>>> YOU SPEND SO MUCH TIME MICROMANAGING LOCAL GOVERNMENT THIS SESSION, WE SPEND MORE TIME ON THAT THAN STATE BUSINESS.

LAST WEEK WE WERE TOLD LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CAN'T DECIDE WHAT KIND OF FENCES THEY WANT IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.

THIS WEEK, WE'RE TOLD THEY CAN'T DECIDE HOW TO WORK OUT THEIR BUDGET.

>> REPRESENTATIVE RANITA SHANNON DURING THE HOUSE DEBATE OVER RESTRICTING LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONTROL WHEN IT INVOLVES DEFUNDING THE LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT.

WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS."

A RADICAL IDEA WOULD PUT POLICE IN DANGER OR A WAY FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO INSTITUTE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR BAD ACTORS IN POLICE DEPARTMENTS?

THAT'S JUST PART OF THE DEBATE IN THE GEORGIA HOUSE TODAY.

WE'LL HAVE LOTS MORE ON THAT ISSUE BECAUSE THE BILL'S SPONSOR JOINS US ON THE SHOW.

WE'LL ALSO SPEND TIME TALKING ABOUT HEALTH ISSUES, INCLUDING PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, TELEHEALTH AND THE CDC REPORT ON VACCINATING TEACHERS.

MORE ELECTION BILLS MOVE FORWARD AND SO DID THE TIM TEBOW BILL.

PLUS AN EFFORT TO STOP GEORGIANS FROM HAVING TO CHANGE CLOCKS TO FALL BACK AND SPRING FORWARD, THE BILL TO OBSERVE STANDARD TIME YEAR ROUND.

FIRST, WE HEAD TO THE GOLD DOME ANDITOL CORRESPONDENT.

>> Reporter: WE WERE BUSY INDEED.

SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE HOUSTON GAINES.

HE WANTS TO PREVENT CITIES AND COUNTIES IN THE STATE FROM CUTTING POLICE DEPARTMENT'S FUNDING.

>> WE'VE SEEN IN OUR STATE AND IN PARTS OF OUR NATION CALLS TO DEFUND THE POLICE AND SLASH POLICE BUDGETS, AND I BELIEVE AND I HOPE THIS BODY WILL AGREE THAT DOING SO WOULD PUT OUR MOST VULNERABLE AT RISK.

>> Reporter: ESSENTIALLY, THE BILL WOULD BAR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FROM REDUCING POLICE BUDGETS BY MORE THAN 5% FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR EXCEPT THOSE YEARS WHERE LARGE PURCHASES WERE MADE BY THOSE DEPARTMENTS OR WHEN THE LOCAL BUDGET DROPS BY MORE THAN 5%.

>> IN ATLANTA, WE'VE SEEN EFFORTS TO DEFUND THE POLICE.

OUR BILL WILL ENSURE THAT NEVER HAPPENS IN OUR STATE AND WILL PROTECT GEORGIA FAMILIES.

THIS LEGISLATION SENDS A STRONG MESSAGE THAT WE SUPPORT OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND THAT WE WILL NEVER DEFUND THE POLICE.

>> Reporter: THE BILL DREW SUPPORT FROM FELLOW REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE DARLENE TAYLOR.

>> THIS BILL OFFERS CONSISTENCY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT FUNDING FOR GEORGIA CITIZENS.

IN THAT IT CONTINUES REASONABLE FUNDING FOR POLICE DEPARTMENTS WITHIN OUR STATE.

>> Reporter: THE BILL WAS OPPOSED BY REPRESENTATIVE RANITA SHANNON.

>> THIS BILL DOES ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO INCREASE OUR PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY.

ALL IT DOES IS DICTATE TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WHAT THEY HAVE TO SPEND ON LAW ENFORCEMENT, REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEY CAN AFFORD, REGARDLESS OF HOW THE PRIORITIES CHANGE WITHIN THAT COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: AFTER THE SESSION, MINORITY LEADER REPRESENTATIVE JAMES BEVERLY MET WITH REPORTERS.

>> IT'S A TOUGH DAY BECAUSE THE PUBLIC NARRATIVE IS DEMOCRATS WANT TO DEFUND THE POLICE.

AND THAT'S JUST NOT TRUE.

WE WANT TO STRUGGLE WITH THE ISSUE THAT LED US TO THIS MOMENT WHICH IS WHAT IS THE REDRESS THE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE SUFFERING, WHAT REDRESS DO YOU HAVE WHEN THE POLICE ARE AGAINST YOU?

