Georgia Becomes First State to Regulate Crime Scene Cleanup

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed House Bill 417 into law on August 4, 2020 regulating the crime, trauma and death scene cleaning industry. State leaders took decisive action following numerous complaints and findings of unethical practices, illegal dumping of human remains and countless acts of theft in homes. Some companies were revictimizing families. “I’m glad to sign HB 417 to create a level playing field in the crime scene clean-up industry and protect Georgians from bad actors,” Governor Kemp said.

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

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Discover the essence of 'Standard of Care' in water damage documentation. In this webinar, we’ll delve into the necessity and rationale behind it, and uncover how purposeful documentation is crucial, saving both valuable time and energy.