Increasing Access to Contraceptives Act; enact
Summary
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 4 of Title 26 of the O.C.G.A., relating to practice of pharmacy, so as to authorize pharmacists in certain circumstances to dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptives or administer injectable hormonal contraceptives; to amend Article 1 of Chapter 24 of Title 33 of the O.C.G.A., relating to general provisions regarding insurance generally, so as to provide minimum amounts of certain contraceptives that shall be provided by insurers; to amend Article 1 of Chapter 34 of Title 43 of the O.C.G.A., relating to the Georgia Composite Medical Board, so as to waive civil liability, criminal culpability, and professional discipline under certain circumstances; to amend Article 7 of Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the O.C.G.A., relating to medical assistance generally; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Feb 2, 2026
Signed May 11, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons
What changed between versions
LC 46 1485S/RCS
→
HB 1138/AP*
·
4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was finalized as passed by both legislative chambers, updating its title to reflect this status. The core policy changes expand the group of healthcare providers who can authorize pharmacist access to contraceptives from just physicians to include advanced practice nurses and physician assistants. Additionally, the regulatory oversight for this program shifts from the Medical Board to the Department of Public Health, and the new protocol now includes specific requirements for patient referrals and infection control.
Scope change
The bill's scope of authorized providers was expanded to include advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants, and the regulatory oversight body was changed from the Georgia Composite Medical Board to the Department of Public Health.
ELIGIBILITY
The definition of 'prescribing practitioner' was broadened to include advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants, in addition to physicians.
REQUIREMENT
The joint protocol agreement now requires pharmacists to refer patients to a practitioner and ensure appropriate space is provided to prevent infection spread.
ENFORCEMENT
The agency responsible for issuing the joint protocol agreement changed from the Georgia Composite Medical Board to the Department of Public Health.
DEFINITION
The term 'prescribing practitioner' was updated to 'practitioner' to reflect the expanded group of authorized providers.
Floor votes · Senate Apr 2, 2026 · House Mar 4, 2026
How they voted
42–1
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 47
Apr 2, 2026
D
Democratic18
83% Yea
R
Republican29
93% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
19
Key actions
6
Committee
3
Amendments
1
May 11, 2026
Signed into law
Act 447
upper
May 11, 2026
Signed into law
House Date Signed by Governor
lower
Apr 2, 2026
Introduced
House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub
lower
Apr 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
upper
Mar 25, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
upper
Mar 6, 2026
Committee
Senate Read and Referred
upper
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
lower
Feb 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
lower
Feb 2, 2026
Introduced
House Hopper
lower
6 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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