Bill Text: NJ SCR112 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Declares November 2010 as "Prematurity Awareness Month" in New Jersey.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-11-08 - Reported from Senate Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading [SCR112 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-SCR112-Amended.html
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 112
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
214th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED JUNE 24, 2010
Sponsored by:
Senator DIANE B. ALLEN
District 7 (Burlington and Camden)
SYNOPSIS
Declares November 2010 as "Prematurity Awareness Month" in New Jersey.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee on November 8, 2010, with amendments.
A Concurrent Resolution declaring November 2010 as "Prematurity Awareness Month" in New Jersey.
Whereas, Premature birth is any birth that occurs before 37 completed weeks of gestation; according to the March of Dimes, 1,300 babies in the United States are born prematurely every day, totaling approximately 500,000 premature births each year, including about 14,000 annually in New Jersey; and
Whereas, Prematurity is a major contributor to developmental and physical disabilities in older children; although some premature babies grow up to become healthy adults, many survivors of premature birth develop long-term medical complications, including cerebral palsy, 1[mental retardation] intellectual disabilities1, behavior and learning disorders, vision and hearing loss, chronic lung disease, and neurological and digestive problems; and
Whereas, Prematurity is an important public health problem, due to the number of premature births each year, the life-long emotional and financial costs of caring for these infants, and the serious complications of prematurity, including the fact that 13 babies die each day as a result of premature birth; and
Whereas, The costs associated with premature birth are staggering; according to the Institute of Medicine, the high rate of premature births in the United States constitutes a public health concern that costs society at least $26 billion per year; and
Whereas, Progress has been made in identifying certain lifestyle factors that may contribute to a woman's risk for premature labor, including late or no prenatal care, smoking, alcohol consumption, the use of illegal drugs, exposure to the medication DES, domestic violence, stress, and long hours of work with extended periods of standing; and
Whereas, Research has also found that certain medical conditions during pregnancy may increase the risk of preterm labor, including urinary tract and vaginal infections, diabetes, high blood pressure, clotting disorders, vaginal bleeding, being underweight before pregnancy, obesity, short time period between pregnancies, and being pregnant with a single fetus after in vitro fertilization; and
Whereas, Over the years, doctors have tried various strategies to help prevent premature delivery, though none are as effective as awareness of the risk factors, which is critical to the prevention of prematurity and to strengthening the likelihood of full-term births; and
Whereas, The March of Dimes is leading a national effort to save babies from premature birth by funding research to find the causes of prematurity and supporting local programs that raise awareness, and offer hope and help to families with a premature baby in intensive care; and
Whereas, During November 2010, landmarks across the United States will be lit pink and blue to raise awareness of the risk factors of premature birth and to symbolize hope for premature babies and their parents; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey (the General Assembly concurring):
1. The Legislature hereby declares November 2010 as "Prematurity Awareness Month" in the State of New Jersey in order to raise public awareness about premature birth and draw public attention to the fact that with increased funding for research and educational programs relating to prematurity, the March of Dimes, scientists, researchers, charitable organizations, health care professionals, and interested citizens can help reduce the number of premature births each year and improve the lives of those infants born prematurely in New Jersey and the United States.
2. The Governor is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of the State of New Jersey to observe "Prematurity Awareness Month" with appropriate activities and programs.
3. A duly authenticated copy of this concurrent resolution1,1 signed by the President of the Senate and attested by the Secretary of the Senate and signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk of the General Assembly, shall be transmitted to the March of Dimes, New Jersey Chapter.
