SR 924: Black Maternal Health Statistics; recognize

This resolution does not change any Georgia law. It is a formal statement from the Senate acknowledging a series of statistics about maternal and infant health, with a particular focus on outcomes for Black mothers and babies in Georgia and the United States. The whereas clauses cite figures on U.S. and Georgia maternal mortality rates, preventable pregnancy-related deaths, infant mortality rankings, rural hospital labor and delivery closures, maternity care deserts, chronic health conditions, and the benefits of Medicaid-covered doula care. The resolution concludes with the Senate formally recognizing these statistics and acknowledging the need for healthcare improvements to achieve health equity. It also directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies available to the public and the press. It creates no new programs, funding, or legal requirements.

• Formally states the Senate's recognition of statistics on Black maternal and infant health disparities in Georgia and the United States.
• Acknowledges a need for healthcare improvements to achieve health equity for Black birthing people and babies, without creating any new law or program.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
• Creates no funding, agency directive, or enforceable requirement; it is a statement of the Senate's position rather than a change to Georgia statutes.

The resolution most directly concerns pregnant and postpartum Black women and infants in Georgia, but it also references the state Department of Public Health, rural hospitals and OB/GYN providers, and Medicaid, since it cites their role in maternal health outcomes and care access.

Because this is a resolution rather than a law, it does not require any agency to act or change any funding or program. Its practical effect is to put the Senate's acknowledgment of racial disparities in maternal health outcomes on the public record for distribution to the press and public.

• The whereas clauses cite that Black women in Georgia are almost three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than non-Hispanic white women.
• The whereas clauses note that in 2019, 93 of Georgia's 109 rural counties lacked a hospital labor and delivery unit and 75 lacked an OB/GYN.
• The resolution states that 34.6 percent of Georgia counties are maternity care deserts, compared to 32.6 percent nationally.
• The resolving clause has the Senate recognize Black maternal health statistics and acknowledge the need for healthcare improvements to achieve health equity.
• The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies of the resolution available to the public and the press.

1. 2026-03-09Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2. 2026-03-06Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)Primary sponsor
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
• Kim Jackson (D, SD-041)
• Elena Parent (D, SD-044)
• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
• Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
• Harold Jones (D, SD-022)
• Sally Harrell (D, SD-040)
• Freddie Sims (D, SD-012)
• Nikki Merritt (D, SD-009)

• maternal health
• health equity
• Black maternal mortality
• rural healthcare
• Medicaid and doula care