WE DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT.

BUT WE WANT SAFETY TOO.

>> DONNA WILL HAVE MORE ABOUT BILL HB-286 IN THE LATER SHOW.

BILL PASSED 101-69 AND SENATE BILL 89 PROPOSES TO CREATE A NEW POSITION AS IT RELATES TO ELECTIONS AND PRIMARIES.

NOW, THIS WOULD BE A CHIEF ELECTIONS ASSISTANCE OFFICER.

THE BILL IS SPONSORED BY SENATOR BUTCH MILLER.

>> I THINK THAT THERE'S AN ACTION AND ASSISTANCE NEEDED ACROSS THE BOARD.

THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO OR DESIGNED TO POINT OUT OR ATTACK ANY PARTICULAR PARTY OR ORGANIZATION OR COUNTY TO ASSIST.

WE PROBABLY JUST NEED TO TAKE A PAUSE RIGHT NOW IN THIS LEGISLATION BECAUSE A LOT OF THE AREAS NEED TO BE CLARIFIED AND QUALIFIED TO UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO BE DOING HERE.

>> SENATE BILL 89 PASSED 35-18.

FROM THE SENATE FLOOR, EDUCATION CAME UP IN THE FORM OF SB-51 SPONSORED BY SENATOR BRUCE THOMPSON AND AUTHORIZES HOME STUDY STUDENTS IN GRADES 6 THROUGH 12 TO PARTICIPATE IN EXTRACURRICULAR AND INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES IN THAT STUDENT'S RESIDENT PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

>> THIS PROVIDES EQUALITY FOR HOME SCHOOL FAMILY THAT MADE THE CHOICE THAT'S RECOGNIZED IN OUR STATE AS AN APPROPRIATE PATH FOR EDUCATION, AND THIS OUTLINES A WAY FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO THAT SCHOOL.

THAT'S ALL IT DOES.

>> SOME PEOPLE WILL BENEFIT BUT I FEEL SOME PARENTS WILL HAVE MISGUIDED INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR CHILD THAT'S GOING TO BE THE NEXT GREAT ATHLETE, AND I THINK SOME COACHES WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS BILL SHOULD IT BECOME LAW AND LEAD OUR CHILDREN DOWN A BAD PATH.

SO I BEG YOU TO MAKE CAUTION OF SENATE BILL 51 WHEN YOU VOTE.

>> PASSED 39-15.

AND TODAY, THE GEORGIA STATE SENATE PASSED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD STOP GEORGIANS FROM CHANGING THEIR CLOCKS TWICE A YEAR.

THIS YEAR, OUR CLOCKS SPRANG FORWARD MARCH 14th AND THEN FALL BACK NOVEMBER 7th.

IT WOULD MOVE GEORGIA TO STANDARD TIME YEAR ROUND.

GEORGIA WOULD THEN SWITCH TO DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME WHEN CONGRESS ALLOWS STATES TO DO THAT.

SENATE BILL 100 PASSED 46-7 WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND OPPOSITION.

NOW HEADS TO THE GEORGIA HOUSE.

REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR BEN WATSON, THE BILL'S AUTHOR LAID OUT PUBLIC HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY REASONS FOR THIS CHANGE.

>> THE JOURNAL OF CLINICAL SLEEP MEDICINE LAST FALL, THE EVIDENCE INDICATES TRANSITION FROM DAYLIGHT TO SAVINGS TIME, FANCY OF SAYING IT HAS SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY RISK, RISK OF ADVERSE CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS, IN OTHER WORDS, MORE HEART ATTACKS, MOOD DISORDERS AND MOTOR VEHICLE CRASHES.

THEY RECOMMENDED GOING TO STANDARD TIME, CLOSER TO THE BIOLOGICAL CLOCK.

>> HAVE YOU CONSIDERED JOINING SOUTH CAROLINA AND FLORIDA IN SIMPLY WAITING UNTIL CONGRESS TAKES ACTION AS OPPOSED TO MAKING US GO THE STANDARD TIME RIGHT NOW?

>> I'VE CONSIDERED THAT, BUT WAITING ON CONGRESS MAY BE AN ETERNITY.

THAT'S MY PERSONAL THOUGHTS.

AND THAT MAY BE WHAT WE END UP DOING AS IT GOES ACROSS TO THE HOUSE OR MAY END UP WITH A REFERENDUM.

>> WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS BILL ALL WEEKEND.

