Bill Text: NJ AJR125 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates second Wednesday of October as "Health Cares About Domestic Violence Day."
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-11-16 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Women and Children Committee [AJR125 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-AJR125-Introduced.html
No. 125
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
216th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED NOVEMBER 16, 2015
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman NANCY F. MUNOZ
District 21 (Morris, Somerset and Union)
SYNOPSIS
Designates second Wednesday of October as "Health Cares About Domestic Violence Day."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating the second Wednesday of October as "Health Cares About Domestic Violence Day" in New Jersey.
Whereas, Domestic and sexual violence are major public health issues, affecting millions of Americans and New Jersey residents each year; and
Whereas, The Thirty-First Domestic Violence Offense Report, compiled by the Division of State Police, recorded 64,556 domestic violence offenses reported by all of the police in New Jersey in 2013; and
Whereas, Domestic and sexual violence have both an immediate and long-term negative impact on the health of these New Jersey residents; and
Whereas, Studies have shown a link between domestic and sexual violence and a myriad of health problems, including: smoking, diabetes, obesity, eating disorders, and substance abuse; and
Whereas, Health care providers are on the front lines witnessing and treating the health effects of domestic and sexual violence; and
Whereas, Each New Jersey resident visits a health care provider on average three times a year; and
Whereas, The interaction of health care providers with New Jersey residents who are affected by domestic and sexual violence presents the health care providers a unique opportunity to identify and address the health impact of domestic and sexual violence; and
Whereas, The education of health care providers on the signs of domestic and sexual violence is already a priority for many health care facilities throughout the State, and these actions can be duplicated in all health care settings; and
Whereas, Health care providers routinely screen for various health issues, and the addition of domestic and sexual violence screening to their health education efforts may provide the trigger for a person to seek assistance; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The second Wednesday of October of each year is designated as "Health Cares About Domestic Violence Day" in the State of New Jersey to foster an awareness of the importance of health care professionals screening patients for the impact of domestic and sexual violence and providing education to individuals as deemed appropriate.
2. The Governor is requested to annually issue a proclamation designating the second Wednesday of October as "Health Cares About Domestic Violence Day" in the State of New Jersey and the Commissioner of Health is urged to provide educational materials on the importance of health care professionals providing screening and education to individuals who have been affected by domestic and sexual violence.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates the second Wednesday of October of each year as "Health Cares About Domestic Violence Day" in the State of New Jersey.
Domestic and sexual violence affects millions of Americans and New Jersey residents each year. In 2013, the Division of State Police reported that approximately 65,000 domestic violence offenses occurred to residents of New Jersey.
The health impact of domestic and sexual violence can be both immediate and long-term. Studies have linked domestic and sexual violence and a myriad of health problems. Health care professionals are seen as trusted allies by many individuals, and can screen individuals to determine if they have been affected by domestic and sexual violence.
It is important that the health care providers are given an opportunity to educate themselves and their peers on domestic and sexual violence and on the appropriate steps to take to help their patients. By designating a day for this purpose, it brings attention to this issue and offers the opportunity for education on this important topic.
