Georgia Legislators drafted HB 417 to protect families and business from predatory service providers who were slipping through the cracks. Industry leaders Gordy Powell and Doug Cunningham of Georgia Clean worked tirelessly with state legislators for more than 4 years to see this law come to fruition. “The genesis of this protection came from a national association of professional trauma scene cleanup businesses and many from Georgia including Gordy Powell and Doug Cunningham as well as those concerned with proper remediation and humane disposal,” Georgia Representative Alan Powell said. “We have corrected a situation of citizens being victimized while they are vulnerable.”
This new law will require business owners to undergo background checks, drug screenings and provide proof of general liability insurance. In addition, businesses will be required to be bonded and provide proof of services with companies which properly autoclave RTW (Regulated Trauma Waste). The law also establishes a statewide database available to the public listing all approved and registered service providers as well as funeral directors, medical examiners and coroners.
The registration date for companies to submit applications will be in October of 2020.
“This is a huge game changer for the betterment of the Trauma Cleanup industry. The new law will not only protect victims from being re-victimized, but Georgia will lead the country for the betterment of the industry and victims,” Georgia Clean
Co-Owner and Georgia Bio Recovery Association President Gordy Powell said.
This new law has been endorsed by heavy hitting trade industries:
AIR / Alliance of Independent Restorers
ABRA / American Bio-Recovery Association
IICRC / Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification
RIA / Restoration Industry Association
SCRT / Society of Cleaning and Restoration Technicians
News Story Link / WGCL-TV CBS46
