--- title: SR 641. Doula Day; recognize January 29, 2026 collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sr641 cite_as: SR 641, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr641 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr641.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr641/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72576 date: 2026-01-29 status: passed corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13 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/sr640.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr642.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 94 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr641.md?full=1 bill_number: SR 641 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: Senate bill_type: resolution status_date: 2026-01-29 last_action: Senate Read and Adopted sponsors: - Nabilah Islam Parkes - Kim Jackson - Elena Parent - Harold Jones - Nikki Merritt - Carden Summers - Kenya Wicks - Randal Mangham - Donzella James - Sonya Halpern - RaShaun Kemp - Nan Orrock - Gail Davenport - Shawn Still - Sheikh Rahman - Jaha Howard - Clint Dixon - Billy Hickman - Mike Hodges text_version: Enrolled has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR641/2025 upstream_id: 2100493 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - maternal health - doulas - ceremonial resolution - women's health --- # SR 641. Doula Day; recognize January 29, 2026 ## Text Senate Resolution 641 By: Senators Parkes of the 7th, Jackson of the 41st, Parent of the 44th, Jones II of the 22nd, Merritt of the 9th and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing January 29, 2026, as Doula Day at the capitol; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, doulas play an essential role in maternal and infant health outcomes across Georgia, particularly in addressing persistent disparities that disproportionately impact Black mothers and infants, families with disabilities, and communities with limited access to maternity care; and WHEREAS, peer-reviewed research consistently demonstrates that doula support improves birth outcomes, reduces unnecessary medical interventions, and enhances patient autonomy and satisfaction; and WHEREAS, since 2011, Georgia-based doulas, birth workers, and maternal health organizations, including long-standing training and service providers such as the Bellies to Babies Foundation, have contributed to measurable improvements in maternal care, reductions in cesarean section rates, and expanded access to culturally competent support; and WHEREAS, doula’s work has been especially impactful in communities facing provider shortages, systemic bias, and rural maternity care gaps; and WHEREAS, recognizing Doula Day at the capitol provides an opportunity for legislators, advocates, and community members to honor these contributions, elevate evidence-based solutions to Georgia's maternal health challenges, and reaffirm the General Assembly's commitment to improving outcomes for families statewide. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body recognize January 29, 2026, as Doula Day at the capitol. 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 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 Senate resolution recognizes January 29, 2026, as Doula Day at the Georgia capitol, honoring the role doulas play in maternal and infant health across the state. ### Plain-language summary This resolution does not change Georgia law. It is a ceremonial statement from the Georgia Senate recognizing January 29, 2026, as Doula Day at the state capitol. The resolution's preamble describes the role doulas play in supporting mothers and babies in Georgia, particularly in communities facing higher rates of maternal health disparities, including Black mothers and infants, families with disabilities, and areas with limited access to maternity care. It cites research on improved birth outcomes and mentions Georgia-based doula organizations such as the Bellies to Babies Foundation. The operative part of the resolution simply has the Senate recognize the day and directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies available to the public and press. ### What it does - Formally has the Georgia Senate recognize January 29, 2026, as Doula Day at the capitol. - 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, requirement, or program; it is a symbolic statement only. ### Who it affects Doulas and birth workers in Georgia, maternal health organizations such as the Bellies to Babies Foundation, and families who use doula support are named in the resolution. The Secretary of the Senate is tasked with distributing copies. ### Why it matters Because this is a ceremonial resolution, it does not change any Georgia law, create funding, or impose requirements. Its practical effect is limited to public recognition of doulas' role in maternal health, which may raise awareness but carries no legal or financial consequences. ### Key provisions - The resolution's whereas clauses describe doulas' role in addressing maternal health disparities and cite research on improved birth outcomes. - The resolved clause formally recognizes January 29, 2026, as Doula Day at the capitol. - A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies available for distribution to the public and press. ## Status - Status: Passed (2026-01-29) - Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2026-01-29) - Sponsors: Nabilah Islam Parkes, Kim Jackson, Elena Parent, Harold Jones, Nikki Merritt, Carden Summers, Kenya Wicks, Randal Mangham, Donzella James, Sonya Halpern, RaShaun Kemp, Nan Orrock, Gail Davenport, Shawn Still, Sheikh Rahman, Jaha Howard, Clint Dixon, Billy Hickman, Mike Hodges - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72576 > The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr641.md?full=1