--- title: House Human Relations & Aging Committee, February 20, 2026 collection: meetings id: 2026-02-20/house-human-relations-and-aging cite_as: House Human Relations & Aging Committee, February 20, 2026, video https://vimeo.com/1166478095 (machine transcript by Georgia Commons) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-20/house-human-relations-and-aging md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-20/house-human-relations-and-aging.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-20/house-human-relations-and-aging/text source_url: https://vimeo.com/1166478095 date: 2026-02-20 status: machine transcript corpus_version: meetings-2026-10-23-8c15ead0f18d license: Machine transcript and summaries by Georgia Commons from the General Assembly's public video; the video stays on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel; see about.md publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice. up: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-20.md previous: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-20/house-motor-vehicles.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-20/house-floor.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/index.md chamber: House body: House Human Relations & Aging Committee body_url: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/house-human-relations-and-aging.md meeting_kind: committee session: 2025-2026 Regular Session start_time: 2026-02-20T08:00:00-05:00 location: 341 CAP duration_seconds: 3278.0 video_id: 1166478095 video_title: 02.20.26 Human Relations & Aging agenda_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/agendas/house/Human Relations%2FHuman Relations & Aging Committee Meeting (02-20-2026).pdf bills_discussed: - HB 906 summaries_model: gpt-6.1-sol transcript_turns: 179 --- # House Human Relations & Aging Committee, February 20, 2026 House Human Relations & Aging Committee; February 20, 2026; 2025-2026 Regular Session. Video, on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel: https://vimeo.com/1166478095. Agenda: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/agendas/house/Human Relations%2FHuman Relations & Aging Committee Meeting (02-20-2026).pdf. > This is a machine transcript of the General Assembly's video, made by a speech-recognition model. It is not an official record and can mishear words, names, and numbers. Speakers are not identified. The video is the record: every timestamp links to the moment it plays. ## Summary written by Georgia Commons Written by gpt-6.1-sol from the transcript below. It is not part of the record. Quote the transcript or the video, not the summary. The committee discussed and approved [HB 906](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb906), which would require long-term care facilities with websites to link to the Georgia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. Members examined proposed fines, how violations would be handled, and whether families would understand that the program is independent of facilities. The committee adopted an amendment requiring an explanation of the program before the link. An amendment to remove the penalties failed for lack of a second, so the penalties remained. The approved version also included language allowing qualified medication aides to administer GLP-1 medications in personal care homes and assisted living communities. No vote count was stated. ## Bills discussed (1) Each account was written by gpt-6.1-sol from the stretch of the transcript it names. The bill's number is said in that stretch, unless it was the only bill on a committee's agenda. ### HB 906. Health; require long-term care facilities to post a link on their websites to the official website of the office of the long-term care ombudsman [HB 906](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb906) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:19:27](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1167s), turns 5 to 174. The sponsor said the substitute would require facilities with websites to link to the ombudsman program beginning January 1, 2027. The sponsor described a warning for a first violation, a $100 fine for a second, and $200 thereafter, with no penalties for broken links or license revocation. The sponsor said DCH would oversee compliance. The sponsor also said qualified medication aides could administer GLP-1 medications under physician instructions in personal care homes and assisted living communities. A committee member said skilled nursing facilities did not need that addition because nurses have broader authority. Members supported easier access to information but questioned fine frequency, appeals, public reporting and consistency with existing posting requirements. Those questions were not fully resolved. A Georgia Healthcare Association witness said the penalties sought enforceability without threatening residents over broken links. The state long-term care ombudsman said no facility had been fined for missing posters during the witness's 15 years in that role. Another member said defined penalties could limit DCH discretion. The ombudsman requested wording establishing the program's independence and free, confidential services. The committee adopted the chair's amendment requiring that explanation before the link. The vice chair's amendment removing penalties failed for lack of a second. The committee approved the substitute with the explanatory wording and penalties retained; no vote count was stated. ## Transcript (179 turns) [0:17:25](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1045s) What? I lost my glasses. You lost your glasses. All right, guys, we're gonna call this meeting to order. We are gonna proceed. Um, i- in advance, I will tell you, uh, we're gonna take this up 'cause there's a multitude of issues to discuss that have come up. But first, let me make everyone here aware that, um, unfortunately, the new O1s and O2s do not match the copy of the substitute bill you have before you. So I- I'm not comfortable with voting on this until every member is holding the right LC number. [0:18:02](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1082s) We are trying to get those copies made right now. If we can get them, we'll vote on it. If not, we're gonna have to postpone. But we are gonna go ahead and take up the issues