SR581: SR581 Reach Out and Read Day; recognize January 27, 2026

This resolution does not change Georgia law. It formally recognizes January 27, 2026 as Reach Out and Read Day at the state capitol, honoring the Reach Out and Read program, which trains pediatricians and medical staff to prescribe reading and distribute books to children during wellness checkups from birth through age five. The resolution describes the program's reach in Georgia, including the number of counties and medical sites served, books distributed, and children reached, and credits it with building early literacy and stronger parent-child bonds. The Senate commends the program's work, encourages Georgia families to read aloud together daily, and directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to Reach Out and Read Georgia.

• Formally designates January 27, 2026 as Reach Out and Read Day at the Georgia state capitol.
• Commends the Reach Out and Read program for integrating books into pediatric care for young children.
• Encourages Georgia families to read aloud together every day.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide a copy of the resolution to Reach Out and Read Georgia.

The resolution primarily affects Reach Out and Read Georgia, the pediatric providers and medical sites that run its literacy program, and the families and young children who take part in it across the state's 81 participating counties.

While the resolution carries no funding or legal requirement, it gives formal state recognition to a pediatric literacy program that reaches hundreds of thousands of Georgia children, which can raise public awareness and support for reading programs tied to routine medical checkups.

• The resolving clause commends Reach Out and Read for building books into pediatric care and recognizes January 27, 2026 as Reach Out and Read Day at the state capitol.
• The whereas clauses recount program statistics, including 194,258 children served in 81 counties and over 2.7 million books distributed since the program began.
• The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to Reach Out and Read Georgia for distribution.

1. 2026-01-16Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2026-01-15Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Billy Hickman (R, SD-004)Primary sponsor
• Clint Dixon (R, SD-045)
• Freddie Sims (D, SD-012)
• Timothy Bearden (R, SD-030)
• Donzella James (D, SD-028)

• early literacy
• pediatric care
• children's health
• state capitol recognitions