Bill Text: NJ SJR147 | 2026-2027 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates May of each year as "Mothers' Grief Awareness Month."
Sponsorship: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced) 2026-06-01 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee [SJR147 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2026-SJR147-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator LATHAM TIVER
District 8 (Atlantic and Burlington)
Senator ANGELA V. MCKNIGHT
District 31 (Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
Designates May of each year as "Mothers' Grief Awareness Month."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating May of each year as "Mothers' Grief Awareness Month."
Whereas, Motherhood is one of the most profound and sacred roles a woman can hold, and the bond between a mother and her child begins before birth and continues throughout her lifetime; and
Whereas, When a child passes away, whether during pregnancy, infancy, childhood, or adulthood, a mother carries an immeasurable grief that endures for a lifetime; and
Whereas, While every parent grieves the loss of a child, mothers bear a unique emotional, physical, and mental toll, often experiencing silent struggles with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and isolation; and
Whereas, Many mothers who have lost children suffer in silence, especially those who face cultural and systematic barriers to grief acknowledgement, mental health care, and community support; and
Whereas, It is vital to recognize, honor, and support mothers who endure this unimaginable loss and to ensure they have access to resources, community, and compassion; and
Whereas, Designating May as Mothers' Grief Awareness Month provides an opportunity to raise awareness, break the silence, educate communities, promote maternal mental health care, and offer solidarity to grieving mothers everywhere; and
Whereas, This observance aligns with the month of Mother's Day, ensuring that no mother feels forgotten, invisible, or excluded on a day that may otherwise deepen her pain; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The month of May of each year is designated as "Mothers' Grief Awareness Month" in New Jersey to honor and acknowledge mothers who have lost children and to raise awareness of maternal mental health challenges associated with child loss.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing the month of May of each year as "Mothers' Grief Awareness Month" in New Jersey, and to call upon public officials and the citizens of this State to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill designates the month of May of each year as "Mothers' Grief Awareness Month" to honor and acknowledge mothers who have lost children.
Motherhood is a profound experience culminating in a lifetime bond between mother and child. This bond starts before the child is born and lasts a lifetime. Child loss at any age is devastating and can have profound effects on the mother, with mothers experiencing a range of issues including struggles with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and isolation. Many mothers may suffer in silence, resulting in worsened mental health.
Designating May as Mothers' Grief Awareness Month will acknowledge the experiences of these mothers and raise awareness around mothers' bereavement. Raising awareness of this issue helps break down barriers to resources, educate communities, promote maternal mental health care, and offer solidarity to grieving mothers everywhere.
Designating this observance to align with the month of Mothers' Day ensures that no mother feels forgotten, invisible, or excluded on a day that may otherwise bring her pain.
