SR 207: General Assembly; appropriate an additional $2 million annually to the Georgia Pregnancy and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program; urge

Senate Resolution 207

By: Senators Orrock of the 36th, Jones II of the 22nd, Parent of the 44th, Halpern of the 39th, Jackson of the 41st and others

A RESOLUTION

Urging the General Assembly to appropriate an additional $2 million annually to the Georgia Pregnancy and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program, in lieu of all moneys currently being appropriated to fund crisis pregnancy centers; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, this resolution shall be named the "Fund Healthy Pregnancy and Parenting Resolution"; and

WHEREAS, in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, the Governor has supported adding $2.98 million to increase funds to expand a pilot program to provide in-home visits for at-risk and underserved rural communities during pregnancy and early childhood to improve birth outcomes, reduce preterm deliveries, and decrease infant and maternal mortality rates; and

WHEREAS, this program shall be referred to as the Georgia Pregnancy and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program; and

WHEREAS, this program as administered by the Department of Public Health has produced positive outcomes and is worthy of increased support; and

WHEREAS, there are approximately 89 crisis pregnancy centers in this state; and

WHEREAS, crisis pregnancy centers are often fronts for antiabortion activities; and

WHEREAS, the main purpose of these centers is often to coerce pregnant populations, especially those having unintended pregnancies, into not having an abortion rather than providing them with comprehensive, fact based reproductive care; and

WHEREAS, because these centers are sometimes mistaken for actual clinics providing abortion services, the state's support of their activities puts pregnant populations at greater risk; and

WHEREAS, no further taxpayer money should be appropriated to such centers; and

WHEREAS, even if Georgians did receive some benefit from such centers, abortion rights are currently restricted in this state beyond six weeks, except in special situations; therefore, there should be less need for such centers; and

WHEREAS, consequently, if the number of abortions occurring in this state are decreasing due to that law, the need for any services provided by such centers should also be decreasing; and

WHEREAS, the most recent budget appropriated approximately $2 million to fund crisis pregnancy centers; and

WHEREAS, this year's budget should provide funding to the Georgia Pregnancy and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program by such amount in lieu of appropriating such moneys to crisis pregnancy centers; and

WHEREAS, this proposal would not cost taxpayers any additional moneys; and

WHEREAS, this proposal would better allocate the resources of this state to meet the needs of its residents.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that members of this body urge the General Assembly to appropriate an additional $2 million annually to the Georgia Home Visiting program to improve birth outcomes, reduce preterm deliveries, and decrease infant and maternal mortality rates, in lieu of appropriating such moneys to fund crisis pregnancy centers.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the General Assembly's legislative leaders.