Keeping Current @ the Capitol - Thanking Our Legislators!
This legislative session came with a number of challenges but ended with great wins. We want to thank and recognize the legislative champions that worked to pass legislation and protect funds needed to improve Georgia's maternal and infant health.
2020 Legislative Session Wins
The Georgia 2020 legislative session was one for the books and ended with a number of wins for moms and babies across the state. After a suspended session, adjusting to the COVID-19 pandemic, and weathering budget cuts we were able to see the following victories for maternal and infant health:
- HB 1114: extends Pregnancy Medicaid coverage to six months postpartum
- HB 1090: Requires employers to provide break time for employees to express breast milk
- SB 408: Extends the Family Care Act, which allows employees to use sick time to care for immediate family members, to 2023
- SB 375: Adds a 7% tax on vaping products, which is estimated to generate $50 million in additional revenue for Georgia
- $19.7 million allocated for postpartum Medicaid extension to six months
- $3.61 million retained in the state budget for vital maternal health programs
Thanking Our Legislative Champions
The following legislators worked hard during this difficult session to ensure that maternal and infant health policies were prioritized. Please take the time to email them and let them know that their efforts are greatly appreciated! Below you can find their contact information and language to use (click each name).
Do not send group emails. Each legislator should receive an individual thank you email with their legislative aide copied. This is just a template. Feel free to make the message your own!
Postpartum Medicaid Extension
- Chairwoman Sharon Cooper (R - Marietta)
- Chairman Butch Parrish (R - Swainsboro)
- Rep. Renitta Shannon (D - Decatur)
- Rep. Able Mable Thomas (D - Atlanta)
- Chairman Ben Watson (R - Savannah)
- Chairman Dean Burke (R - Bainbridge)
- Rep. Carolyn Hugley (D - Columbus)
- Chairman Terry England (R - Auburn)
- Chairman Blake Tillery (R - Vidalia)
- Chairwoman Kay Kirkpatrick (R - Marietta)
Funding of Maternal Health Initiatives
- Chairman Butch Parrish (R - Swainsboro)
- Rep. Able Mable Thomas (D - Atlanta)
- Rep. Carolyn Hugley (D - Columbus)
- Chairman Terry England (R - Auburn)
- Chairman Blake Tillery (R - Vidalia)
- Chairwoman Katie Dempsey (R - Rome)
Lactation Workplace Accommodations
Family Care Extension
Vaping Tax
- Chairman Jeff Mullis (R - Chickamauga)
- Chairman Chuck Hufstetler (R - Rome)
- Representative John Carson (R - Marietta)
- Chairman Ron Stephens (R - Savannah)
Tobacco Tax
Paid Parental Leave