25 LC 59 0168
House Resolution 778
By: Representatives Bennett of the 94
th
, Scoggins of the 14
th
, Hugley of the 141
st
, Bazemore
of the 69
th
, and Drenner of the 85
th
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing October 9, 2025, as PANDAS Awareness Day at the state capitol; and for other
1
purposes.2
WHEREAS, pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and pediatric3
autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infection (PANDAS)4
create the sudden onset of obsessive-compulsive disorder in children, causing previously5
healthy and emotionally well-adjusted children to experience severe anxiety and emotional6
disturbances; and7
WHEREAS, children with PANS and PANDAS experience some or all of the following8
symptoms: tics or other abnormal movements, severe separation anxiety, generalized anxiety,9
irritability, aggression, personality changes, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, marked10
deterioration in learning and school performance, and developmental regression, including11
regression in handwriting; and12
WHEREAS, children with PANS and PANDAS may experience a moderate to dramatic13
improvement with antibiotics, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment, or14
plasmapheresis; and15
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WHEREAS, researchers at leading academic institutions are engaged in extensive research
16
on the disease mechanism of and effective treatments for these disorders; and17
WHEREAS, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) is developing a pilot clinic to treat18
children with PANS and PANDAS; and19
WHEREAS, the 2019 PANS Study Committee Report of the House of Representatives20
identified specific policy goals for Georgia regarding insurance coverage for diagnosis and21
treatment; pediatric provider training in medical, educational, and behavioral health settings;22
and increased public health surveillance of these disorders; and23
WHEREAS, the deep medical and bioscience resources in Georgia make our state well24
situated to meaningfully contribute to best medical practices, research, and medical25
technology to advance the early diagnosis and treatment of children with PANS and26
PANDAS; and27
WHEREAS, expert providers in the PANS consortium estimate that one in 200 children have28
PANS or PANDAS, meaning these diseases affect roughly 15,000 children in Georgia; and29
WHEREAS, many general pediatricians, nurse practitioners, and pediatric subspecialists are30
not familiar with the most current diagnostic criteria and treatment guidelines for these31
disorders; and32
WHEREAS, in addition to lack of access to treating providers, many insurers do not cover33
treatment for PANS and PANDAS, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars, placing the34
treatment out of reach for most families; and35
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WHEREAS, the Southeastern PANS/PANDAS Association (SEPPA) is a Georgia based,
36
nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to expert, insurance based care for37
children and families suffering from PANS and PANDAS in this region; and38
WHEREAS, it is imperative that there be greater public awareness of this serious health issue39
among parents, policymakers, and medical providers in Georgia.40
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that41
the members of this body recognize October 9, 2025, as PANDAS Awareness Day at the42
state capitol.43
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized44
and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the45
public and the press.46
H. R. 778
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