Bill Text: NY K02135 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2024, as Jaundice Awareness Month in the State of New York
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-05-08 - adopted [K02135 Detail]
Download: New_York-2023-K02135-Introduced.html
Assembly Resolution No. 2135 BY: M. of A. Cunningham MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2024, as Jaundice Awareness Month in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official months that are set aside to increase awareness of serious health issues that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2024, as Jaundice Awareness Month in the State of New York; and WHEREAS, Globally, jaundice affects almost half of full-term newborns and 80 percent of pre-term newborns; in the United States, three out of five babies are born with jaundice, resulting in many families having to seek treatment for their children; and WHEREAS, In New York State, it is imperative for parents to understand how to detect the early warning signs of jaundice, which could potentially spiral into a more serious condition for their child; and WHEREAS, A common condition, particularly in babies born before 38 weeks' gestation and some breast-fed babies, jaundice is the yellow discoloration of a newborn baby and young children's skin and eyes; it occurs because the baby's blood contains an excess of bilirubin, a yellow pigment of red blood cells, and the baby's liver is not mature enough to get rid of bilirubin in the bloodstream; and WHEREAS, The main sign of jaundice in infants is the yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes; this symptom usually appears between the second and fourth day after birth; and WHEREAS, To check for infant jaundice, press gently on your baby's forehead or nose, if the skin looks yellow where you pressed, it is likely your baby has mild jaundice; examine your baby in good lighting conditions, preferably in natural daylight; and WHEREAS, The good health and well-being of the people of the State of New York are enhanced by the support of a statewide effort to educate parents and citizens about detecting the early warning signs of jaundice, to prevent life-threatening conditions that affect young children and infants; and WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness of this serious health issue, and more must be done to increase activity at the local, State and National levels; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2024, as Jaundice Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York.