House Bill 471 (COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE)
By: Representatives Cheokas of the 151st, Dubnik of the 29th, Greene of the 154th, Hawkins
of the 27th, Barrett of the 24th, and others
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Article 1 of Chapter 7 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,
relating to regulation of hospitals and related institutions, so as to require that licensed
general hospitals and birthing centers make available a water safety education video to
parents or guardians of newborn infants; to provide for a form to be developed by the
Department of Community Health; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for a
definition; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Article 1 of Chapter 7 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
regulation of hospitals and related institutions, is amended by adding a new Code section to
read as follows:
<ins>"31-7-24.
(a) As used in this Code section, the term 'water safety education' shall have the same
meaning as set forth in Code Section 20-2-779.4.
</ins>
<ins>(b)(1) Prior to discharge, a licensed general hospital or birthing center shall make
available to each newborn infant's parent or guardian a video presentation on water safety
education to be viewed onsite.
(2) Such hospital and birthing center shall provide such parent or guardian with a water
safety education form to be developed by the department.
(c) The department shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement the
provisions of this Code section."
</ins> SECTION 2.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.