2021 Legislative Update: Week 10
Week 10 Update: Legislative Days 32- 35
SB46
With regard to GPhA’s priority legislation, SB 46 (pharmacist vaccine expansion), week 10 sent the bill on an interesting journey. Though the bill was favorably reported out of the House Health and Human Services Committee in week 9, concerns remained with regard to certain privacy issues. As such, though SB 46 was scheduled for a floor vote, it was withdrawn and recommitted to committee. The good news is, Chairwoman Cooper, who is sponsoring the bill on the House side, was able to get the bill reheard in committee where it was favorably reported via substitute after Senator Burke and Department of Public Health Government Affairs Director, Megan Andrews, were able to walk through the changes to address the privacy concerns. The substitute did not change anything material with regard to pharmacist administered vaccines.
Other updates for week 10 are set forth below.
HB 316
Representative Stephens’ bill expanding pharmacist to technician ratio to 4-1, provided that 2 of the 4 technicians are certified, was favorably reported by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.
HB 112
Representative Kelley’s legislation extending COVID-19 immunity protections for businesses and healthcare providers to July 2022 was passed by the Senate without changes. It now goes to Governor Kemp’s desk for his consideration.
HB 645
Representative Gravley’s medical cannabis bill was heard in committee, but was voted down after concerns were raised by several stakeholders. There is still time for this bill to undergo changes to address concerns and potentially be reconsidered in committee.
SB 80
Senator Kirkpatrick’s prior authorization bill was favorably reported by the House Insurance and Labor Committee via substitute. The substitute appeared to be a significantly watered down version of the bill which raised concerns by several provider groups. By week’s end the bill was withdrawn and recommitted to committee for further work.
