♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ >>> I THINK MOST SCHOOLS ARE DOING SOME FORM OF THESE INTRUDER DRILLS, AND I'M VOTING FOR THIS BILL BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY ALL DO.

A WANT OUR BABIES AND TEACHERS TO BE AS SAFE AS THEY CAN, AND I KNOW THE SCHOOL BOARD CAN OPPORTUNITY OUT FOR MAKE A PROVISION FOR PARENTS TO OPT THEIR CHILDREN OUT, AND I HOPE THAT NO ONE DOES THAT.

>> IN THE HOUSE, MEMBERS DEBATED A BILL THAT WOULD SET UP SCHOOL SAFETY TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR EDUCATORS.

GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS" ON LEGISLATIVE DAY 24.

I'M DONNA LOWERY IN ATLANTA.

ON THIS DAY, LEGISLATORS OFFER US A CLOSER LOOK AT LAND ISSUES IN GEORGIA.

WE'LL LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PRIVATELY OWNED GREEN ISLAND AND WHAT THEY'LL DO TO TRY TO ACQUIRE AND PRESERVE IT.

THEY'LL ALSO TALK ABOUT LEGISLATION ABOUT THE SWAMP AND HEAR ABOUT AN ENVIRONMENTAL BILL AIMED AT THE COAL ASH ISSUE AND THE GEORGIA POWER FACILITY IS JUST NORTH OF MACON.

SEVERAL BILLS ARE TRYING TO HELP WITH VICTIMS' RIGHTS.

SPONSORS OF A FEW OF THOSE BILLS JOIN US IN THE SHOW.

FIRST, LET'S GET AN UPDATE ON THE BUSY DAY AT THE CAPITAL.

TODAY IN THE HOUSE A PARTICULARLY CHARGED DEBATE ABOUT HOUSE BILL 147 AND SAFETY PLANS FOR GEORGIA SCHOOLS.

REPRESENTATIVE WILL WADE CARRIED THE SAFE SCHOOLS ACT ON BEHALF OF GOVERNOR KIM.

>> THIS BILL DOES FOUR THINGS.

FIRST, IT ESTABLISHES A VOLUNTEER SCHOOL SAFETY AND CURRENT TEACHERS OR FUTURE TEACHERS.

IT ENCOURAGES COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES WITHIN THEIR TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAMS TO INCLUDE TRAINING AND BEST PRACTICES FOR PROMOTING AND PRESERVING SAFE SCHOOLS AND IDENTIFYING AND DETERRING YOUTH GANGS.

IT ALSO ENSURES THAT SCHOOL SAFETY PLANS THAT ARE CURRENTLY SUBMITTED TO THEIR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES BE ADDITIONALLY SHARED WITH JIMA AND HOMELAND SECURITY AND LAST, BUT NOT LEAST, THIS WILL REQUIRE AN ANNUAL INTRUDER ALERT BILL BEFORE OCTOBER 1st AND THERE IS A PROVISION FOR STUDENTS AND FACULTY TO HAVE AN OPT OUT.

>> THEY WERE DIVIDED ON MANDATING INTRUDER ALERT DRILLS.

THE SAFE SCHOOLS ACT HAS A NICE NAME, BUT IT IS ULTIMATELY NOT GOOD POLICY SINCE IT PLACES THE OWN US OF SAFETY ON STUDENTS AND TEACHERS.

SOME STUDENTS LIKE REPRESENTATIVE JASMINE CLARK'S DAUGHTER SAY THAT THESE DRILLS DON'T WORK.

>> SHE SAID, MOM, THESE DRILLS DO NOT WORK BECAUSE IF THE SHOOTER IS ANOTHER STUDENT THEY AREN'T STUPID.

THEY KNOW THE SCHOOL IS NOT EMPTY.

THEY KNOW WE'RE IN THERE AND ALSO THEY'VE DONE THESE DRILLS.

THEY KNOW THE PROTOCOL.

THEY KNOW WHERE WE ARE AND THEY ARE STILL GOING TO KILL US.

REPRESENTATIVE ALLEN WESTBROOK SAID MANDATED INTRUDER DRILLS MANDATE FOR STUDENT TEACHERS.

>> THEY COULD HAVE A SIGNIFICANT MENTAL IMPACT ON STUDENTS' MENTAL HEALTH.

THEY CONDUCTED THE IMMEDIATE STUDY OF IMMEDIATE AND LONG TERM IMPACT ON THE SHOOTER DRILLS ON THE WELL-BEING OF STUDENTS AND PARENTS.

IT REVEALED A 42% IN ANXIETY AND A 39% INCREASE IN DEPRESSION.

WE DO NOT NEED TO GIVE TEACHERS MORE TO DO AND MORE REASONS TO LEAVE THE PROFESSION IN THIS SIT.