because the language, Re- Representative Smith, thank you for being here, the language is almost the same. So, um, we're gonna let you explain the measure one more time. We have some issues to discuss that relate to the long-term care ombudsman. We have some issues that relate to the nursing home industry to discuss. We have several issues, uh, to discuss, and we have, uh, a provision that has been added since we had a hearing before on this. [0:18:38](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1118s) So we're gonna discuss all of that, hopefully while getting copies of the actual substitute. So Representative Smith, thank you for being here, my friend, and if you will go ahead and explain the measure again, and, and please, uh, explain anything that might be different in the version that we're looking at, and that is 0426S. Is that the one you're looking at? Zer- [0:19:02](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1142s) Yes, your Honor. [0:19:02](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1142s) Okay. Thank you, sir. So 0426S, that's what we're looking at, and the new sub we don't have, you explain any difference therein. Thank you, sir. Let me put you on, uh... [0:19:20](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1160s) Thank you, Mr... Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of the committee, uh, for this opportunity to present HB 906 again. And as you guys may know, this is a straightforward bill that requires long-term care facilities that maintain a website to post a link to the official website of the Georgia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. Now, since our last meeting, I've worked with facility representatives and, and legislative council to address concerns that were raised, particularly regarding penalties and implementation. [0:19:53](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1193s) So let's go through them. First, the bill will include an effective date of January 1st, 2027, to allow sufficient time for compliance. In addition, the penalty structure has been clearly defined. The first violation would be a written warning. The second would be a one hundred dollar fine. Third and beyond would be a two hundred dollar fine. Broken links alone would not carry any penalties whatsoever. [0:20:25](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1225s) And also, there is no risk of license revocation under this section. Now, compliance would fall under Department of Community Health's existing oversight structure. Any civil monetary penalty would be handled through DCH consistent with its current administrative processes, and collection would follow the same procedures already used for licensing-related penalties. Additionally, language has been added to clarify the scope of medications a qualified medication aide may administer. [0:20:56](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1256s) Existing law already permits medication aides to administer insulin, epinephrine, and B12 pursuant to physician direction and protocol. This revision simply adds GLP-1 medications, which are typically used to treat diabetes, to that existing list in assisted living communities and personal care homes in accordance with written physician instructions and established protocol. Uh, those are the, those are the changes, Mr. Chairman, and I'm happy to answer any questions. [0:21:29](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1289s) Thank you, Representative, for the good explanation and, uh, everyone-- As everyone's aware, we, we've heard this once before and, uh, some of the changes were alluded to. Uh, the first question, I have a question for you, and I know Ms. Humberstone is here and mentioned this to me as well. So when we-- So we already have, uh, physical plant requirements. Every, uh, facility, whether it's skilled nurse facility, assisted living community, uh, personal care home, must post prominently in the facility, uh, access to our long-term care ombudsman program, and we're gonna hear from our state long-term care ombudsman in a moment. [0:22:04](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1324s) But the new port, what we see here that we didn't have before as it relates to your original bill are penalties. So can you speak to why those penalties were added and where they came from? And I know Ms., uh, Humberstone had worked on some of that with you as well. [0:22:21](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1341s) A- a- absolutely. From my understanding, uh, Mr. Chairman, is that those penalties that if someone fail-- If, if the long-term care facilities fail to post that information on a website, those penalties will be consistent with the same penalties that are inside the building for, for failure to post. So we wanted to make this section specifically about the penalties on the website. [0:22:45](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1365s) Okay. And, um, Ms. Sarah Paul, can, um, can you tell us, uh, precisely what the penalties are, if you could, and even if it takes a minute, can you discover for us the penalties currently for a facility that's not posting it prominently on the physical plan? Because, uh, 'cause we talked about it earlier, and I know you've tried to make them consistent, but maybe not precisely with the... It-- My understanding is you reduced the penalties. [0:23:16](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1396s) Absolutely. [0:23:16](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1396s) And so I wanna make sure. So for the body, it'd be good for us to know, to compare if you could find those for us. And I know you didn't draft this bill, so I apologize. [0:23:29](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1409s) Yeah, I, I'm just not sure what those are. I, I put it in the first sheet because she helped, she helped write some of that. She might know that. But yeah. [0:23:40](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1420s) Yeah. Ms. Humberstone, if you can speak to that, or Ms. McNeil, if you would like to address that. I'm sure you ... Or maybe both of you, if you don't mind. Yeah. [0:23:49](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1429s) I think it's important to note- [0:23:51](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1431s) Go ahead [0:23:51](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1431s) ... those fines per day like- [0:23:52](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1432s) We're gonna- [0:23:52](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1432s) Mr. Chairman, members of the committee- [0:23:53](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1433s) Yeah [0:23:53](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1433s) ... Sheila Humberstone with, um, Georgia Healthcare Association, representing Georgia Skilled Nursing. Um, I did, um, help, uh, the author, um, write the, the penalties, um, and I did not look at what was the penalties in the physical plant. Um, I just worked with the sponsor to make sure he wanted to provide, um, you know, some teeth in the bill, but he also wanted to make sure that we weren't kicking residents out of a home for broken links. So we, we worked together to try to find some, some rational middle ground on what would be an appropriate set of penalties. [0:24:25](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1465s) So that's, that's sort of, um, the charge that I had and what I tried to put on paper. But- [0:24:30](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1470s) Thank you [0:24:30](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1470s) ... I'm sure Ms. McNeil- [0:24:31](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1471s) Thank you [0:24:31](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1471s) ... can tell you about the penalties otherwise. Thank you. [0:24:34](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1474s) Thank you so much. And members, this, Ms. Melanie McNeil is our state long-term care ombudsman and, uh, uh, one of the finest in the country, in my opinion, and does a remarkable job protecting Georgia seniors in, in facilities. Thank you. [0:24:47](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1487s) Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. I actually don't know what the fine is, but in my 15 years as a state long-term care ombudsman, I have never seen a facility s- fined for not having a poster up. But what they, what has happened is we had one facility that didn't like the design 'cause they had redecorated, and so they put up their own poster. And we went in and said, "Uh, you can't do that," and HFR backed us up. They didn't fine them. They just said, "Take down the poster and put up a new one." If they post the poster behind the employees', um, room door, if ... [0:25:20](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1520s) Uh, our ombuds representatives go into facilities every quarter, and they look for those things. If they can't find the poster, they'll just go to the administrator or the executive director and just say, "Hey, where's your poster?" "Oh, well, it's behind a post." And we just say, "Will you move it, please?" And they do. So I, I don't know that the fine is, is g- really gonna be an issue for facilities. I don't think it will, but I'd be surprised if they're ever even fined. [0:25:45](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1545s) Uh, thank you, Ms. McNeil, and I think you're, you're getting to my point. If indeed, uh, you know, y'all, we've long worked that way. This, every provider wants people to know how to get the ombudsman. And so, uh, if we don't have it for the physical plant, which we've had as a requirement forever, um, it may be that we don't need it here, or maybe we do need it here. I thought maybe there was an, uh, an interest in being consistent. So, um, we're looking for that. Ms. Harapalg, can you maybe reach out to Mr. [0:26:16](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1576s) Hennessy and a- ask him? I, I, I'd like us to know the answer to that question before we do anything. All right, we have a question from, uh, Chairman Bonner. [0:26:27](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1587s) Well, uh, thank you, Chairman. So my, I mean, my questions are related to the fees. I just, you know, I, I think it is important to know those, those amounts and then more specifically how they're calculated. Is it a, is it a per occurrence, per day, that kind of thing? And then if there's any kind of appeals process for that. And then finally, um, just to understand, is it similar to, you know, like a health code score that would be, uh, that the, made available to the public in terms of any violations that a particular facility had so that the, the public can determine, a- again, almost like a health score for a restaurant, to see what it was and then what, what they did to, um, to make it right and be in compliance. [0:27:10](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1630s) Th- those are the only questions I had, Mr. Chairman. [0:27:14](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1634s) Do- [0:27:15](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1635s) Thank you, Chairman Bonner. [0:27:19](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1639s) Representative McDonald. [0:27:22](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1642s) You want me to answer your question, right? [0:27:24](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1644s) Well- [0:27:24](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1644s) Oh, oh [0:27:24](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1644s) ... my understanding is we're getting that information. [0:27:26](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1646s) Okay, okay, perfect. Thank you. [0:27:28](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1648s) Yeah. [0:27:28](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1648s) Okay. [0:27:29](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1649s) But those are the, the questions I would have once, once we have those specific amounts. [0:27:34](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1654s) Okay. [0:27:36](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1656s) Chairman McDonald. [0:27:38](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1658s) Thank you. Uh, thank you, Representative Smith. Um, looking at lines 42, 43, and this is, uh, uh, not only for Representative Smith but also for our state ombudsman. It says, "If a long-term care facility violates any provision or subs- subsection of this code section, the