Georgia lawmakers decided against extending COVID-19 liability defense for businesses, creating a workplace discernment and retribution statute, and constricting rules against telemarketers in their latest legislative session.

In a Law360 article, discussion of this year’s legislation highlighted numerous laws that aren't among those on the Georgia governor’s desk awaiting his signature. When the session ended on April 4, several laws fell short of the finish line such as extending Georgia’s COVID-19 Pandemic Business Safety Act, creating a state law against workplace harassment and related retaliation in the private sector, and passing a bill that would have imposed liability on telemarketers for unintentional solicitation violations.

Nelson Mullins Atlanta senior associate George Ray shared his thoughts on the telemarketing bill, noting that the removal of the knowing requirement that alleged violators knowingly used prohibited telemarketing techniques was a particular concern among opponents. ‘[T]he language was a little too much for everyone to swallow, Ray said.”

In general matters, some were satisfied to see that the bill did not go through as they felt the Telephone Consumer Protection Act is an inclusive statutory framework for the kind of solicitations targeted in the state bill, and that replicating or attempting to enlarge federal law makes it particularly difficult for businesses in multiple states.

Established in 1897, Nelson Mullins is an Am Law 100 firm that has more than 930 attorneys and government relations professionals with offices in 15 states and Washington, DC. For more information on the firm, go to www.nelsonmullins.com. 

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