Peach Tree Times

State Representative Matt Reeves (R-Duluth) was recently commended by the Georgia United Advanced Practice Registered Nurses of Georgia (UAPRN) at their meeting in Alpharetta, Georgia, for his support of House Bill 1046 and Senate Bill 449, enacted in 2024. These bills aim to improve Georgia’s healthcare workforce.

House Bill 1046 established the Georgia Commission on Maternal & Infant Health, authorized Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to sign death certificates, and revised the number of APRNs who can be supervised by a physician under a protocol ratio. The bill was sponsored by Rep. David Clark (R-Buford), whose district adjoins Rep. Reeves’ district, and Senator Clint Dixon (R-Gwinnett).

Senate Bill 449 introduced licenses for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses in Georgia under the supervision of the Georgia Board of Nursing and the Georgia Secretary of State. It also expedited the licensing process for military medical personnel in Georgia. Senator Larry Walker (R-Perry) sponsored SB 449, with Rep. Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire) sponsoring it in the State House.

In addition to these healthcare workforce laws, Rep. Reeves sponsored the Safer Hospitals Act, which was recognized as the Georgia Nurses Association’s legislation of the year in 2023. He also supported the Gwinnett County property tax referendum approved in May 2024 with nearly 75 percent of the vote; this included additional property tax relief for hospital employees such as nurses.

“Nurses care for us in our times of greatest need, and I am honored to fight for our nurses in the Georgia State House,” said Rep. Reeves, who represents Suwanee, Sugar Hill, and Duluth in Gwinnett County.

UAPRN is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving access to healthcare for Georgian citizens and supports advancing the role of APRNs by addressing legislative and practice healthcare issues.

Editor’s note: Rep. Reeves is pictured with Julianna McConnell and Regina Canty, UAPRN representatives from Gwinnett County.