HR 117: House of Representatives; acknowledge inequality as a public health issue and support BIPOC communities disproportionately affected by systemic barriers

This is a resolution, not a law, from the Georgia House of Representatives. It states the House's position that systemic inequity is a public health crisis in Georgia, particularly for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, citing disparities in chronic disease, mental health, and trauma. The resolution does not create any new program, requirement, or funding by itself. Instead it has the House go on record recognizing arts and art therapy as tools for healing trauma and mental health disparities, encouraging state policymakers to integrate arts-based approaches into public health policy, and encouraging funding for community arts and art therapy programs in schools, health care settings, and community organizations. It directs the Clerk of the House to send copies to the Commissioner of Health, the Attorney General, and other stakeholders.

• Declares that the Georgia House of Representatives acknowledges systemic inequity as a public health crisis in Georgia, particularly for BIPOC communities.
• States the House's recognition of arts and art therapy as tools to address trauma and mental health disparities tied to systemic inequities.
• Expresses House support for integrating arts-based approaches into public health policies and programs addressing racial and systemic health disparities.
• Encourages, without mandating or funding, support for community arts initiatives and art therapy programs in schools, health care settings, and community organizations serving BIPOC and other marginalized populations.
• Directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to the Commissioner of Health, the Attorney General, and other relevant stakeholders.

The resolution speaks to BIPOC communities in Georgia and references schools, health care settings, and community organizations that serve them. It also names the Commissioner of Health and the Attorney General as recipients, though it imposes no legal duties on them.

Because this is a resolution rather than a bill that changes law, it creates no new funding, program, or legal requirement. Its practical effect is to put the House on record supporting arts-based approaches to health disparities, which could inform future legislation or budget requests but does not itself change anything.

• The whereas clauses describe disparities in chronic disease and mental health outcomes affecting BIPOC communities and cite art therapy as a validated intervention for trauma.
• The first resolving clause has the House acknowledge systemic inequity as a public health crisis in Georgia.
• A further resolving clause recognizes arts and art therapy as tools for healing trauma and building community resilience.
• A further resolving clause has the House advocate for integrating arts-based solutions into public health policy, without creating a binding mandate.
• A further resolving clause encourages funding for community arts and art therapy programs in schools, health care, and community organizations.
• The final clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies to the Commissioner of Health, the Attorney General, and other stakeholders.

1. 2025-02-04House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-02-03House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-01-30House Hopper (House)

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

• public health
• racial equity
• mental health
• arts funding
• BIPOC communities