department shall be authorized to ... " It's not saying shall do it, but be authorized. So this would be a question maybe for you and the ombudsman. It's giving them the authorization, but from what I heard in her remarks a few minutes ago, they like working with people. [0:28:09](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1689s) They're not there to fine people. Uh, they, but yeah, I understand you gotta have teeth in a measure because people then wouldn't even care and would not move it after being told by the ombudsman. But I'm, I'm reading this, it sh- shall be authorized. The, the person that goes out for this inspection still doesn't have to fine even on the second time. They're just authorized to do it, if I'm reading this correctly. [0:28:31](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1711s) Thank you for those remarks. That's the way it reads that. [0:28:52](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1732s) Representative Campbell, let me see if I can find you here. See if that's got you. [0:28:56](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1736s) I don't have a microphone. [0:28:57](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1737s) Oh, you don't have a microphone. [0:28:59](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1739s) That's all right. Uh, thank you, Chairman. [0:29:00](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1740s) Sorry. [0:29:00](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1740s) I just wanted to say I really like this bill. I think it is a tremendous, um, a very obvious step in today's world to have the website and technology available for families to be able to learn information. So I really again appreciate you bringing this bill. Um, and I think it, just in terms of the, the conversation around penalties, it sounds like all of the experts here have agreed that these are- issues that typically don't happen, and when they do, it seems like, um, minimum standard is really the base in, in terms of fines. [0:29:36](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1776s) So, um, more of a statement than a question. Thank you. [0:29:43](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1783s) Thank you. Thank you, Representative Campbell. Um, Chairman LaHood. [0:29:50](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1790s) Well? [0:29:51](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1791s) Thank you, Chair. And, uh, and thank you, Representative Smith. Uh, appreciate you bringing the bill and, and promoting transparency, uh, for consumers and everyone that's worked on this. Um, I just want to go on record and, and state, um, kind of second what's already been said, but I see this as a professional in this space as additive, uh, not deductive in any way or, uh, this is just an additional measure to improve transparency, and the penalty section is just for some clarity. [0:30:21](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1821s) Um, and like, uh, Chairman McDonald pointed out, it gives the department an authorization to issue these fines if they see necessary. Um, but I agree with Ms. McNeil, um, that this is not an industry problem. Um, if it does become a problem, it's easily corrected and, uh, nobody, you know, tends to get hurt. So, um, I, I appreciate this additive measure for additional transparency. Thank you. [0:30:49](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1849s) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. [0:30:52](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1852s) Representative Bazemore. [0:30:55](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1855s) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To my colleague and friend, thank you so much for bringing this bill, and thank you for the clarification of the shell, um, so now we have a clear understanding. And Mr. Chair, at the appropriate time, since we all now have the correct copy. [0:31:14](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1874s) Thank you, ma'am. Thank you, Representative Bazemore. It is not the appropriate time. We've got some fixes to make, I, in my opinion. All right, so here's, uh, so let me say this. Um, uh, the reason we're hearing this bill is because we, because I believe, and I think all of us believe, this is a good measure, and I appreciate the representative and had told him so. You know, I had an experience over the off session where, uh, one of our skilled nursing facilities was closed, uh, was actually terminated in Savannah. And a lot of those residents reached out to, uh, to me, and, uh, there's, there's occasions where, um, you know, folks live, uh, you know, uh, I might live in North Carolina, and my mother may be in Georgia. [0:31:56](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1916s) And I might not see that poster that's posted in a facility, and it, and it just might be helpful to have this information on, uh, on a website. I think the issue we're trying to address is that, um, right now it appears to me that the requirement on posting in a facility may be strictly through regulation and not through statute. And so I'm trying to be consistent with how we manage it. And so as it relates to the penalties, we all ... [0:32:28](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1948s) When the requirement is to do this, and it sounds like our state ombudsman is our ... Facilities do this because they know it's the right thing to do. They're gonna do this when we pass this either way. The penalties may be inconsistent, and we may remove them, but we're, that's what we're here to discuss. All right. Everybody should have before you now, and Representative Smith, uh, want to make sure the, the, the, the version that we needed, we now have, and that is, Representative Smith, 9005S. [0:33:01](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1981s) Is that correct, sir? [0:33:06](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1986s) 9005. I just wanted to make sure the language is correct. [0:33:10](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1990s) Yes, that's- [0:33:11](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1991s) Sure. [0:33:11](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1991s) Yes, this is the, yes, this is the correct