Committee advances bill to modernize dietetics practice, create interstate compact for dietitians

House Bill 185, which would update Georgia’s Dietetics Practice Act and create an interstate licensure compact for dietitians and licensed nutritionists, received a favorable recommendation from the Regulated Industries Committee.

Sponsors said the current law dates to 1994 and does not reflect modern medical nutrition therapy practice. The bill clarifies that only licensed dietitians or licensed nutritionists may provide medical nutrition therapy—the assessment, diagnosis, intervention and monitoring of nutrition care used to treat or manage disease or medical conditions. "Only a licensed licensed dietitian or licensed nutritionist ... shall engage in the practice of dietetics or the practice of nutrition to the extent such services constitute medical nutrition therapy," a sponsor said while highlighting the bill’s language.

The bill also authorizes Georgia to join an interstate compact to increase portability of licensure for providers who move between states, a change sponsors said would help military spouses and improve continuity of care. Committee members raised questions about how the law would affect chiropractors or fitness professionals who give general nutrition advice; sponsors and a representative of the Georgia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics said the bill is intended to preserve exemptions for wellness and general guidance while reserving medical nutrition therapy for licensed professionals.

The committee moved a due‑pass recommendation and advanced the bill by voice vote; members said prior versions had passed the House in an earlier session but stalled in the Senate.