SR64: SR64 Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week; recognize February 7 to 14, 2025

This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate, not a change to state law. It recognizes February 7 to 14, 2025 as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week at the state capitol. The resolution explains that congenital heart defects are among the most common birth defects and a leading cause of birth-defect-related deaths worldwide, noting that about 40,000 babies are born with these conditions each year in the United States. It also notes that some defects go undiagnosed until later in life, sometimes contributing to sudden cardiac death in young athletes, and that newborns and young athletes are not routinely screened. The Senate directs its Secretary to provide a copy of the resolution to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and its Kids at Heart program.

• Formally recognizes February 7 to 14, 2025 as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week at the Georgia state capitol.
• States facts about the prevalence and risks of congenital heart defects, including their link to sudden cardiac death in undiagnosed young athletes.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's Kids at Heart program.
• Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement; it is a symbolic statement by the Senate.

Families affected by congenital heart defects, health professionals who treat these conditions, and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's Kids at Heart program, which will receive a copy of the resolution. It has no direct legal effect on the general public.

While the resolution does not change any Georgia law or fund any program, it publicly highlights a health issue affecting families statewide and gives formal recognition to the work of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's Kids at Heart program during the designated awareness week.

• The resolving clause recognizes February 7 to 14, 2025 as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week at the state capitol.
• A further resolution directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute a copy of the resolution to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and its Kids at Heart program.
• The whereas clauses cite statistics on the frequency of congenital heart defects and their link to sudden cardiac death in young athletes when undiagnosed.

1. 2025-01-30Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-01-29Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Josh McLaurin (D, SD-014)Primary sponsor
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)
• Ricky Williams (R, SD-025)
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
• Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)
• Russ Goodman (R, SD-008)
• Michael Rhett (D, SD-033)

• congenital heart defects
• health awareness
• children's health
• state capitol resolutions