--- title: SR 916. Skin Cancer Awareness Day; recognize March 9, 2026 collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sr916 cite_as: SR 916, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr916 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr916.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr916/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73921 date: 2026-03-09 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/sr915.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr917.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 94 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr916.md?full=1 bill_number: SR 916 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: Senate bill_type: resolution status_date: 2026-03-09 last_action: Senate Read and Adopted sponsors: - Kay Kirkpatrick - Chuck Hufstetler - Bo Hatchett - Lee Anderson - Carden Summers - Billy Hickman - Steven McNeel - Shawn Still text_version: Enrolled has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR916/2025 upstream_id: 2130680 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - skin cancer awareness - public health - melanoma - state capitol recognition --- # SR 916. Skin Cancer Awareness Day; recognize March 9, 2026 ## Text Senate Resolution 916 By: Senators Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Hufstetler of the 52nd, Hatchett of the 50th, Anderson of the 24th, Summers of the 13th and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing March 9, 2026, as Skin Cancer Awareness Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, melanoma and other skin cancers are one of the most preventable, yet fatal, forms of cancer, accounting for more than 50 percent of all cancers combined, including breast, lung, and prostate cancer; and WHEREAS, one American dies of melanoma every 67 minutes, and the estimated total direct annual cost of melanoma treatment exceeds $290 million; and WHEREAS, it is reported that of the one million newly diagnosed cases of melanoma and other skin cancers each year, an estimated 10,710 people will die; and WHEREAS, the objectives of the Georgia Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery are to promote the highest possible standards of clinical practice, education, and research in dermatologic medicine and surgery and related disciplines; to promote the public interest relating to dermatology; to advocate on behalf of dermatology and high-quality patient care; and to provide a forum for the discussion of medical and practice related problems; and WHEREAS, the Atlanta Dermatological Association is an association of dermatologists practicing in the greater Atlanta area, dedicated to promoting the highest possible standards of clinical practice, education, and research in dermatologic medicine, surgery, and related disciplines while promoting the public interest relating to dermatology and providing a forum for the discussion of medical and practice related problems; and WHEREAS, the mission of the Skin Cancer Awareness Network Foundation is to create public awareness of the dangers of excessive or unprotected direct exposure to the sun or both and to educate people about preventive safety measures to avoid or lessen the chances of developing melanoma or one of the other preventable skin cancers; and WHEREAS, it is necessary to encourage public awareness of the dangers of excessive or unprotected direct exposure to the sun and to educate people about preventive safety measures to avoid or lessen the chances of developing melanoma or one of the other preventable skin cancers while still being able to safely enjoy outdoor activities. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body encourage all Georgians to have a greater awareness of the risks of skin cancer and the need for early diagnosis of skin cancer and recognize March 9, 2026, as Skin Cancer Awareness Day at the state 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 Georgia Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, the Atlanta Dermatological Association, and the Skin Cancer Awareness Network Foundation. ## 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 Georgia Senate resolution designates March 9, 2026, as Skin Cancer Awareness Day at the state capitol, highlighting the risks of melanoma and other skin cancers. ### Plain-language summary This is a ceremonial resolution passed by the Georgia Senate rather than a change to state law. It recognizes March 9, 2026, as Skin Cancer Awareness Day at the state capitol, citing statistics on melanoma's prevalence and cost, and the work of groups like the Georgia Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, the Atlanta Dermatological Association, and the Skin Cancer Awareness Network Foundation. The resolution encourages Georgians to become more aware of skin cancer risks and the importance of early diagnosis. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the three named dermatology and skin cancer awareness organizations. ### What it does - Formally designates March 9, 2026, as Skin Cancer Awareness Day at the Georgia state capitol. - Encourages all Georgians to be more aware of skin cancer risks and the importance of early diagnosis. - Directs the Secretary of the Senate to send copies of the resolution to three named dermatology and skin cancer organizations. - Does not create any new law, funding, or enforceable requirement, since it is a ceremonial resolution. ### Who it affects The designation mainly involves the Georgia Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, the Atlanta Dermatological Association, and the Skin Cancer Awareness Network Foundation, along with the general public the resolution encourages to learn about skin cancer risks. ### Why it matters While the resolution carries no legal force, it publicly spotlights skin cancer prevention and early detection, potentially raising awareness among Georgians about sun safety and encouraging attention to a disease the resolution says is highly preventable but still fatal for thousands each year. ### Key provisions - The resolution's whereas clauses cite that skin cancers account for more than half of all cancers combined and that melanoma treatment costs exceed $290 million annually. - The resolved clause has the Senate recognize March 9, 2026, as Skin Cancer Awareness Day at the state capitol and encourage public awareness of skin cancer risks. - A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to three named dermatology and skin cancer awareness organizations. ## Status - Status: Passed (2026-03-09) - Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2026-03-09) - Sponsors: Kay Kirkpatrick, Chuck Hufstetler, Bo Hatchett, Lee Anderson, Carden Summers, Billy Hickman, Steven McNeel, Shawn Still - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73921 > The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr916.md?full=1