SR 684: American Heart Month; recognize February 2026

This resolution from the Georgia Senate designates February 2026 as American Heart Month at the state capitol. It does not change any Georgia law; instead it lays out statistics about cardiac arrest, including that most out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen at home and that immediate CPR can double or triple a person's chance of survival, and it encourages Georgians to learn CPR and support the American Heart Association's 'Nation of Lifesavers' initiative. The resolution asks the Secretary of the Senate to make copies available to the public and the press. It carries no funding, penalties, or binding requirements; it is a formal statement of the Senate's position meant to raise public awareness about cardiac arrest response, CPR training, and access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs).

• Formally recognizes February 2026 as American Heart Month at the Georgia state capitol.
• Encourages Georgia residents to learn CPR and support the American Heart Association's 'Nation of Lifesavers' initiative.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
• Creates no new legal requirements, funding, or penalties, since it is a resolution rather than a law.

Georgia residents generally, especially families, since most cardiac arrests happen at home; also schools, workplaces, and public venues encouraged to adopt cardiac emergency response plans and CPR or AED training.

While the resolution changes no law, it publicly highlights survival statistics for cardiac arrest and promotes CPR training and AED access, which could raise awareness and encourage more Georgians to learn lifesaving skills or push for emergency response plans in local institutions.

• The resolving clause recognizes February 2026 as American Heart Month at the state capitol and encourages residents to learn CPR and emergency response.
• The resolution encourages Georgians to join the American Heart Association's 'Nation of Lifesavers' effort to double cardiac arrest survival by 2030.
• A final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies available for public and press distribution.
• The whereas clauses cite statistics on cardiac arrest survival rates, CPR usage, and disparities in CPR administration between men and women, providing the resolution's rationale but no operative rules.

1. 2026-02-24Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Senate)
2. 2026-02-06Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
3. 2026-02-05Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (Senate)
4. 2026-02-03Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
5. 2026-02-02Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)Primary sponsor
• Kim Jackson (D, SD-041)
• Elena Parent (D, SD-044)
• Clint Dixon (R, SD-045)
• Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)
• Nikki Merritt (D, SD-009)
• Marty Harbin (R, SD-016)
• Chuck Hufstetler (R, SD-052)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)
• Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)
• Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)
• Sally Harrell (D, SD-040)
• Ben Watson (R, SD-001)
• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)

1. PassedSenate voteFebruary 24, 2026

   51 yea, 0 nay (3 not voting, 1 absent)

   Consent Calendar Expressing The Will Of The Senate: Senate Vote #572

• American Heart Month
• CPR training
• cardiac arrest awareness
• public health
• AED access