I’m now hearing reports that HB 614, the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, is not truly dead yet after failing Monday in the Senate, 25/29. The reports that I am hearing now from my partners at Georgia Legislative Watch are indicating that there are plans afoot to attach this language as an amendment to another bill on the hectic Sine Die, the last day of the General Assembly Session.
I cannot stress enough how bad this bill is for privacy rights, and I highly encourage you to watch the 20 minute video Jason posted to GLW, paying particular attention to Senator Preston Smith’s remarks.
Senate leadership, including evidently the Lt Governor – who is running for Governor – and clearly the Senate sponsor of the bill, Senator David Shafer (R-Duluth) – who is running for Lt Governor – evidently really want your privacy rights invaded, and we must be vigilant in preventing this.
In the SWGA area, the only Senator to vote against this bill on Monday was Senator John Bulloch (R-Ochlocknee). I urge you to contact him and thank him for his vote against HB 614 on Monday and urge him to vote AGAINST any amendments that have the same language as HB 614 should they appear Friday.
I also urge you to contact the other area Senators, Sen John Bulloch (R-Tifton), Sen Freddie Sims (D-Albany), and Sen George Hooks (D-Americus), and urge them to reconsider their vote from Monday and vote AGAINST any amendments that have the same language as HB 614 should they appear Friday.
Again, the currently sitting Lt Governor – who is running for Governor – and Senator David Shafer – who is running for Lt Governor – want the government to be able to monitor your private medical decisions. They have the assistance of 3 of the 4 area Senators. Please contact each of these officials and tell them you do NOT support this invasion of your privacy, and urge them to OPPOSE any such amendments on Friday.
[UPDATE]
Check out Jason’s Peach Pundit post, ‘HB 614 to be attached to another bill‘
