S.B. 373 Transformed Into Hate Crime Bill

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, March 16, 2018 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Several battles are raging at the State Capitol. One concerns Senator Tippins’ S.B. 373 that authorizes the governor to appoint one more judge to the ten-member Cobb County Circuit. The new judge would serve a two-year term, after which his successor would be elected in November 2020 for a four-year term that would begin in 2021.

That passed the Senate 39-0, but it was totally changed in the House Judiciary Committee. NOW S.B. 373 is a hate crimes bill that provides stiffer penalties for seven different crimes, if they, seemingly, are committed because of the victim’s gender or sexual orientation. Also, it provides civil rights status based on gender and sexual orientation that include behaviors that have always been illegal.

Call Rules Committee Chairman Representative Meadows at 404 656-5141 and ask him to stop S.B. 373 in his committee.S.B. 437 changes current law that ALLOWS oral or written parental consent to an order not to resuscitate a minor child, but this bill REQUIRES oral or written parental consent before a non-resuscitation order can be implemented against a minor. It passed the Senate 52-0 on February 28th. Call House Juvenile Justice Committee Chairman Ballinger at 404 656-5105 and ask her to pass S.B. 437 out of committee because it upholds parental rights and protects children.

H.B. 605 adds 15 years to the statute of limitations for reporting childhood sexual abuse by increasing the maximum reporting age to 38. Also, victims would have four years instead of two years to recognize psychological and emotional problems caused by the abuse. Then, it creates a year for victims to file personal injury lawsuits against organizations or individuals who knew what happened, but covered it up to protect the offender and the organization.

H.B. 764 would add “intractable pain” and Post-traumatic stress disorder to the list of conditions qualifying for medical marijuana in the form of low THC oil. The bill defines intractable pain as a cause that cannot be removed and for which other medication is not effective. According to statistics, intractable pain is the basis for up to 96 percent of medical marijuana sales in other states. Call 404 463-1368 and ask Senator Unterman to keep H.B. 764 in committee. Then, call Senator Mullis at 404 656-0057 and ask him to stop it if it gets to his Rules committee.

For Georgia Insight I’m Sue Ella Deadwyler, your Capitol correspondent.