FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW LAW JANUARY 1ST TO REGULATE WHO CAN
CLEAN A CRIME AND DEATH SCENE IN GEORGIA
ATLANTA - 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 cleanup 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 in Georgia Assembled together and 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 who were concerned with proper remediation and proper humane disposal,” Georgia Representative Alan Powell said. “We have corrected a situation of citizens being victimized while they are vulnerable.”
As of January 1, 2021, this new law will require business owners to undergo fingerprinting, background checks, drug screenings and provide proof of all required insurances to perform services for the public. This law also establishes a statewide database available to the public, funeral directors, coroners, medical examiners and to public safety by listing all registered licensed service providers in Georgia. Qualified and vetted services providers can be found statewide by zip code or county where the services are required by utilizing the newly established State Directory at Cleaner911.org. Reviews of service providers will become available as the directory grows to better aid the public.
“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 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
NFIB / National Federation of Independent Business
RIA / Restoration Industry Association
SCRT / Society of Cleaning and Restoration Technicians
News Story Link / WGCL-TV CBS46
CONTACT: Gordy Powell
President / Georgia Bio Recovery Association & Cleaner911.org
2165 Canton Road Marietta, Georgia 30066
contact@GaBRA.org / 404-606-6224