Sen. Renee Unterman Appointed to Interim Senate Study Committee on Sexual Assault

ATLANTA (October 1, 2015) | Sen. Renee Unterman (R – Buford) was appointed by Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle to the new Interim Senate Study Committee on Sexual Assault.

“It is upsetting that every year numerous sexual assault cases on Georgia’s college campuses are under-reported or unresolved, and are often not taken seriously,” said Sen. Unterman. “Students who have suffered from these attacks deserve to receive not only justice, but referrals and other services. As Chairman of this committee, my first goal is to listen to professionals who work in the field of sexual assault victims and begin improving the process of reporting and resolving sexual assault allegations. We will also be examining due process in relation to alleged perpetrators.”

The Association of American Universities (AAU) reported in a study this month that the percentage of reported campus sexual assaults has increased since their last study was completed. Although the percentage of assaults has increased, the percentage of cases that are actually reported to the authorities stands below 30 percent. More than 50 percent of victims said in the study that they did not report incidents because they do not think others will take them seriously or that they could not handle the emotional impact of telling someone else.

The Senate Study Committee on Sexual Assault is charged with examining the current legal process for sexual assault cases on college campuses and discussing possible changes and improvements to the ways in which these are recorded and handled. Meetings for the committee are scheduled to begin in November.

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For Immediate Release:
October 1, 2015

For Information Contact:

Jennifer Yarber, Director
Gavriella Coffman, Communications Associate
[email protected]
404.656.0028

Sen. Renee Unterman Participates in Hunger Awareness Events at National NCSL Conference

ATLANTA (September 21, 2015) | Sen. Renee Unterman (R – Buford) participated in the 2015 National Conference of State Leaders (NCSL) Legislative Summit on August 3 – 6 in Seattle, WA. During the 2015 Summit, she took part in several events hosted by the NCSL Hunger Partnership, which launched in 2010 to raise the visibility of hunger in America and highlight innovative solutions. This year celebrates the Partnership’s fifth anniversary, as well as Sen. Unterman’s fifth year serving as co-chair of the Partnership. The annual NCSL Legislative Summit is the nation’s largest educational gathering for legislators and legislative staff, and provides a platform for policy discussion and professional development.

 

“Hunger is a serious problem faced by nearly one in seven U.S. households. I am proud to lead a group so deeply committed to ending this crisis through innovative programs, open policy discussion and partnerships among state agencies. The working relationships created by this group over the past five years are truly remarkable. From SNAP call centers to improving school breakfast participation, states are banding together to end hunger across the nation,” said Sen. Unterman.

During the Summit, the NCSL Hunger Partnership met to review business matters and examples of innovative public-private partnerships that are addressing hunger issues at the state level. Legislators serving as members of the Hunger Partnership offer direction to state agencies who are looking to implement new programs, coordinate among agencies, or give funding to promising new initiatives. The NCSL Hunger Partnership reviewed the efforts of innovative programs and partnerships aimed at ending hunger in the United States, including supplemental nutrition assistance program partnerships, child nutrition partnerships, food distribution partnerships, healthy food access partnerships, as well as deterring fraud, waste and abuse in hunger programs.

Strategic alliances created by the Partnership and its affiliated support organizations across the nation include a SNAP assistance call center in Connecticut, a lunch and after-school meals program in Arkansas, a surplus food donation service in California, a food bank community wellness program in Louisiana, and a healthy cafeteria choices program in North Dakota. Farm-to-table and farm-to-school lunchrooms have also been studied and replicated throughout the country.

Since 2007, the number of United States families experiencing hunger has grown to more than five million. Although food insecurity rates are at an all-time high, academics, advocates and legislators all agree that hunger is a resolvable problem.

For more information about the NCSL Hunger Partnership, visit www.ncsl.org.

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For Immediate Release:
September 21, 2015

For Information Contact:

Jennifer Yarber, Director
[email protected]
404.656.0028

Sen. Renee Unterman Appointed to Georgia Commission on Medical Cannabis

ATLANTA (September 21, 2015) | Sen. Renee Unterman (R – Buford) was appointed by Gov. Nathan Deal to the new Georgia Commission on Medical Cannabis.

 

“Panels such as the Georgia Commission on Medical Cannabis are central to providing young Georgian’s with the opportunity for relief without the burden of traveling outside the state,” said Sen. Unterman. “I am honored to be a part of this group, and though it will be a slow process, I look forward to working with the other members of the commission to discuss the best legal options for Georgia’s children and families who are suffering.”

The commission held its first three summer meetings on Tuesday, June 16; Friday, July 31; and Wednesday August 26. The meetings included testimony from manufacturers of cannabis oil from other states, and models of how the product is legally created and distributed. Members of the commission must report back to Gov. Deal at the end of 2015 with their completed findings.

The commission’s next meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. in room 606 of the Coverdell Legislative Office Building.

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For Immediate Release:
September 21, 2015

For Information Contact:

Jennifer Yarber, Director
Gavriella Coffman, Communications Associate
[email protected]
404.656.0028

Sen. Renee Unterman Commends Congressional Action on Protecting Human Trafficking Victims

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ATLANTA (May 20, 2015) | The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 (S. 178) on Tuesday, May 19. The federal legislation, which is meant to increase enforcement and provide support services to human trafficking victims, parallels state legislation passed in Georgia during the 2015 legislative session. The U.S. Senate has already passed the legislation, which is now awaiting Presidential approval. State Sen. Renee Unterman (R – Buford) congratulates the successful Congressional effort to protect human trafficking victims across the nation.

“I greatly appreciate the U.S. House and U.S. Senate’s work to safeguard and support human trafficking victims on a national level. I am especially grateful for Sen. Johnny Isakson’s help and advocacy for the final passage of S. 178. This legislation brings together many common state and national goals that are aimed at stopping the sordid practice of human trafficking,” said Sen. Unterman.

The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 will amend federal criminal code to impose increased and additional fines on those found guilty of trafficking offenses. This revenue will be deposited into the Domestic Trafficking Victims Fund, established through S. 178. In addition, the federal legislation amends both the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 and the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005.

The amendments set forth include permitting U.S. citizens and permanent residents to receive benefits and services without obtaining official victim status certification from the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as replacing the pilot program for juvenile residential treatment facilities with a program for three-year renewable block grants. The grants will be administered by the Department of Justice and will focus on developing and improving domestic child human trafficking deterrence programs for law enforcement officials.

More information about The Justice for Victims of Human Trafficking Act can be found online athttps://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/178.

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For Immediate Release:
May 20, 2015

For Information Contact:

Jennifer Yarber, Director
[email protected]
404.656.0028

Personal Welcome…

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I would like to personally thank you for taking the opportunity to visit my official website. This website provides general information as well as anything and everything pertaining to my legislative career. I am blessed to represent, what I feel, is the best region in Georgia and I am proud to call Gwinnett County my home. My main focus while serving in office is to protect the citizens of Senate District 45, ensuring that legislation moving forward is beneficial for our district and all of Georgia. God Bless! - Renee