HR426: HR426 General Assembly; support creation of a Black Maternal Health Caucus; urge

This resolution does not create a new law or program. Instead, it formally urges the Georgia General Assembly to establish a legislative Black Maternal Health Caucus, a group of lawmakers who would organize around the state's maternal health crisis. The resolution lays out statistics on maternal and infant mortality in the United States and Georgia, noting that Black women in Georgia are almost three times more likely to die of pregnancy related causes than white women, and that over a third of Georgia counties are considered maternity care deserts. It states that the caucus would research, develop, and recommend evidence-based policies to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce disparities. The resolution also directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies to the public and press.

• Urges the General Assembly to create a Georgia legislative Black Maternal Health Caucus made up of members focused on maternal health policy.
• States the caucus's purpose would be to research, develop, and recommend evidence-based policies and programs to improve maternal health in Georgia.
• Cites state and national statistics on maternal mortality, infant mortality, and racial disparities to justify the caucus's creation.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make copies of the resolution available to the public and press.

The resolution primarily concerns members of the Georgia General Assembly, who would form the proposed caucus, and by extension Black pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and healthcare providers in Georgia, especially in rural areas facing hospital labor and delivery closures.

If the General Assembly acts on this resolution, lawmakers would gain a dedicated forum to focus on Georgia's maternal mortality crisis, particularly the higher death rates among Black women, potentially shaping future legislation on prenatal care, doula coverage, and rural maternity access.

• The whereas clauses cite CDC data that 80 percent of pregnancy related deaths nationwide are preventable and that Georgia's maternal mortality rate is almost twice the national rate.
• The whereas clauses state Black women in Georgia are almost three times more likely to die of pregnancy related causes than non-Hispanic white women.
• The resolution notes 34.6 percent of Georgia counties are maternity care deserts, compared to 32.6 percent nationally.
• The resolved clause formally urges the General Assembly to create a Georgia legislative Black Maternal Health Caucus to advance maternal health policy solutions.
• The final clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

1. 2025-03-03House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-02-28House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-02-27House Hopper (House)

• Kim Schofield (D, HD-063)Primary sponsor
• Derrick Jackson (D, HD-068)
• Viola Davis (D, HD-087)
• Park Cannon (D, HD-058)
• Rhonda Burnough (D, HD-077)
• Sandra Scott (D, HD-076)

• maternal health
• Black maternal mortality
• healthcare disparities
• legislative caucuses
• Georgia health policy