LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY

Every legislative session the YWCA of Greater Atlanta’s Georgia Women’s Policy Institute follows and advocates for bills that impact the lives of women and girls as they work their way through the legislative process.

Our policy issue areas include but are not limited to:

  • Economic Empowerment

  • Health and Safety

  • Reproductive Justice

  • Social and Racial Justice

HB 129 (Hong, 103rd) Expand TANF eligibility criteria to pregnant women
This bill will expand TANF eligibility to pregnant people and remove the "family cap" that prevents families already receiving TANF benefits from receiving higher benefits if they decide to have another child. This bill is on its way to the Governor's desk! GWPI fellows advocated for this legislation. 

SB 61 (Strickland, 17th) Removing the sunset provision related to paid sick leave
This bill will remove a “sunset provision” (a clause in a law that means the law will automatically expire on a certain date). This would mean that Georgians will continue to be allowed to use their earned sick leave time to care for immediate family members who are sick. Passing the Family Care Act was part of previous GWPI cohorts’ work and we are excited to see the sunset being removed. This legislation is on its way to the governor's desk! 

HR 686 (Daniel, 117th) Commendation of Georgia's working women for their contributions toward building strong families and supporting Georgia's economy
This resolution states that members of the House of Representatives will support legislation that will provide needed economic support and security for women, their families, and Georgia's economy. This resolution was worked on by members of the Respect Georgia Workers Alliance, of which YWCA of Greater Atlanta is a member! 

Because 2023 marked the first year of a two year legislative session, even the bills that did not cross over still have another chance to pass next year. This means there are many opportunities to continue advocating for policy solutions that benefit women and girls in Georgia. 

Read below to find out how you can join in our advocacy efforts! 

HB 565- Increase access to benefits for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients
Our Reproductive Justice GWPI Fellows worked hard to develop and advocate for this bill that would both increase asset limits and eligibility time for TANF recipients. Please contact the sponsors of SB 565 and members of the House Committee on Public Health to thank them for supporting this legislation and tell them you hope it will pass next year! 

HB 381- Provides for a right of action for workplace harassment
As members of the Respect GA Worker's Alliance, YWCA advocated for this legislation that will extend workplace protections against harassment to private sector workers in Georgia. Georgia needs a state law that provides clarity on employee and employer responsibilities to ensure respectful workplaces free from discrimination and harassment. Please contact the sponsors of HB 381 to thank them for advocating for workplace rights and contact members of the House Committee on Judiciary to ask them to support this legislation in 2024!

SB 83- Revision of eligibility for restraining orders to include stalking occurring in the victim's home
A previous GWPI cohort advocated for this legislation that would allow for people who are talked within their own homes to be eligible for a temporary restraining order. Please contact the sponsors of SB 83 to thank them for advocating for the rights of stalking victims. You can also contact the House Committee on Judiciary Non-Civil to ask them to support this bill next year! 

SB 15 and HB 75- The Reproductive Freedom Act
This omnibus bill envisions a Georgia where reproductive rights are enshrined into Georgia law, medically unnecessary abortion restrictions are repealed, and access to abortion care is expanded. We know that this is a long-term goal and are dedicated to working for reproductive freedom for all Georgians. 
Here are some ways you can get involved:

The 2023 Georgia Legislative Session ended on March 29, 2023. In the final stretch of the legislative session, advocates and legislators alike pushed to create movememnt on a variety of bills. We are excited that the following bills will go on to make a difference in the lives of women and girls in Georgia.