ATLANTA – The Georgia House of Representatives recently gave final passage to House Bill 221, the Uniform Power of Attorney Act, sponsored by State Representative Chuck Efstration (R-Dacula). The bill was passed unanimously by both the House and Senate and will now go to Governor Nathan Deal for consideration.
“The Uniform Power of Attorney Act provides a much-needed update to Georgia’s power of attorney statute,” said Rep. Efstration. “The bill allows protections for individuals who grant the power of attorney while also giving clarification for responsible caregivers and financial institutions.”
Supporters of HB 221 include Director Vernon Keenan of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia Alzheimer’s Association and AARP Georgia.
“The passage of House Bill 221, Uniform Power of Attorney Act, will give law enforcement and prosecutors the tools necessary to address individuals who are using the power of attorney to exploit elderly and disabled persons,” said Keenan. “A power of attorney should not be used as a license to steal.”
“On behalf of the hundreds of thousands of people with dementia that we serve in Georgia, we want to thank Representative Chuck Efstration and the General Assembly for hearing our voices and passing the Uniform Power of Attorney Act,” said Leslie Gregory, CEO and president of the Alzheimer’s Association’s Georgia Chapter. “We strongly believe this policy will improve the quality of life and provide a stronger measure of safety for those with the disease, their caregivers and families.”
For more information on HB 221, please click here.
*Editor’s Note: A photograph of Rep. Efstration presenting HB 221 to the Georgia House of Representatives has been attached to this press release for your convenience.
Representative Chuck Efstration represents the citizens of District 104, which includes portions of Gwinnett County. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2013, and currently serves as Vice Chairman on the Legislative & Congressional Reapportionment Committee and the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation. He also serves on the Defense & Veterans Affairs, Insurance, and Juvenile Justice committees.
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