HR592: HR592 House Study Committee on Noncompete Clauses in Physician Contracts; create

Georgia law currently allows noncompete clauses, also called restrictive covenants, in physician contracts, which can bar a doctor from practicing within a certain area for a set time after leaving a job. Courts review how broad these restrictions are, but nothing in state law bans them outright. This resolution does not change that law itself. Instead, it creates the House Study Committee on Noncompete Clauses in Physician Contracts to look at how these clauses affect patient care and the state's health care system. The Speaker of the House would appoint five House members to the committee and name a chairperson. The committee could hold meetings, study the issue, and recommend legislation if it chooses. Members would receive standard legislative allowances for up to five days of work, paid from House funds. The committee must file any approved report with the Clerk of the House before it is abolished on December 1, 2026.

• Creates the House Study Committee on Noncompete Clauses in Physician Contracts to examine these contract terms and their effect on patient care.
• Directs the Speaker of the House to appoint five House members to the committee and designate one as chairperson.
• Authorizes the committee to study the issue and recommend legislation or other action it finds necessary.
• Sets legislative allowances under O.C.G.A. 28-1-8 for committee members, capped at five days unless additional days are approved.
• Requires any approved findings or recommendations to be filed as a report with the Clerk of the House before the committee is abolished.
• Abolishes the committee automatically on December 1, 2026.

Physicians in Georgia who sign employment contracts containing noncompete clauses, hospitals and health systems that use such clauses, patients whose access to care may be affected by physician mobility, and the five House members appointed to the study committee.

No law changes right away, but the committee's work could shape future legislation on whether Georgia limits or bans noncompete clauses for physicians, which affects how easily doctors can change jobs and how patients maintain continuity of care.

• Paragraph (1) creates the House Study Committee on Noncompete Clauses in Physician Contracts.
• Paragraph (2) sets committee membership at five House members appointed by the Speaker, who also names the chairperson.
• Paragraph (3) charges the committee with studying the issues around physician noncompete clauses and recommending action or legislation.
• Paragraph (4) lets the chairperson call meetings at any time or place needed to carry out the study.
• Paragraph (5) provides legislative allowances under O.C.G.A. Section 28-1-8, capped at five days absent additional authorization, funded through House appropriations.
• Paragraph (6) requires any approved report or, absent one, meeting minutes to be filed with the Clerk of the House.
• Paragraph (7) abolishes the committee on December 1, 2026.

1. 2026-02-19House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
2. 2025-04-04House Withdrawn, Recommitted (House)
3. 2025-03-27House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
4. 2025-03-20House Second Readers (House)
5. 2025-03-18House First Readers (House)
6. 2025-03-13House Hopper (House)

• Mark Newton (R, HD-127)Primary sponsor

• physician contracts
• noncompete clauses
• health care policy
• medical licensing
• legislative study committees