08 LC 29
3320S
The
House Committee on Judiciary offers the following substitute to HB
1207:
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Chapter 3 of Title 19 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to marriage generally, so as to require notification of the need to obtain a
standard serologic test for sickle cell anemia to an applicant for a marriage
license; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for
other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Chapter
3 of Title 19 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to marriage
generally, is amended by revising Code Section 19-3-40, which is reserved, to
read as follows:
"19-3-40.
(a)
As used in this Code section, the term 'standard serologic test for sickle cell
anemia' means a test for sickle cell anemia approved by the Department of Human
Resources.
(b)
The Department of Human Resources shall prepare a brochure describing the
inheritable hemoglobin type of sickle cell anemia which may convey the sickle
cell anemia trait or the sickle cell anemia disease to the offspring of a
carrier and recommending that each applicant for a marriage license obtain a
standard serologic test for sickle cell anemia prior to obtaining such license.
The department shall prepare a form for acknowledging that such brochure has
been received by the applicant. The brochure and form prepared by the
department shall be prepared and furnished to the office of each judge of the
probate court no later than January 1, 2009. On and after January 1, 2009, each
person who makes application for a marriage license shall receive from the
office of the probate judge at the time of the application the sickle cell
brochure prepared and furnished pursuant to this subsection.
(c)
On and after January 1, 2009, each person who applies for a marriage license
shall present to the judge of the probate court a signed form acknowledging that
he or she has received the sickle cell anemia brochure furnished pursuant to
subsection (b) of this Code section and that he or she is aware of the need for
obtaining a standard serologic test for sickle cell anemia and the risks
associated with failing to obtain such test.
(d)
The forms shall be filed by the judge of the probate court. The forms may be
destroyed by the judge after they have been on file for a period of at least one
year after the date of filing.
Reserved."
SECTION
2.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.