Rural health tax credit, criminal justice changes get OK
ATLANTA (AP) - Georgia lawmakers approved a new tax credit aimed at shoring up struggling rural hospitals and Gov. Nathan Deal's latest changes to the criminal justice system on Thursday.
Measures discussed Thursday now go to the opposing chamber for review. Lawmakers face a key deadline Monday, the 30th day of the 40-day legislative session.
Bills must pass at least one chamber by that date to remain viable for the year.
Here's a look at key developments at the Capitol on Thursday:
RURAL HOSPITALS
The House backed creation of a new tax credit that supporters say will help Georgia's struggling rural hospitals.
The proposal from Rep. Geoff Duncan, R-Cumming, allows people to claim a state tax credit for donating money to eligible hospitals. The credit would be up to $2,500 or $5,000 for married couples per year. Corporations and other organizations also could claim the credit.
"These dollars are going to be used to go directly to their community to improve their community's health care," Duncan said.
Four rural hospitals in Georgia have closed since 2013, and a state committee studying this issue reported last year that 15 more were "financially fragile."
The credit would be capped statewide at $100 million per year, awarded "first come, first served" by the state Department of Revenue. Eligible hospitals must be in a rural county, participate in Medicaid and Medicare and meet other requirements.
The bill now goes to the state Senate.
Critics of the measure say it doesn't require hospitals to use the money for health care purposes or report how they use the funding, unlike the requirements attached to any state funding. Democrats also used Thursday's House debate to urge Republicans to expand Medicaid coverage as states are permitted under the federal Affordable Care Act.
Rep. Bob Trammell, D-Luthersville, said he supports the proposal but urged lawmakers to do more.
"It is my hope that this bill starts a conversation that we desperately need in Georgia," Trammell said.
Gov. Nathan Deal declined to accept Medicaid expansion, saying it was too costly in the long run. Lawmakers have since passed legislation requiring their approval to do so. Democrats introduced a bill this year to accept the expansion; it has not received a floor vote.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
The Senate unanimously approved the latest step in an overhaul of Georgia's courts and prisons championed by Gov. Deal during the last five years.
The proposal now goes to the House.
Sen. John Kennedy, R-Macon, is one of Deal's floor leaders. He said the changes are based on recommendations of the Georgia Council on Criminal Justice Reform.
The broad proposal makes numerous changes, including a requirement that state education officials set training guidelines for staff who handle student discipline. The council found that schools generate a large number of complaints filed in juvenile court.
Another portion of the bill speeds up the timeline for people to get driver's licenses reinstated after jail time, helping people apply to and keep jobs and meet other post-release requirements.
Sen. Harold Jones, an Augusta Democrat and a former prosecutor, said the bill is "fair for both sides" of the criminal justice system.
RAPE VICTIM PARENTAL RIGHTS
A measure unanimously passed by the Senate would terminate the parental rights of men convicted of rape.
The bill from Sen. Bruce Thompson, R-White, also allows a woman who has been raped and became pregnant to give the child up for adoption without the biological father's approval. Thompson says the change will provide "an opportunity for healing to take place."
Georgia Right to Life, an anti-abortion organization, supports a similar House bill and says the change would prevent men from filing for parental rights to force woman to drop a rape complaint.
The bill now goes to the House.