one. [0:33:12](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=1992s) Yes, okay. So, so every, and every member should now have this version. Okay, that was a very good. All right. So now, uh, want to make sure everybody's looking at the right version. I'm gonna set this old one aside. There is one more issue, um, um, that, um, our, our state ombudsman wants to address. So Ms. McNeil, once again, if you will speak to your concern. [0:33:37](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2017s) Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, I appreciate, really appreciate Representative Smith's wanting to raise the visibility of the Ombudsman Program, so I don't disagree with that. But I'm very concerned that, um, and I have not seen the substitute, but the language in there just says, "Put a link to the Ombudsman Program." So, uh, my concern is that when people are looking for an independent advocate, they're not gonna see that on the website. All they're gonna see is a link, and so they very well may think that the facility is saying, "We have an ombudsman that's affiliated with us." And so if a resident's got a concern, they've already got a problem with the facility, they're not gonna go to somebody else who works for the facility. [0:34:18](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2058s) But our program is independent. So, and it's authorized by federal law. It's required, actually. Every state and the, uh, territories have state ombudsman, long-term care ombudsman. So I, uh, shared with Chairman Petrie some language that I think if, if they're gonna put it on their website, another concern is where will it go? Will it go on the last page, which is 19 of 19? But, uh, I don't really have as big a concern with that as I do just what the language is. So rather than just a link, I think it would be helpful to have some language that says, "The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is a federally authorized independent, uh, program to help residents of long-term care facilities, nursing homes, personal care homes, and assisted livings resolve problems, that it's confidential and the service is free," and then the link. [0:35:08](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2108s) There, in that way, uh, people going to the website can see that the, the, the facility is including this information. But hopefully it's clear by that informa- by that, uh, phrase, that paragraph, that it is an independent, uh, entity. [0:35:27](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2127s) Ms. McNeil, uh, we discussed this this morning. I- I- Is it true that your concern is, one of your concerns is that people that are looking at this, we don't want them to think that your long-term care program- protective of resident rights is somehow attached to or part of the facility or the organization, but it's distinct and, and, and you want a description of that. [0:35:52](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2152s) Yes. [0:35:52](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2152s) And, and, and your concerns would be resolved if we did that. [0:35:57](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2157s) Yes, and I'm asking that you use specific language. Don't just say, "Facilities must put some kind of qualifier," because then every, uh, h- entity, every personal care home, assisted living, nursing home will say something different. And we know that sometimes- [0:36:15](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2175s) Yes, ma'am [0:36:15](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2175s) ... that consistency isn't as accurate. I mean, that, uh, language isn't as accurate as it might be. So while on the one hand you don't usually wanna be that specific in the law, in this case I think we need to. Um, and so, a- and then the link is to our website. Now, I thought, well, you could also put the phone number, but phone numbers change, so don't put the phone number, just put the website, 'cause our phone numbers are on the website. So, um, y- y- so, yeah. [0:36:43](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2203s) Thank you, thank you, Ms. McKinney. I have a question. And I know we're gonna, we're gonna get moving here in a minute. Yes, ma'am. Ms. Lupton, lis- [0:36:50](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2210s) I have a mic. [0:36:50](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2210s) No, no, no mi- no mic, right? Okay. [0:36:53](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2213s) No mic, no mic. Um, even, I understand, I hear your concern. I think I understand it. [0:36:57](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2217s) Well. [0:36:57](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2217s) Um, we've got the posters already, and I've worked in nursing homes. I've seen them. Is it sufficient enough to say that basically what's on that poster needs to be put on- online? 'Cause I mean, I've seen the posters in facilities, and I don't get the, you know, I don't think, "Oh my God, that's something that this facility has set up." Like, uh, it's very clear from the poster that this is something that if you're having problems with this facility, call these other people. [0:37:23](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2243s) Right. [0:37:23](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2243s) I think the posters say it very well. [0:37:25](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2245s) Mm. [0:37:26](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2246s) Would it be sufficient to say, like, take what's on that poster and basically put it online? [0:37:33](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2253s) Good point, Representative. I think we're gonna move, uh, i- in a very similar fashion. Representative, uh, uh, Coyier. [0:37:42](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2262s) I, I don't have a mic either. Can, can you hear me okay? [0:37:45](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2265s) Yes. [0:37:46](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2266s) Yes. [0:37:47](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2267s) Um, if I understand you correctly, you spoke to the chairman about, uh, about the Senate. Did you also talk to the author of the