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Rep. Harden Receives Leadership Assignments

ATLANTA – State Representative Michael Harden (R-Toccoa) recently received leadership assignments as a Deputy Whip and the Vice Chairman of the Banks & Banking Committee.

“I am honored that Majority Whip Edward Lindsey and Speaker David Ralston considered me for these positions,” said Rep. Harden. “I look forward to fulfilling my responsibilities in these assignments, the new opportunities they will provide, and the new ways that they will allow me to better represent the people of northeast Georgia.”

In his new position as Vice Chairman of the Banks & Banking Committee, Rep. Harden will help lead thorough reviews of all proposed legislation that would affect financial institutions, real property finance, and corporate securities law in Georgia.

As a member of the majority whip team, Representative Harden will play a critical role in monitoring legislation as it moves through both chambers of the General Assembly. The position will also require Rep. Harden to help members of the majority caucus to better understand the details of bills and resolutions.

Representative Harden will also continue to serve as a member of the Transportation, Regulated Industries, Motor Vehicles, Higher Education, and Agriculture & Consumer Affairs committees.

Representative Michael Harden represents the citizens of District 28, which includes Banks County, and portions of Franklin and Stephens Counties. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2008, and currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the Banks & Banking Committee. Representative Harden also serves on the Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, Higher Education, Motor Vehicles, Regulated Industries, and Transportation committees.

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Rep. Oliver Introduces Legislation to Expand Georgia’s Mandatory Reporting Requirements for Child Abuse

ATLANTA – State Representative Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur) today introduced HB 948, legislation that would expand Georgia’s child abuse laws by adding coaches and members of the clergy to the list of individuals required to report suspected child abuse.

“In light of recent national events, I think now is a good time to review our state laws regarding child abuse reporting,” said Rep. Oliver. “Reporting child abuse must work to prevent further abuse. Those who work directly with children or are in a position of trust have an obligation to take action if they suspect abuse.”

Under Georgia’s mandatory reporting requirements certain individuals are required by state law to report suspected child abuse to the person in charge of the organization for which they work. This legal obligation to act currently applies to medical personnel, psychologists, social workers, counselors, law enforcement personnel, child service organization personnel and school teachers, administrators and guidance counselors. HB 948 expands this list to include coaches and clergy.

The proposed legislation would clarify the meaning of “child service organization personnel” under existing law by adding language that specifically defines the term to mean any person employed by or volunteering at a business or organization that provides care, treatment, education, training, supervision, coaching, counseling, recreational programs, or shelter to children. While some coaches may already be included under the term “school administrator,” this addition would make it clear that non-school based coaches and coaches at colleges that offer summer and special athletic programs are also expected to report suspected child abuse.

HB 948 would also expand mandatory reporting requirements to include clergy for the first time in Georgia, which 26 other states already include as mandated reporters. As defined by the legislation, “clergy” would include anyone acting as a Christian or Jewish minister or similar function, regardless of the particular title used by the individual, church or religion. The bill would also include a narrow exception for clergy parishioner confidences that are required to be kept confidential under church doctrine or practice, such as those disclosed during the Roman Catholic Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. However, this limited exception is narrowly tailored so that clergy would be required to report suspected abuse once the clergy receives information from any source outside of the protected mode of communication.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, over 3 million reports of child abuse are made each year in the United States. If you know or suspect a child is being abused, please report it by calling the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD.

Representative Mary Margaret Oliver represents the citizens of District 83, which includes portions of DeKalb County. She was elected into the House of Representatives in 2002, plus five years previous service. She currently serves on the Appropriations, Governmental Affairs, Judiciary, and Science and Technology committees.

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Rep. Karla Drenner Comments on Charter School Amendment

ATLANTA – State Representative Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates) issued the following statement today regarding her vote on House Resolution 1162, a proposed amendment to the state constitution that would clarify the constitutional meaning of “special schools” by expressly stating that the term “special schools” includes charter schools and that the term “special schools” only refers to public schools:

“Given the success of the several charter schools located in my district and the feedback I’ve received from concerned parents who support charter schools, I chose to vote in favor of HR 1162.

