Georgia House Bill HB1250

Georgia 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/9/26
• Report Pass: 2/25/26

Caption

Daniel Waters Act; enact

Impact

If enacted, HB 1250 will modify state laws related to maternal and child health services by requiring specific hospitals to implement bereavement care programs. Hospitals receiving state funding will be obligated to offer counseling resources and necessary equipment to assist grieving families. This legislative change is expected to enhance the emotional support provided to families, which historically has been lacking in the existing healthcare framework related to perinatal loss. Furthermore, the bill encourages hospitals to prioritize high-risk pregnancies and those facilitating a high volume of births, thereby focusing resources on facilities that may better need them.

Summary

House Bill 1250, also known as the 'Daniel Waters Act', aims to improve the quality and accessibility of perinatal bereavement care in Georgia. The bill mandates certain hospitals to offer bereavement counseling and access to perinatal bereavement devices after a fetal death, neonatal death, or stillbirth. It establishes a perinatal bereavement care initiative administered by the Department of Public Health, which will provide necessary resources and training for hospital personnel in sensitive situations surrounding pregnancy losses. The bill emphasizes compassionate care for families experiencing such tragedies, ensuring they have support during a profoundly difficult time.

Contention

Despite the compassionate intent of the bill, discussions around HB 1250 may also raise important questions about funding and the burden on hospitals to comply with these new requirements. There may be concerns about the equitable distribution of resources and training, especially in smaller hospitals or those in rural areas that may lack the necessary funding. Some stakeholders may argue that the bill’s effectiveness relies heavily on the appropriation of funds, with provisions stating that if funds are not appropriated by a certain date, the act will be repealed. This raises concerns regarding the sustainability of the initiatives proposed under this legislation.