SR590: SR590 Lupus Advocacy Day; recognize February 19, 2026

This resolution does not change any Georgia law. It is a ceremonial statement from the Georgia Senate recognizing lupus as a serious autoimmune disease that affects roughly 55,000 Georgians and describing its physical, financial, and emotional toll on families. The resolution commends the Lupus Foundation of America and the Georgia Council on Lupus Education and Awareness for their work on education, early diagnosis, and treatment access. It formally declares February 19, 2026 as Lupus Advocacy Day at the state capitol, and directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to the Georgia Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America.

• Declares Thursday, February 19, 2026, as Lupus Advocacy Day at the Georgia state capitol.
• Commends the Lupus Foundation of America and related groups for their work on lupus research and patient support.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide a copy of the resolution to the Georgia Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America.
• Creates no new statutory requirements, funding, or penalties; it is a symbolic statement rather than a change to Georgia law.

Georgians living with lupus, an estimated 55,000 people in the state, along with their families, the Lupus Foundation of America's Georgia Chapter, and the Georgia Council on Lupus Education and Awareness, which the resolution publicly recognizes.

While the resolution carries no legal force, it gives official state recognition to lupus advocacy efforts and raises public awareness of the disease, its health effects, and the work of organizations that support patients and push for better screening and treatment access.

• The whereas clauses describe lupus as a chronic autoimmune disease affecting about 1.5 million Americans and 55,000 Georgians, noting risks like organ failure and lupus nephritis.
• The resolved clause commends the Lupus Foundation of America and other groups working on lupus research and support.
• The resolution formally designates February 19, 2026 as Lupus Advocacy Day at the state capitol.
• A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute a copy of the resolution to the Georgia Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America.

1. 2026-01-27Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2026-01-22Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)Primary sponsor

• lupus
• public health awareness
• Georgia Senate resolution
• autoimmune disease
• Medicaid