“I first and foremost I support public schools and public school teachers, which is why I support amending our state constitution so that it is absolutely clear and indisputable that charter schools are in fact public schools.

“The resolution would allow voters in my district to voice their opinion at the ballot box in November as to whether or not the state should be able to authorize and fund high quality charter schools. I believe this to be a positive step toward improving public education in our state.”

Representative Karla Drenner represents the citizens of District 86, which includes portions of DeKalb County. She was elected into the House of Representatives in 2000, and currently serves on the Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications, Health & Human Services, Natural Resources & Environment, and Rules committees. She also serves on the Special Committee on Small Business Development and Job Creation.

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House Passes Rep. Doug Collins’ Legislation to Consolidate Government Agencies

ATLANTA – The Georgia House of Representatives today passed State Representative Doug Collins’ (R-Gainesville) legislation to abolish two state agencies and save taxpayers an estimated $1 million to $2.6 million. The legislation, House Bill 642, passed by a vote of 134 to 27, showing broad bipartisan support for the measure.

“Since I took office, one of my main goals has been to cut the size of government with common sense solutions in order to make government more cost-effective,” said Rep. Collins. “HB 642 consolidates two state agencies so that taxpayers’ dollars are saved and unnecessary bureaucracy is trimmed.”

HB 642 would abolish the State Properties Commission and the State Personnel Administration, transferring the agencies’ functions to the Georgia Services Administration. The Georgia Services Administration would be a newly formed agency that succeeds the Department of Administrative Services. The Georgia Aviation Authority, the State Accounting Office, the Office of Treasury and Fiscal Services, the Georgia Building Authority, the Office of State Administrative Hearings, and the Georgia Technology Authority would receive administrative assignment to the Georgia Services Administration.

Representative Doug Collins represents the citizens of District 27, which includes portions of Hall, Lumpkin, and White counties. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2006, and is currently one of the Governor’s Administrative Floor Leaders. Rep. Collins serves on the Defense and Veterans Affairs Committee, the Appropriations Committee, Health & Human Services, Judiciary Non- Civil and Public Safety & Homeland Security committees.

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Clergy Attempts to Bring Parties Together in Support of Charter School Amendment: Urges Legislators to Put Kids First

ATLANTA – State Representatives Alisha Morgan (D-Austell), Margaret Kaiser (D-Atlanta) and Rahn Mayo (D-Decatur) will meet today with metro Atlanta clergy and the Brighter Georgia Education Coalition in supporting HR 1162, a constitutional amendment to help charter schools in Georgia. The group of clergy hopes to bring political parties together on the issue of education at a time when political differences threaten to dominate the discussion.

“When it comes to educating our kids, one size does not fit all. That’s why we need as many high-quality educational options as possible for our children,” said Bishop Brian Hodges from Gathering of Champions Church. “We say we want parental involvement, so we must put politics aside and give parents options in the public school system.”

“And yet, if local boards had exclusive control, as the Supreme Court has ruled, we’d be without such high quality options as Ivy Preparatory Academy and Fulton Science Academy,” said Tony Roberts, president of the Georgia Charter Schools Association, which is a member of the Brighter Georgia Education Coalition. “Which is why we need an appeals process for these schools that are too often wrongly denied at the local level. And why we need this amendment.”

“This is not a Republican issue or a Democrat issue. It’s not about black or white. It’s about coming together to close the achievement gap and give every child in Georgia an opportunity to learn. Until every child has a chance, every option is on the table,” said Pastor Wilbur Purvis of Destiny World Church.

For more information, visit brightergeorgia.org.

Since 2003, Alisha Thomas Morgan has represented Georgia’s 39th House District, serving Cobb County. She is the first African-American to serve in the Georgia House of Representatives from Cobb County and currently serves on the Children & Youth, Education, Governmental Affairs, and Health & Human Services committees. Rep. Morgan may be reached at 404-656-0109 or by e-mail at Alisha.Morgan@house.ga.gov.

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