Georgia committee backs bill to remove routine COVID testing for new long‑term‑care residents and staff

A Georgia House committee voted to recommend passage of a bill that would remove the routine requirement that long‑term care facilities test new residents and new staff members for COVID‑19.

Sponsor and committee members said the rule was added during the COVID pandemic and is no longer routinely enforced; opponents warned that testing remains a cost‑effective tool to detect outbreaks among a highly vulnerable population. The committee voted to recommend passage by a 6‑3 margin.

Chairman LaHood, who presented the measure, said the rule was a pandemic‑era addition and that the bill “just removes that requirement.” He told members the Department of Community Health’s surveyors are not inspecting for the test requirement and that the department has the authority to reinstate testing if an outbreak occurs.

Rep. Katie Campbell (first reference as Representative Katie Campbell), a committee member, pressed proponents on the public‑health…