ATLANTA – State Representative Lauren Daniel (R-Locust Grove) recently introduced a package of legislation, House Bills 1036, 1037 and 1038, aimed at addressing maternal and infant health in Georgia.
“Over the last decade, there have been numerous efforts made in the legislature to address maternal mortality in Georgia,” said Rep. Daniel. “However, nationwide, we have seen a rise in maternal health issues such as heart disease, cardiomyopathy, pre-eclampsia, embolism, gestational diabetes and maternal mental health conditions; many of these also lead to consequential health issues in infants.”
House Bill 1037 would create the Georgia Commission on Maternal and Infant Health. The commission would be assigned by the Georgia Department of Public Health and consist of 14 members, with six being appointed by the Governor, three appointed by the Lt. Governor and three appointed by the Speaker of the House. The governor’s appointees would include an obstetrician, either a pediatrician or neonatologist, a midwife and a representative of a perinatal facility. The commission would be charged with soliciting the views of perinatal facilities, healthcare providers and related professional associations on the state of perinatal care in Georgia and give due consideration to the current recommendations of medical and scientific organizations in the field of perinatal care. The commission would also be tasked with the obligation of making policy recommendations, establishing a way to measure the quality and effectiveness of perinatal care in Georgia and submit state-wide policy recommendations on its findings no later than June 30, 2026.
“I have drafted this legislation to create the Maternal and Infant Health Commission in Georgia because while I believe the work being done through the Maternal Mortality Review Committee is beneficial, it is limited in its scope,” added Rep. Daniel. “My hope is that by bringing all to the table in the form of a commission, this will allow us as policy makers to approach the problem in a more holistic manner for women and their children with all of the facts involved.”
House Bill 1036 would require the State Board of Education in consultation with the Georgia Department of Public Health to implement a course of study in pregnancy, health and human development for grades nine through 12. This coursework would be included as part of the pre-existing health and physical education course requirements. In addition, HB 1036 would require the coursework to include instruction on human biology related to pregnancy and other related topics, such as the stages and hallmarks of gestational development for humans, as well as organ development for every week of pregnancy until birth.
“I have drafted the Maternal and Infant Health Education Act because one of the most common things I have heard from obstetricians, midwives, pediatricians, nurses and most importantly, mothers, is there just simply is not an adequate level of knowledge around the complications that can arise both during and after childbirth,” said Rep. Daniel. “One of the findings of the Maternal Mortality Review Committee was that the majority of women who have died due to pregnancy complications only held a high school diploma or less. I truly believe we should be empowering women with knowledge about their health, what to expect during and after pregnancy, what to watch out for and when to seek help. If this legislation were to receive passage, I believe it would be a first-of-its-kind bill that could save countless lives.”
Finally, House Bill 1038 would implement punishment for those found guilty of reproductive battery. Specifically, HB 1038 states that any physician who intentionally transfers or implants into the body of a recipient human reproductive material from a donor knowing the recipient has not consented to the use of the human reproductive material from such donor shall be guilty of a felony, fined up to $5,000 and be required to serve a minimum term of imprisonment between one and five years. In addition, any physician who is the unauthorized donor of the human reproductive material would be guilty of a felony, fined up to $10,000 and be required to serve a minimum mandatory term of imprisonment of 15 years.
“The reproductive battery bill is necessary because currently in Georgia, there is no protection or civil recourse for couples seeking fertility treatment if their medical provider uses a different donor than the one selected by the patient,” said Rep. Daniel. “As IVF treatments grow more popular and necessary as fertility rates drop nationwide, this bill will ensure patients are protected and consent is prioritized.”
*Editor’s note: A photo of Representative Daniel and her son Zane is attached.
Representative Lauren Daniel represents the citizens of District 117, which includes portions of Henry and Spalding counties. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2022 and currently serves as the Secretary of the Education and State Planning & Community Affairs committees. She also serves on the Transportation Committee.
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