bill? [0:37:57](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2277s) I'm sorry, I didn't catch that part. [0:37:59](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2279s) Did you talk to the author of the bill? [0:38:01](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2281s) Yeah, yes. We, we, um, yesterday we had some communication back and forth. [0:38:11](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2291s) All right. Thank you. [0:38:11](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2291s) All right, if there are no more questions. So here, okay... Oh, I'm sorry. Ms. Ed- Ms., uh, Representative, I, I have a problem, Ms. Edna. I, I tend to call you Ms. Edna 'cause I love you so much. So Representative Jackson, I'm sorry. [0:38:24](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2304s) I thank you. I'm, I'm happy that all of this is being cleared up. I was at the center in Savannah, and it was chaotic. I was there for two days. The people knew me over at that building because my grandmother was a patient, an aunt was a patient, and it had been an excellent center. So I'm glad to hear that some of this stuff is being cleared. My question is, in as much as, you know, a lot went on, has there be- been anything else c- yeah, what I'm hearing is we're clearing up stuff that has been in existence. [0:39:06](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2346s) Apparently, I was not on the committee when some of this, you know, these clarifications are coming, or I missed a meeting, and I stand corrected for that. But to see what happened with those people that were there, the crying and the this, I, I called the chairman about all of the incidents that were happening there 'cause that was protocol. So I just, I'm, I'm very partial about stuff like that, and I just think our elderly people need to know that they have people looking out for them. [0:39:40](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2380s) And at that time, they didn't feel that way. I drove in from here straight to that place. So I'm glad that as long as the person that is presenting the bill and we're in accord, that's good. But please, I have some recommendations later that I would like to tell you, that I'd like to talk to you about, that I think would make it even more efficient. [0:40:06](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2406s) Tha- thank you, Representative. We're gonna take one last question. Uh, Representative Frye has a question. [0:40:13](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2413s) Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, so, and I'm probably gonna say what's already in your head, if that's okay, um, that the language is, seems okay. Uh, actually, and you may not be thinking this, that if these penalties are lower than what's in code, I think that would be acceptable in the idea that we would be offering some potential relief, especially since she indicated that, um, the ombudsman indicated that there haven't been penalties actually assessed. [0:40:45](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2445s) And so we could codify those penalties. But then also to address Chairman Bonner's question, we just would add a friendly amendment to make it quarterly. You know, so you have three months to correct a, a, an issue, and then we would go from there. So I feel like we're really close and I, and I just wanna let you know that I support the bill. [0:41:08](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2468s) Thank you, Representative Frye. I think we're all very supportive of this measure. I think that what I've learned, uh, uh, and we're still trying to learn more, is that this is not addressed in statute for the current requirement that's always been in existence. It appears it's only in the rulemaking process. And so if we put it in statute now, it's in statute for this part, and it isn't for the balance of it. And it appears to be the ca- I could be wrong. I don't, you know, I don't know that. But right now we can't find it in code, and so, uh, that is my concern. [0:41:40](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2500s) All right. So I have, uh, I'm gonna mention- And then we're gonna move, 'cause we, we're going into session in a few minutes, so we're gonna move swiftly now. Thank you, uh, to our State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Ms. McNeil, s- so very much. So here's what I'm gonna, uh, uh, do. Um, we are going-- Is there, uh, so everyone understands we're just adding GLP-1s to the ability for, uh... Now, um, uh, a- and I'm gonna ask Chairman LaHood to maybe address this for me real quick, and then we're gonna move swiftly. Uh, Chairman LaHood, um, uh, my understanding is you've worked with, with Representative Smith on this, but, um, it appears that right now this measure only al- it allows certified medication aids to do the GLP-1s in personal care homes and assisted living communities. [0:42:27](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2547s) This does not address skilled nursing facilities, is my understanding when I read the version I'm looking at. Is that, um, is that tr- And, and to our legislative council member, I would ask that question as well. And let's hear from Chairman LaHood, and then we'll come to you, Ms. Harapall. [0:42:44](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2564s) All right. Th- thank you, Chairman, for that, uh, point of, uh, question or clarification. So, uh, currently certified medication aids in assisted living and personal care homes can administer, are allowed to administer insulin, epinephrine, and B12. GLP-1 is a newer, uh, insulin, you know, treatment, and we just need to add it in code to, to make sure we're compliant there and can, can treat, um, can, can follow physician's orders when that's recommended. Uh, for skilled nursing homes, they're, uh, don't use certified medication aids or are not required to. [0:43:18](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2598s) They have-- They're skilled nursing and have nurses on site, and so their scope is much broader. [0:43:23](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2603s) Okay. [0:43:23](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2603s) Um, so it would not be necessary. [0:43:24](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2604s) My