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HB158.html
01 HB 158/AP
House Bill 158 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND
SENATE)
By: Representatives Connell of the
115th and Buck of the 135th
A BILL TO BE
ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Article 4 of Chapter 7 of Title 31 of the Official
Code of Georgia Annotated, the "Hospital Authorities Law," so as to extend to
certain nonprofit corporations operating certain medical facilities an exemption
from open records and open meetings requirements; to provide an effective date;
to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Article 4 of Chapter 7 of Title 31 of the Official Code of
Georgia Annotated, the "Hospital Authorities Law," is amended by striking Code
Section 31-7-75.2, relating to an exemption from open records and open meetings
requirements, and inserting in its place a new Code section to read as
follows:
"31-7-75.2.
Notwithstanding
any other provision of law to the contrary, no Georgia nonprofit corporation
in its operation of a hospital or other medical facility for the benefit of a
governmental entity in this state and no hospital authority shall be
required by Chapter 14 of Title 50 or Article 4 of Chapter 18 of Title 50 to
disclose or make public any potentially commercially valuable plan, proposal, or
strategy that may be of competitive advantage in the operation of the
corporation or authority or its medical facilities and which has not been
made public. This exemption shall terminate at such time as such plan, proposal,
or strategy has either been approved or rejected by the governing board of
such corporation or hospital authority governing board.
Except as provided in this Code section or as otherwise provided by law,
hospital authorities shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 14 of Title 50
and Article 4 of Chapter 18 of Title
50."
SECTION 2.
No hospital shall release for public use any autopsy
photographs or images without the written permission of the
family.
SECTION 3.
This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the
Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval.
SECTION 4.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are
repealed.