Designates first full week of May of each year as "Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week" in NJ.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Angela McKnight

Designates the first full week of May as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week to boost awareness, screening, and early treatment efforts in New Jersey.

Substituted by AJR120

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SJR 110 (Designates TD Awareness Week) – Summary

Purpose and intent

Designates the first full week of May of each year as “Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week” in New Jersey.

Encourages New Jersey residents to recognize TD, promote awareness of symptoms, and support early screening, diagnosis, and treatment.

Requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation recognizing the designated week.

Key provisions

Official designation: The first full week of May each year is named “Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week” in NJ.

Proclamation: The Governor would be requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing the week.

Effective date: The joint resolution takes effect immediately.

Background and rationale (as stated in the bill)

TD is described as a persistent, irreversible, potentially disabling neurological condition with involuntary movements of the face, torso, or other body parts.

TD is linked to long-term use of dopamine receptor blocking agents (DRBAs), such as certain antipsychotics used to treat mental illnesses (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression) and some gastrointestinal conditions.

Public health rationale emphasizes regular screening for TD per recommendations of the American Psychiatric Association, since long-term DRBA use can lead to TD.

National and state context noted: TD affects a substantial number of people in the U.S., with estimates of around 600,000 affected nationally and about 70% undiagnosed; in New Jersey, an estimated 1.1 million adults have a mental illness and may be treated with DRBAs, increasing TD risk.

Who is affected

Individuals living with mental illnesses who may be treated with DRBAs (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, schizoaffective disorder).

Patients prescribed DRBAs for other conditions (e.g., gastroparesis, nausea, vomiting) who could be at risk for TD.

Healthcare providers, caregivers, and public health organizations involved in screening, diagnosis, and treatment of TD.

The general public through awareness and reduced stigma surrounding TD.

Procedural/timeline aspects

Introduced in the Senate on May 9, 2024.

Referred to the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.

December 19, 2024: Committee reported favorably.

January 14, 2025: SJR 110 was substituted by AJR120 (the Assembly joint resolution), indicating a cross-chamber substitution to the companion measure.

Companion bill: AJR 120 (assembly version) is the substituted/active form.

Related information

The measure is a joint resolution (non-binding designations) intended to raise awareness and encourage medical screening and treatment, rather than create new mandatory programs or funding.

Potential impact

Increased public awareness of TD and its risks among patients, families, and healthcare providers.

Encourages routine TD screening and timely intervention, potentially improving diagnosis rates and treatment outcomes.

Minimal fiscal impact, as the measure is primarily a designation and advocacy tool rather than a new program or funding obligation.