ATLANTA – State Representative Jimmy Pruett (R-Eastman) was recognized for his legislative leadership on House Bill 1040 by the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) at their “Making A Difference Annual Appreciation Dinner” on Thursday, July 15, 2010. HB 1040 was introduced by Rep. Pruett during the 2010 legislative session in an effort to improve access to home-based care for Georgians with disabilities.
“I was proud to introduce HB 1040 because it enables thousands of disabled Georgians who could not previously afford the cost of quality home-care to easily improve their standard of living for little or no cost,” said Representative Pruett.
HB 1040 amends the Nurse Practice Act to allow a designated unlicensed person who is trained by a Registered Nurse to provide a defined set of skilled services to a specific person, as long as those services are ordered by a doctor for a person who is disabled. These services may be performed by family members, friends, or caregivers. The legislation is intended to target services that would otherwise have to be provided by a RN or LPN because the patient cannot provide the services to themselves due to disability. The bill went into effect July 1, 2010.
The GCDD is a federally funded, independent state agency that collaborates with citizens, policymakers, and public and private advocacy organizations to positively influence public policies that enhance the quality of life for persons and families living with developmental disabilities. They established the Making A Difference Annual Appreciation Dinner to honor state legislators and other Georgians who have distinguished themselves through work that positively impacts the lives of individual citizens with developmental disabilities and their families. The event was an opportunity to celebrate the progress that is being made to enhance community life for people with disabilities.
More information on HB 1040 can be found by clicking here.
Editor’s Note: A photo of Rep. Jimmy Pruett with GCDD board members Tom Seegmuller and Eric Jacobsen at the “Making A Difference Annual Appreciation Dinner” is attached to this press release for your convenience.
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Representative Jimmy Pruett represents the citizens of District 144, which includes Bleckley, Dodge, and Wilcox counties and portions of Ben Hill and Pulaski counties. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2006, and serves as one of Governor Perdue’s Floor Leaders. He currently serves on the Appropriations, Children & Youth, Economic Development & Tourism, and Industrial Relations Committees. He can be reached at Jimmy.Pruett@house.ga.gov or 404-651-7737.