HR1819: HR1819 Birth Responders Day; May 8, 2026; recognize

This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives recognizes Birth Responders, a maternal support model founded by Safira Zayas, and formally proclaims May 8, 2026, as Birth Responders Day in Georgia. The resolution describes Birth Responders as combining maternal transport, emergency support, birth work, and wellness services aimed at helping women and families in both rural and urban Georgia communities, particularly those facing disparities in maternal health outcomes. The resolution honors Safira Zayas's background as a reproductive justice advocate, doula, traditional midwife, massage therapist, and emergency medical technician, and credits her with creating a workforce pathway for doulas and other birth workers. It directs the Clerk of the House to prepare copies of the resolution for distribution to Zayas and Birth Responders. The resolution does not create any new law, funding, or ongoing program; it is a ceremonial recognition.

• Formally proclaims May 8, 2026, as Birth Responders Day in the State of Georgia.
• Recognizes and honors the organization Birth Responders for its work in maternal health, emergency response, and workforce development.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare copies of the resolution for distribution to Safira Zayas and Birth Responders.
• Creates no new statute, funding, or regulatory requirement, since it is a ceremonial resolution rather than a law.

The resolution directly names and honors Safira Zayas and the Birth Responders organization. It also speaks to the broader community of mothers, infants, families, doulas, midwives, and other birth workers in Georgia, especially in rural and underserved areas, though it imposes no legal obligations on anyone.

Because this is a ceremonial resolution rather than a change to Georgia law, it has no direct legal or funding effect. Its practical impact is symbolic: it publicly recognizes a maternal health initiative and sets aside a day to highlight issues around maternal transport, emergency birth support, and workforce opportunities for birth workers.

• The resolution's preamble (the WHEREAS clauses) describes Birth Responders as a maternal transport, emergency support, and wellness model founded by Safira Zayas.
• The first resolving clause has the House of Representatives recognize and honor Birth Responders for its contributions to maternal health, emergency response, and workforce development.
• The second resolving clause proclaims May 8, 2026, as Birth Responders Day in honor of the organization's launch and Zayas's leadership.
• The final resolving clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to Safira Zayas and Birth Responders.

1. 2026-03-19House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2026-03-19House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-03-19House Hopper (House)

• Park Cannon (D, HD-058)Primary sponsor

• maternal health
• birth workers
• commemorative resolution
• Georgia House of Representatives