Georgia CommonsSR 64: Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week; recognize February 7 to 14, 2025
Last action January 30, 2025 · Senate Read and Adopted
A Georgia Senate resolution recognizes February 7 to 14, 2025, as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week at the state capitol, drawing attention to birth defects affecting the heart.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the resolution and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Enrolled version, the latest LegiScan holds.
In plain language
This resolution from the Georgia Senate designates February 7 to 14, 2025, as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week at the state capitol. It does not change any Georgia law; instead it is a formal statement recognizing the impact of congenital heart defects, which are birth defects present from birth that affect the structure of the heart. The resolution notes that congenital heart defects are common and can be fatal, including in cases where they go undiagnosed until later in life, sometimes contributing to sudden cardiac death in young athletes. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and its Kids at Heart program, which supports children with heart conditions.
What the bill does
- Formally recognizes February 7 to 14, 2025, as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week at the Georgia state capitol.
- States findings about the prevalence and dangers of congenital heart defects, including undiagnosed cases linked to sudden cardiac death in young athletes.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and its Kids at Heart program.
- Does not create any new law, funding, or requirement; it is a symbolic recognition rather than a binding legal change.
Who it affects
This resolution mainly affects families of children with congenital heart defects, health professionals who treat these conditions, and organizations like Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and its Kids at Heart program, which will receive a copy of the resolution.
Why it matters
While the resolution does not change any law or fund any program, it gives public recognition to congenital heart defects during a designated week, which may raise awareness among Georgians about screening newborns and young athletes for these conditions.
Key provisions
- The resolution's whereas clauses describe congenital heart defects as a leading cause of birth-defect-related deaths and note that about 40,000 babies are born with them annually in the United States.
- The resolved clause formally designates February 7 to 14, 2025, as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week at the state capitol.
- The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute a copy of the resolution to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and its Kids at Heart program.
From the bill
“congenital heart defects are one of the most frequently occurring birth defects and a leading cause of deaths related to birth defects worldwide”
“despite these alarming statistics, newborns and young athletes are still not regularly screened for congenital heart defects”
Status timeline
- Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
- Senate Hopper (Senate)
Sponsors
- Josh McLaurin (D, SD-014)
- Matt Brass (R, SD-006)
- Ricky Williams (R, SD-025)
- RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
- Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)
- Russ Goodman (R, SD-008)
- Michael Rhett (D, SD-033)
Topics
- congenital heart defects
- health awareness
- children's health
- state capitol recognition