DEMPSEY APPLAUDS PASSAGE OF CHARITABLE SOLICITATIONS BILL

 Measure Protects Georgians from Fraud

ATLANTA—Georgia State Representative Katie Dempsey (R-Rome) today applauded the passage of House Bill 1104 calling the measure a sunshine law to protect the citizens of Georgia from fake charity organizations.  This was Dempsey’s first piece of general legislation to come to the floor.

“Charitable organizations are a wonderful part of our society and we depend on them so much to help our citizens in need,” Dempsey said.  “Unfortunately, there are dishonest people in this world who actually claim to be collecting money for fraudulent charitable organizations.  Such behavior is unacceptable and this bill will put in place the tools to help us protect citizens from such thieves looking only to steal from kind-hearted Georgians.”

House Bill 1104 amends provisions in Georgia law regarding charitable solicitations.   The bill requires individuals paid to solicit charitable contributions on behalf of an organization to register with the Secretary of State’s office prior to soliciting any funds.  The measure also authorizes the Secretary of State to suspend or discipline a fundraiser who fails to respond to a subpoena from the Secretary of State.  The measure was adopted 148-1.

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