SR642: SR642 Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week; recognize February 7-14, 2026

This resolution does not change any Georgia law. It formally recognizes February 7-14, 2026, as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week at the state capitol. The resolution cites statistics about congenital heart defects, describing them as one of the most common birth defects and a leading cause of birth-defect-related deaths worldwide, and notes that about 40,000 babies are born with these conditions each year in the United States. The resolution also points out that some congenital heart defects go undiagnosed until later in life, which can contribute to sudden cardiac death in young athletes, and notes that newborns and young athletes are not regularly screened for these conditions. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and its Kids at Heart program.

• Formally designates February 7-14, 2026, as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week at the Georgia state capitol.
• States facts about congenital heart defects, including their prevalence and role in sudden cardiac death among young athletes when undiagnosed.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and its Kids at Heart program.
• Creates no new legal requirements, funding, or penalties; it is a symbolic recognition rather than a change to Georgia law.

The resolution most directly touches families affected by congenital heart defects, health professionals who treat these conditions, and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's Kids at Heart program, which will receive copies of the resolution.

While the resolution carries no legal force, it publicly highlights congenital heart defects as a common and sometimes undiagnosed condition linked to sudden cardiac death in young athletes, potentially raising public awareness of screening issues.

• The resolving clause recognizes February 7-14, 2026, as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week at the state capitol.
• A further resolution clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and its Kids at Heart program.
• The whereas clauses state background facts, including that about 40,000 babies are born annually in the United States with congenital heart defects.

1. 2026-01-29Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2026-01-28Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Elena Parent (D, SD-044)Primary sponsor
• Harold Jones (D, SD-022)
• Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)
• Larry Walker (R, SD-020)
• Chuck Hufstetler (R, SD-052)
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• Ben Watson (R, SD-001)
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
• Josh McLaurin (D, SD-014)
• Nabilah Islam Parkes (D, SD-007)
• Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)
• Jaha Howard (D, SD-035)
• Carden Summers (R, SD-013)
• Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)
• Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)
• Frank Ginn (R, SD-047)
• Russ Goodman (R, SD-008)

• congenital heart defects
• public health awareness
• children's health
• sudden cardiac death