SB503: SB503 Insurance; rental home marketplace guarantees from the definition of property insurance; exempt

Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 33-24-59.35) already requires certain health benefit policies to cover medically necessary orthotic devices (like braces) and prosthetic devices (like artificial limbs), along with their materials and components. This bill revises the definition of 'health benefit policy' used in that law. The updated definition excludes health plans the state itself sets up for state employees, public school teachers and staff, and Board of Regents members, retirees, and dependents. It also excludes coverage the Department of Community Health arranges through insurers for Medicaid recipients, and self-funded employer health plans governed by the federal ERISA law. The bill would only take effect if the General Assembly specifically appropriates funding for it in a future budget act, and would start on the later of that appropriations act's effective date or the start of the fiscal year the funds are budgeted for.

• Narrows the legal definition of 'health benefit policy' in Georgia's orthotic and prosthetic device coverage law (O.C.G.A. § 33-24-59.35).
• Excludes state-run health plans for state employees, public school teachers and staff, and Board of Regents members and retirees from that coverage definition.
• Excludes Medicaid coverage arranged through insurer contracts with the Department of Community Health from the definition.
• Confirms that self-funded, employer-sponsored health plans governed by the federal ERISA law (29 U.S.C. Section 1001, et seq.) are not covered by this state law.
• Makes the entire Act contingent on the General Assembly setting aside specific funding for it in a future budget bill, with no automatic effective date otherwise.

State employees, public school teachers and staff, Board of Regents members, retirees, and their dependents; Medicaid recipients in Georgia; people covered by self-funded employer health plans; and insurers offering health benefit policies that include orthotic and prosthetic device coverage.

By excluding certain state-run and Medicaid-related plans from the definition of 'health benefit policy,' those plans would not be bound by the state mandate to cover medically necessary orthotic and prosthetic devices under this specific law, potentially affecting what coverage those groups receive for such devices.

• Section 1 revises paragraph (3) of subsection (a) in O.C.G.A. § 33-24-59.35, changing what counts as a 'health benefit policy' subject to orthotic and prosthetic device coverage requirements.
• The revised definition excludes plans the state executes for state employees, public school teachers and employees, and Board of Regents members, retirees, and dependents under Article 1 of Chapter 18 of Title 45.
• The definition also excludes healthcare services provided under contracts between insurers and the Department of Community Health for Medicaid recipients.
• The definition excludes self-funded, employer-sponsored health plans subject to the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).
• Section 2 makes the entire Act effective only if the General Assembly appropriates funds for it, tying the start date to either the appropriations act's effective date or the start of the relevant fiscal year.
• Section 3 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2026-05-11Act 516
2. 2026-05-11Senate Date Signed by Governor (Senate)
3. 2026-04-10Senate Sent to Governor (Senate)
4. 2026-04-02House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub (House)
5. 2026-03-31Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub As Amended (Senate)
6. 2026-03-25House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (House)
7. 2026-03-25House Third Readers (House)
8. 2026-03-20House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)

• Marty Harbin (R, SD-016)Primary sponsor
• Larry Walker (R, SD-020)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• Shawn Still (R, SD-048)
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
• Chuck Hufstetler (R, SD-052)
• Ricky Williams (R, SD-025)
• Matt Reeves (R, HD-099)

1. PassedSenate voteMarch 4, 2026

   42 yea, 11 nay (2 not voting, 0 absent)

   Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #618

2. PassedHouse voteMarch 25, 2026

   165 yea, 2 nay (1 not voting, 8 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #763

3. PassedSenate voteMarch 31, 2026

   50 yea, 0 nay (1 not voting, 3 absent)

   Agree To House Substitute As Amended: Senate Vote #921

4. PassedHouse voteApril 2, 2026

   160 yea, 6 nay (5 not voting, 5 absent)

   Agree To Senate Amend To House Sub: House Vote #850

• health insurance coverage
• orthotic and prosthetic devices
• Medicaid
• state employee benefits
• insurance law