GeorgiaHB 11382025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Increasing Access to Contraceptives Act; enact

Sponsored By: Bethany Ballard (Republican), Beth Camp (Republican), Gerald Greene (Republican), Jan Jones (Republican), Matt Reeves (Republican), Carmen Rice (Republican)

Signed by Governor

HealthHealth and Human ServicesGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Health plans cover more birth control

Beginning January 1, 2027, qualifying Georgia health policies with outpatient prescription-drug coverage must cover prescribed, FDA-approved contraceptive drugs and devices. This applies to policies delivered, issued, executed, or renewed in Georgia, or approved for issuance or renewal by Georgia's insurance commissioner. For covered prescription birth control drugs, plans must provide at least a three-month supply the first time. Each later supply must cover 12 months, subject to a total limit of 12 months' supply per 12-month period.

Medicaid women get longer contraceptive supplies

Beginning January 1, 2027, women enrolled in Georgia Medicaid get longer supplies of covered birth control drugs. Medicaid must provide at least a three-month supply the first time a drug is obtained. Each later supply must cover 12 months. The total cannot exceed 12 months' supply during each 12-month period.

Patients can get contraception from pharmacists

Beginning January 1, 2027, trained pharmacists at Georgia-licensed hospitals and pharmacies can provide contraception without a patient-specific order. They can dispense birth control patients use themselves and give birth control injections. They must follow a joint protocol from Georgia's Department of Public Health and Board of Pharmacy. Pharmacists must assess each new patient and reassess returning patients at least every 12 months, using approved screening tools. They cannot provide contraception when screening shows it is unsafe and must refer patients to a practitioner when clinically appropriate. Patients receive counseling about use, storage, side effects, risks, backup contraception, emergency warning signs, and reducing sexually transmitted disease risks. Written materials include the visit record and assessment, the contraceptive provided or reason for refusal, and Medicaid benefit information when applicable. Materials also explain annual medical visits and screenings, long-acting reversible birth control options, and the effectiveness of abstinence. Pharmacists must advise patients to consult a practitioner, refer possible abuse cases to social services, and provide private, infection-safe space. Required training includes 12 hours of self-study, eight hours of seminars, a written exam, and an injection skills assessment. It covers federal contraceptive safety guidance, and pharmacists must complete at least one hour of approved continuing education annually. Equivalent training completed on or after January 1, 2026, at an accredited Georgia pharmacy school satisfies initial training requirements, subject to Board verification. The state protocol also sets documentation and practice-review rules. Pharmacists who comply with the law, act in good faith, use reasonable care, and stay within their employment and license receive criminal and civil liability protection for these services.

Pharmacists receive payment for contraceptive services

Beginning January 1, 2027, insurers offering covered health policies cannot deny payment to pharmacists or their employers for lawful contraceptive services. Georgia Medicaid must also pay pharmacists or their employers for these services. The services include dispensing self-administered birth control and giving birth control injections in accordance with the law. Payment must at least match rates for physician assistants and nurse practitioners providing the same or substantially the same service. These rules set provider payments, not a direct payment duty for patients.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Kay Kirkpatrick
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 424 • No: 60

Senate vote • 4/2/2026

ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT #1 BY THE SENATOR FROM THE 1ST

Yes: 29 • No: 22 • Other: 4

House vote • 4/2/2026

Agree to Senate Substitute

Yes: 158 • No: 11 • Other: 8

Senate vote • 4/2/2026

PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 49 • No: 1 • Other: 5

Senate vote • 3/27/2026

MOTION TO TABLE REMAINING LEGISLATION ON THE RULES CALENDAR

Yes: 26 • No: 22 • Other: 5

House vote • 3/4/2026

PASSAGE

Yes: 162 • No: 4 • Other: 5

Actions Timeline

Effective Date
1/1/2027
House Date Signed by Governor
5/11/2026House
Act 447
5/11/2026
House Sent to Governor
4/10/2026House
Senate Taken from Table
4/2/2026Senate
Senate Third Read
4/2/2026Senate
Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
4/2/2026Senate
House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub
4/2/2026House
Senate Taken from Table
3/31/2026Senate
Senate Tabled
3/31/2026Senate
Senate Tabled
3/27/2026Senate
Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
3/25/2026Senate
Senate Read Second Time
3/25/2026Senate
Senate Read and Referred
3/6/2026Senate
House Third Readers
3/4/2026House
House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
3/4/2026House
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
2/24/2026House
House Second Readers
2/4/2026House
House First Readers
2/3/2026House
House Hopper
2/2/2026House

Bill Text

HB 1138/AP* (v13)
PDF

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