This is an informal rundown of the legislative happenings. These bills are from the most recent legislative day – 3/15/21, or Day 32.
The House of Representatives passed the following measures:
SB 5 – Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (Rep. Lee Hawkins in the House)
Previously passed the Senate 45-0
LINK→ https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/58873
WHAT THE BILL DOES:
- Addresses code section & patient protections for those who are sedated by certain individuals and for certain procedures
- Makes it unlawful to a different standard for a person to administer conscious sedation and, without a license, practice dentistry (at dental practice)
- Code Section 43-11-2 and Code Section 43-11-50
- Also applies to dentistry completed in a medispa, which is defined as a facility for improvement of well-being or appearance for procedures like liposuction, laser procedures, intense pulsed light, and injection of cosmetic filling agents and neurotoxins, in a nontraditional setting.
- Essentially, keeps people from medispas from providing services that could be associated with dentistry (which isn’t just pulling teeth, but cleanings, whitening services, etc) without a board-licensed dentist on site
- Clarifies code section to make sure no nurse anesthetist engages in the practice of dentistry when they also use conscious sedation
- Requires dental assistants and licensed dental hygienists to conduct more state-mandated, state approved training courses if the aforementioned perform any phlebotomy and venipuncture procedures.
- Also requires them to take additional training if they assist a board certified and licensed dentist with conscious sedation.
- Also requires the State Board to establish regulations and rules for rescue procedures for anesthesia and sedation by the end of the year. (ensure continued competency and promote patient safety)
PASSED THE HOUSE: 160-5 (NOs: Byrd, Cannon, J. Clark, Gilligan, and Singleton)
This was a House substitute to a Senate bill, so the Senate must agree to the changes made in the House committee. If they do, it will head to the Governor’s desk.
HB 111 – Rep. Bruce Williamson
Previously passed the House: 160-0
LINK → https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/58958
WHAT THE BILL DOES:
- Annual Banks & Banking update to ensure state regulations are in line with federal regulations approved over the last year.
Passed the Senate: 50-0
