ATLANTA – State Representative Scot Turner (R-Holly Springs) today announced that House Bill 34, the Georgia Right to Try Act, and House Bill 768, the Georgia ABLE Act, were recently signed into law by Gov. Nathan Deal. Co-sponsored by Rep. Turner, HB 34 will allow terminally ill patients the access to experimental medications, and HB 768 will allow disabled individuals access to tax advantaged savings accounts for their care and treatment.
“Both of these pieces of legislation represent significant improvements for ill and disabled citizens in our state by getting government out of the way and allowing these citizens to chart their own course,” said Rep. Turner. “These bills represent the type of work I am doing as a state representative and, frankly, remind me of why I fight for this job.”
HB 34, the Georgia Right to Try Act, will grant access to investigational treatments, medicines, and devices for terminal patients who have exhausted all other options. The process will require investigational treatments to pass phase one of FDA approval, as well as written consent from both the patient and their physician. Under the new law, manufacturers will not be required to offer the treatment, and health insurance companies will not be required to pay for the treatment. Doctors, as well as other involved participants, will also be indemnified. HB 34 was signed into law on Tuesday, April 26, 2016, and will become effective July 1, 2016.
HB 768, the Georgia ABLE, or “Achieving a Better Life Experience,” Act is based on the federal ABLE Act passed in 2014, and aims to ease the financial strains faced by individuals with disabilities. An ABLE account is a tax-free savings account that may cover expenses such as medical care, education, community-based supports, employment training, assistive technology, housing and transportation. Georgia joins 43 other state legislatures that have enacted ABLE legislation. HB 768 became effective upon Gov. Deal’s signature on May, 3, 2016.
For more information on HB 34, the Georgia Right to Try Act, please click here.
For more information on HB 768, the Georgia ABLE Act, please click here.
Representative Scot Turner represents the citizens of District 21, which includes portions of Cherokee County. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2013, and currently serves on the Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, Science & Technology, Special Rules, State Planning & Community Affairs committees.
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