AN UPDATE ON HOUSE BILL 581.

AS OF LATE THIS AFTERNOON AFTER FIVE SESSIONS IN THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ELECTION INTEGRITY, HB-531 NOW ON ITS WAY TO THE RULES COMMITTEE.

YOU MAY RECALL THIS IS A COMPREHENSIVE ELECTION PACKAGE THAT WOULD MAKE CHANGES TO EARLY VOTING, ABSENTEE VOING AND HOW ELECTIONS ARE WON.

THE SPONSOR OF THE BILL IS REPRESENTATIVE BARRY FLEMING.

I DID A ONE ON ONE INTERVIEW WITH HIM EARLIER TODAY AND I'LL HAVE THAT INTERVIEW FOR YOU TOMORROW.

THAT IS MY CAPITOL REPORT.

DONNA, BACK TO YOU.

>> WE'LL LOOK FORWARD TO THAT TOMORROW, BRENDA.

>>> WE ARE GETTING CLOSER TO CROSSOVER DAY, THE DEADLINE FOR A BILL TO PASS OUT OF EITHER LEGISLATIVE CHAMBER.

THAT MEANS AS YOU HEARD IN OUR CAPITOL REPORT, MORE BILLS ARE UNDER CONSIDERATION.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT A FEW OF THEM TONIGHT WITH REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE HOUSTON GAINES OF ATHENS AND THE CEO AND EDITOR OF GEORGIA HEALTH NEWS, ANDY MILLER.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE FOR "LAWMAKERS" AND REPRESENTATIVE GAINES, OF COURSE, WE'RE GOING TO TALK TO YOU FIRST.

YOUR BILL TO RESTRICT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FROM DEFUNDING POLICE BUDGETS BY 5% IN A SINGLE YEAR AND OVER TEN YEARS, PASSED IN THE HOUSE 101-69.

HB-286.

TELL US WHY YOU FEEL SO PASSIONATE ABOUT IT.

>> DONNA, THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

IT'S GREAT TO BE WITH YOU AND, YOU KNOW, I REALLY DID FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT OUR BILL.

IT'S AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD FOR PUBLIC SAFETY IN OUR STATE BECAUSE WE HAVE SEEN CALLS TO DEFUND THE POLICE IN ATHENS AND ATLANTA AND WE SAW THIS IN MINNEAPOLIS WHERE LAST YEAR, THEY SLASHED THE POLICE BUDGET AND THEN WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN RECENT DAYS, THEY BACKTRACKED BECAUSE THE CRIME HAS SKYROCKETED AND THAT'S GOOD THAT THEY'RE BACKTRACKING, BUT THAT DOESN'T MAKE UP FOR THE DAMAGE DONE TO THAT COMMUNITY FOR THE LIVES LOST, THE CRIMES THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN COMMITTED.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT NEVER HAPPENS HERE IN GEORGIA, THAT WE DON'T DEFUND THE POLICE AND MAKE SURE WE HAVE ADEQUATE PUBLIC SAFETY.

WE FEEL LIKE THIS IS AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD IN THAT EFFORT AND PROUD THAT WE'VE GOT THAT BILL OVER THE FINISH LINE TODAY IN THE HOUSE.

IT DID HAVE SOME BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND FOR ME, THIS IS NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE.

IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO, IT'S THE RIGHT MESSAGE TO SEND THAT WE SUPPORT OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THAT WE'RE GOING TO KEEP OUR FAMILIES SAFE.

>> SEVERAL LAWMAKERS, OF COURSE, ROSE TO SUPPORT IT AND OPPOSE IT, AS YOU SAID.

LET'S HEAR FROM AN OPPONENT AND HAVE YOU COMMENT ON THAT.

THIS IS REPRESENTATIVE TALKING ABOUT HILL, WHO HAD A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS IN 2015.

>> HE WAS BLACK, NAKED, UNARMED AND SUFFERING FROM MENTAL HEALTH WHEN HE WAS SHOT AND KILLED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT.

HIS APARTMENT MANAGER WHO CALLED THE POLICE WAS CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY AND THE RESPONDING OFFICER WHO SHOT AND KILLED HIM WAS ACTUALLY CONVICTED AND SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS.

I CANNOT SPEAK TO THE INTENT OF THE OFFICER, BUT I CAN SPEAK ABOUT THE FACT THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT'S JOB IS NOT TO HANDLE MENTAL HEALTH.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE ABILITY OF GOVERNMENTS TO MOVE MONEY FROM POLICE DEPARTMENTS TO MENTAL HEALTH OR SOCIAL WORKERS WHO CAN HELP WHEN THE POLICE CAN'T?

