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

25 LC 59 0169 House Bill 878 By: Representatives Bennett of the 94th, Scoggins of the 14th, Hugley of the 141st, Hawkins of the 27th, Cooper of the 45th, and others A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Chapter 4 of Title 1 of the Official Code of Georgia A nnotated, relating to1 holidays and observances, so as to designate October 9 of each year as "PANDAS Day" in2 Georgia; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for re lated matters; to repeal3 conflicting laws; and for other purposes.4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:5 SECTION 1.6 The General Assembly finds that:7 (1) Pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and pediatric autoimmune8 neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infecti on (PANDAS) create the9 sudden onset of obsessive-compulsive disorder in children, causing previously healthy and10 emotionally well-adjusted children to experience severe anxiety and emotional11 disturbances;12 (2) Children with PANS and PANDAS experience a range of symptoms, including tics or13 other abnormal movements, severe separation anxiety, generalize d anxiety, irritability,14 aggression, personality changes, attention deficit hyperactivit y disorder, marked15 H. B. 878 - 1 - 25 LC 59 0169 deterioration in learning and school performance, and developmental regression, including16 regression in handwriting;17 (3) Children with PANS and PANDAS may experience a moderate to dramatic18 improvement with antibiotics, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment, or19 plasmapheresis;20 (4) Researchers at leading academic institutions are engaged in extensive research on the21 disease mechanism of and effective treatments for these disorders;22 (5) Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) is developing a pilot clinic to treat children23 with PANS and PANDAS;24 (6) The 2019 PANS Study Committee Report of the House of Representatives identified25 specific policy goals for Georgia regarding insurance coverage for diagnosis and treatment;26 pediatric provider tr aining in medical, edu cational, and behavi oral health settings; and27 increased public health surveillance of these disorders;28 (7) The deep medical and bioscience resources in Georgia make our state well situated to29 meaningfully contribute to best medical practices, research, an d medical technology to30 advance the early diagnosis and treatment of children with PANS and PANDAS;31 (8) Expert providers in the PANS consortium estimate that one in 200 children have PANS32 or PANDAS, meaning these diseases affect roughly 15,000 children in Georgia;33 (9) Many general pediatricians, nurse practitioners, and pedia tric subspecialists are not34 familiar with the most current diagnostic criteria and treatmen t guidelines for these35 disorders;36 (10) In addition to lack of access to treating providers, many insurers do not cover37 treatment for PANS and PANDAS, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars, placing the38 treatment out of reach for most families;39 (11) The Southeastern PANS/PANDAS Association (SEPPA) is a Geo rgia based,40 nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to expert, insurance based care for41 children and families suffering from PANS and PANDAS in this region; and42 H. B. 878 - 2 - 25 LC 59 0169 (12) It is imperative that there be greater public awareness o f this serious health issue43 among parents, policymakers, and medical providers in Georgia.44 SECTION 2.45 Chapter 4 of Title 1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to holidays and46 observances, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:47 "1-4-27.48 October 9 of each year is designated as 'PANDAS Day' in Georgia."49 SECTION 3.50 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.51 H. B. 878 - 3 -