SR 146: Lupus Advocacy Day; recognize February 13, 2025

This resolution does not change any Georgia law. Instead, it formally recognizes February 13, 2025, as Lupus Advocacy Day at the state capitol, timed to an event hosted by Senator Gail Davenport and the Georgia Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America. The resolution describes lupus as a chronic autoimmune disease affecting roughly 55,000 Georgians, and notes the state's 2014 creation of the Georgia Council on Lupus Education and Advocacy. The Senate commends the Lupus Foundation of America and related organizations for their work supporting people with lupus, and directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to the Georgia Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America.

• Designates February 13, 2025, as Lupus Advocacy Day at the Georgia state capitol.
• Formally commends the Lupus Foundation of America and other organizations for their work on lupus research and support.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to the Georgia Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America.
• Creates no new legal requirements, funding, or penalties; it is a ceremonial statement rather than a change to Georgia law.

The resolution mainly touches the Georgia Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America and the roughly 55,000 Georgians living with lupus, along with their families. It also references the Georgia Council on Lupus Education and Advocacy and Georgia Medicaid's role in screening for lupus-related kidney disease.

While the resolution carries no legal force, it publicly highlights lupus as a health issue affecting tens of thousands of Georgians and draws attention to gaps in screening for lupus nephritis, a serious kidney complication, potentially raising awareness among patients, providers, and lawmakers.

• The preamble describes lupus as a chronic autoimmune disease that can damage the skin, lungs, heart, kidneys, and brain.
• The preamble states that Georgia Medicaid could play a role in improving screening for Lupus Nephritis, a kidney complication of lupus.
• The preamble notes that 90 percent of funds raised by the Georgia Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America stay in Georgia.
• The resolving clause designates February 13, 2025, as Lupus Advocacy Day and commends organizations working on lupus.
• The final 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. 2025-02-11Senate Read and Adopted (Senado)
2. 2025-02-10Senate Hopper (Senado)

• Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)Patrocinador principal
• Donzella James (D, SD-028)
• David Lucas (D, SD-026)
• Michael Rhett (D, SD-033)
• Nabilah Islam Parkes (D, SD-007)
• Jason Esteves (D, SD-035)
• Freddie Sims (D, SD-012)
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
• Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)
• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
• Kim Jackson (D, SD-041)
• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)
• Sally Harrell (D, SD-040)
• Harold Jones (D, SD-022)

• lupus awareness
• autoimmune disease
• Georgia Medicaid
• public health resolution
• state capitol recognition