This measure would recognize May 2026 as Celiac Disease Awareness Month.

This measure would recognize May 2026 as Celiac Disease Awareness Month.

This measure would recognize May 2026 as Celiac Disease Awareness Month.

WHEREAS, Celiac disease is 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 that individuals living with celiac disease need to avoid, including wheat, rye, and barley; 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 1 in 100 people worldwide; and

WHEREAS, An estimated 2,500,000 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, 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 1 diabetes, Crohns 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 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, 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 Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That May 2026 be recognized as Celiac Disease Awareness Month; and be it further

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

WHEREAS, Celiac disease is 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 that individuals living with celiac disease need to avoid, including wheat, rye, and barley; 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 1 in 100 people worldwide; and

WHEREAS, An estimated 2,500,000 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, 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 1 diabetes, Crohns 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 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, 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 Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That May 2026 be recognized as Celiac Disease Awareness Month; and be it further

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

WHEREAS, Celiac disease is 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 that individuals living with celiac disease need to avoid, including wheat, rye, and barley; 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 1 in 100 people worldwide; and

WHEREAS, An estimated 2,500,000 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, 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 1 diabetes, Crohns 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 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, 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 Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That May 2026 be recognized as Celiac Disease Awareness Month; and be it further

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

Date of Hearing: June 8, 2026

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON

, Chair

SBPCA Bill Id:

Author:() – As Ver:

SENATE VOTE:

SUBJECT:

SUMMARY: Recognizes May 2026 as Celiac Disease Awareness Month. Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that results in damage to the lining of the small intestine when a person eats foods with gluten. Gluten is a form of protein found in some grains that individuals living with celiac disease need to avoid, including wheat, rye, and barley.
2. Celiac disease is estimated to affect 1 in 100 people worldwide. An estimated 2.5 million Americans who have celiac disease remain undiagnosed and at risk for long-term health complications.
3. 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.
4. Celiac disease can leave a person susceptible to additional health problems, including osteoporosis, miscarriage, infertility, growth problems in children affected by the disease because they do not absorb enough nutrients, and cancers of the digestive system.
5. People who have celiac disease may have other autoimmune diseases, including thyroid disease, type 1 diabetes, Crohn’s disease and colitis, and juvenile arthritis.
6. 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.
7. Maintaining a gluten-free diet can be a difficult change, as gluten is found in some products in which gluten is not naturally occurring.
8. Awareness for celiac disease has grown significantly in recent years. Labeling of gluten-free products makes shopping easier for people with celiac disease. Progress has been made to educate people about celiac disease and identify ways to improve their quality of life.

FISCAL EFFECT: This resolution is keyed non-fiscal by Legislative Counsel.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

None on file

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by:

 THIRD READING 

Bill No: SCR 179

Author: Niello (R)

Introduced: 5/18/26

Vote: 21

SUBJECT: Celiac Disease Awareness Month

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This resolution recognizes May 2026 as Celiac Disease Awareness Month.

ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that results in damage to the lining of the small intestine when a person eats foods with gluten.
2. An estimated 2.5 million Americans who have celiac disease remain undiagnosed and at risk for long-term health complications.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Progress has been made in recent years to educate people about celiac disease and identify ways to improve their quality of life.

This resolution recognizes May 2026 as Celiac Disease Awareness Month.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 5/26/26)

None received

OPPOSITION: (Verified 5/26/26)

None received

Prepared by: Destiny Bustos / SFA / (916) 651-4171

5/27/26 16:29:20

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