New Laws That Went Into Effect Monday

Some new laws in Georgia have gone into effect as of Monday.

First is the Consumer Access to Contracted Healthcare Act

One is called the Consumer Access to Contracted Healthcare or CATCH Act also called the “Surprise 2 Billing Consumer Protection Act.”

Authored by Senators Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Watson of the 1st, Hufstetler of the 52nd, Tillery of the 19th, and Butler of the 55th, Senate Bill 20 ensures consumer access to quality healthcare even if the referral comes from a physician not listed in the consumer’s health plan.

It guarantees that everyone with insurance has access to primary and specialty care; mental healthcare; pharmacies and laboratories; and substance abuse treatment programs.

MENTAL HEALTH PARITY ACT

Georgia’s Mental Health Parity Act (HB1013) requires that healthcare insurance plans that provide coverage for mental health treatment of substance use disorders do so in accordance with the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008.

Health insurers must also provide an annual comparative analysis report to the insurance commissioner.

INCOME TAX RATES

This year Georgia law will begin lowering personal income tax rates.

Gov. Brian Kemp signed HB 1437 into law on April 26, 2022.

In 2023, the flat income tax rate was at 5.75 percent in Georgia.

Effective Jan. 1, 2024, taxpayers will see a gradual rate reduction until the flat tax rate reaches 4.99%.

If the delays are not needed, this is the schedule for the personal income tax rate until January 2029.

OTHER LAWS THAT WENT INTO EFFECT MONDAY INCLUDE:

HB 120: Related to “(limiting) driving permits for certain offenders, so as to provide for standards for issuance of such permits.”

HB 128: Intended to “provide for representation of minority business enterprises, women-owned businesses, and veteran-owned businesses in the area of procurement of state contracts for construction, services, equipment, and goods.”

HB 175: Related to “safe operations of motor carriers, commercial motor vehicles, and drivers and safe transportation of hazardous materials, so as to update the reference date to federal regulations regarding the safe operation of motor carriers and commercial motor vehicles.”