Legislative findings

The General Assembly finds and declares that it is estimated that as many as 55,000 Georgia residents suffer from lupus, a life-long autoimmune disease in which the immune system becomes unbalanced, causing inflammation, tissue damage, seizures, strokes, heart attacks, miscarriages, and organ failure. Although anyone can develop lupus, it strikes mostly women of childbearing age; African American, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American women are two to three times more likely than Caucasians to develop lupus. Lupus can be difficult to diagnose and often is misdiagnosed because the symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses. It is in the public interest for this state to establish an entity to develop and implement a comprehensive program to improve education and awareness about lupus for health care providers and the general public. History. — Code 1981, § 31-49-1, enacted by Ga. L. 2014, p. 397, § 2/SB 352. 31-49-2. Creation of Council on Lupus Education and Awareness; membership; organization. (a) There is created the Georgia Council on Lupus Education and Awareness within the Department of Community Health. (b) The council shall consist of six members as follows: (1) The commissioner of community health, or the commissioner’s designee, as an ex officio member; (2) Three members to be appointed by the Governor. The Governor shall appoint two members to serve for one year and one to serve for two years. Thereafter, successors to such initial appointees shall serve for two years. Of these three members, one shall be a physician who treats patients with lupus and one shall be a lupus patient; 1006 31-49-2 COUNCIL ON LUPUS EDUCATION & AWARENESS 31-49-4 (3) One member to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives to serve for two years; and (4) One member to be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor to serve for two years; (c) All vacancies on the council shall be filled for the balance of the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment. A member of the council shall be eligible for reappointment. (d) The members of the council shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for any expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties, subject to the availability of funds. (e) The council shall organize as soon as practicable after the appointment of its members and shall select a chairperson from among its members. History. — Code 1981, § 31-49-2, enacted by Ga. L. 2014, p. 397, § 2/SB 352. 31-49-3. Duties and responsibilities of council.