understanding was some of them do use, uh, certified medication aids as well, though. It was my understanding. Maybe not, but, um, I thought it might be helpful for them to have it as well. Sounds like, and our nursing home folks are here, you're good with this language? Okay. Just wanna make sure we didn't need to add skilled nursing facilities. And then to Ms. Harapall, one last question. The code section relates to hospitals and other healthcare facilities, then it specifically alludes to, in section one, personal care homes, and sections two, assisted living communities. [0:43:54](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2634s) Are we capturing skilled nursing facilities in this or not with section one and two? [0:44:03](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2643s) Uh, Chairman Petrie. [0:44:04](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2644s) Mm-hmm. [0:44:05](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2645s) Uh, and leg council, on line 12, uh, it does mention other healthcare facilities, um- [0:44:12](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2652s) Right [0:44:12](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2652s) ... so does that, does that capture skilled nursing? [0:44:15](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2655s) Well, that-- So that's the section it's in, but then it specifically mentors-- m- mentions in the, the, the code section, uh, when you get down to seven dash twelve, um, it's, it's, it's relating to personal care homes. So I, I, I think we're not touching skilled nursing facilities. But, uh, yeah. [0:44:40](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2680s) I don't believe that we are. I, I, I looked at it and I am not- [0:44:46](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2686s) Okay [0:44:46](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2686s) ... reading anything in the code section that more specifically targets skilled nursing because it isn't too broad a term, and I'm not seeing it appear through the line item totals. Um. [0:44:51](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2691s) Okay. So i- it sounds like we have an agreement that right now this is just personal care homes and skill-- and, uh, assisted living communities. Okay. Got it. All right. And, uh, i- and I see no protest about that. Is that? Okay. Gotcha. All right. So here's, uh, so what is the will of the body? And then we're gonna move swiftly. What is the will of the body? [0:45:13](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2713s) Representative Bazemore? Ah. [0:45:18](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2718s) There- [0:45:18](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2718s) Hold on one second. Representative Bazemore. [0:45:20](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2720s) Thank you, Mr. Chair. I ask that do pass. [0:45:25](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2725s) All right. We have a move do pass. Do we have a second? [0:45:27](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2727s) I second. [0:45:28](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2728s) Okay. All right. Now for discussion. So here's what we're gonna do. I'm gonna make an amendment first myself, and then I have another amendment coming from my vice chair. All right. First amendment is this. On line, [0:45:44](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2744s) on line forty-one, in the version you're looking at, nine zero zero five S, on line forty-one, after the word ombudsman, period, we state the following, and I'll go slow there to our legislative council. We'll state the following: The link shall be preceded with the following statement. "The Long-Term Care Ombudsman program is a federally authorized independent organization that helps residents of nursing homes, personal care homes, and assisted living communities resolve complaints. [0:46:43](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2803s) The service is confidential and free of charge. [0:46:52](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2812s) www.georgiaombudsman.org." [0:47:05](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2825s) That is amendment one. Any discussion? [0:47:14](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2834s) Chairman, mine's not working. [0:47:16](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2836s) Okay. I'm sorry. I'll get you in a minute. All right. Now we have, we have, uh... [0:47:22](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2842s) All right. Let me get you on here. Let me get this one off. All right. Vice Chairman? [0:47:29](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2849s) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'd like to offer another amendment to remove, um, strike lines forty-two through fifty-two, the penalties part. [0:47:39](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2859s) Or through fifty-three, actually. [0:47:41](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2861s) Fifty-three, we'll start. [0:47:47](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2867s) So amendment two, [0:47:50](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2870s) Cameron strikes. That puts it back. So Representative Smith, what that does, it puts it back in the posture of where you began. Your original bill did not have any of that language, and it simply puts it back into where you began with your bill that we s- heard in our first meeting, correct? [0:48:09](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2889s) But I don't want it to be in the same section. Uh, if there are, if there are penalties, uh, there are penalties. I think we know that there aren't any fines. But if there are penalties, I don't want these to be associated with them. [0:48:25](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2905s) Uh, let me, let me get you on, let me get your mic here. Go, go ahead. Y- y- we've got your mic now, Representative. Your mic's on, Representative. [0:48:34](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2914s) Well- [0:48:40](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2920s) Got very limited time. [0:48:45](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2925s) My understanding