>> I BELIEVE OUR POLICE ARE UNDERFUNDED RIGHT NOW.

THAT'S SOMETHING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, I'M PROUD WE'VE DONE IS WE'RE INVESTING IN MENTAL HEALTH AND WORKING ON AREAS TO SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH, WHETHER IT'S TELEHEALTH AND MAYBE WE HAVE A CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT THAT AS WELL.

THOSE ARE AREAS I THINK WE CAN AGREE ON, BUT NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF TAKING MONEY AWAY FROM PUBLIC SAFETY WHEN WE'RE ALREADY UNDERFUNDED.

WE NEED MORE MONEY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, FOR TRAINING TO INCREASE THE PAY OF POLICE OFFICERS AND SO I THINK THAT WE CAN AGREE THAT WE NEED TO INVEST IN MENTAL HEALTH BUT WE CAN'T DO IT AT THE EXPENSE OF KEEPING OUR FAMILIES SAFE.

>> I WANT TO GET TO YOU.

I KNOW THE MENTAL HEALTH COMMUNITY WANTED MORE FUNDING TO HELP WITH THINGS LIKE THAT, TO HELP WITH THINGS THAT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY CAN'T DO.

>> THAT'S CORRECT, AND WE'VE SEEN CUTS IN THE STATE GOVERNMENT FOR SOME MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

WE SAW THAT WITH THE BUDGET CUTS OF LAST YEAR.

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES EITHER IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR OR IN PRIVATE INSURANCE ARE, YOU KNOW, THERE'S JUST NOT ENOUGH.

IT'S JUST INADEQUATE TO MEET PEOPLE'S NEEDS, ESPECIALLY DURING A PANDEMIC.

WHEN WE KNOW OUR MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS ARE PROBABLY GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE.

>> DEPRESSION, ANXIETY IS UP.

PEOPLE ARE REALLY SUFFERING.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT JUST PEOPLE THAT ARE DIRECTLY AFFECTED WITH COVID.

IT'S PEOPLE THAT CAN'T GO OUT OR CAN'T SEE THEIR LOVED ONES AS MUCH AS THEY USUALLY DO.

>> WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THAT MORE IN A SECOND.

REPRESENTATIVE GAINES, YOU'RE ON THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE AND ANOTHER BILL AND YOU MENTIONED IT A SECOND AGO, THAT YOU ARE A SPONSOR OF IS THE TELEHEALTH ACT AND A LOT OF PEOPLE USED IT IN RECENT YEARS.

>> CHAIRMAN COOPER LED THE WAY ON THIS AND I WAS PROUD TO CO-SPONSOR THE BILL WITH HER, THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER, ONCE THE PUBLIC HEALTH STATE OF EMERGENCY EXPIRES, THE TELEHEALTH WORK THAT HAS BEEN IN THOSE EXECUTIVE ORDERS WOULD EXPIRE WITH IT SO WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE ONCE IT EXPIRES, WE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT TELEHEALTH IN THE STATE.

WE THINK IT'S A REALLY GOOD BILL THAT'S GOING TO CONTINUE OUR ADVANCEMENT IN TELEHEALTH AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS REALLY FOCUSED ON TELEHEALTH IN GENERAL.

WE'VE PASSED A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF LEGISLATION, WORKING TO EXPAND ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE, LOWER COSTS FOR PATIENTS AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE'LL CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON.

>> WE SAW A LOT OF PEOPLE USING THIS AND WE DID, THERE WERE CHALLENGES BECAUSE OF BROADBAND, THE RURAL AREAS.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT PROBABLY STILL NEEDS HELP WITH?

>> CERTAINLY, WE NEED AS A STATE TO FILL IN THESE RURAL AREAS WITH BROADBAND, WITH INTERNET ACCESS.

BUT I THINK TO REPRESENTATIVE GAINES' POINT, A LOT OF APPOINTMENTS TAKEN PLACE VIA PHONE AND COMPUTER AND IT'S WORKED.

MENTAL HEALTH IS ONE.

DERMATOLOGY SOMETIMES AND OTHER SIMPLE MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS HAVE BEEN DONE THIS WAY AND IT'S BEEN CONVENIENT AND SEEMS TO WORK VERY WELL AND IT'S A POSITIVE.

