AARP Georgia Hard at Work Under the Gold Dome

We wanted to take this time to provide you with an update from the 2019 Georgia Legislature, and let you know about the two bills AARP Georgia worked hard to support.

First, the  Authorized Electronic Monitoring in Long-term Care Facilities Act (HB 135) that would have given nursing home residents and their family members the ability to install a monitoring device in the resident's room.

This technology will afford an opportunity for virtual visitation, which will help family caregivers to remain connected with their loved ones, and to contribute by being a part of the resident's care team.

The ability for a family caregiver to use a monitoring device will offer the caregiver peace of mind by providing another way to view and interact with a loved one receiving care in a nursing facility. Unfortunately, this bill did not make the crossover day deadline. This bill received bipartisan support, and we will be re-introducing it in 2020.

Second, AARP Georgia supported legislation ( HB 23 and SB 2) that would authorize electric membership corporations and their affiliates to provide broadband services.

This legislation will help to fill the gap in broadband deployment in some rural locations and help to ensure access and affordability for all Georgians to benefit fully from new technologies.

In Georgia, an estimated 626,070 people—or 25 percent of the rural population—are without access to 25 Mbps/3 Mbps internet service. This lack of high-speed internet, or broadband as it is commonly referred, can have a lasting impact on those who are 50-plus, in addition to school-age children who rely on the connectivity for homework and extended learning.

AARP Georgia supports broadband expansion because broadband delivers new technologies that are improving the quality of life for people of all ages and can help older Georgians live independently in their homes and communities. It also combats social isolation and improves well-being by supporting services like distance learning and telehealth. Contact your state senator and state representative in support of HB 23 and SB 2.

If you have any questions about our efforts under the Gold Dome, please contact Advocacy Manager Melissa Sinden at msinden@aarp.org. If you are interested in becoming an Advocacy Volunteer, please contact Hillary Thomas at hthomas@aarp.org.