Bill Text: NJ AJR84 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates October of each year as "Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Month" in New Jersey.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-11-25 - Substituted by SJR36 [AJR84 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-AJR84-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman GABRIELA M. MOSQUERA
District 4 (Camden and Gloucester)
Assemblywoman PAMELA R. LAMPITT
District 6 (Burlington and Camden)
SYNOPSIS
Designates October of each year as "Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Month" in New Jersey.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating October of each year as "Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Month."
Whereas, According to a National Vital Statistics Report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2011, 17 percent or 1,118,000, of the 6,578,000 pregnancies in the United States ended in either a miscarriage or stillbirth; and
Whereas, The CDC also indicates that in 2011 the number of live births in the United States was 3,953,593 and of those births, 23,910 ended in the death of an infant under the age of one; and
Whereas, The Department of Health's Center for Health Statistics reports that in 2011, 103,886 live births were recorded in New Jersey and of those, 447 ended in a fetal death; and
Whereas, Infant mortality is attributable to the underlying health of the mother, public health practices, socioeconomic conditions, and the availability and use of appropriate health care for infants and pregnant women; and
Whereas, These factors are often linked to the medical disorders, including short gestation, low birth weight, congenital malformation, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, that rank among the leading causes of infant death; and
Whereas, While over the last 50 years there has been a decline in infant mortality rates due to improved access to health care, advances in neonatal medicine, and public health education campaigns, far too many of this country's children still do not survive through birth and infancy; and
Whereas, The availability of information about pregnancy and infant loss and a strong support system is of the utmost importance to families who suffer the loss of a child; and
Whereas, Professionals who come into contact with individuals who have suffered a miscarriage, stillbirth or the death of a child, such as physicians, nurses, clergy, emergency medical technicians, funeral directors, police officers, and employers, can better serve these individuals and their families if they have special training and a better understanding of the impact pregnancy and infant loss can have on those who experience such traumatic events; and
Whereas, Public awareness and education is critical to the prevention of pregnancy and infant loss and to learning how to respond with compassion toward families affected by the loss of a child; and
Whereas, In 1988, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed October as "National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month"; and
Whereas, In 2006, the United States Congress approved House Concurrent Resolution 222, supporting the goals and ideas of "National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day," on October 15th of each year; and
Whereas, The goal of "Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Month" and "Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day" is to honor all those who have survived a pregnancy loss or lost a child, recognize the grief suffered by families who experience such loss, help comfort and encourage the healing of families in their time of need, and give those who have endured such a traumatic event hope that in the future, the number of women who suffer pregnancy and infant loss can be reduced and the majority of infants can be born healthy, safe, and free from harm; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. October of each year is designated as "Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Month" in New Jersey in order to honor all those who have survived a pregnancy loss or lost a child, recognize the grief suffered by families who experience such loss, help comfort and encourage the healing of families in their time of need, and give those who have endured such a traumatic event hope that in the future, the number of women who suffer pregnancy and infant loss can be reduced and the majority of infants can be born healthy, safe, and free from harm.
2. The Governor is requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of this State to observe "Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Month" with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution declares October of each year as "Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Month" in New Jersey in order to honor all those who have survived a pregnancy loss or lost a child, recognize the grief suffered by families who experience such loss, help comfort and encourage the healing of families in their time of need, and give those who have endured such a traumatic event hope that in the future, the number of women who suffer pregnancy and infant loss can be reduced and the majority of infants can be born healthy, safe, and free from harm.
