Governor Signs Representative Deborah Silcox’s Legislation to Support Law Enforcement and Dementia Patients

ATLANTA - State Representative Deborah Silcox (R-Sandy Springs) joined Governor Kemp today at the State Capitol as he signed House Bill 500 and House Bill 571 into law. HB 500 will create the offense of arson of a law enforcement vehicle; HB 571 will require the Georgia Alzheimer's and Related Dementias State Plan Advisory Council to update its state plan every four years on the impact of dementia in Georgia.

"HB 500 is a much-needed update to the law to ensure that we have a mechanism to prosecute criminals who set fire to law enforcement vehicles and outlining criminal penalties for this behavior," said Rep. Silcox. "We have seen these violent actions take place in our state in the past, and, now, our state will not tolerate those who seek to destroy state property or mistreat law enforcement officials. This is a common-sense measure, and I am proud that Gov. Kemp signed this bill into law today."

Under HB 500, any person convicted of the offense of arson of a law enforcement vehicle is punished by a fine of up to $100,000 or by imprisonment between five and 20 years, or both.

HB 571 will require the Georgia Alzheimer's and Related Dementias State Plan Advisory Council to amend the state plan every four years. Additionally, beginning January 1, 2025, and every four years thereafter, the council must provide a report to the governor and the General Assembly that details the impact of dementia in Georgia and updates the progress of the state plan. HB 571 also revises the membership of the Georgia Alzheimer's and Related Dementias State Plan Advisory Council to include the chair of the House Committee on Public Health.

"So many Georgia families are impacted by dementia and Alzheimer's, and HB 571 will allow our state to continue its crucial work to better understand, diagnose and treat dementia and Alzheimer's," added Rep. Silcox. "This legislation shows that we are committed to putting state resources into studying these diseases to provide better health outcomes for Georgians."

Representative Deborah Silcox represents the citizens of District 53, which includes portions of Fulton County. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2016 and re-elected in 2022. She currently serves as Chairman of the MARTOC Committee and Vice Chairman of the Judiciary Non-Civil Committee. She also serves on the Judiciary, Public Health and Urban Affairs committees.

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