July Opens With Bevy of New Georgia Laws

89 new laws take effect today, or ahead on January 1st. They include the massive overhaul of Georgia’s health and social service agencies. Identified by lawmakers and Governor Sonny Perdue as lacking in several areas, especially mental health, the restructuring begins today. Essentially three agencies will now handle the work previously done by two--adding one dedicated to mental health delivery.

Among some of the other laws ushered-in with the arrival of July:
-A pair of laws in the courtroom to strengthen victim’s rights.

-Embryos can now be adopted. The legal custodian of the embryos will decide how and where they are stored, along with whether they can be disposed of. Some medical doctors, researchers and biotech financers opposed the legislation, saying it could hinder reproductive treatments and innovations in the state.

-A new measure now designates April as Confederate History Month.

Senate Approves Confederate Month

The Georgia Senate voted to designate April Confederate Heritage and History month. The bill passed 48-2. It would celebrate the Confederate States of America. Governments, schools, businesses and Georgia citizens would be encouraged to participate in programs throughout the month. Supporters say the measure would be a boon to the state's tourism industry, encouraging visitors to come to Georgia's Civil War battlefield sites.

(Associated Press)