Georgia House bill by Rep. Dempsey on teledentistry regulation passes House and Senate

Passed bill authored by State Rep. Katie Dempsey aims to regulate teledentistry by licensed dentists in Georgia and establish standards for patient care, supervision, and insurance coverage, according to the Georgia State House.

It passed both chambers as of Friday, April 4, clearing the House by a vote of 165-2 and the Senate by a vote of 52-1.

The bill, introduced as HB567 on Friday, Feb. 21 during the 2025 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, was formally described as: ’Professions and businesses; authorize and regulate teledentistry by licensed dentists’.

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, the bill amends the Official Code of Georgia Annotated to authorize and regulate teledentistry practices by licensed dentists in the state. It stipulates the conditions under which dentists can provide teledentistry, such as requiring a physical office in Georgia and establishing a referral relationship with a local dentist for in-person treatments. It allows dental hygienists to perform certain functions under general supervision via teledentistry, with conditions for patient information protection and record-keeping. The bill also mandates informed consent from patients about the differences between teledentistry and in-person consultations. Additionally, the bill permits dental insurance coverage for teledentistry, preventing discrimination against services provided via this medium. The act comes into effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

In the House, 70 Democrats and 95 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, while two Republicans opposed it.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 23 Democrats and 29 Republicans voted in favor, while one Republican voted against it.

The bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Debbie Buckner (Democrat-137th), Rep. Matt Hatchett (Republican-155th), and Rep. Darlene Taylor (Republican-173rd), along with two other co-sponsors.

Dempsey graduated from the University of Georgia with a BA.

Dempsey, a Republican, was first elected to the Georgia State House in 2007 to represent the state’s 13th House District.

The bill was signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp on Friday, May 9.

In Georgia, the legislative process begins when a lawmaker, often at a constituent’s request, works with the Office of Legislative Counsel to draft a bill. After filing with the Clerk of the House or Secretary of the Senate, the bill receives its first reading and is sent to a committee, where most of the debate and fact-finding takes place. If approved, it advances to the floor for a third reading, debate, and a vote. To become law, the bill must pass both chambers, sometimes through a conference committee if versions differ, before being sent to the governor. The governor then has six days during session—or 40 days after adjournment (Sine Die)—to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without a signature. The Georgia General Assembly meets annually for a 40-day session beginning the second Monday in January.

Information in this article was obtained from the Georgia State House. The source data can be found here.