HR 1140: Lupus Advocacy Day at the state capitol; February 19, 2026; recognize

This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives recognizes February 19, 2026 as Lupus Advocacy Day at the state capitol, timed to an event hosted by Representative Kim Schofield and the Georgia Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America. It lays out background on lupus, an autoimmune disease that can damage organs throughout the body, and notes that about 55,000 Georgians live with it. The resolution commends the Lupus Foundation of America and other groups working on lupus research and support, and formally declares the February 19 date as a recognition day. It also directs the Clerk of the House to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to the Georgia Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America. The resolution does not create any new law, funding, or program; it is a ceremonial statement by the House.

• Declares February 19, 2026 as Lupus Advocacy Day at the state capitol.
• Commends the Lupus Foundation of America and other organizations for their work on lupus research and patient support.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare a copy of the resolution for the Georgia Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America.
• Does not establish any new funding, screening requirement, or legal obligation despite discussing Medicaid and Lupus Nephritis screening in its background text.

The resolution primarily recognizes the Georgia Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America and Georgians living with lupus, an estimated 55,000 people. It also references Georgia Medicaid and healthcare providers in its background discussion, though it imposes no requirements on them.

The resolution itself carries no legal force or funding change; its main real-world effect is a symbolic recognition and a formal House statement supporting lupus awareness, which may raise public attention to the disease and the advocacy event at the capitol.

• The whereas clauses describe lupus as a chronic autoimmune disease affecting roughly 55,000 Georgians and note its disproportionate impact on young women.
• The whereas clauses mention a 2014 Georgia Council on Lupus Education and Awareness established by Governor Nathan Deal to study lupus education and awareness statewide.
• The resolving clause formally declares February 19, 2026 as Lupus Advocacy Day at the state capitol and commends lupus advocacy organizations.
• A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to make a copy of the resolution available to the Georgia Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America.

1. 2026-01-28House Read and Adopted (Cámara de Representantes)
2. 2026-01-28House First Readers (Cámara de Representantes)
3. 2026-01-28House Hopper (Cámara de Representantes)

• Kim Schofield (D, HD-063)Patrocinador principal
• Sandra Scott (D, HD-076)
• Viola Davis (D, HD-087)
• Regina Lewis-Ward (D, HD-115)
• Chris Erwin (R, HD-032)
• Joseph Gullett (R, HD-019)

• lupus awareness
• public health
• Georgia Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America
• state capitol recognition day