IN A YEAR THAT WE HAVEN'T HAD A LOT OF POSITIVES IN TERMS OF HEALTH CARE, THIS IS ONE OF THEM.

>> WE ALWAYS WANT TO HEAR ABOUT A POSITIVE.

ANOTHER BILL THAT YOU'RE SPONSORING IS THE PAID PARENTAL LEAVE.

I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU WHAT THE CURRENT LAW WAS.

YOU TOLD ME THERE IS NO CURRENT LAW WHEN IT COMES TO SO TELL US ABOUT IT.

>> TEACHERS AND EDUCATORS, THERE IS NO PAID PARENTAL LEAVE SO OUR BILL WE WORKED ON LAST YEAR GOT TO THE HOUSE.

GOT IT THROUGH LAST WEEK.

THREE WEEKS OF PAID LEAVE UPON ADOPTION, BIRTH, OR FOSTER CARE PLACEMENT OF A CHILD.

WE FEEL LIKE THIS IS SUPPORTING FAMILIES, ESPECIALLY YOUNG FAMILIES ACROSS OUR STATE.

I LIVE IN ATHENS WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA.

THIS WOULD IMPACT SO MANY YOUNG FAMILIES AND OF COURSE WITH OUR TEACHERS ACROSS THE STATE.

PASS AND GET THIS BILL PASSED.

>> I'M SURE THEY'LL BE HAPPY FOR THAT.

TALK ABOUT SOMETHING YOU WROTE ABOUT TODAY AND THE ARTICLE, THE CDC DID A STUDY ON VACCINATING TEACHERS AND THEY DID WITH MARIETTA SCHOOLS.

WHAT DID THEY FIND OUT?

>> THEY LOOKED AT THE OUTBREAKS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN MARIETTA CITY DISTRICT AND THEY FOUND OF THE OUTBREAKS, THE TEACHERS REALLY PLAYED A PIVOTAL ROLE IN THE TRANSMISSION OF THE DISEASE.

THE TEACHERS WOULD TRANSMIT TO ANOTHER OR TEACHERS TO STUDENTS.

AND BASICALLY, THIS STUDY SAID WE HAVE TO DO SOCIAL DISTANCING IN THE CLASSROOM.

WE HAVE TO MASK UP, STUDENTS AND TEACHERS BUT ALSO THINK ABOUT VACCINATING TEACHERS BECAUSE THAT CAN BE A WAY OF PREVENTING THIS DISEASE.

>> I THINK WE MAY BE HEARING SOMETHING FROM THE GOVERNOR SOON ON THAT.

>> WE EXPECT SOMETHING EVEN THIS WEEK ABOUT THE GOVERNOR ADDING EDUCATORS TO THE VACCINE PRIORITY LIST.

>> I HAVE TO ASK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE, SO YOU'RE IN THE ATHENS CLARK COUNTY AREA AND SCHOOL DOING A PHASE-IN.

THEY STARTED LAST WEEK WITH THE PHASE-IN.

DO YOU KNOW HOW THAT'S GOING?

YOU KNOW, TO BE HONEST, I'VE HEARD DIFFERENT THINGS FROM DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND I BELIEVE OUR CHILDREN HAVE THE BEST EXPERIENCE IN THE CLASSROOM AND I KNOW THERE'S BEEN CHALLENGES.

THIS HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT EDUCATION DURING COVID.

I MEAN, JUST AN UNBELIEVABLE CHALLENGE AND GETTING BACK TO NORMAL BUT HOPE WE CAN GET STUDENTS IN THE CLASSROOM.

>> CLARK COUNTY, ALL OF THE TIME WITH NOT HAVING THE KIDS IN THE CLASSROOM AND JUST VIRTUAL LEARNING.

>> THEY CAME BACK IN PERSON MAYBE FOR A WEEK AND TRIED IT OUT AND THEN RIGHT BACK TO VIRTUAL.

>> BEEN REALLY HARD.

OKAY.

YOU THINKING THIS STUDY WILL GO A LONG WAY TOWARD GETTING TEACHERS WHO MIGHT BE A LITTLE APPREHENSIVE ABOUT GETTING VACCINATED?

>> I THINK SO.

THE GOVERNOR REVEALED A SURVEY OF EDUCATORS SAYING 45% WOULD TAKE IT.

I THINK THAT'S ONLY GOING TO GO UP AND NOT JUST IN THAT OCCUPATION, BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

AS PEOPLE SEE THAT THOSE WHO GOT VACCINES ARE DOING FINE AND SECURE AND SAFE.

