HB 19 establishes an electronic registry of inpatient psychiatric beds to improve access to mental health care. The registry will be accessible to authorized users, including the Georgia Crisis and Access Line.

SB 5 requires health insurers to implement a program allowing selective reductions in prior authorization requirements for providers who meet specific criteria. Providers can avoid or reduce future prior authorization requests from insurers by adhering to evidence-based medicine and performance benchmarks set by insurers.This type of program is sometimes called “gold carding.”

The bill updates the law authorizing the Maternal Mortality Review Committee in three ways: 1) Gives the Department of Public Health the power to define the length of the terms that members of the MMRC serve; 2) Limits the reasons that MMRC committee members can be removed to Inability or neglect to perform the duties, incompetence, or dishonest conduct; and 3) specifies that MMRC members must comply with the federal Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPPA).

HB 24 creates a grant program to expand mental health and substance use supports in schools. Grantees must serve all students regardless of insurance coverage or ability to pay but are required to seek insurance reimbursements for services when available.