HB878: HB878 Holidays; October 9 of each year as PANDAS Day; designate

This bill adds a new section to Georgia's holidays and observances law (O.C.G.A. Chapter 4 of Title 1) to mark October 9 as 'PANDAS Day' each year. PANDAS, or pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infection, along with the related condition PANS, can cause children to suddenly develop obsessive-compulsive symptoms, severe anxiety, tics, and a drop in school performance. The bill does not create new funding, insurance mandates, or treatment programs. Instead, it lays out legislative findings describing the disorders, citing estimates that about 1 in 200 children may be affected (roughly 15,000 children in Georgia), noting that many doctors are unfamiliar with current diagnostic and treatment guidelines, and pointing out that insurance often does not cover treatment. The new observance day is meant to build public awareness among parents, medical providers, and policymakers.

• Adds a new Code section (O.C.G.A. § 1-4-27) designating October 9 of each year as 'PANDAS Day' in Georgia.
• States legislative findings describing the symptoms, prevalence, and treatment challenges of PANS and PANDAS in children.
• Notes that a 2019 House study committee identified policy goals on insurance coverage, provider training, and public health tracking, without enacting any of those goals into law.
• Repeals any existing laws that conflict with the new observance day designation.

The bill primarily affects public awareness efforts rather than creating direct legal obligations. It is relevant to families of children with PANS or PANDAS, pediatric health providers, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, the Southeastern PANS/PANDAS Association, and state policymakers interested in the disorders' visibility.

Creating an official awareness day does not change insurance coverage, provider training, or funding for PANS and PANDAS, but it formally recognizes the conditions in Georgia law, which advocates often use as a tool to encourage future policy discussion, research attention, or public education campaigns.

• Section 1 lists twelve legislative findings on PANS and PANDAS, including symptoms, estimated prevalence (about 15,000 Georgia children), treatment costs, and gaps in insurance coverage and provider knowledge.
• Section 2 amends Chapter 4 of Title 1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated by adding new Code section 1-4-27, designating October 9 as 'PANDAS Day.'
• Section 3 repeals any conflicting laws, a standard technical provision with no substantive effect here.

1. 2025-04-02House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-03-31House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-03-28House Hopper (House)

• Karen Bennett (D, HD-094)Primary sponsor
• Mitchell Scoggins (R, HD-014)
• Carolyn Hugley (D, HD-141)
• Lee Hawkins (R, HD-027)
• Sharon Cooper (R, HD-045)
• Anissa Jones (D, HD-143)

• PANDAS Day
• children's health
• pediatric autoimmune disorders
• public awareness observances
• insurance coverage