>> BUT DEMOCRAT DEPPS' STACY EVANS ROSE TO SUPPORT THE BILL SAYING THE REALITY IS NECESSARY, BUT HEARTBREAKING.

>> IF THERE IS A SCHOOL SHOOTING AND OUR CHILDREN ARE ABLE TO SOME OF THEM STAY IN A ROOM AND CONVINCE SOMEBODY THAT NO ONE'S IN THERE, THAT'S ONLY GOING TO WORK IF EVERYBODY KNOWS HOW TO DO IT.

5-YEAR-OLDS FINDING THE DEEPEST CORNER IN THEIR CLASSROOM OR A LITTLE CREVICE BEHIND WHERE THEY HANG THEIR COATS AND BACK PACKS UP, GETTING DOWN AS CLOSE TO THE GROUND AS THEY CAN AND BEING ABSOLUTELY SILENT.

THE TEACHER PUTTING BLACK CONSTRUCTION PAPER OVER THE WINDOW THAT ARE ON MOST SCHOOL CLASSROOM DOORS SO THAT IT LOOKS LIKE NO ONE IS THERE AND THEN EVERYBODY BEING QUIET.

5 YEARS OLD.

>> REPRESENTATIVE LISA HAGAN, A FORMER CLASSROOM TEACHER SAYS THE BILL GIVES CHILDREN A TOOL AGAINST THOSE WHO WILL CONTINUE DISREGARD EXISTING SCHOOL SAFETY ZONES.

>> I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS TEACHING FOURTH GRADE IN LARKSVILLE WHEN COLUMBINE THE KIDS CAME TO SCHOOL THE NEXT DAY AND THEY WERE SCARED, AND WE HAD TO TALK ABOUT THIS.

WE COULD NOT ADDRESS IT, AND I AGREE WITH THOSE OF YOU THAT DON'T THINK WE SHOULD HAVE TO, BUT I THINK IT'S -- IT'S NOT IN THE BEST SERVICE OF OUR CHILDREN TO NOT GIVE THEM THE TOOLS AND THE PREPARATION THAT THEY NEED SHOULD THIS HAPPEN.

>> HB-147 PASSED, 148-20.

MOST OF THE REPRESENTATIVES WITH NAY VOTES WERE WOMEN.

IN THE SENATE IT MIGHT BE EASIER NOW FOR YOU TO VOTE IN THE NEXT ELECTION.

SB-129 LETS EMPLOYERS ALLOW UP TO TWO HOURS TO VOTE IN ANY LOCAL, STATE OR FEDERAL ELECTION.

SPECKLY FOR ADVANCED IN-PERSON VOTING.

THAT BILL PASSED 51-4.

RURAL HEALTH CARE GOT A BOOST TODAY, AS WELL.

SENATE BILL 99 WOULD MAKE THE CERTIFICATE OF NEED REQUIREMENT EXEMPT ON NEW RURAL HOSPITALS THAT PROVIDE ACUTE CARE AS LONG AS THEY TREAT A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF MEDICARE, MEDICAID AND INDIGENT PATIENTS.

>> WE HAVE A NEED FOR INNOVATION AND ACCESS TO EXPAND INTO RURAL GEORGIA AS IT RELATES TO HEALTH CARE, AND THIS IS A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN.

CON IS A REGULATORY MECHANISM TO CONTROL THE VOLUME OF HEALTH CARE AND IS THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF WHAT WE NEED IN RURAL GEORGIA.

SO WE'LL ALLOW NEW HOUSE BILL CONSTRUCTION IN RURAL GEORGIA.

>> CRITICS SAY THE CERTIFICATE OF NEED RULE IS THERE FOR A REASON.

>> WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS SKIRTING REGULATIONS THAT ARE IN PLACE IN GEORGIA THAT'S VERY, VERY CLOSE TO THE HOSPITAL IN THE NEXT COUNTY AND THAT WILL ADVERSELY IMPACT THE BOTTOM LINE OF THE HOSPITAL IN THE NEXT COUNTY AND CREATING A SPECIAL CARVEOUT.

ISN'T THAT THE CASE?

THIS IS JUST ANTI-REGULATORY LEGISLATION THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO KEEP THE STATE OUT OF A DECISION TO PUT UP A HOSPITAL AND RUN IT AND WHEN IT NO LONGER -- NO LONGER MEETS THE STATE DEFINITION OF RURAL HOSPITAL IT STILL GETS TO CALL ITSELF ONE AND BENEFITS FROM THE STATE LAW ON RURAL HOSPITALS AND STATE REGULATIONS.

>> I WOULD NOT CLASSIFY US PASSING A LAW UNDER THE CONSTITUTIONAL POWERS THAT WE'VE BEEN GIVEN AND CHANGING LAW AS, QUOTE, SKIRTING REGULATION.

