--- title: HR 472. Support for families affected by premature births; commend collection: bills id: 2025-2026/hr472 cite_as: HR 472, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr472 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr472.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr472/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71085 date: 2025-03-03 status: passed corpus_version: bills-2026-09-12 license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice. up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr471.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr473.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 131 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr472.md?full=1 bill_number: HR 472 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: House bill_type: resolution status_date: 2025-03-03 last_action: House Read and Adopted sponsors: - Carl Gilliard - Karlton Howard - Viola Davis - Sandra Scott - Edna Jackson text_version: Introduced has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR472/2025 upstream_id: 1990344 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - premature birth - maternal and infant health - mental health - family support --- # HR 472. Support for families affected by premature births; commend ## Text House Resolution 472 By: Representatives Gilliard of the 162nd, Howard of the 129th, Davis of the 87th, Scott of the 76th, and Jackson of the 165th A RESOLUTION Expressing support for families affected by premature births; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, preterm birth, defined as birth occurring before 37 weeks of gestation, poses significant health risks to infants and places emotional and financial burdens on families; and WHEREAS, the incidence of preterm birth continues to rise in various populations, contributing to increased neonatal complications, long-term health challenges, and a greater demand for specialized medical care; and WHEREAS, the emotional and psychological toll on parents, particularly mothers, following the birth of a preterm infant frequently results in heightened anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns that require targeted support and resources; and WHEREAS, families of preterm infants often face overwhelming medical expenses, disruptions to family dynamics, and barriers in accessing essential support services, further compounding the challenges of early childhood care; and WHEREAS, improving outcomes for premature infants and their families requires a comprehensive strategy that includes increased financial support, expanded access to quality prenatal and neonatal care, enhanced research initiatives, and greater mental health resources; and WHEREAS, ensuring equitable access to medical care, reducing financial burdens, and promoting public awareness of the risks and challenges associated with preterm birth are critical steps toward fostering healthier families and communities. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body express their support for families affected by premature births as well as for efforts and initiatives that improve medical care, financial assistance, and mental health resources for these families. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and the press. ## Summaries written by Georgia Commons The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary. A Georgia House resolution expresses support for families affected by premature births and calls for improved medical care, financial assistance, and mental health resources for them. ### Plain-language summary This resolution addresses the challenges faced by families whose infants are born prematurely, meaning before 37 weeks of gestation. It notes that preterm birth is becoming more common and can lead to serious health complications for infants, along with emotional strain, financial pressure, and mental health struggles for parents. The resolution does not create new laws, funding, or programs. Instead, the House of Representatives formally states its support for families dealing with premature births and for future efforts to expand access to prenatal and neonatal care, increase financial support, and improve mental health resources. It also directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and the press. ### What it does - Formally expresses the Georgia House of Representatives' support for families affected by premature births. - States support for efforts and initiatives that improve medical care, financial assistance, and mental health resources for these families. - Directs the Clerk of the House to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public and the press. - Does not create any new funding, program, or legal requirement; it is a statement of the chamber's position. ### Who it affects Families and parents affected by premature births, particularly mothers dealing with mental health effects, as well as medical providers and support services involved in prenatal and neonatal care. ### Why it matters While the resolution carries no legal force or funding, it signals that the House of Representatives recognizes the medical, financial, and emotional challenges facing families of premature infants, which could shape future legislative attention to related support programs. ### Key provisions - The whereas clauses describe preterm birth as occurring before 37 weeks of gestation and outline its health, emotional, and financial impacts on families. - The resolution formally states House support for families affected by premature births and for initiatives improving their care and resources. - The resolution directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies to the public and the press. ## Status - Status: Passed (2025-03-03) - Last action: House Read and Adopted (2025-03-03) - Sponsors: Carl Gilliard, Karlton Howard, Viola Davis, Sandra Scott, Edna Jackson - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71085 > The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr472.md?full=1