OHIO LEGISLATIVE SERVICE COMMISSION
Office of Research Legislative Budget
www.lsc.ohio.gov and Drafting Office
H.B. 538 Bill Analysis
135th General Assembly
Click here for H.B. 538’s Fiscal Note
Version: As Reported by House Public Health Policy
Primary Sponsors: Reps. Brown and Upchurch
Effective date:
Amy L. Archer, Research Analyst
DETAILED ANALYSIS
Designation Lupus Awareness Month
Date The month of May
The bill designates the month of May as “Lupus Awareness Month” in recognition of the
following:
▪ Systemic lupus erythematosus, or lupus, is a chronic, complex, and often disabling
autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks the body’s own cells,
tissues, and organs.
▪ Lupus can affect many parts of the body, including the joints, skin, brain, heart, lungs, and
kidneys.
▪ Lupus nephritis is a serious manifestation of lupus that causes inflammation of the kidneys.
▪ Lupus nephritis can lead to irreversible kidney damage or even kidney failure, which may
require dialysis or a transplant.
▪ Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial for patients with lupus and lupus nephritis.
▪ Lupus and lupus nephritis are more common in and disproportionately impact women
and patients of color.
▪ Too many lupus and lupus nephritis patients, and especially marginalized patients, in the
United States face harmful delays in diagnosis and treatment of these conditions.
▪ The Department of Health’s Lupus Education and Awareness Program.1
1 R.C. 5.56; R.C. 3701.77, not in the bill.
December 5, 2024
Office of Research and Drafting LSC Legislative Budget Office
HISTORY
Action Date
Introduced 05-15-24
Reported, H. Public Health Policy 12-04-24
ANHB0538RH-135/ts
P a g e |2 H.B. 538
As Reported by House Public Health Policy