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GeorgiaSB 722025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

"Hope for Georgia Patients Act"; enact

Sponsored By: John Albers (Republican), Matt Brass (Republican), Greg Dolezal (Republican), Drew Echols (Republican), Russ Goodman (Republican), Bo Hatchett (Republican), Chuck Hufstetler (Republican), Kay Kirkpatrick (Republican), Colton Moore (Republican), Randy Robertson (Republican), Brian Strickland (Republican), Carden Summers (Republican), Blake Tillery (Republican), Larry Walker (Republican), Rick Williams (Republican)

Signed by Governor

HealthHealth and Human ServicesGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

Families get limited treatment debt relief

When custom experimental treatment is a legal, direct cause of an eligible patient's death, the law provides debt relief. The estate, heirs, and people named in the will do not owe direct treatment charges remaining after insurance payments. Relief does not cover nonexperimental care, including care for complications or consequences of the experimental treatment.

Custom treatments for seriously ill patients

Georgia patients with life-threatening or severely debilitating illnesses can request experimental treatments made just for them using their genetic information. Natural aging alone does not qualify, and products from abortion or human embryonic stem cells or cell lines are excluded. Eligible investigational products must have completed FDA Phase I, remain under FDA study, and lack approval for general use. A doctor must document that approved options were considered and recommend the treatment based on the patient's biological information. Written consent must identify the treatment, describe alternatives and likely outcomes, and explain why approved treatments are unlikely to help substantially. Consent must also explain costs and that hospice eligibility may end during treatment and return afterward if eligibility requirements are met. Georgia officials cannot block access, but may give advice consistent with medical standards. Manufacturers and eligible facilities can decline to supply treatment, offer it free, or charge manufacturing costs.

Doctors gain protections for experimental treatment

Georgia's medical board cannot revoke, suspend, or otherwise punish a doctor's license solely for recommending, prescribing, or providing these treatments. The protection applies to treatment of an eligible patient. Georgia's health department cannot act against a provider's Medicare certification solely for recommending that an eligible patient have access. These protections do not shield providers from action based on other grounds.

Patients face limits on treatment lawsuits

The law limits patients' and families' civil claims for injury or death tied to custom experimental treatment. Protected parties must follow the law in good faith and use reasonable care. The liability limit does not apply when required written informed consent was not obtained. The law creates no private claim against a doctor solely for refusing to recommend treatment to an otherwise eligible patient.

Patients face treatment coverage and service limits

Health plans and government agencies do not have to cover custom experimental treatments or related services unless a law or contract requires coverage. Patients must be told that coverage is not guaranteed and may owe uncovered costs. Patients are responsible for treatment expenses unless a separate manufacturer agreement provides otherwise, subject to the law's debt protections. Hospitals and other care facilities do not have to provide new or extra treatment services unless they approve them. Existing clinical-trial coverage requirements remain in place.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • John Albers

    Republican • Senate

  • Matt Brass

    Republican • Senate

  • Greg Dolezal

    Republican • Senate

  • Drew Echols

    Republican • Senate

  • Russ Goodman

    Republican • Senate

  • Bo Hatchett

    Republican • Senate

  • Chuck Hufstetler

    Republican • Senate

  • Kay Kirkpatrick

    Republican • Senate

  • Colton Moore

    Republican • Senate

  • Randy Robertson

    Republican • Senate

  • Brian Strickland

    Republican • Senate

  • Carden Summers

    Republican • Senate

  • Blake Tillery

    Republican • Senate

  • Larry Walker

    Republican • Senate

  • Rick Williams

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Lee Hawkins

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 217 • No: 0

House vote • 3/27/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 161 • No: 0 • Other: 16

Senate vote • 2/24/2025

PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 56 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective Date

    7/1/2025

  2. Senate Date Signed by Governor

    5/12/2025Senate

  3. Act 122

    5/12/2025

  4. Senate Sent to Governor

    4/7/2025Senate

  5. House Third Readers

    3/27/2025House

  6. House Passed/Adopted

    3/27/2025House

  7. House Committee Favorably Reported

    3/20/2025House

  8. House Second Readers

    2/27/2025House

  9. House First Readers

    2/26/2025House

  10. Senate Third Read

    2/24/2025Senate

  11. Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    2/24/2025Senate

  12. Senate Read Second Time

    2/12/2025Senate

  13. Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    2/11/2025Senate

  14. Senate Read and Referred

    2/4/2025Senate

  15. Senate Hopper

    2/3/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • SB 72/AP* (v7)

    PDF

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