The bills I've been working on are moving forward. HR1151, which would create a study committee to look at the system of care we provide for victims of human trafficking, passed the House on Tuesday by a vote of 166-1. It moves to the Senate where's it's been assigned to Senator Unterman's Health and Human Services Committee. You can watch video of my House floor presentation here.
HB748 which would allow adult adoptees to obtain a copy of their birth certificate without having to go to Court first passed out of the Judiciary Committee on Thursday. It's next stop is the Rules Committee, and then hopefully to the House floor for a vote.
HB899, an Elections Division "clean-up" bill passed out of the Elections sub-committee of Governmental Affairs on Thursday and was sent to the full Governmental Affairs committee. It could get a hearing late next week.
One other piece of important Legislation that passed this week was HB711, legislation that increases protection for victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault. Supported by the Georgia Network to End Sexual Assault, the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and the Georgia Commission on Family Violence, HB711 provides confidential communication between victims and their advocates at domestic violence and sexual assault centers. This measure ensures that information released in a victim’s treatment is not used against them in court. HB711 also makes it easier for victims to testify by exempting domestic abuse cases from spousal privilege. This exemption will ensure that batterers cannot pressure their victims not to testify against them under spousal privilege. Similar legislation to HB711 has been passed in 43 other states, and the Georgia Commission on Family Violence, as well as other advocacy organizations supporting this bill, believes that it will enhance the ability of prosecutors to hold those guilty of domestic violence accountable. Having received passage from the House, HB711 will now move the Senate for consideration.
The House goes back into session on Wednesday and will be stay in session until Friday. I also have two speaking engagements next week. On Thursday night I'll be speaking to the Georgia Black Republican Council in Atlanta. On Saturday I'll be speaking at Not For Sale Georgia's Quarterly Volunteer Meeting about our efforts to rid Georgia of human trafficking.
You can connect with me via Twitter and Facebook (personal or campaign page). Also, you can watch each day's session live on the internet.
The Legislative schedule through day 31 has been announced: Click here (pdf).
Please feel free to contact me anytime if I can be of assistance. I'm honored to serve you at the Capitol and covet your prayers and support.
Sincerely, Buzz Brockway
Representative, Georgia State House District 101
504-B Coverdell Legislative Office Building
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
404-656-0188
buzz.brockway@house.ga.gov
www.vote4buzz.com
