Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 58

Introduced by Senator Beall

(Coauthor: Senator Anderson)

July 1, 2013

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 58—Relative to Restless Legs Syndrome/Willis-Ekbom Disease Awareness Day.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

SCR 58, as introduced, Beall. Restless Legs Syndrome/Willis-Ekbom.

This measure would proclaim September 23, 2013, as Restless Legs Syndrome/Willis-Ekbom Disease Awareness Day in California.

Fiscal committee: no.

WHEREAS, Restless Legs Syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease is
a neurological disorder characterized by unpleasant sensations in
the legs and a distressing, irresistible urge to move them; and

WHEREAS, An estimated 10 million adults in the United States,
totaling 3 percent of our country, and millions of others worldwide
have been affected by Restless Legs Syndrome/Willis-Ekbom
disease, a disease for which there is no known cure; and

WHEREAS, Restless Legs Syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease is
difficult to diagnose; and

WHEREAS, Symptoms typically include an urge to move the
legs, caused by uncomfortable and unpleasant sensations in the
legs, presenting or worsening in the evening or night, and
additionally, daytime symptoms of Restless Legs
Syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease have been established; and

WHEREAS, Restless Legs Syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease
has an impact on sleep, concentration, and work productivity; with
68.6 percent of patients needing more than 30 minutes, generally
regarded as pathologic, to initiate sleep and 60.1 percent waking
three or more times per night; with 49.7 percent of patients
reporting that symptoms adversely affect next day concentration;
and with patients with moderate to severe Restless Legs
Syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease having an overall mean loss of
workplace productivity of one day per 40-hour workweek; and

WHEREAS, Increased awareness and expanded knowledge of
the realities of life with Restless Legs Syndrome/Willis-Ekbom
will allow the community at large to better support people who
struggle with the challenges of this condition; and

WHEREAS, The Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation, a
nonprofit organization, and other groups around our country have
joined together to promote Restless Legs Syndrome/Willis-Ekbom
disease awareness and support, including improved education,
diagnosis, research, and treatment; and

WHEREAS, The Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation is urging
patients, their supporters, health care providers, and the general
public to demonstrate their caring by sharing the road on which
patients walk, the facts about Restless Legs
Syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease, and the growing awareness of
the etiology of this disorder and treatments; and

WHEREAS, The community’s focus on Restless Legs
Syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease and its impact on patients’ lives
will help give hope for a brighter future for people with Restless
Legs Syndrome/Willis-Ekbom; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the California Legislature hereby
recognizes the needs of these chronically ill people and proclaims
September 23, 2013 as Restless Legs Syndrome/Willis-Ekbom
Disease Awareness Day and urges all our citizens to support the
search for a cure and to assist those individuals and families who
deal with this condition on a daily basis; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.