SR 544: Black Maternal Health Week; recognize April 11-17, 2025

This resolution does not change any Georgia law. It formally recognizes April 11-17, 2025, as Black Maternal Health Week, an observance started by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance to highlight disparities in maternal health outcomes for Black women. The resolution cites statistics on maternal mortality, including that Black women nationally are two to three times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy-related causes, and that Georgia's maternal mortality rate is 32.1 deaths per 100,000 live births. It also notes barriers such as maternity care deserts and licensing obstacles faced by Black midwives and doulas. The Senate resolves to recognize the week and directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

• Formally recognizes April 11-17, 2025, as Black Maternal Health Week in the Georgia Senate.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
• Does not create any new law, funding, or program; it is a symbolic statement by the Senate.

This resolution primarily affects public awareness rather than any specific group legally. It speaks to Black women and birthing people, maternal health advocates, midwives and doulas, and Georgia residents concerned about maternal and infant health outcomes.

While the resolution does not change any law or fund any program, it puts the Georgia Senate on record acknowledging racial disparities in maternal mortality and highlighting gaps in obstetric care access, which could inform future policy debates on maternal health in the state.

• The resolution's whereas clauses cite CDC data showing Black women nationally face a maternal mortality rate of 50.3 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023.
• States Georgia's maternal mortality rate is 32.1 deaths per 100,000 live births and infant mortality rate is 7.1 deaths per 1,000 live births.
• Notes Georgia has the highest C-section delivery rate in the country at 35.8 percent, with Black infants at 38.1 percent from 2021 to 2023.
• Resolves that the Senate recognizes April 11-17, 2025, as Black Maternal Health Week.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies available for distribution to the public and press.

1. 2025-04-04Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-04-02Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Kim Jackson (D, SD-41)Primary sponsor
• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-43)
• Gail Davenport (D, SD-17)
• Matt Brass (R, SD-6)
• Harold Jones II (D, SD-22)

• maternal health
• health disparities
• Black Maternal Health Week
• reproductive health
• Georgia Senate resolution