ATLANTA—State Representative Ronnie Mabra (D–Fayetteville) commented today on Governor Nathan Deal signing into law House Bill 828. Sponsored by Rep. Mabra, HB 828 takes measures to protect accident victims from “ambulance chasers,” or attorneys and doctors who are eager for insurance claims. HB 828 passed unanimously in both the House and Senate during this year’s legislative session.
“As a freshman legislator, I worked diligently on this legislation to get HB 828 passed. Protecting Georgians continues to be my top priority, and I commend the Georgia General Assembly and Governor Deal for sharing my vision,” said Rep. Mabra. “Together we have taken a huge step in ending the appalling practice of releasing accident victim’s private, personal information.”
HB 828 restricts the release of information about accident victims and increases the penalties for buying such information for the purpose of obtaining legal and medical clients. The first offense is punishable as a misdemeanor with at least 30 days in jail and a maximum fine of $1,000. The second offense brings a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.
Governor Deal signed HB 828 into law on April 21, 2014 at a bill signing ceremony in the Governor’s office at the State Capitol. Rep. Mabra and his wife, Dawn, attended the ceremony.
April 29, 2014, was the last day in which Governor Deal could sign or veto bills passed during the 2014 legislative session. The Governor has 40 days following Sine Die to veto or sign a bill into law.
For more information on HB 828, click here.
Representative Ronnie Mabra represents the citizens of District 63, which includes portions of Clayton, Fayette, and Fulton counties. He was elected in 2012, and currently serves on the Code Revision, Higher Education, and Judiciary committees.
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