Sen. Butch Miller, R-Gainesville, was named outstanding legislator of the year by the Georgia Council on Aging on Thursday.

Miller was given the award during a meeting of the council’s Coalition of Advocates for Georgia’s Elderly in Macon, according to an announcement from the council.

Miller was given the award for his work on Georgia Senate Bill 201, which allows workers to use sick days in order to care for a parent, spouse or child.

The Georgia Council on Aging supported the bill because more than 61 percent of family caregivers of people older than 50 are employed.

Miller and the council worked to pass the bill for six years, according to the announcement, and it was signed by Gov. Nathan Deal on May 8.

The 20-member Georgia Council on Aging was created in 1977 and advises state officials on issues affecting seniors in the state.