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Bill

SJR 102

Designates May 17 of each year as "Necrotizing Enterocolitis Awareness Day" in New Jersey.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Angela McKnight and 3 co-sponsors

Designates May 17 as Necrotizing Enterocolitis Awareness Day in New Jersey and urges annual Governor proclamations to promote awareness and related activities.

Approved P.L.2025, JR-8.
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Bill Summary · SJR 102

Summary of Senate Joint Resolution No. 102 (SJR 102)

Purpose

SJR 102 designates May 17 of each year as “Necrotizing Enterocolitis Awareness Day” in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation recognizing the day and to encourage public officials and residents to observe it with appropriate activities and programs. The measure takes effect immediately.

What the bill does

  • Designation: May 17 each year is officially designated as Necrotizing Enterocolitis Awareness Day in New Jersey.
  • Proclamation: The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing the day and to urge observation through suitable activities and programs.
  • Effective date: Immediate upon enactment.

Key provisions and context

  • NEC overview: Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious intestinal disease affecting medically fragile infants, causing inflammation, infection, and potential systemic damage. It can lead to long-term neurological and developmental challenges.
  • Public health rationale: NEC affects roughly 1 in 1,000 premature infants and is a major cost driver in NICUs (two to five percent of all premature infants contribute up to about 20 percent of NICU costs). The mortality rate among NEC cases is reported as 20–30 percent, with higher risk among the smallest premature infants.
  • Economic and long-term impact: Nationally, NEC is associated with about $5.8 billion in annual hospital expenses, and long-term survivors frequently experience cardiovascular, motor, respiratory, cognitive, and behavioral difficulties.
  • Risk factors and prevention: Risk factors include low birthweight, poor circulation, low oxygenation, nursing difficulties, maternal factors, and birth stress. Public education, neurodevelopmental screening, nursing support, and probiotic use are cited as preventive/mitigation measures.
  • Public interest: The bill emphasizes raising awareness and addressing social determinants of NEC to reduce prevalence and burdens on families and the health system.

Who is affected

  • Infants at risk for NEC and their families, healthcare providers, and state/public health officials.
  • The designation primarily informs and engages the general public and health-related communities to support awareness activities.

Legislative and procedural history

  • Introduced: April 8, 2024
  • Senate: Passed May 13, 2024 (36-0)
  • Assembly: Referred to committees in 2024; Substitute and passage occurred in 2025
  • Final action: Approved and enrolled as P.L.2025, JR-8 on May 9, 2025
  • Related companion: AJR 167 (Assembly companion), identical in purpose

Related information

  • The bill aligns with World NEC Awareness Day observances promoted by groups such as the NEC Society.
  • No specific funding is identified; the measure centers on proclamation and awareness activities rather than new programs.

This bill serves a symbolic and educational purpose to elevate NEC awareness in New Jersey and promote public engagement in prevention and early intervention efforts.

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

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