Politics & Government

Legislative Update: Bath Salts Legislation Passes House

College readiness, student health bills also move on to Georgia State Senate.

A bill to ban the sale and possession of chemicals marketed as “bath salts” passed the Georgia House of Representatives on March 8 by a 150-9 margin.

, introduced by State Rep. Jay Neal (R-LaFayette), bans five previously legal chemicals in bath salts that create narcotic effects similar to cocaine and methamphetamine.

“The House took a significant step today to get a dangerous designer drug off the shelves of the corner convenience store,” said Rep. Neal in a released statement.  “While the key to success in reducing drug use is education, prevention, and treatment, we must also take appropriate steps to limit availability. This bill does that.”

Find out what's happening in Daculawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Bath salts are available in many Georgia smoke shops and can be snorted, smoked or injected resulting in a high similar to that caused by speed. Side effects include extreme paranoia, suicidal tendencies, hallucinations or death. 

Dr. Gaylord Lopez, Director of the Georgia Poison Center, issued the following statement: “Fake bath salt products have proven to produce extremely harmful effects in humans. Under the right conditions, the effects can be deadly.  We are pleased to see that the State of Georgia is taking a proactive approach to ban this group of chemicals.”

Find out what's happening in Daculawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

HB 199 will now be sent to the Georgia Senate for consideration.

 

Career and College Readiness Legislation Passes

Legislation to establish more education options for high school students passed the Georgia House of Representatives by a 164-4 margin on Tuesday.

House Bill 186 requires the creation of statewide high school course standards to ensure the curriculum will be accepted at any state institution of higher learning beginning this fall. The purpose of the bill is to ensure college readiness and lessen the need for remedial classes in Georgia colleges and technical schools.

The legislation would also require Career, Technical, and Agriculture Education (CTAE) students to take academic core subject courses and pass end of course assessments. Also, the Governor’s Office of Workforce Development would be required to establish the means by which students could be certified in skills such as punctuality, ability to learn, working as a team, reading for information and applied mathematics.

The legislation, sponsored by State Representatives Randy Nix (R-LaGrange) and Steve Davis (R-McDonough), builds on Rep. Davis’ Graduating Everyone Matters (GEM) Act from the 2009-10 legislative term.

“This legislation provides a framework for our schools to do a better job of offering options to our students so that they can successfully earn a relevant and rigorous high school diploma,” said Rep. Nix in a released statement.  “HB 186 provides options that will lead all Georgia students to success, whether they plan to go to college, technical school, or immediately enter the work force.”

In a House Communications Office release, Rep. Davis said his experience as a substitute teacher led him to begin working with educational and governmental leaders to improve the state’s education system.

 “That work ultimately led to this bill, which creates multiple pathways for Georgians to gain a high school diploma,” Davis said.  This vital step recognizes that people are different and that students must be offered different options for learning.  Rather than forcing those differences to all fit one set rigid system, HB 186 allows parents and students to specialize Georgia’s public education to fit individual talents and interests.”

HB 186 now moves to the Senate.

 

Enhanced Emergency Measures Legislation Moves Forward

A bill to better equip students, school nurses and administrators to respond to potentially fatal allergic reactions passed the Georgia House of Representatives on March 8 by a vote of 159-5.

Freshman State Rep. Josh Clark (R-Buford) introduced HB 227 earlier this year.

“This bill will help save lives,” said Rep. Clark in a released statement. “Children and adults can die from anaphylaxis shock in as little as 30 minutes after an allergic reaction is triggered, which may be caused by eating certain foods or by insect bites or stings while playing during recess.” 

The legislation expands the current law to allow a teacher, school administrator, school nurse or other appropriate school system employee to administer auto-injectable epinephrine to a student in the event the student is unable to self-inject. Schools will also be allowed to receive and store epipens for students who cannot self-administer.

Teachers and other appropriate school system personnel will be provided legal immunity if they choose to administer or not administer the auto-injectable epinephrine in good faith and in an emergency situation according to the House Communications Office press release.

HB 227 will now be considered by the Georgia State Senate.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here