HR 778: PANDAS Awareness Day at the state capitol; October 9, 2025; recognize

House Resolution 778

By: Representatives Bennett of the 94th, Scoggins of the 14th, Hugley of the 141st, Bazemore of the 69th, and Drenner of the 85th

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing October 9, 2025, as PANDAS Awareness Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infection (PANDAS) create the sudden onset of obsessive-compulsive disorder in children, causing previously healthy and emotionally well-adjusted children to experience severe anxiety and emotional disturbances; and

WHEREAS, children with PANS and PANDAS experience some or all of the following symptoms: tics or other abnormal movements, severe separation anxiety, generalized anxiety, irritability, aggression, personality changes, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, marked deterioration in learning and school performance, and developmental regression, including regression in handwriting; and

WHEREAS, children with PANS and PANDAS may experience a moderate to dramatic improvement with antibiotics, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment, or plasmapheresis; and

WHEREAS, researchers at leading academic institutions are engaged in extensive research on the disease mechanism of and effective treatments for these disorders; and

WHEREAS, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) is developing a pilot clinic to treat children with PANS and PANDAS; and

WHEREAS, the 2019 PANS Study Committee Report of the House of Representatives identified specific policy goals for Georgia regarding insurance coverage for diagnosis and treatment; pediatric provider training in medical, educational, and behavioral health settings; and increased public health surveillance of these disorders; and

WHEREAS, the deep medical and bioscience resources in Georgia make our state well situated to meaningfully contribute to best medical practices, research, and medical technology to advance the early diagnosis and treatment of children with PANS and PANDAS; and

WHEREAS, 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; and

WHEREAS, many general pediatricians, nurse practitioners, and pediatric subspecialists are not familiar with the most current diagnostic criteria and treatment guidelines for these disorders; and

WHEREAS, in addition to lack of access to treating providers, many insurers do not cover treatment for PANS and PANDAS, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars, placing the treatment out of reach for most families; and

WHEREAS, the Southeastern PANS/PANDAS Association (SEPPA) is a Georgia based, nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to expert, insurance based care for children and families suffering from PANS and PANDAS in this region; and

WHEREAS, it is imperative that there be greater public awareness of this serious health issue among parents, policymakers, and medical providers in Georgia.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body recognize October 9, 2025, as PANDAS Awareness Day at the state capitol.

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.