ATLANTA – State Representative Todd Jones (R-South Forsyth) today was recognized by Mental Health America (MHA) for championing House Bill 1013, the Georgia Mental Health Parity Act. Rep. Jones was one of 11 state legislators honored at MHA’s Regional Policy Council meeting which took place in Denver.
“I am honored to receive this recognition for my work on Georgia’s Mental Health Parity Act,” said Rep. Jones. “I am proud of what we have accomplished with HB 1013, but I believe there is still work to do to better the lives of Georgians struggling with their mental health. I remain hopeful and will continue to be an advocate and a voice for this community.”
House Bill 1013 was introduced and passed during the 2022 legislative session and signed into law on April 4, 2022. This omnibus legislation provides comprehensive reform to Georgia’s mental and behavioral health care system. HB 1013 requires insurance companies to cover mental health services in the same way that physical health services are covered. This bill also equips law enforcement with trained mental health clinicians to respond to 911 calls associated with a mental health crisis and establishes state grants for outpatient treatment.
Along with co-sponsoring the Mental Health Parity Act, Rep. Jones was recognized for his work to establish and serve as the co-chair of the Georgia Mental Health Caucus. He leads this bipartisan group of legislators with a focus on providing better access to providers of mental health care services.
MHA is the nation’s leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and promoting the overall mental health of all. For more information on MHA, please click here.
Representative Todd Jones represents the citizens of District 25, which includes portions of Forsyth and Fulton counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2016 and currently serves as Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education and as Vice Chairman of the Science and Technology Committee. He also serves on the Special Committee on Access to Quality Health Care and the Budget & Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Code Revision, Economic Development & Tourism, Education, Industry & Labor and Judiciary committees.
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