BILL NUMBER: ACR 73	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 12, 2016

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Baker

                        MAY 14, 2015

   Relative to Celiac Disease Awareness Month.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 73, as amended, Baker. Celiac Disease Awareness Month.
   This measure would recognize May  2015   2016
 as Celiac Disease Awareness Month.
   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, Celiac disease is  a digestive and  
an  autoimmune disorder that results in damage to the lining of
the small intestine when a person eats foods with gluten; and
   WHEREAS, Gluten is a form of protein found in some grains,
including wheat, rye,  and  barley,  and oats,
 which individuals living with celiac disease need to avoid;
and
   WHEREAS, The damage to the intestine makes it hard for the body to
absorb nutrients, especially fat, calcium, iron, and folate; and
   WHEREAS, Celiac disease is estimated to affect one in 100 people
worldwide; and
   WHEREAS, An estimated 2.5 million Americans who have celiac
disease remain undiagnosed and at risk for long-term health
complications; and
   WHEREAS, Common symptoms of celiac disease include severe
abdominal pain, severe skin rash called dermatitis herpetiformis,
iron deficiency anemia, musculoskeletal problems, muscle cramps,
seizures, tingling sensation in the legs, and depression; and
   WHEREAS, Celiac disease can leave a person susceptible to
additional health problems, including osteoporosis, miscarriage,
infertility,  risk of birth defects during pregnancy,
 growth problems in children affected by the disease because
they do not absorb enough nutrients, and cancers of the digestive
system; and
   WHEREAS, People who have celiac disease may have other autoimmune
diseases, including thyroid disease, type I diabetes,  lupus,
and rheumatoid   Crohn's disease and colitis, and
juvenile  arthritis; and
   WHEREAS, Some people with celiac disease have so much damage to
their intestines that a gluten-free diet will not improve their
condition, and these patients may need to receive nutritional
supplements intravenously; and
   WHEREAS, Maintaining a gluten-free diet can be a difficult change,
as gluten is found in some products in which gluten is not naturally
occurring; and
   WHEREAS, Gluten is found in most processed foods, but it is also
used in nonedible products such as lipsticks, vitamins, and
medications; and
   WHEREAS, Gluten-free food touching the same surface as
gluten-containing food can cause cross-contamination that can be
dangerous for someone with celiac disease by triggering celiac
disease symptoms; and
   WHEREAS, Awareness for celiac disease has grown significantly in
recent years; and
   WHEREAS, The development of new gluten-free food products has made
it much easier for people with celiac disease to expand their
dietary options; and
   WHEREAS, Labeling of  certified  gluten-free
products makes shopping easier for people with celiac disease; and
   WHEREAS, Gluten-free restaurants, gluten-free menus, and the
education of food handlers regarding celiac disease have given people
living with celiac disease safer options for dining out; and
   WHEREAS, Much progress has been made in recent years to educate
people about celiac disease and identify ways to improve their
quality of life; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That May  2015   2016 
be recognized as Celiac Disease Awareness Month; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.