WHAT WE DO IN THIS BUILDING IS REVIEW AND CHANGE THINGS CONSTANTLY, AND I WOULD NOT CHARACTERIZE ANY OF THE CHANGES TO LAW THAT YOU PUT FORWARD AS SKIRTING REGULATION NOR WOULD I RECTIFY THIS AS SKIRTING REGULATION.

THAT BILL PASSED 42-13.

FINALLY, IF THE SOUND OF LEAFBLOWERS DRIVES YOU CRAZY YOU AREN'T GOING TO LIKE SENATE BILL 145.

THAT BILL PROHIBITS BANNING GAS-POWERED LEAFBLOWERS VERSUS ELECTRIC LEAFBLOWERS BECAUSE THE TECHNOLOGY IS NOT EQUAL AS OF YET.

THE LAW WOULD SUNSET IN 2031 TO ALLOW ELECTRIC BLOWER TECHNOLOGY TIME TO EVOLVE.

THAT BILL PASSED 37-16.

THAT'S OUR CAPITAL REPORT.

NOW LET'S DIG DEEPER INTO SOME INDIVIDUAL BILLS DEALING WITH LAND IN GEORGIA.

JOINING ME ARE REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVES JEFFREY PETRIE, AND HE IS HERE FROM THE HOUSE HUMAN RELATIONS AND AGING COMMITTEE AND DEMOCRATIC MARY FRANCIS WILLIAMS OF MARRIETTA.

WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS."

IT'S YOUR FIRST TIME.

THANK YOU FOR COMING.

>> THANK YOU.

>> CHAIRMAN PETRIE, YOUR RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT GREEN ISLAND, AND I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT IT.

GREEN ISLAND IS PRIVATELY OWNED BY THE LEWIS FAMILY.

IT'S 450 ACRES, AND AN ISLAND LOCATED IN CHATHAM COUNTY AND BEFORE WE GET TO THE SPECIFICS OF YOUR ANNOUNCEMENT AND WHAT YOU HAVE TO TELL US, DESCRIBE IT A LITTLE BIT.

YOU'VE BEEN THERE.

>> OH, YEAH.

I'VE BEEN ALL OVER ALL OF THE ISLANDS WHERE I GREW UP AND THIS IS ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL ISLAND ON THE GEORGIA COAST.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE HOW WELL WE PROTECTED THE GEORGIA COAST.

WE HAVE, WITHOUT QUESTION, THE MOST PROTECTED COAST IN THE COUNTRY AND WE HAVE 12 BARRIER ISLANDS IN THE STATE ONLY FOUR OF WHICH HAVE APPRECIABLE POPULATION.

THIS ISLAND IS NOT A BARRIER ISLAND, BUT IT'S YET ANOTHER ISLAND THAT WE CAN PRESERVE AND PROTECT AND IT EXPLODES WITH POPULATION GROWTH.

THE TIME TO DO THAT AS I ALWAYS SAY IS NOW, AND NOT TEN YEARS FROM NOW, AND SO THIS WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A JEWEL, AN ISLAND, THAT IS, JUST ENVIRONMENTALLY AND HISTORICALLY HAS SO MUCH VALUE AND TRY TO PRESERVE IT FOREVER, AND SO IT WAS A LIAISON WITH THE COUNTY, WITH THE FAMILY AND WITH THE STATE TO SAVE AND PROTECT THIS ISLAND FOREVER, OTHERWISE IT WOULD EVENTUALLY LIKELY HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED.

>> IT INVOLVES A $3 MILLION GRANT.

>> YES.

ULTIMATELY, TO TRY TO FIND A SOLUTION WE NEEDED TO GET THE STATE TO -- I INITIALLY BEGAN TRYING TO GET THE STATE TO PURCHASE IT AND TO ADD IT TO OUR STATE PARK.

THAT DIDN'T WORK OUT AND SO WE FOUND A WAY BY PARTNERING WITH THE COUNTY AND SO WE USED GOSA FUND AND THE GEORGIA STEWARDSHIP ACT IS A FUND THAT WE'VE ESTABLISHED SO WHEN OUTDOOR SPORTING GOODS EQUIPMENT IS SOLD, A PORTION OF THOSE SALES TAX GO TO LAND PRESERVATION IN THIS STATE.

THAT WAS A BILL WE PASSED IN 2018, ONE OF THE BEST BILLS I'VE SEEN COME OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE SINCE I'VE BEEN THERE, AND IT ALLOWS US SOME FUNDS FOR THIS PURPOSE, AND SO WE'RE USING THOSE FUNDS AND OUR SUCCESS WAS SO THANKFUL TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR SUPPORTING ME ON THIS.

WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO GET $3 MILLION TO DEDICATE TO THIS PURCHASE TO HELP US TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PRESERVE THIS ISLAND.

>> SO AT SOME POINT IT WILL BE A PARK THAT PEOPLE CAN GO TO, BOATING.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT WILL USE IT FOR?

>> WE CERTAINLY EXPECT PUBLIC ACCESS.

IT WOULD BE ULTIMATELY OWNED BY THE COUNTY.

THERE'S STILL A LOT OF NEGOTIATIONS TO TAKE PLACE BETWEEN THE FAMILY AND THE COUNTY AND SOME LIMITED TO WHAT WE CAN SAY THERE AND WE SEE A PATH FORWARD TO PROTECT THIS ISLAND AND YES, IT WOULD BE FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT.

YOU KNOW, IF EVER THERE WAS A TIME AND WE NEED YOUNG PEOPLE AND ESPECIALLY AFTER THE PANDEMIC WE'VE LEARNED HOW IMPORTANT IT IS THAT WE HAVE A PLACE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE OUTSIDE, TO EXERCISE AND TO ENJOY BEING OUT -- OUTDOORS AND THIS WOULD JUST BE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT IN CHATHAM COUNTY.

>> SO NOT JUST YOUNG PEOPLE.

>> BUT ESPECIALLY YOUNG PEOPLE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS, I KNOW ONE OF YOUR LANDS IS THE OAKY SWAMP.

>> CHAIRMAN TAYLOR HAS HOUSE BILL 71 AND IT WOULD OUTLAW MINING IN THE OAKY FEN OAKY SWAMP.

>> AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION IS THE NATURAL RESOURCES IS CONSIDERING GIVING A PERMIT TO THIS TWIN PINES MINING COMPANY, AND IT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT, IN MY OPINION, SHOULD NOT BE DONE.

THERE'S NO PLACE ON EARTHLIKE THE OAKY FEN OAKY, AND WE NEED TO PRESERVE IT.

IT'S ONE OF THE WONDERS OF THE WORLD AND OTHER FOLKS HAVE TESTIFIED ABOUT IT AND CHAIRMAN TAYLOR HAS 51 SIGNATURES AND TO DATE SHE'S NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET A HEARING IN THE NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE.

>> THAT'S INTERESTING.

>> YOU'RE A SIGNER ON THAT BILL.

>> I WAS ONE OF THE TOP SIGNERS.

>> DOES THAT SURPRISE YOU THAT YOU HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET A HEARING?

>> THERE ARE LEGITIMATE CONCERN PEOPLE HAVE BECAUSE THIS IS PRIVATE PROPERTY, WE BELIEVE AND I BELIEVE AS DOES REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS THAT THERE IS SUCH A UNIQUE LOCATION THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IN THIS TRAIL RIDGE, GEOGRAPHICALLY, IT'S CALLED THE TRAIL RIDGE AND THE HYDROLOGY OF THAT SITE AS IT RELATES TO THE ADJACENT POSITION NEXT TO THE PARK AND NEXT TO THE SWAMP MAKES IT RATHER UNIQUE AND WE BELIEVE, THEREFORE, THIS IS A VERY APPROPRIATE MEASURE AND I'M VERY SUPPORTIVE, BUT I DO UNDERSTAND THOSE THAT ARE OPPOSED.

I UNDERSTAND WHY, BUT THAT'S OUR CHALLENGE TO GETTING IT TO A HEARING.

>> 51 SIGNERS ARE A LOT AND WE'LL KEEP AN EYE ON THAT TODAY AND CROSSOVER DAY.

YOU WERE ON WITH ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND YOU DROPPED A BILL TO DEAL WITH COAL ASH PONDS AND THIS IS AN ISSUE FOR THE JULIETTE AREA IN COBB COUNTY.

TALK TO US ABOUT WHAT THE BILL IS ABOUT.

HOUSE BILL 264 WOULD OUTLAW PUTTING COAL ASH AND STORING IT IN AREAS WHERE YOU'RE SITTING IN GROUNDWATER.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE EPA AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL HAS SAID CANNOT BE DONE.

AS IT TURNS OUT GEORGIA'S POWER ARE MAKING HE STAND IN GROUNDWATER.

MY BILL SAYS THAT YOU CAN'T DO IT.

IT'S ILLEGAL WHICH IS WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS SAID.

>> TELL ME ABOUT THE AREA IN COBB COUNTY.

>> IT'S PLANT McDONNA AND IT IS SITTING ON THE BANKS OF THE CHATTAHOOCHEE, AND THERE ARE 6 MILLION TONS OF COAL ASH.

IT'S BEING MOVED INTO PITS.

