ATLANTA – State Representative Mandisha A. Thomas (D-South Fulton) today announced 12 pieces of legislation she plans to pre-file in November ahead of the 2023 legislative session.
“I am excited to announce a dozen legislative priorities that I plan to tackle this upcoming session,” said Rep. Thomas. “My legislative priorities reflect the needs of my constituents and range from expanding access to affordable health care to making it easier for working families to earn a living without sacrificing their family’s well-being.”
The majority of Rep. Thomas’ legislative initiatives aim to help make health care more affordable and accessible for Georgians, especially those with chronic diseases. First, Rep. Thomas’ legislation would update the Georgia Surprise Billing Consumer Protection Act in order to require providers to notify a patient when scheduling services if such services will cost $100 or more out-of-pocket. Through the Georgia Lab Work Debrief Act, health care providers would be prohibited from charging patients an office visit fee to explain lab results using blood work from a previous visit within a 30-day period. Additionally, the Georgia Healthy Heart Act would lower premiums for certain heart diseases for individuals between ages 40 and 84. The Georgia Triple Threat Chronic Disease Act would create a three-month emergency SNAP benefits program for residents affected by chronic disease; the program would provide $75 per month for a total of $225 in benefits. The Georgia Clinician Tier Recognition Health Incentive would lower insurance premiums for physicians and nurse practitioners who specialize in and provide services for certain chronic diseases.
Rep. Thomas also seeks to support working families through the Georgia Employer Working Families Act. This legislation would authorize the state to create an incentive for employers who provide a child care referral program, offer flexible or hybrid work environments and provide two weeks of paid sick leave for employees to take care of themselves or a family member.
Rep. Thomas’s legislative priorities also recognize the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on Georgians. The Georgia COVID-19 High School Act would create a pilot program in Coweta County beginning August 2023; the program would provide special assistance to students if their overall GPA dropped due to the virus. The Remember My Georgia Life COVID-19 Remembrance Act would authorize the state to install a “scrolling wall” outside of the State Capitol with names of every Georgian who has died as a result of the virus.
Rep. Thomas’ environmental priorities are also reflected in her 2023 legislative plans. Under Rep. Thomas’ Georgia Environmental Government Candidate Act, the state would charge a fee to all candidates running for public office to help clean up campaign yard signs. The Georgia Emerald Green Job Act would establish a private-public partnership with the Georgia Department of Labor to help build more environmentally-friendly state government buildings.
Rep. Thomas’ other pending initiatives include the Georgia Micro Kitchen Enterprise Act, which would authorize micro-enterprise operations out of home kitchens in compliance with the Georgia Department of Public Health. Finally, the Georgia Mover to Mover Act would aim to address lowballing weight quotes in an effort to protect residents from scams associated with relocating.
House bill numbers and official webpages will be assigned to Rep. Thomas’ legislation once they are pre-filed.
Representative Mandisha A. Thomas represents the citizens of District 65, which includes portions of Fulton and Douglas counties. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2020 and currently serves on the Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, Industry and Labor and Information and Audits committees.
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