--- title: HR 33. Pain Awareness Day; June 25, 2026; recognize collection: bills id: 2026-special/hr33 cite_as: HR 33, 2026 Special Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hr33 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hr33.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hr33/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74893 date: 2026-06-22 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/2026-special.md previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hr32.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hr34.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 131 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hr33.md?full=1 bill_number: HR 33 session: 2026 Special Session session_slug: 2026-special chamber: House bill_type: resolution status_date: 2026-06-22 last_action: House Read and Adopted sponsors: - Kim Schofield - Park Cannon - Viola Davis - Sandra Scott - Marvin Lim text_version: Introduced has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR33/2026/X1 upstream_id: 2154467 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - chronic pain - public health awareness - legislative resolution - healthcare --- # HR 33. Pain Awareness Day; June 25, 2026; recognize ## Text House Resolution 33EX By: Representatives Schofield of the 63rd, Cannon of the 58th, Davis of the 87th, Scott of the 76th, and Lim of the 98th A RESOLUTION Recognizing June 25, 2026, as Pain Awareness Day; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, chronic pain is a serious and often invisible public health condition that affects millions of Americans and significantly impacts physical, emotional, social, and economic well-being; and WHEREAS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 20 percent of adults in the United States live with chronic pain, making it one of the nation's most common causes of disability and reduced quality of life; and WHEREAS, chronic pain affects an estimated two million adult Georgians and represents one of the most prevalent and costly public health challenges facing this state, impacting quality of life, workforce participation, family stability, healthcare utilization, and economic productivity; and WHEREAS, chronic pain negatively impacts the quality of life of Georgians by affecting physical functioning, mental health, sleep, mobility, educational attainment, social engagement, and the ability to participate fully in work, family, and community life; and H. R. 33EX WHEREAS, chronic pain affects individuals of all ages, races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds and is experienced by veterans, older adults, individuals with disabilities, workers, caregivers, and those living with chronic health conditions throughout Georgia; and WHEREAS, chronic pain places a substantial economic burden on the State of Georgia through increased healthcare expenditures, lost wages, reduced productivity, workforce shortages, disability-related costs, and other direct and indirect economic impacts affecting businesses, families, communities, and public resources across this state; and WHEREAS, chronic pain costs the United States economy hundreds of billions of dollars annually in healthcare expenses, lost productivity, and reduced workforce participation, demonstrating the far-reaching consequences of untreated and undertreated pain; and WHEREAS, chronic pain often contributes to depression, anxiety, social isolation, and other health challenges, further underscoring the need for comprehensive, patient-centered approaches to care; and WHEREAS, individuals living with chronic pain frequently face misunderstanding, bias, and stigma that may delay diagnosis, discourage treatment, and negatively impact their physical and emotional well-being; and WHEREAS, chronic pain is a legitimate medical condition and not a personal weakness, and increasing public awareness can help dismantle stigma, promote understanding, encourage individuals to seek appropriate care, and improve outcomes for patients and their families; and H. R. 33EX WHEREAS, education and awareness are essential to promoting prevention, early intervention, evidence-based treatment, patient advocacy, caregiver support, and improved quality of life for those living with chronic pain; and WHEREAS, healthcare professionals, researchers, patient advocates, caregivers, employers, community organizations, and policymakers play a critical role in advancing awareness, supporting innovation, and improving access to effective pain management and treatment options; and WHEREAS, Pain Awareness Day provides an opportunity to elevate public understanding of chronic pain, recognize the resilience of those living with pain, support families and caregivers, reduce stigma, and encourage continued research, education, and advocacy efforts throughout Georgia. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body recognize June 25, 2026, as Pain Awareness Day. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and the press. H. R. 33EX ## 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 House resolution designates June 25, 2026 as Pain Awareness Day, recognizing the impact of chronic pain on Georgians and calling for public distribution of the resolution. ### Plain-language summary This resolution does not create any new law or program. It is a formal statement by the Georgia House of Representatives recognizing June 25, 2026, as Pain Awareness Day. The text lays out a series of findings about chronic pain, noting that it affects an estimated two million adult Georgians and more than 20 percent of adults nationwide, and describing its effects on health, work, families, and the economy. The resolution states that chronic pain is a legitimate medical condition that carries stigma and misunderstanding, and that awareness can help reduce that stigma and improve care and support for patients. It resolves that House members recognize the day, and directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make copies available to the public and the press. ### What it does - Formally recognizes June 25, 2026, as Pain Awareness Day in a resolution passed by the Georgia House of Representatives. - States findings that chronic pain affects an estimated two million adult Georgians and over 20 percent of adults nationally. - Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press. - Does not create funding, programs, agencies, or changes to Georgia law; it is a symbolic and educational statement. ### Who it affects The resolution most directly names Georgians living with chronic pain, including veterans, older adults, people with disabilities, workers, and caregivers. It also references healthcare professionals, researchers, patient advocates, employers, and community organizations involved in pain care and awareness. ### Why it matters Because this is a resolution rather than a law, it does not change any rights, funding, or requirements. Its practical effect is to publicly acknowledge chronic pain as a widespread issue in Georgia and to direct that the statement be shared with the public and press. ### Key provisions - The resolution opens with numerous WHEREAS clauses citing CDC data and describing chronic pain's health, social, and economic effects on Georgians. - The operative clause resolves that House members recognize June 25, 2026, as Pain Awareness Day. - A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make copies available for distribution to the public and the press. ## Status - Status: Passed (2026-06-22) - Last action: House Read and Adopted (2026-06-22) - Sponsors: Kim Schofield, Park Cannon, Viola Davis, Sandra Scott, Marvin Lim - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74893 > The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hr33.md?full=1