georgia legislators, the language of HB 181 was significantly amended. No longer does it seek an outright ban on kratom. The current version of the bill instead aims to impose regulations on kratom, similar to the types enacted in other states. HB 181 now seeks to raise the minimum age from 18 to 21, ban certain forms of kratom use (vaping), expand the labeling requirements, require manufacturers to register with the state, and mandate that kratom be sold behind the counter or in a locked glass case—among other restrictions.
HB 1073 By Representative Dale Washburn – FINAL PASSAGE AWAITING GOVERNOR ACTION
HB 1073 relates to proposed zoning decisions and procedures on zoning regarding halfway houses, drug rehabilitation centers, or other facilities for treatment of drug dependency. GC4R and many others have reason to believe that there are those in Georgia citing outdated Federal Law to justify requiring six months delay for zoning applications related to addiction. This legislation will mandate that all government entities comply with current Federal Law and treat addiction zoning applications the same as all other zoning applications which is two months.
SB 465 By Russ Goodman – FINAL PASSAGE AWAITING GOVERNOR ACTION
SB 465 serves as effort to allow families who have lost a loved one the opportunity to have the justice system honor their memory. The Georgia Council for Recovery thanks Senator Russ Goodman and Representative James Burchett for their leadership on this important legislation. SB 465 was worked on in numerous public hearings in both chambers of the General Assembly.
HB 404 By Representative Kasey Carpenter – FINAL PASSAGE AWAITING GOVERNOR ACTION
HB 404 relates to landlords and tenants, so as to provide for a duty of habitability for certain rental agreements and provides for a series of legal requirements which provide tenants expanded protections in the Georgia Code.
HB 873 By Representative Stan Gunter – FINAL PASSAGE AWAITING GOVERNOR ACTION
HB 873 will create juvenile treatment court divisions providing alternative adjudication to the traditional judicial system thus allowing for the opportunity for juveniles to receive medical support as opposed to entering the adult criminal justice system.
SB 373 By Senator Larry Walker – FINAL PASSAGE AWAITING GOVERNOR ACTION
SB 373 would allow marriage and family therapists who have practiced lawfully in other states to move more quickly through the licensure process in Georgia. So long as an applicant holds a valid license, is considered in good standing with another state, does not have a criminal record, is a legal resident and pays the necessary fees, the expedited license should be issued within 30 days.
SB 375 By Senator Brian Strickland – FINAL PASSAGE AWAITING GOVERNOR ACTION
SB 375 adds the Commissioner of Veterans Services to the Behavioral Health Coordinating Council. Given that many veterans are impacted by Behavioral Health medical issues.
SB 480 By Senator Mike Hodges – FINAL PASSAGE AWAITING GOVERNOR ACTION
SB 480 relates to the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce by providing for student loan repayment for mental health and substance use professionals serving in certain capacities.
SB 377 relates to the courts and social services, respectively, so as to provide for the licensing of qualified residential treatment programs; it will revise the definition of “qualified residential treatment program” to conform with federal law and expand services which allow for childcare.
HB 1344 By Representative Katie Dempsey – FINAL PASSAGE AWAITING GOVERNOR ACTION
HB 1344 allows for certain officials on the Behavioral Health Coordinating Council (BHCC) to be represented by a delegate or agent and authorizes the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists to waive certain requirements for applicants licensed in other jurisdictions.
SB 533 By Senator Brian Strickland – FINAL PASSAGE AWAITING GOVERNOR ACTION
SB 533 supports peer rights (mental health) relating to plea of mental incompetency to stand trail and provides for jail based restoration programs.
HB 451 By Devan Seabaugh – FINAL PASSAGE AWAITING GOVERNOR ACTION
HB 451 allows for behavioral health insurance support for our hero first responders by requiring local governments to cover post-traumatic stress disorders.