is what we just described puts it back to the way we saw it when you brought this bill originally. We have a requirement that every facility in the state must have on their website the long-term care ombudsman, but we remove the penalties. Uh, I don't believe right now we have enough information to know that this is in any way consistent with what we already do, and no one in the room has been able to, uh, answer that. So, so but you're good with that, right? But, uh, uh, but I want, I want to hear from you, Rep. [0:49:15](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2955s) This is your bill, so you, you're the most important person in the room to me right now. So, um, use your mi- you, you... I have you on, your mic is on. [0:49:24](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2964s) I have it. [0:49:24](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2964s) But I wanna make sure that we're putting it back to your original posture, except that we do have the GLPs in here. So that has not changed. But as it relates to penalties, we're removing those, and then we're adding, my amendment makes our long-term care ombudsman program, the people that spend their life protecting seniors, it makes them more comfortable with how we put it on the... Uh, so are you good with these amendments? That's important to me. [0:49:56](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=2996s) At the moment, I would like for Chairman LaHood to share his remarks. [0:50:00](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=3000s) Okay. Tha- thank you, Representative. Okay. Chairman LaHood, quickly please. [0:50:04](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=3004s) Thank, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, the reason, uh, the industry, uh, folks recommended the penalty section is for clarity, uh, and to make sure the department didn't, um, impose penalties that, that were not clearly defined, uh, at their discretion. Um, however, upon thinking on this more, and I'm looking over to the industry experts over here, I believe every violation that the department could cite has a letter beside it, like a tag, A through F or G or, you know, and each one has a different level of severity. [0:50:47](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=3047s) And so I'm curious where this falls in the, in that severity, um, scale. [0:50:54](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=3054s) Yeah. It, it appears that the requirement- [0:50:56](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=3056s) And, and would a, would a fine already be defined next to the, the letter that corresponds with the severity? [0:51:02](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=3062s) It, it appears, it appears from what we can learn from legislative council, the current requirement, this longstanding, has no such language like this anywhere in statute. So, um, uh, we would be, uh, bifurcating this. Um, so let's do this. It's 8:47. Here's what we're gonna do, and this measure can be addressed in the Senate. It can be addressed when it comes back to the House if we learn more. These changes were made at the very last minute. I saw them this morning. [0:51:32](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=3092s) So here's what we're gonna do. All right. Uh, uh, we're, we're not gonna have any further discussion. We're gonna... Uh, so on amendment one, on amen- on the Petrea amendment, which adds, "The link shall be proceeded with the following statement," on line 41, I read that out. Ms. Harell, can you read back that, the, the, the first amendment? [0:51:50](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=3110s) The amendment, uh, I, I was gonna pull it from the website or from you after it- [0:51:55](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=3115s) Okay. All right [0:51:56](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=3116s) ... but I, I- [0:51:56](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=3116s) All right. I'm gonna read it. All right. All right. On line 41, "The link shall be proceeded with the following statement," quote, "The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is a federally authorized independent organization that helps residents of nursing homes, comma, personal care homes, and assisted living communities resolve complaints. The service is confidential and free of charge. Ww.georgiaombudsman.org." [0:52:27](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=3147s) Motion to be passed. [0:52:30](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=3150s) Second. Motion on the amendment. A second on the amendment. All in favor of, we'll call it the Petrea amendment, say I. I. All opposed? Okay. And I think, Ms. McNeil, uh, this makes you more comfortable, correct? Okay. Very good. All right. That amendment is passed. We're now on to the Cameron amendment. Can you describe that again? [0:52:54](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=3174s) Yeah. To want to remove lines 42 through 53, take out the penalties part. [0:53:02](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=3182s) Okay. Honorable body, [0:53:09](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=3189s) Cameron amendment. Move to pass. [0:53:14](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=3194s) All right. And second. Do we have a second on the Cameron amendment? No? No. All right. Sounds like the Cameron amendment fails. All right. All right. So now, here's where we are. We're back to the original bill. The original bill has one amendment. It keeps the penalties in. Okay? All right. That is what you're looking at. Everybody clear? You're looking at this bill with the penalties and with the amendment. [0:53:45](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=3225s) All in favor, you mo- move to... We already have a, uh... All right. Second. Second. All in favor? I. All opposed? Okay. All right. The bill passes in that posture. All right. [0:54:30](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=3270s) Mr. Chairman. [0:54:32](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=3272s) Sir? [0:54:32](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=3272s) Are we adjourned? [0:54:33](https://vimeo.com/1166478095#t=3273s) We're adjourned. Sorry. We're adjourned.