--- title: SR 347. Jadassohn, Josef; recognize collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sr347 cite_as: SR 347, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr347 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr347.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr347/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71161 date: 2025-03-06 status: introduced 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/sr346.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr348.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 95 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr347.md?full=1 bill_number: SR 347 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: Senate bill_type: resolution status_date: 2025-03-04 last_action: Senate Read and Referred sponsors: - Donzella James - Harold Jones - Sally Harrell - Kenya Wicks - Gail Davenport - Tonya Anderson - Michael Rhett - Kim Jackson - Jason Esteves - Nan Orrock - Derek Mallow - Sonya Halpern - Randal Mangham - Sheikh Rahman - Nabilah Islam Parkes - Elena Parent - David Lucas text_version: Enrolled has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR347/2025 upstream_id: 1991532 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - medical implants - dermatology - metal allergies - joint replacement surgery - Senate resolution --- # SR 347. Jadassohn, Josef; recognize ## Text Senate Resolution 347 By: Senators James of the 28th, Jones II of the 22nd, Harrell of the 40th, Wicks of the 34th, Davenport of the 17th and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing the work of German dermatologist Josef Jadassohn who invented the innovative patch-testing medical technique in 1895 and encouraging medical practitioners to consider applying patch-testing for patients with a clinical history of metal hypersensitivity prior to certain implantation operations; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, most implants used in orthopedic operations are composed of metal alloys that contain common contact allergens, such as nickel, cobalt, and chromium; and WHEREAS, more than 1 million lower extremity total joint replacements are completed yearly in the United States and are expected to increase in the coming years; and WHEREAS, allergic complications to metal implants often cause problems such as chronic joint pain, dermatitis, and joint failure; and WHEREAS, nickel is commonly used in alloys due to its strength and durability; and WHEREAS, many cases of metal hypersensitivity are due to contact with alloys containing nickel; and WHEREAS, surgeons and dermatologists commonly rely on patch-testing to evaluate patients for potential metal allergy; and WHEREAS, the value of patch-testing for patients with a clinical history of metal hypersensitivity before implants are placed into bones or joints has been acknowledged by research published in JAMA Dermatology, a journal of the American Medical Association. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body recognize the memory and contributions of medical pioneer Josef Jadassohn and encourage medical practitioners to consider applying patch-testing when evaluating patients with a clinical history of metal hypersensitivity prior to certain implantation operations. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that surgeons and dermatologists are encouraged to work together to establish guidelines to identify patients who would benefit from replacements of previously implanted contact allergens. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to make 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 Senate resolution honors dermatologist Josef Jadassohn for inventing patch-testing and encourages doctors to use it to screen patients for metal allergies before joint implant surgery. ### Plain-language summary This resolution does not change Georgia law. It is a formal statement from the Georgia Senate recognizing Josef Jadassohn, a German dermatologist who developed the patch-testing technique in 1895, a method still used to check whether someone is allergic to substances like nickel, cobalt, or chromium. The resolution notes that many orthopedic implants contain these metals and that allergic reactions can cause joint pain, skin irritation, or implant failure. It encourages, but does not require, medical practitioners to consider patch-testing patients with a history of metal hypersensitivity before certain implant surgeries, and encourages surgeons and dermatologists to develop guidelines for identifying patients who might benefit from replacing previously implanted metal devices. It also directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press. ### What it does - Formally recognizes German dermatologist Josef Jadassohn for inventing the patch-testing technique in 1895. - Encourages, without mandating, medical practitioners to consider patch-testing patients with a history of metal hypersensitivity before certain implant surgeries. - Encourages surgeons and dermatologists to jointly develop guidelines for identifying patients who might benefit from replacing previously implanted metal devices. - Directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press. ### Who it affects The resolution speaks to surgeons and dermatologists in Georgia and, indirectly, patients who receive orthopedic implants containing metals like nickel, cobalt, or chromium. It creates no binding obligations for hospitals, insurers, or medical boards. ### Why it matters Because this is a resolution rather than a law, it carries no legal requirement. Its practical effect is to publicly encourage Georgia doctors to consider allergy testing before implant surgery, which could raise awareness of metal hypersensitivity risks without changing medical practice standards or licensing rules. ### Key provisions - Recites background findings that metal implants used in about 1 million lower extremity joint replacements yearly in the U.S. can trigger allergic reactions such as chronic joint pain and dermatitis. - Cites research published in JAMA Dermatology supporting patch-testing before implants are placed in bones or joints. - Resolves that the Senate recognizes Jadassohn's contributions and encourages patch-testing for patients with a history of metal hypersensitivity before certain implant operations. - Resolves that surgeons and dermatologists are encouraged to establish guidelines for identifying patients who could benefit from replacing prior metal implants. - Directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies available to the public and press. ## Status - Status: Introduced (2025-03-04) - Last action: Senate Read and Referred (2025-03-06) - Sponsors: Donzella James, Harold Jones, Sally Harrell, Kenya Wicks, Gail Davenport, Tonya Anderson, Michael Rhett, Kim Jackson, Jason Esteves, Nan Orrock, Derek Mallow, Sonya Halpern, Randal Mangham, Sheikh Rahman, Nabilah Islam Parkes, Elena Parent, David Lucas - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71161 > The history, votes, and amendments (95 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr347.md?full=1