I THINK MORE PEOPLE ARE DECIDING, YEAH, I NEED TO GO GET THE SHOT.

>> OKAY, WELL, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

REPRESENTATIVE GAINES BUSY DAY BUT CAME BY "LAWMAKERS."

APPRECIATE THAT.

>>> AFTER THE BREAK, ANDY MILLER WITH GEORGE HEALTH NEWS WILL STAY WITH US AS WE DISCUSS MEDICAL ISSUES INCLUDING PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND CAMERAS IN NURSING HOMES.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS."

THE CDC ESTIMATES THE U.S. HAS MORE THAN 15,000 NURSING HOMES WITH 1.7 MILLION LICENSED BEDS.

EVEN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, GEORGIA LAWMAKERS SPONSORED LEGISLATION TO BETTER SUPPORT AND PROTECT NURSING HOME RESIDENTS.

JOINING US IS ONE OF THOSE LEGISLATORS, REPRESENTATIVE DEMETRIUS OF STOCSTOCKBRIDGE.

ANDY MILLER STILL WITH US.

REPRESENTATIVE DOUGLAS.

DURING LAST YEAR'S SESSION, YOU PROPOSED A BILL FOR FAMILIES OF NURSING HOME RESIDENTS TO BE ABLE TO PUT CAMERAS IN THEIR ROOM.

THEN CAME THE PANDEMIC SHUTDOWN.

THE STATE SUPREME COURT TOOK CARE OF THE ISSUE FOR YOU A LITTLE BIT.

TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU, DONNA, FOR HAVING ME.

GLAD TO BE HERE.

BASICALLY, THE SUPREME COURT RULED ON A CASE THAT WAS IN ONE OF OUR NURSING HOMES AND FROM THAT RULING, IT REALLY JUSTIFIED THE ACTUAL CONCRETE EVIDENCE THAT I HAD BY JUST GIVING PEOPLE AN OPTION TO HAVE CAMERAS IN THE ROOM.

IT'S NOT, IT WASN'T MANDATING THAT THEY PUT THE CAMERAS IN NURSING HOMES.

JUST TO HAVE AN OPTION TO HAVE ONE.

>> SO RIGHT NOW, AND I HEAR YOU MAY BE CO-SPONSORING A BILL THAT WILL DEAL WITH THIS AGAIN, THE SAME BILL, TO ALLOW PEOPLE, IT WOULD BE THE FAMILIES WHO MAKE THE DECISION, THE NURSING HOMES WOULDN'T BE RESPONSIBLE.

THEY SIGN SOMETHING SAYING IT'S OKAY.

>> YEAH, THEY WILL SIGN A CONSENT FORM.

IF THEY HAD A ROOMMATE, THE ROOMMATE HAD THE CONSENT.

PRETTY MUCH, IT WAS MY BILL ALL ROLLED UP INTO ONE BIG ONE.

IT GAVE FAMILIES THE NEEDED PRESSURE OF SEEING THEIR LOVED ONES IN A NURSING HOME.

WE'RE AT THIS POINT NOW WHEN THE BILL WAS INTRODUCED, THEN A PANDEMIC HIT.

AND SO EVERYBODY CAME BACK TO ME AND I GOT A THOUSAND CALLS FROM PEOPLE SAYING, YOUR BILL WAS JUST SO RIGHT ON TIME.

I WISH WE COULD HAVE GOT IT DONE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC HIT.

BUT WHO COULD SEE THE FUTURE, AND THIS YEAR, TODAY, AS A MATTER OF FACT, CHAIRWOMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, SHE SAID, GO DOWN AND SIGN A BILL.

I THINK YOU WILL LOVE IT AND IT WAS IDENTICAL TO THE BILL THAT I HAD.

I SAID, I WOULD LOVE TO SIGN ON TO THIS.

AND I'M TO THE MAGNITUDE WHERE IF IT GETS DONE FOR THE PEOPLE, THAT'S WHAT IT'S ABOUT.

I DON'T CARE WHO SPONSORS THE BILL.

IT'S ABOUT THE PEOPLE WE SERVE IN GEORGIA TO MAKE IT BETTER.

>> REPRESENTATIVE SHARON COOPER, RIGHT?

>> YES.

>> I THINK PEOPLE WOULD HAVE ENJOYED HAVING THAT.

ONE OF THE BIG ISSUES, ANDY, WE KNOW WAS PEOPLE WEREN'T ABLE TO SEE THEIR LOVED ONES AND WE DO HAVE A RIGHT TO VISIT BILL YOU AND I TALKED ABOUT A LITTLE BIT AND THOUGHT IT MIGHT MOVE A LITTLE BIT TODAY.

