HR 95: Community health workers; commend

This resolution does not change any law. It is a formal statement from the Georgia House of Representatives recognizing community health workers, who serve as trusted links between medical and social service systems and the communities they come from, especially underserved areas. The resolution describes the many roles these workers play, including cultural mediation, health education, care coordination, basic health screenings, community assessments, and outreach. It notes that 25 states already offer professional certification for this workforce and cites research showing effectiveness in areas like maternal and child health, chronic disease care, and immunization. The House resolves to commend these workers, encourage more local and state collaboration to raise awareness of their work, and directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

• Formally commends community health workers for their contributions to public health in Georgia, without creating any new law or funding.
• States the House's support for collaboration at the local and state level to raise awareness of community health workers' importance.
• Expresses House support for efforts by community health workers to reduce health disparities in underserved communities.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

Community health workers themselves, along with the underserved communities they serve, health and social service organizations that work with them, and community health worker associations or coalitions mentioned in the resolution's description of this workforce.

Because this is a commendation resolution rather than a law, it does not create funding, certification, or new requirements. Its practical effect is symbolic: it publicly recognizes the work of community health workers and may support future advocacy or awareness efforts around this workforce.

• The whereas clauses describe community health workers as trusted community members who link residents to health and social services.
• The text notes 25 states currently recognize community health workers with a professional certification, though Georgia's resolution does not create one.
• The resolving clause commends community health workers, encourages state and local collaboration on awareness, and expresses support for reducing health disparities.
• The final clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

1. 2025-01-28House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2025-01-28House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-01-28House Hopper (House)

• Gerald Greene (R, HD-154)Primary sponsor
• Lee Hawkins (R, HD-027)
• Darlene Taylor (R, HD-173)
• Bill Yearta (R, HD-152)
• Karen Mathiak (R, HD-082)

• community health workers
• public health
• health disparities
• underserved communities