Designates May of each year as "Skin Cancer Awareness" in New Jersey.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Inganamort and 3 co-sponsors

Designates May as Skin Cancer Awareness Month in New Jersey to boost awareness, prevention, detection, and education on skin cancer (no new funding).

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Health Committee

#commemoratio #health

AJR 233 – Summary

Bill: AJR 233
Title: Designates May of each year as "Skin Cancer Awareness" in New Jersey
Status: Introduced in the Assembly; Referred to Assembly Health Committee
Introduced: November 17, 2025
Classification: Joint resolution
Subject: Commemoration, Health

Sponsor and Co-Sponsors

Sponsored by: Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger, District 13 (Monmouth)

Co-Sponsored by: Assemblymen Myhre, Rumpf, and Inganamort

Purpose and Intent

AJR 233 designates May of each year as “Skin Cancer Awareness Month” in New Jersey. The bill expresses the Legislature’s intent to recognize and promote awareness of skin cancer, its prevention, detection, and treatment.

Key Provisions (as introduced)

Designation: Each May shall be designated and recognized in New Jersey as Skin Cancer Awareness Month.

Public recognition: The designation is intended to promote awareness efforts related to skin cancer among residents, communities, and public health stakeholders.

Scope: The text provided does not specify new programs, funding, or mandated activities beyond the designation itself.

Who Would Be Affected

Residents of New Jersey, by formal recognition of May as Skin Cancer Awareness Month.

Public health agencies, schools, health care providers, and community organizations that engage in skin cancer education and prevention activities (potentially leveraging the designation for awareness campaigns).

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduced: November 17, 2025.

Current action: Referred to the Assembly Health Committee.

Path to enactment: As a joint resolution, it would typically need to pass both houses of the Legislature and be signed by the Governor to become law. The designation would take effect annually in May if enacted.

Potential Impact and Considerations

Awareness and education: The designation could support and amplify skin cancer prevention messages (sun protection, early detection, and education) through public communications and events during May.

Fiscal impact: The text provided does not authorize funding or create new programs; any implementation would likely rely on existing public health resources or voluntary efforts.

Sunset/renewal: As a commemorative designation, it would recur annually unless revised or repealed by subsequent legislation.

Next Steps

Committee action: Awaites consideration by the Assembly Health Committee.

If advanced: The bill would need to pass both the Assembly and Senate, and receive the Governor’s signature to become law.