Georgia House Bill HR319

Georgia 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/19/25
• Enrolled: 2/19/25
• Passed: 2/19/25

Caption

Reach Out and Read Day at the state capitol; February 19, 2025; recognize the power of reading to young children every day; recognize

Impact

The resolution underscores the intersection of education and healthcare, emphasizing that pediatricians trained in the Reach Out and Read program have distributed over 2.7 million books to children since its inception. As a result, participating children demonstrate improved developmental skills when compared to their peers who are not part of the program. The initiative fosters strong parent-child relationships through shared reading experiences, which are essential for emotional bonding and reducing the effects of adverse childhood experiences.

Summary

House Resolution 319 recognizes February 19, 2025, as Reach Out and Read Day at the state capitol, highlighting the importance of reading to young children daily. The resolution commends the efforts of the Reach Out and Read program, which has impacted over 194,000 families in Georgia, providing children with the opportunity to experience reading from an early age. This initiative emphasizes the development of early literacy through the prescription of reading by pediatricians during wellness checks, which aims to enhance cognitive and social skills in young children.

Contention

While HR319 itself primarily serves an awareness and recognition purpose, it raises awareness of ongoing issues in early childhood education and healthcare accessibility. Some critics may argue that while recognizing the program is beneficial, more systemic changes are needed to enhance early literacy education comprehensively. However, the resolution focuses on celebrating a successful collaborative effort in engaging families and supporting their children's literacy through routine health visits.