House Rules Committee advances multiple occupational-licensing and health-related bills, sets calendar

The House Rules Committee heard brief presentations on more than a dozen bills on licensing, health and administrative rules and approved motions to place several measures on the legislative calendar for floor consideration.

Committee members heard measures ranging from interstate licensing compacts for dietitians, school psychologists and massage therapists to changes in CPA licensure pathways and an increase in the indemnification payment for teachers killed in the line of duty. Most bills were presented without extended debate and several were moved to the calendar by voice vote.

The package included HB 185, described by the presenter as a three-part update to the Georgia Dietetics Act: modernizing statutory language, creating a separate licensure category recognizing dietitians and nutritionists authorized to provide medical nutrition therapy, and allowing Georgia to join an interstate compact for dietitians. The presenter summarized the bill as follows: "It accomplishes 3 things. Number 1, it modernizes the language in the Georgia Dietetics Act. Number 2, it carves out specific specific licensure for new dietitians and nutritionists ... Thirdly, it allows Georgia to join an interstate compact for dietitians," (presenter identified in the transcript only as "Jane").

Several other interstate compacts were introduced. A presenter said HB 81 would "enter Georgia into an interstate compact of school psychologists" and "reduce barriers to certification for school…