Georgia CommonsHR 1744: Black Maternal Heath Week; April 11-17, 2026; recognize
Last action March 16, 2026 · House Read and Adopted
A Georgia House resolution recognizes April 11-17, 2026, as Black Maternal Health Week, drawing attention to racial disparities in maternal death rates in Georgia and the United States.
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 LegiScan holds.
In plain language
This resolution does not change any Georgia law. It formally recognizes April 11-17, 2026, as Black Maternal Health Week, a week originally created by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance to highlight the maternal health crisis facing Black women and birthing people. The resolution cites statistics showing Black women in the United States and Georgia die from pregnancy-related causes at much higher rates than White, Hispanic, and Asian women, and it points to factors like maternity care deserts, barriers to midwives and doulas, and gaps in mental health care access. The resolution directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make copies available to the public and the press. It has no funding, enforcement, or regulatory provisions; it is a statement of recognition and concern rather than a change to any Georgia statute.
What the bill does
- Formally designates April 11-17, 2026, as Black Maternal Health Week in Georgia.
- States findings on maternal mortality rates, citing Georgia's 2023 rate of 30.4 deaths per 100,000 live births.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
- Creates no new funding, program, or legal requirement; it is a nonbinding statement by the House.
Who it affects
The resolution speaks to Black women and birthing people across Georgia, along with maternal health care providers, midwives, doulas, hospitals, and state health agencies like the Georgia Department of Health, whose data it cites on maternal and infant mortality.
Why it matters
While the resolution does not change any law or fund any program, it puts the Georgia House of Representatives on record acknowledging racial disparities in maternal death rates and highlighting gaps such as maternity care deserts and limited access to midwives, doulas, and mental health care in the state.
Key provisions
- The resolving clause recognizes April 11-17, 2026, as Black Maternal Health Week.
- A series of whereas clauses cite CDC and Georgia Department of Health statistics on maternal mortality, including a Georgia rate of 30.4 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023.
- The resolution notes that 87 percent of pregnancy-related deaths in Georgia were found to be preventable and that Georgia's maternity care desert rate is 36 percent, above the national average of 32.6 percent.
- A final clause directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make copies available for public and press distribution.
From the bill
“the members of this body recognize April 11-17, 2026, as Black Maternal Health Week.”
“Georgia counties face higher rates of maternity care deserts at 36 percent compared to the national average of 32.6 percent”
Status timeline
- House Read and Adopted (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Jasmine Clark (D, HD-108)
- Park Cannon (D, HD-058)
- Carolyn Hugley (D, HD-141)
- Tanya Miller (D, HD-062)
- Stacey Evans (D, HD-057)
- Dar'shun Kendrick (D, HD-095)
Topics
- maternal health
- Black maternal mortality
- health disparities
- reproductive health
- Georgia legislature resolutions