Georgia CommonsHouse · Passed · 2025-2026 Regular Session
HR 1007: House of Representatives; effectiveness of arts for health initiatives in improving mental health outcomes; acknowledge
Last action March 31, 2026 · House Passed/Adopted
A Georgia House resolution formally acknowledges the role of arts based programs, including art therapy, in improving mental health outcomes and supporting recovery from trauma.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the resolution 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 resolution does not change any Georgia law. It is a statement from the House of Representatives recognizing arts for health initiatives, meaning programs that use artistic activities as part of mental health treatment or support, as helpful tools for addressing stress, anxiety, trauma, and related conditions. The resolution cites data on rising mental health challenges nationally and in Georgia, notes that federal veterans and defense agencies use creative arts therapists to treat PTSD, and states that such programs can also reduce burnout among healthcare workers. It resolves that House members acknowledge the role of artists, arts organizations, art therapists, and these initiatives in supporting trauma recovery, addressing mental health, building community resilience, and increasing public safety. It directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
What the bill does
- Has the Georgia House of Representatives formally acknowledge the role of artists, arts organizations, and art therapists in supporting mental health recovery.
- States that arts for health initiatives help address trauma, mental health conditions, and community resilience, and may increase public safety.
- Directs the Clerk of the House to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
- Creates no new funding, program, agency requirement, or change to Georgia statutes; it is a statement of position, not a law.
Who it affects
Artists, arts organizations, and art therapists operating in Georgia are named and recognized by the resolution. It also references healthcare professionals, veterans, military personnel, and Georgians experiencing mental health challenges, though it creates no binding obligations for any of these groups.
Why it matters
Because this is a resolution rather than a bill amending Georgia law, it carries symbolic rather than legal weight. It signals House support for arts based mental health approaches, which could inform future funding or policy debates, but it does not itself create programs, spend money, or change any statute.
Key provisions
- The 'whereas' clauses cite Kaiser Family Foundation and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration data on mental health prevalence nationally and in Georgia.
- The resolved clause has House members acknowledge the role of artists, arts organizations, art therapists, and arts for health initiatives in trauma recovery, mental health, community resilience, and public safety.
- A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to make copies available to the public and press.
- The resolution contains no appropriations, deadlines, or enforcement mechanisms.
From the bill
“the members of this body acknowledge the essential role of artists, arts organizations, art therapists, and arts for health initiatives in supporting recovery from trauma, addressing mental health concerns and conditions, building community resilience, and increasing public safety.”
“the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression in Georgia stands at 33.9 percent, outpacing the national rate of 32.3 percent”
Discussed in meetings (5)
The House and Senate meetings that took this bill up, from their machine transcripts. Each account was written by Georgia Commons with AI and is not part of the record; the video is what was said.
House Special Rules Committee, February 10, 2026
From 0:14:43 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel
Summary by Georgia Commons: One presenter said HR 1007 acknowledges arts programs that help people with mental health conditions, substance use issues and military-related post-traumatic stress. The presenter said advocates supplied peer-reviewed studies supporting those benefits. A second presenter said private arts groups around Atlanta had obtained philanthropic funding for therapy programs and described their work linking arts and mental health services as successful. No committee members asked questions. The committee approved the resolution by voice vote and sent it to Rules.
House floor session, March 31, 2026 (legislative day 39, part 3)
From 0:39:17 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 4136
Summary by Georgia Commons: The presenter said the resolution acknowledges the role of arts and artists in addressing mental illness across Georgia. The presenter cited federal use of arts initiatives for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and encouraged similar efforts in Georgia. Another member expressed support. The House adopted the resolution, 168 to 0.
House Rules Committee, March 31, 2026
From 0:27:09 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 4136
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee placed the resolution on the second supplemental calendar after a motion and second. No opposition was voiced, and there was no substantive discussion.
Status timeline
- House Passed/Adopted (House)
- House Third Readers (House)
- House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
- House Second Readers (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Todd Jones (R, HD-25)
- Mary Margaret Oliver (D, HD-84)
- Kim Schofield (D, HD-63)
- Katie Dempsey (R, HD-13)
- Angie O'Steen (R, HD-169)
- Lydia Glaize (D, HD-67)
Votes
- House voteMarch 31, 2026
168 yea, 0 nay (1 not voting, 7 excused)
Topics
- mental health
- arts and health
- veterans health
- healthcare workforce
- legislative resolutions