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Bill

AJR 45

Designates June 23 of each year as "International Widows' Day."

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Reginald Atkins and 6 co-sponsors

Designates June 23 as International Widows' Day to raise awareness of widows' challenges and urge action on bereavement leave and Social Security, with no new funding.

Substituted by SJR30
#commemoratio #humansvcs
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Bill Summary · AJR 45

Summary of Assembly Joint Resolution No. 45 (AJR 45)

Note: AJR 45 has been substituted by SJR 30 in May 2025. This summary reflects the bill’s purpose, provisions, and potential impact as described in the accompanying documents.

Purpose and intent

  • Designates June 23 of each year as “International Widows’ Day.”
  • Aims to draw attention to the experiences and challenges faced by widows in the United States and around the world, including health, financial, legal, and social issues.
  • Encourages awareness and action related to bereavement leave, Social Security considerations for widows, and the disparities faced by widows globally.

Key provisions (as introduced and reported)

  • Section 1: Designates June 23 of every year as “International Widows’ Day.”
  • Section 2: The Governor shall annually issue a proclamation and call upon public officials and all citizens to observe the day with appropriate programs and activities.
  • Section 3: Takes effect immediately upon enactment.
  • The resolution is non-binding and symbolic in nature, focusing on awareness and observance rather than establishing new laws or funding.

What would be affected

  • No new spending or statutory requirements on state agencies are created by designation alone.
  • Public officials (including the Governor) and state residents are encouraged to observe the day and participate in related programs and activities.
  • The designation serves as a focal point for advocacy on issues affecting widows, such as bereavement leave and potential changes to Social Security regulations, as discussed in the bill’s rationale.

Rationale and anticipated impact

  • Cites United Nations data: approximately 260 million widows globally, with about 10% in extreme poverty.
  • U.S. context: about one million women become widowed annually; 70% of married women are expected to be widowed in their lifetime; median widow age is 59.
  • Highlights ongoing challenges for widows, including financial and legal difficulties, health issues, and loss of health insurance.
  • Intends to promote awareness that could support policy discussions on bereavement leave and Social Security considerations, as well as the plight of widows abroad.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Introduced in the Assembly: January 9, 2024.
  • Reported out of the Assembly Committee (with technical review): May 5, 2025.
  • Substituted by SJR 30 (Senate companion) on May 22, 2025, indicating a switch to the Senate version as the vehicle for advancing the designation.
  • The companion bill, SJR 30, follows identical language designating the day and call for proclamation.

Related information

  • AJR 45 is a joint resolution; the companion SJR 30 has the same substantive designation.
  • Purpose is commemorative and advocacy-oriented, not a statute creating new programs or funding.

If you’d like, I can compare the exact text of AJR 45 and SJR 30 and outline anyDifferences introduced during the substitution.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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