Rep. Sharon Cooper Applauds Signing of Legislation to Strengthen Safeguards for Georgia’s Elders and Mentally Disabled Individuals in Legal Proceedings

ATLANTA - State Representative Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta), chair of the House Public Health Committee, recently joined State Representative Scott Hilton (R-Peachtree Corners) at the State Capitol as Governor Brian Kemp signed House Bill 218 into law. This bill, co-sponsored by Rep. Cooper, provides a precise definition of "mentally incapacitated," especially concerning Georgia's elders, and includes provisions allowing out-of-court statements to be used as admissible testimony in legal proceedings.

"House Bill 218 came at the request of the North Georgia Elder Abuse Task Force, and I was proud to see this legislation be signed into law by Governor Kemp," said Chair Cooper. "This legislation represents a testament to our commitment to justice and protection against elder abuse and for mentally incapacitated individuals, and I am pleased to have co-sponsored this bill alongside my friend and colleague Rep. Hilton. By defining "mentally incapacitated" precisely and permitting out-of-court statements as permissible testimony, Georgia is setting the standard nationally in strengthening safeguards within our legal system and empowering vulnerable individuals to seek justice against harmful perpetrators."

More information on the North Georgia Elder Abuse Task Force may be found here.

Representative Sharon Cooper represents the citizens of District 45, which includes portions of Cobb County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 1996 and currently serves as Chairman of the Public Health Committee. She also serves on the Special Committee on Healthcare and the Human Relations & Aging, Judiciary Non-Civil, Regulated Industries and Rules committees. She is also an Ex-Officio member of the Health Committee.

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