HB17: HB17 Public Health, Department of; carry out projects to increase education, awareness, or diagnosis of valvular heart disease; authorize

Valvular heart disease affects how well the heart's valves work and can lead to sudden cardiac death if not caught early. This bill, called the "Valvular Heart Health and Sudden Cardiac Death Prevention Act," adds a new section to Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 31-1-26) letting the Department of Public Health create programs to educate the public, improve diagnosis, and cut down on sudden cardiac deaths tied to this condition. The department could run these programs itself or pay outside nonprofit or public groups through grants or contracts, and could also give technical help with planning and running such projects. When awarding money, the department must prioritize populations hit hardest by the disease or facing health disparities based on race, ethnicity, gender, or income. The department must also coordinate with other state agencies, collect research findings, and post best practices for healthcare providers online, which the Georgia Composite Medical Board would then send to all licensed physicians each year. The law would take effect as soon as the Governor signs it.

• Authorizes the Department of Public Health to create projects that educate the public and improve diagnosis of valvular heart disease and reduce related sudden cardiac deaths.
• Allows the department to carry out these projects itself or fund them through grants or contracts with public or nonprofit private groups.
• Requires the department to prioritize funding for projects serving populations most affected by the disease or facing health disparities tied to race, ethnicity, gender, or income.
• Requires the department to coordinate its efforts with other state agencies working on valvular heart disease.
• Requires the department to collect and analyze research findings and publish best-practice guidance for healthcare providers on its website.
• Requires the Georgia Composite Medical Board to annually distribute that best-practice guidance to every physician licensed in the state.

The Department of Public Health, which gains new authority and duties; nonprofit and public organizations that could receive grants or contracts; physicians and other healthcare providers who would get annual best-practice guidance from the Georgia Composite Medical Board; and patients, especially those in populations facing health disparities related to valvular heart disease.

Georgians with or at risk of valvular heart disease could benefit from new education, screening, and treatment efforts, particularly in communities facing health disparities. Healthcare providers would receive annually updated guidance, which could shape how they diagnose and treat patients with this condition.

• Section 1 names the law the "Valvular Heart Health and Sudden Cardiac Death Prevention Act."
• Section 2 adds new Code section 31-1-26, authorizing the department to run or fund projects on education, diagnosis, treatment, and sudden cardiac death reduction related to valvular heart disease.
• Subsection (b) lists allowed project types: public awareness campaigns, improving provider diagnostic capability and treatment access, and cardiac arrest surveillance programs.
• Subsection (c) requires the department to prioritize grants and contracts for projects targeting populations most impacted by the disease or addressing disparities based on race, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status.
• Subsection (d) requires coordination with other state agencies working on valvular heart disease.
• Subsection (e) requires the department to collect research findings and publish best practices online, and requires the Georgia Composite Medical Board to distribute that guidance annually to all licensed physicians.
• Section 3 sets the effective date as the date the Governor signs the bill or it otherwise becomes law without signature.

1. 2025-01-15House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-01-14House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-01-13House Hopper (House)

• Kim Schofield (D, HD-063)Primary sponsor
• Viola Davis (D, HD-087)
• Sandra Scott (D, HD-076)
• Billy Mitchell (D, HD-088)
• Derrick Jackson (D, HD-068)

• heart disease
• public health
• medical licensing
• health disparities