North Fulton Today

Legislation aimed at improving Georgia's mental health care system by mandating that private insurers provide better coverage for mental health conditions has been signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp.

Kemp signed the bill after it advanced unanimously through both state chambers with a 54-0 vote in the Senate and a 166-0 vote in the House, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. House Speaker David Ralston introduced the legislation.

"Today, we fulfill Speaker Ralston’s vision and that of so many others who have partnered for this accomplishment to bring hope to the many families across Georgia who have a loved one suffering from some form of mental or behavioral challenge," Kemp said during the signing.

Ralston, mental health proponents, and legislators from both sides of the aisle stood by Kemp when he signed the bill into law, Fox 5 Atlanta reported.

Under the law, publicly funded insurance programs would be required to spend more when it comes to patient care, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. The law would also allow those studying to enter the mental health profession to have their student loans forgiven. Police officers would also be permitted to bring someone suspected to be experiencing a mental health crisis to an emergency facility.

The law would cost the state tens of millions of dollars each year, Fox 5 Atlanta reported.