IT WAS IN ASH PONDS AND NOW THEY MOVED INTO PITS AND THEY'RE NOT LINING THE PITS AND THEY HEADLINED PITS IN SOME OF THE OTHER SITES IN GEORGIA, BUT THEY'RE NOT WILLING TO DO IT HERE, AND I WOULD JUST SAY, YOU KNOW, THIS WATER -- IT BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE AND TO, YOU KNOW -- IT'S NOT TO BE USED AS ANYBODY'S TRASH HEAP OR WHATEVER.

IT'S A SOURCE OF OUR WATER, OUR DRINKING WATER AND WE NEED TO KEEP THAT SAFE, AND GEORGIA POWER IS USING MONEY THAT HAS BEEN -- THAT REPAIRS MONEY TO DO THIS -- TO DO WHAT THEY'RE DOING WITH THE COAL ASH WHICH IS NOT THE RIGHT WAY TO DO IT, AND IF WE'RE GOING TO DO MONEY I SAY LET'S DO IT THE RIGHT WAY.

>> OKAY.

I KNOW THAT IN OHIO THEY HAVE -- THERE'S BEEN A RULING WITH THE EPA THAT SAYS THEY HAVE TO LINE THOSE TIPS.

WE'LL FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS IN GEORGIA AND KEEP UP WITH WHAT'S GOING ON WITH YOUR BILL.

REAL QUICK, WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF TIME.

YOU HAVE HB-136 THAT YOU WANTED TO TALK ABOUT, DEALING WITH PRISONS REGARDING IMMIGRANTS.

>> IT'S ALL ABOUT TRANSPARENCY AND PUBLIC SAFETY IS AND WHAT IT DOES IS REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO SIMPLY POST ON ITS PUBLIC WEBSITE THE NUMBER OF CRIMINAL ILLEGALS IN THE GEORGIA CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM.

THAT INFORMATION IS RIGHT NOW IMPOSSIBLE FOR CONSTITUENTS TO GET AND TO KNOW, AND INDEED I'VE HAD A HARD TIME GETTING THE EXACT NUMBER FROM THE DEPARTMENT.

WHAT WE DO KNOW IS TODAY IN GEORGIA PRISONS THERE ARE 1525 I.C.E.

DETAINERS THAT ARE VIOLENT OR SEXUAL OFFENDERS.

WE HAVE 175 MURDERERS IN THE STATE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM WHO ARE HERE ILLEGALLY AND THEN COMMITTED A MURDER ON GEORGIA CITIZENS AND CHILD MOLESTERS AND COMMITTED CHILD MOLESTATION ON ONE OR MORE OF OUR CITIZENS AND WE HAVE 125 I.C.E.

DETAINERS ALONE.

I.C.E.

DOES NOT PUT A RETAINER ON ALL OF THE INMATES.

TO WHERE THE PUBLIC IS AWARE TO WHICH ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AFFECTS THE PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> AND THAT'S THE MAIN PART OF YOUR BILL IS TO TRY TO GET THAT INFORMATION.

THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT TO BEGIN WITH.

>> AND TO MAKE IT TRANSPARENT TO THE PUBLIC EVERY QUARTER ON THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS WEBSITE.

OKAY.

>> KEEP AN EYE ON THAT, TOO.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE.

I APPRECIATE IT.

COMING UP, WE'LL TALK ABOUT VICTIMS' RIGHTS LEGISLATIONS WHEN IT COMES TO WORKPLACE HARASSMENT AND SEXUAL ASSAULT KITS.

♪♪ ♪♪ >>> "LAWMAKERS" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY GEORGIA FARM BUREAU.

WITH HELPING EVERYONE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE IN OUR STATE.

AFTER ALL, AG IS GEORGIA'S NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY, FOOD AND FIBER REPRESENTS MORE THAN 41 BILLION IN THE FARM ECONOMY.

THE LEGISLATIVE TEAM WORKS TO REPRESENT USERS ACROSS THE STATE CAPITAL, DURING THE SESSION AND YEAR ROUND.

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU, THE VOICE OF GEORGIA FARMERS.

>> HERE'S WHAT'S NEW THIS MONTH.

>> KRISTEN HAD A LOT OF COURAGE.

SHE FOUGHT FOR BLACK CULTURE.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> THAT'S WHAT WE NEED RIGHT NOW.

>> MY GOD.

>> WHAT IS IT?

>> HE WAS POISONED.

>> THESE AND ALL YOUR FAVORITE SHOWS IS ARE AVAILABLE WITH PASSPORT.

STREAM MORE ON THE PBS APP.

>> WE CARE ABOUT THINGS THAT AFFECT THE LIVES OF EVERY AMERICAN.

>> WE ARE THERE AT THE FRONT LINES.

TO GET TO THE HEART OF WHAT REALLY MATTERS IN EVERY ISSUE.

