Georgia CommonsHouse · Introduced · 2025-2026 Regular Session
HB 878: Holidays; October 9 of each year as PANDAS Day; designate
Last action April 2, 2025 · House Second Readers
A Georgia House bill would designate October 9 of each year as 'PANDAS Day' to raise public awareness of a rare pediatric neuropsychiatric condition linked to strep infections.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the bill and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Introduced version, the latest the General Assembly's website lists.
In plain language
This bill adds a new section to Georgia's holidays and observances law (O.C.G.A. Chapter 4 of Title 1) naming October 9 each year as 'PANDAS Day.' PANDAS stands for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infections, and it is related to a broader condition called PANS (pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome). Both cause sudden onset of obsessive-compulsive symptoms, anxiety, tics, and school performance decline in children who were previously healthy. The bill's findings section lays out the case for the designation: an estimated 15,000 Georgia children may have PANS or PANDAS, many doctors are unfamiliar with current diagnostic and treatment guidelines, and insurance often does not cover treatment. The bill does not create new funding, insurance mandates, or medical training requirements; it only creates the symbolic annual observance day and repeals any conflicting laws.
What the bill does
- Adds a new Code section (O.C.G.A. § 1-4-27) designating October 9 of each year as 'PANDAS Day' in Georgia.
- Includes legislative findings describing the symptoms, prevalence, and treatment challenges of PANS and PANDAS in children.
- Repeals any existing laws that conflict with the new designation.
- Does not create any new insurance coverage requirement, funding, or medical training mandate despite discussing these issues in its findings.
Who it affects
Families and children affected by PANS or PANDAS, pediatric health providers and researchers in Georgia, advocacy groups like the Southeastern PANS/PANDAS Association, and organizations such as Children's Healthcare of Atlanta that are developing treatment programs for these conditions.
Why it matters
An official observance day would not change insurance coverage, funding, or medical practice on its own, but it could raise public and provider awareness of PANS and PANDAS, conditions the bill says are underdiagnosed and often not covered by insurance despite affecting thousands of Georgia children.
Key provisions
- Section 1 contains twelve legislative findings on PANS and PANDAS, including symptoms, estimated prevalence (about 1 in 200 children, or roughly 15,000 in Georgia), and gaps in insurance coverage and provider training.
- Section 2 adds new Code section 1-4-27, stating that October 9 of each year is designated as 'PANDAS Day' in Georgia.
- Section 3 repeals any laws or parts of laws that conflict with the Act.
From the bill
“October 9 of each year is designated as 'PANDAS Day' in Georgia.”
“Expert providers in the PANS consortium estimate that one in 200 children have PANS or PANDAS, meaning these diseases affect roughly 15,000 children in Georgia”
Status timeline
- House Second Readers (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Karen Bennett (D, HD-94)
- Mitchell Scoggins (R, HD-14)
- Carolyn Hugley (D, HD-141)
- Lee Hawkins (R, HD-27)
- Sharon Cooper (R, HD-45)
- Anissa Jones (D, HD-143)
Topics
- PANDAS
- PANS
- children's health
- state holidays and observances
- pediatric health awareness