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Bill

RA

Bill

AJR 27

Designates November each year as "Hospice and Palliative Care Awareness Month."

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Reginald Atkins and 3 co-sponsors

Designates November as Hospice and Palliative Care Awareness Month in New Jersey and urges the Governor to issue an annual proclamation, raising awareness with no new funding.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee
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Bill Summary · AJR 27

AJR 27 — Hospice and Palliative Care Awareness Month (New Jersey)

Overview

AJR 27 is a joint resolution introduced in the New Jersey Assembly on January 9, 2024, and referred to the Assembly State and Local Government Committee. The bill designates November of each year as “Hospice and Palliative Care Awareness Month” in New Jersey and asks the Governor to issue an annual proclamation recognizing the month.

What the bill would do

  • Designate the month of November each year as “Hospice and Palliative Care Awareness Month” in New Jersey.
  • Request the Governor to issue a proclamation on November 1 of each year designating November as Hospice and Palliative Care Awareness Month.
  • Encourage public officials and residents to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs.
  • Take effect immediately upon enactment (as a joint resolution).

Key provisions

  • Section 1: Establishes November as Hospice and Palliative Care Awareness Month.
  • Section 2: Directs the Governor to issue an annual proclamation on November 1, calling for observance and related activities.
  • Section 3: Clarifies that the resolution takes effect immediately.
  • The accompanying statement highlights the aims of raising public awareness, understanding the benefits of hospice and palliative care, and encouraging quality end-of-life care.

Rationale and context (as stated in the bill)

  • Hospice and palliative care are presented as patient-centered, cost-effective care involving an interdisciplinary team to support pain management, emotional and spiritual support, and quality of life for those with life-limiting illnesses.
  • The introduced text cites national statistics (e.g., 1.6 million people nationwide receive hospice and palliative care annually; 430,000 volunteers contribute significant service) to underscore the importance and reach of these services.
  • The bill emphasizes the right to die with dignity and the role of awareness in helping individuals and families prepare for health care decisions before a crisis or terminal diagnosis.

Procedural status and timeline

  • Introduced: January 9, 2024.
  • Status: Introduced in the Assembly and referred to the Assembly State and Local Government Committee.
  • Companion legislation: SJR 77 (Senate) serves as a companion bill.

Impact and affected parties

  • Fiscal impact: None specified; as a joint resolution, it does not create new programs or funding.
  • Affected stakeholders: Hospice and palliative care providers, patients and families, volunteers, public officials, and residents of New Jersey.
  • Practical effect: Non-binding; aims to raise public awareness and encourage observance through proclamations and activities.

Notes

  • As a joint resolution, the bill serves a ceremonial and awareness-raising function rather than establishing new policy or funding. If enacted, it would annually prompt official recognition and public observances of Hospice and Palliative Care Awareness Month in New Jersey.

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

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