>> THIS COUNTRY HAS NOT SEEN IT IN 80 YEARS.

>> THIS IS AN EXTRAORDINARY MOMENT IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

>> IT'S MAKING SUCH A HUGE IMPACT.

>> THIS IS AT THE HEART OF WHAT WE DO.

>>> ONE OF THE EASIEST WAYS TO SUPPORT GPB IS TO BECOME A MONTHLY SUSTAINER.

IT CONTINUES MONTH AFTER MONTH AND SUPPORTS THE GREAT PROGRAMMING AND ALSO OUR EFFORTS IN THE COMMUNITY.

GPB IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDE A TRUSTED SPACE FOR LIFELONG LEARNING ON THE AIR, DIGITAL AND PERSONAL ALL ACROSS GEORGIA.

ALL OF THIS IS MADE POSSIBLE WITH YOUR MONTHLY SUPPORT.

I CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOU SO PLEASE, DONATE RIGHT NOW AT GPB.ORG/GIVE AND THANKS.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS."

I'M DONNA LOWERY.

WE WILL FOCUS SOME BIPARTISAN BILLS WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE VERY MUCH IN FAVOR OF THEM.

THEY ARE DEALING WITH VICTIMS' RIGHTS AND JOINING US ARE DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT HOLCOMB OF ATLANTA.

WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS".

>> THANK YOU.

>> YOUR BIPARTISAN BILL WOULD OFFER PROTECTIONS FOR WORKPLACE HARASSMENT AND SO TELL US MORE ABOUT IT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

SO THIS BILL IS HB-381, AND WHAT IT OFFERS IS PROTECTIONS FOR WORKERS.

WE HAVE FEDERAL PROTECTIONS THROUGH TITLE 7 OF THE EEOC.

THE ISSUES WE REALIZED IN GEORGIA IS THROUGH PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN THROUGH THIS TYPE OF HARASSMENT AND ATTORNEYS WHO HELP MAKE THE CASES, MORE THAN 95% OF THESE CASES DON'T -- THEY'RE NOT EVER HEARD IN THE FEDERAL COURT SYSTEM.

IT'S REALLY, REALLY DIFFICULT FOR VICTIMS OF WORKPLACE HARASSMENT TO RECEIVE THE HEARING AND THE FAIR HEARING TO FAIR TRIALS, AND SO I THOUGHT WE COULD DO A BETTER JOB THAN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN GEORGIA.

WE CAN HAVE THESE PROTECTIONS AND HAVE LEGISLATION THAT MIRROR THE THESE EEOC PROTECTIONS AND ALSO MAKES THEM EVEN BETTER AND DOES MORE FOR GEORGIANS AND MAKES THINGS EASIER FOR GEORGIA WORKERS IF THEY ARE RECEIVING HARASSMENT AND ALSO MAKE IT EASIER FOR EMPLOYERS TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY NEED TO DO TO HAVE A DEFENSE IF THEY'RE ACCUSED OF HARASSMENT.

>> HAVE YOU CHANGED THAT AT ALL OR ARE YOU FEELING MORE CONFIDENT?

>> THIS BILL HAS BEEN IN THE WORK FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS BILL WITH ADVOCATES WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

I ACTUALLY PICKED THIS LEGISLATION UP FROM REPRESENTATIVE WYNN WHEN SHE LEFT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND WAS FOCUSING ON HER STATEWIDE CAMPAIGN.

SHE ASKED ME IF I WOULD TAKE THIS ON WHICH I GLADLY DID.

FOR MULTIPLE YEARS THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF BIPARTISAN CONVERSATIONS HAPPENING.

WE HAD A THREE-HOUR HEARING LAST YEAR IN THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE DISCUSSING THE BILL.

SO EVERYONE ON THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE SINCE LAST YEAR IS VERY FAMILIAR WITH WHAT THIS BILL DOES.

>> OKAY.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THIS REPRESENTATIVE HOLCOMB BECAUSE YOU'RE ONE OF THE SEVERAL ATTORNEYS WHO SIGNED ON TO THIS.

SO IT INCLUDES REPRESENTATIVES ROB LEVERETTE AND MARY PAUL SMITH AND YOU FAVOR THIS.

TELL ME WHY.

>> IT'S NEEDED FOR THE REASONS THAT REPRESENTATIVE NEWELL SAID.

IT HAS BEEN A LAGGARD IN THESE AREAS AND IT WOULD PROVIDE ANOTHER PROVISION IN THE LAW THAT WOULD PROTECT AGAINST DISCRIMINATION.

>> YEAH.

RIGHT NOW, HOW ARE YOU FEELING ABOUT THE BILL BEING ABLE TO MAKE IT?

>> I LIKE ITS CHANCES.