MAYBE ON MONDAY BUT THERE'S A LOT OF INTEREST IN THIS.

THE FACT, PEOPLE WEREN'T ABLE TO VISIT THEIR LOVED ONES DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> WE'VE HEARD FROM PATIENT FAMILIES, DONNA, THEY FEEL LIKE THEIR LOVED ONE IS BY THEMSELVES.

THEY'RE ISOLATED, THEY'RE LONELY.

THEY'RE JUST WITHERING AWAY IN A SENSE AND THEY REALLY NEED THAT HUMAN CONTACT AND THE BILL THAT YOU REFERENCED, HOUSE BILL 290 WOULD ALLOW THAT.

IT WOULD ALLOW WHAT'S CALLED A LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE TO GO IN AT LEAST AN HOUR A DAY TO A LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY OR A HOSPITAL TO VISIT THEIR LOVED ONES, HAVE THAT HUMAN TOUCH THAT'S MISSING.

>> PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR THAT.

KEEP UP ON THAT ONE AND CERTAINLY KEEP UP WITH WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE POSSIBLE CAMERAS, OKAY?

>> OKAY.

>> REPRESENTATIVE DOUGLAS.

ALSO AT THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE, LEAD SPONSOR ON HB-164 THAT DEALS WITH PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

TELL US WHAT THAT'S ALL ABOUT.

>> IT'S ABOUT THE CONSUMERS.

I THOUGHT ABOUT MY BILL FROM LAST YEAR, HOW CAN I HELP PROTECT OUR SENIORS, AND I SAID, WELL, WE'RE IN A PANDEMIC AND WE HAD TIME OFF AND SO WHAT I DID, I STARTED THINKING, I SAID, WHAT WOULD THEY NEED COMING OUT OF A PANDEMIC, NOT JUST SENIORS BUT PEOPLE THAT ARE SUFFERING DURING THIS TIME?

DURING THIS TIME THAT HAVE CAUGHT THE VIRUS AND BE ON MEDICATION, WHAT HELP WOULD THEY NEED WITH THEM LOSING THEIR JOBS AND HAVE TO GO TO MEDICINES THAT THEY ARE NOT NECESSARILY TAKE MEDICINES BUT IF THEY'RE ON MEDICINES FROM THE PANDEMIC, WHAT WOULD HELP THEM?

AND SO I STARTED THINKING, I SAID, WELL, LET'S GET ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS AND SO I INTRODUCED A BILL THAT WILL GIVE CONSUMERS THAT ARE SINGLE PAY INSURERS, NOT PART OF A GROUP.

NOT WORKING ANYMORE, BUT THEY WOULD HAVE TO GET THEIR OWN INSURANCE, TO GIVE THEM A REBATE, TO HELP THEM ON THEIR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND SO I THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE COINCIDING WITH MY LEGISLATION FOR THE SENIORS IN NURSING HOMES.

THOUGHT IT WOULD BE ANOTHER HELPING HAND, BUT LOOKS LIKE EVERYBODY IS GOING TO NEED IT, WHOEVER CAUGHT THE VIRUS.

IS GOING TO NEED THIS ALSO.

SO I'M JUST TRYING TO HELP THE CONSUMER AND OUR COMMUNITY HERE IN GEORGIA.

>> YOU KNOW ANYTHING WOULD HELP WITH PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES IS SOMETHING EVERYBODY WANTS.

>> IT'S A BIG, HUGE COST FOR CONSUMERS AND FAMILIES AND WE'VE ALWAYS HEARD STORIES ABOUT FAMILIES WHO WILL GO WITHOUT FILLING THEIR PRESCRIPTIONS BECAUSE OF THE COST.

SO ANYTHING THAT CAN HELP THEM, PARTICULARLY THOSE THAT AREN'T IN BIG GROUP PLANS, IT WILL BE BENEFICIAL.

>> WHILE I HAVE YOU, YOU JUST DID A STORY DEALING WITH THE PANDEMIC HOSPITALS.

GIVE US AN UPDATE ON THAT.

>> WELL, COOK COUNTY WHICH IS IN SOUTH GEORGIA, DID A STUDY OF A SURVEY OF THEIR RESIDENTS AND INTERVIEWED THE LEADERS OF THE COMMUNITY AND THEY FOUND THAT DURING THE PANDEMIC, THERE HAVE BEEN REALLY STRONG NEEDS IN THAT COMMUNITY FOR FOOD, FOOD ASSISTANCE, FOR TRANSPORTATION, THE DOCTORS OFFICES AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE EXPERIENCING MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS HAS GREATLY INCREASED.

