WeVote
Log In

Bill

AB

Bill

AJR 106

Designates September 22nd of each year as "Veterans Suicide Awareness & Remembrance Day."

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Al Barlas and 6 co-sponsors

Designates September 22 as Veterans Suicide Awareness & Remembrance Day in New Jersey to honor those affected and promote awareness and access to mental health resources.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · AJR 106

AJR 106 (Session 222) – New Jersey Designation: Veterans Suicide Awareness & Remembrance Day

What the bill does

  • Designates September 22 of each year as “Veterans Suicide Awareness & Remembrance Day” in the State of New Jersey.
  • Calls upon the Governor to issue an annual proclamation urging public officials and New Jersey residents to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs.
  • Take effect immediately upon enactment.

Purpose and intent

  • Raise public awareness about the elevated risk of suicide among veterans and active-duty military personnel.
  • Honor and remember veterans and active military members who died by suicide.
  • Reduce stigma around mental health treatment by normalizing conversations and encouraging outreach and resources.
  • Elevate visibility of available supports from state, federal, and nonprofit organizations to at-risk individuals and families.

Key provisions and language

  • Section 1: Establishes September 22 as “Veterans Suicide Awareness & Remembrance Day” to recognize those who died by suicide and to honor their families.
  • Section 2: Directs the Legislature to request the Governor to issue an annual proclamation urging observance through appropriate activities and programs.
  • Section 3: States that the joint resolution takes effect immediately.
  • The accompanying statement emphasizes public health aims, stigma reduction, and the importance of resources (hotlines, mental health workshops) provided by the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the federal VA, and nonprofit entities.

Who is affected

  • General public in New Jersey is encouraged to observe the day.
  • Veterans and active-duty military personnel and their families, who may receive increased visibility to mental health resources.
  • State and local officials, and organizations that might host observances, programs, or educational activities on or around September 22.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: Introduced January 13, 2026; referred to Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.
  • No dates or funding are specified in the bill; the primary timing mechanism is the annual gubernatorial proclamation each September 22.
  • Immediate effect upon enactment (as stated in Section 3).

Context and rationale (as outlined in the bill)

  • Highlights sacrifices of service members and the unique stressors they face, including isolation during deployment, missed milestones, exposure to combat, and constant risk of injury or death.
  • Notes that suicide among veterans and active military has exceeded Vietnam War combat deaths since 2010 (cited at 65,000+ deaths).
  • Presents existing resources (hotlines, mental health education) and frames awareness as a means to improve access to help and reduce stigma.

Overall assessment

  • The bill is a symbolic and observance-oriented measure intended to concentrate public attention on veteran and active-duty suicide risk, honor those affected, and encourage engagement with mental health resources through annual proclamations and community activities. It does not create new funding or statutory health program changes, but it could catalyze local observances and public education efforts.

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

Sign in to ask a question.