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SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — Several new Georgia laws are taking effect July 1, impacting health care, finances, education and many more.
Here is a list of the most relevant new laws going into effect tomorrow that you should know:
Finances
HB111 | Income tax cut: Georgia’s flat income tax will drop slightly from 5.39% to 5.19% which plans to bring the rate down to under 5%.
HB136 | Child tax credit: The child and dependent care tax credit will include a new $250 credit for each child under 6 years old.
SB55 | Dignity and pay act: Will end a loophole that allowed employers pay less than minimum wage to workers with disabilities.
Education
HB371 | Quality basic education act: Raises $75 thousand dollars in funding to improve quality of education.
SB1 | Riley Gaines act: This will ban transgender athletes from participating in middle school, high school and college sports in the state. This new law is named after activist Riley Gaines who; after tying fifth place with a transgender woman at a college swimming competition, she pushed for rules like this one nationwide.
SB17 | Ricky and Alyssa’s law: Panic buttons in public K-12 schools will be mandatory.
HB340 | Distraction-free education act: Personal electronic devices will be banned for elementary and middle school students.
SB123 | No expulsion for missing school: Students cannot be expulsed from school for being absent too much.
Health
HB428 | IVF Protections: Makes in vitro fertilization a right, ensuring its accessibility in the state.
SB6 | Fentanyl test stripes: This law will create tougher penalties for people convicted on Fentanyl trafficking. Carrying Fentanyl test stripes will no longer be illegal.
HB352 | Gestational Diabetes Care: Health insurers must better cover diabetes treatment for pregnant women.
SB241 | Organic Human Composing: This eco-friendly burial option will allow deceased Georgians to have their remains composted or mulched into soil.
Animals and Hunting
HB177 | Animal Protection: Will protect household pets in both family violence and dating violence protective orders.
HB331 | Ban Roadside Pet Sales: Pets will no longer be allowed to be sold on the roadside from cars or gas stations. Only licensed sellers will be permitted.
HB167 | Pink Hunting Gear: Fluorescent pink hunting gear is now a legal alternative to orange deer hunting gear.