I THINK OFTEN THEY ARE A MULTI-YEAR EFFORT, AND IT MOVED LAST YEAR AND I THINK WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE FOR A LOT OF BILLS IS A LOT OF URGENCY OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS AND THEN A WAVE OF BILLS ON CROSSOVER DAY NEXT MONDAY.

>> PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED HARASSMENT, THEY JUST WANT SOME RELIEF AND TO BE HEARD AND TO GO THROUGH A PROCESS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR WHAT THE RIGHTS ARE FOR WORKERS AND ALSO WHAT WE'RE ASKING OF BUSINESSES BECAUSE WE WANTED TO HAVE A VERY CLEAR, AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE FOR BUSINESS OWNERS IN GEORGIA SO THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY NEED TO DO, AND IT'S VERY CLEAR NEAR THE FEDERAL LANGUAGE, AND I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT WOULD HOPEFULLY BE WELCOME.

I THINK MOST BUSINESSES IN GEORGIA ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING, BUT WE KNOW THAT NOT EVERYONE IS, AND WE KNOW THAT A LOT OF WORKERS HAVE FACED SOME PRETTY UNFORTUNATE -- AND FRANKLY, WE KNOW HOW TIGHT THE LABOR MARKET IS IN GEORGIA RIGHT NOW.

WE KNOW EMPLOYERS ARE FOCUSED ON THE WORKFORCE AND WORKFORCE RETENTION AND WHEN WORKERS KNOW THAT THEY DO HAVE PROTECTIONS IN PLACE THAT GEORGIA, WE ARE LOOKING OUT FOR THEIR BEST INTERESTS, AND I THINK THAT WILL HELP WITH WORKFORCE RETENTION.

>> AND BRINGING PEOPLE INTO THE WORKFORCE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE HOLCOMB, YOU HAVE A BILL H365, THE SEXUAL ASSAULT REFORM ACT.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT.

>> THIS BILL PUT IN SIX OR SEN YEARS' WORTH OF WORK, AND IT TESTED SEXUAL ASSAULT KITS AND WE INSTITUTED A TRACKING SYSTEM.

WHEN WE'RE NOT IN SESSION I WORK YEAR ROUND WITH THOSE WHO WORK TO HELP SURVIVORS WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT.

BEFORE THE SESSION STARTED I ASKED THEM WHAT ARE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO TO CONTINUE TO IMPROVE OUR STATE'S LAWS AND THEY CONTINUE TO GIVE ME A NUMBER OF IDEAS AND ONE OF THEM IS TO EXPAND THE FOOTPRINT OF THE EXAMINERS AND THESE ARE NURSES WITH SPECIFIC SKILLS THAT CAN HELP THOSE THAT WERE THE VICTIMS OF RAPE OR SEXUAL ASSAULT AND WE CAN THEN MAKE THE EVIDENCE AND USE IT TO PROSECUTE THE OFFENDERS.

IN ADDITION, THERE IS A PROVISION TO BAN DO IT YOURSELF KITS.

THIS IS A NEW IDEA, AND I THINK AS A FORMER PROSECUTOR IT IS A HORRIBLE IDEA BECAUSE IF AN INDIVIDUAL WERE TO USE A DO IT YOURSELF KIT THAT HAS TREMENDOUS PROBLEMS FOR CHAIN OF CUSTODY AND IT WOULD NOT BE ADMISSIBLE IN COURT.

WHAT WE WOULD WANT VICTIMS TO DO IS GO TO A CARE PROVIDER AND TO GO TO A EMERGENCY ROOM AND HAVE A TRAINED PERSON AND A SEXUAL ASSAULT PERSON THAT KNOWS WHAT THAT PERSON IS DOING AND CAN PROTECT THE EVIDENCE GOING FORWARD.

>> I HAVE NOT HEARD OF THESE KITS AND IT'S SOMETHING ON THE MARKET THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO SELL AND PEOPLE THINK I DON'T HAVE TO TELL THE POLICE.

I CAN JUST DO THIS MYSELF?

>> EXACTLY.

>> THAT'S THE IDEA BEHIND IT AND WITHOUT REALLY KNOWING THE CONSEQUENCES OF THAT, LET ALONE, THE STATE OF GEORGIA HAS MADE A POLICY THAT NO VICTIM PAYS FOR A SEXUAL ASSAULT KIT.

THE TAXPAYERS PAY FOR THAT.

SO IF AN INDIVIDUAL PRESENTS TO HAVE CARE PROVIDED AFTER A SEXUAL ASSAULT, THAT IS NOT ON THEM IN TERMS OF FINANCIAL BURDEN.

