A resolution to declare September 2025 as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Month and September 9, 2025, as FASD Awareness Day in the state of Michigan.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Matt Longjohn and 7 co-sponsors

Michigan proclaims September 2025 as FASD Awareness Month and September 9, 2025 as FASD Awareness Day to boost prevention messaging, early screening, and supports (non-binding).

adopted

Summary — Michigan House Resolution No. 165 (HR 165)

Title: A resolution to declare September 2025 as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Month and September 9, 2025, as FASD Awareness Day in the state of Michigan
Status: Adopted (filed and adopted on September 3, 2025)
Introduced by: Rep. Luke Meerman (primary sponsor); adopted with additional co-sponsors

Purpose

The resolution proclaims September 2025 as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Awareness Month in Michigan and designates September 9, 2025, as FASD Awareness Day. It aims to increase public awareness of FASD, promote prevention messaging (including that no amount of alcohol is known to be safe during pregnancy), and encourage early identification and supports for individuals and families affected by FASD.

Key provisions

Officially declares:

September 2025 as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Month in Michigan, and
September 9, 2025, as FASD Awareness Day (the “9/9” symbolism references a nine-month, alcohol-free pregnancy).

Notes statewide activities and local efforts addressing FASD (e.g., the Children’s FASD System of Care operating in several Michigan counties and statewide training efforts).

Highlights research and statistics cited in the resolution (e.g., estimates that up to 1 in 20 U.S. school‑aged children may have FASD; elevated representation of FASD in foster-care populations).

Urges public education messages emphasizing prevention, early screening, and neurodiversity-affirming supports across schools, health care, behavioral health, employment, housing, and the justice system.

Directs that copies of the resolution be transmitted to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Michigan Department of Education (MDE), the State Court Administrative Office, and the Michigan FASD Task Force.

Who is affected

The resolution is symbolic and non-binding; it does not create new legal obligations or funding.

Target audiences for awareness and prevention: pregnant people, families, educators, health and behavioral health providers, child‑welfare and juvenile‑justice systems, and state agencies referenced in the resolution.

Potential impact and limitations

Potential impacts: raises public visibility of FASD, encourages coordinated services and training, and reinforces prevention messaging statewide. It may catalyze agency or community activities, trainings, and local observances during September.

Limitations: the resolution does not allocate funding, change regulations, or mandate agency action. Measurable changes in diagnosis rates, service coordination, or outcomes would require subsequent policy, programmatic, or budgetary actions.

Note: Multiple unrelated measures in other jurisdictions or at the federal level have also used the designation “H.R. 165” in 2025; this summary refers specifically to the Michigan House Resolution declaring FASD Awareness Month/Day.

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