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Bill

MD

Bill

AJR 201

Designates last full week of September of each year as "Frontotemporal Degeneration Awareness Week" in NJ.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Margie Donlon and 1 co-sponsor

Designates the last full week of September as Frontotemporal Dementia Awareness Week in NJ and urges the Governor to issue an annual proclamation to raise public awareness.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee
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Bill Summary · AJR 201

AJR 201 — Frontotemporal Dementia Awareness Week (New Jersey)

Overview

AJR 201 is a joint resolution introduced in the New Jersey Assembly on October 21, 2024. The measure designates the last full week of September each year as “Frontotemporal Dementia Awareness Week” in New Jersey and requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation recognizing the week and encouraging public observance. The resolution is ceremonial in nature and does not create new funding or mandate specific programs.

What the bill would do

  • Designate the last full week of September annually as “Frontotemporal Dementia Awareness Week” in New Jersey.
  • Request the Governor to issue an annual proclamation recognizing the designated week and to encourage public officials and citizens to observe it with appropriate activities and programs.
  • Take effect immediately upon enactment.

Background on Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)

  • FTD (also called frontotemporal degeneration) covers a group of neurodegenerative disorders caused by progressive nerve cell loss in the frontal or temporal lobes.
  • It is incurable and terminal, affecting speech, personality, behavior, and motor skills.
  • FTD accounts for an estimated 5–15% of all dementia cases and is the most common form of dementia in individuals under 60.
  • Typical diagnostic delay: about 3.6 years from symptom onset to accurate diagnosis; life expectancy after onset is commonly 7–13 years.
  • Affects a wide age range (roughly 21–80), with many cases occurring between ages 45 and 64.
  • Can be misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s disease or a psychiatric condition due to a broad range of symptoms.
  • Family history is present in about 40% of individuals with FTD; roughly half of those have inherited mutations.
  • FTD often leads to changes in social behavior and communication, and may include muscle weakness and swallowing difficulties.
  • The National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease recognizes FTD as a priority condition.

Who would be affected

  • New Jersey residents diagnosed with FTD and their families and caregivers.
  • Public officials and communities, which would be encouraged to participate in awareness events and educational activities during the designated week.
  • Public health and aging-related agencies that may organize or promote awareness efforts (though the bill itself does not mandate specific programs).

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: Introduced in the Assembly; referred to the Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee.
  • Introduced: October 21, 2024.
  • Type: Joint resolution (non-binding, ceremonial).
  • Companion: SJR 142 (Senate) exists as a related measure.

Fiscal and legal impact

  • The bill does not include appropriations or mandate specific programs; its effect is largely symbolic—raising awareness and encouraging observance through proclamations and public activities.

Notes

  • This resolution complements ongoing efforts to raise awareness of FTD, alongside broader dementia advocacy and research initiatives.

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

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