SO THIS IS A MARKET THAT IS ATTEMPTED TO BE DEVELOPED AND ADVOCATES FOR THEM THAT IS THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY AND I LISTEN TO THIS AND I DO IT TO RECOMMEND AND THAT'S WHY I ADVOCATE FOR THIS.

>> I KNOW A FEW YEARS AGO AS YOU MENTIONED IN GEORGIA, WE HAD JUST THIS HUGE BACKLOG OF SEXUAL ASSAULT KITS.

ARE WE BETTER?

>> THERE FOR STILL ISSUES WITH PROCESSING IN A TIMELY MANNER AND ARE THAT GETS RESOURCES, AND WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GIVE THOSE RESOURCES TO BE TECHTED AND TESTED TIMELY, BUT THE OLD BACKLOG HAS BEEN CLEARED AND I AM GRATEFUL FOR THAT.

>> I KNOW YOU'RE A SPONSOR ON THIS BILL, TOO.

LOTS OF INTEREST.

>> I AM AN ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORTER.

HE IS DOING EVERYTHING TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF THESE RAPE TESTS ARE TESTED AND THAT SURVIVORS HAVE THE RESOURCES THEY NEED AND THIS BILL -- LEGISLATION THAT WE'VE HAD TO SUPPORT SURVIVORS OF RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE CRIMES ARE PROSECUTED, TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE SURVIVORS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED AND THIS IS ANOTHER PIECE OF THE PUZZLE.

>> I'M GLAD YOU'RE TELLING US ABOUT IT BECAUSE PEOPLE THINK OH, A KIT.

THEIR EMBARRASSMENT IS NOT THERE AND THOSE KINDS OF THINGS AND THE THING YOU'RE DOING IT, A DO-IT-YOURSELF KIT, I'M SURE SOMEONE IS TRYING TO MAKE MONEY ON IT.

I WANT TO ASK YOU QUICKLY ABOUT HB-382 AND IT'S A COMPANION BILL TO THE OTHER, RIGHT?

>> A LITTLE BIT.

>> TELL US ABOUT THAT BRIEFLY.

>> HB-382 WILL BE HEARD IN THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TOMORROW.

THIS IS A VICTIM-CENTERED PROGRAM FOR RESTORATIVE JUSTICE.

IT'S SIMILAR TO WHAT HAPPENS IN A LOT OF OTHER STATES.

IT IS -- IT IS SOMETHING THAT HELPS PROVIDE HEALING FOR VICTIMS AND THEIR SURVIVORS.

IT OFFERS ACCOUNTABILITY.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO BRING TOGETHER THESE VICTIMS AND THE -- AND IT'S -- IT CONSIDERS THE NEEDS OF THE SURVIVORS AND HAVING THIS CONVERSATION IS OPT IN SO THIS IS ONLY SOMETHING THAT A SURVIVOR OR A VICTIM DOES AND IT IS LED BY A TRAINED FACILITATOR.

IT IS VERY SPECIFIC WHO CAN LEAD THESE CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN THE VICTIM AND THE PERSON WHO COMMITTED THAT WRONGDOING AGAINST THEM AND IT'S AGAIN, IT'S DONE IN TEXAS AND IT'S DONE IN MANY STATES AND SOMETHING THEY HOPE WE'RE ABLE TO OFFER SURVIVORS IN GEORGIA.

IT'S SUPPORTED BY THE MANY ORGANIZATIONS WHO ARE DEALING WITH TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS AND I'M EXCITED FOR THIS HEARING TOMORROW.

>> THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO ACTUALLY TALK TO THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE COMMITTED THE CRIMES AGAINST THEM?

>> RIGHT.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN FOUND TO BE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE HEALING PROCESS.

>> FOR THE VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS WHO CHOOSE TO DO THAT.

>> BRIEFLY, YOU ARE SUPPORTING THIS BILL, TOO?

>> YES.

>> NO CONTROVERSY.

>> THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU FEEL THAT'S NEEDED AS AN ATTORNEY?

>> I DO.

I THINK IT WILL BE HELPFUL IN THE ASPECT OF HAVING THE VICTIMS HAVE THEIR VOICES LISTENED TO IS EXTRAORDINARILY IMPORTANT IN TERMS OF THAT.

>> OKAY.

WE'LL KEEP UP WITH ALL OF THESE BILLS AND LET PEOPLE KNOW AND GOOD LUCK.

CROSSOVER DAY MONDAY SO GOOD LUCK TO YOU ON ALL OF THAT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

THAT DOES IT FOR "LAWMAKERS" TODAY.

WE'LL BE BACK TOMORROW FOR DAY 25 OF THE GEORGIA LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

TO KEEP UP WITH THE WORLD OF POLITICS, TUNE IN WITH POLITICAL REWIND AT 9:00 A.M. AND 2:00 P.M. GOOD NIGHT.

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