AND SO IT'S NOT JUST THE ACTUAL INFECTIONS THAT ARE CHANGING LIFE IN RURAL GEORGIA.

IT'S ALSO THE ANCILLARY THINGS LIKE MENTAL HEALTH AND PEOPLE STAYING HOME AND GAINING WEIGHT AND MAYBE HAVING THEIR DIABETES GO OUT OF CONTROL.

LOTS OF HEALTH EFFECTS FROM THIS THING.

>> SO LONG-TERM THINGS THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE DEALING WITH, AND I KNOW RURAL ISSUES IS SOMETHING YOU'RE CONCERNED ABOUT TOO.

>> I'VE BEEN SAYING THIS FOR ABOUT FOUR OR FIVE YEARS NOW, BEING IN THE LEGISLATURE AND UNDERSTANDING THAT OUR HOSPITALS KEPT CLOSING.

AND IT WAS VERY HEARTFELT TO ME BECAUSE SOME OF MY PEOPLE WERE FROM SOUTH GEORGIA AND I HAVE FAMILY BACK THERE AND HOW CAN YOU LET, ON YOUR WATCH, 10 TO 13 HOSPITALS CLOSE IN A RURAL PART OF YOUR STATE?

I MEAN, IF I WAS THE LEGISLATOR FOR THAT PART OF THE COUNTRY, I WOULD BE STANDING UP ON TOP OF THE BLEACHERS DOWN THERE.

I'LL BE ACTING UP.

HE HAVE TO PUT ME OUT OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY RIGHT NOW, BUT I NEED SOMEONE TO STAND UP AND FIGHT FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE A VOICE.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE ELECTED, TO TAKE CARE OF THE PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE A VOICE THAT HAVE SAT ON THEIR HANDS AND CLOSED 13 HOSPITALS.

THAT'S UNHEARD OF AND WE CAN DO BETTER.

WE SHOULD DO BETTER FOR OUR STATE.

>> OKAY.

WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THAT.

WHILE I HAVE YOU THOUGH, I HAVE TO ASK YOU BECAUSE YOU PLAY FOOTBALL AT UGA UNDER THE LEGENDARY COACH VINCE DOOLEY, WENT ON TO PLAY AT THE PRO LEVEL AND SO I NEED YOUR THOUGHTS ON HOW HOUSE SENATE BILLED PASSED ON THE FLOOR, REFERRED TO AS THE TIM TEBOW BILL AND AFTER THE FORMER UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA QUARTERBACK WHO WAS HOME SCHOOLED AND WOULD ALLOW HOME SCHOOLKIDS TO PLAY SPORTS AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN THEIR AREA.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> LIKE REPRESENTATIVE GAINES SAID EARLIER, OR ON THE VIDEO THAT WAS WATCHING, SOME OF THE COMMENTS THAT I HEARD.

IF IT'S FOR THE RIGHT REASON, I'M FOR IT.

BUT YOU'VE GOT TO KEEP IN MIND THAT A LOT OF THESE KIDS STAY HOME THAT ARE HOME SCHOOLED, THEY'RE GREAT ATHLETES.

AND SO THESE COACHES AT ALL THESE SCHOOLS ARE JUST LICKING THEIR CHOPS RIGHT NOW BECAUSE KIDS CAN'T PARTICIPATE BECAUSE THEY DON'T GO TO THE SCHOOL.

BUT IT OPENS THE DOOR FOR THE KIDS TO COME OUT AND GET SOME EXERCISE BECAUSE THAT'S THE KEY TO LONGEVITY.

IF THEY DON'T HAVE EXERCISE, OF COURSE, A STUDY WITH MY RECESS BILL AND I FEEL LIKE I'M A PROFESSIONAL IN KIDS ACTIVITIES RIGHT NOW.

BUT IT WILL HELP IF IT'S DONE FOR THE RIGHT REASONS.

>> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT.

WE'LL KEEP AN EYE ON THAT TOO.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING.

AS ALWAYS, ANDY, LOVE HAVING YOU HERE, TALKING ABOUT MEDICAL ISSUES.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> THANK YOU, BE SURE TO TUNE IN TO "LAWMAKERS."

LEGISLATIVE SESSION DAY 23.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.