Georgia CommonsSR 659: Profound Autism Day; recognize March 17, 2026
Last action February 2, 2026 · Senate Read and Adopted
A Georgia Senate resolution designates March 17, 2026, as Profound Autism Day, recognizing people with profound autism and their caregivers across the state.
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 recognizes March 17, 2026, as Profound Autism Day. It explains that profound autism describes autistic people who need round-the-clock care from an adult caregiver throughout their lives, often because of severe intellectual disability or minimal to no language ability. The resolution cites a 2023 Centers for Disease Control study finding that about 1 in 4 eight-year-olds with autism in the United States have profound autism, and notes differences in who is affected, including higher rates among girls, racial and ethnic minority groups, and children born pre-term or with low birth weight. It states that many Georgians have profound autism and calls their inclusion and support critical. The Senate directs its Secretary to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
What the bill does
- Formally recognizes March 17, 2026, as Profound Autism Day in the Georgia Senate.
- States findings from a 2023 CDC study that roughly 1 in 4 eight-year-olds with autism have profound autism.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies of the resolution available to the public and press.
- Does not create any new funding, program, or legal requirement; it is a symbolic recognition only.
Who it affects
People with profound autism and their families and caregivers in Georgia, as well as disability advocacy and support organizations that work with this community. The resolution itself does not impose duties on any government agency beyond distributing copies of the text.
Why it matters
The resolution raises public awareness of profound autism, a subset of autism involving severe support needs, but it does not change Georgia law, create funding, or establish new programs. Its practical effect is limited to official recognition and distribution of the text to the public and press.
Key provisions
- The resolution's whereas clauses define profound autism and cite a 2023 CDC prevalence study finding 1 in 4 eight-year-olds with autism have profound autism.
- The resolving clause has the Senate recognize March 17, 2026, as Profound Autism Day.
- A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
From the bill
“profound autism is is a term intended to provide clarification about the autistic people who require 24/7 care from an adult caregiver throughout their lives”
“the members of this body recognize March 17, 2026, as Profound Autism Day”
Status timeline
- Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
- Senate Hopper (Senate)
Sponsors
- Kim Jackson (D, SD-041)
- Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
- RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
- Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
- Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
- Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)
- Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)
- Sheikh Rahman (D, SD-005)
- Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)
- Nabilah Islam Parkes (D, SD-007)
- Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)
Topics
- autism awareness
- disability support
- Georgia Senate resolutions
- special observance days