Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 20-26, 2025, as Abusive Head Trauma/Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week in the State of New York

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Andrea Stewart-Cousins

Urges the Governor to proclaim April 20-26, 2025, as Abusive Head Trauma/Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week in New York to boost prevention and education.

ADOPTED

Overview

J 819 is a New York Joint Resolution (resolution type) that memorializes Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 20–26, 2025, as Abusive Head Trauma/Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week in the State of New York. The measure is nonbinding and serves to request official statewide recognition and awareness activities conducted during that week. The bill is currently listed as ADOPTED.

Purpose and Intent

Inform readers that the primary aim is to urge the Governor to issue a proclamation recognizing a designated awareness week focused on Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) / Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS).

Align with public health and child safety efforts by highlighting the importance of education, prevention, and resources related to abusive head trauma.

Key Provisions

Proclamation Request: The resolution requests that the Governor proclaim April 20–26, 2025, as Abusive Head Trauma/Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week in New York.

Scope: The week-long observance is intended to raise awareness about the dangers of AHT/SBS, promote prevention strategies, and encourage public education and outreach.

Nonbinding Nature: As a memorializing resolution, the measure does not establish new statutes or direct funding; it publicly acknowledges the issue and requests gubernatorial action.

Procedural and Timeline Details

Introduced: April 15, 2025.

Committee Action: Referred to Finance on April 15, 2025.

Advancement: Reported to calendar for consideration on April 29, 2025 (indicating readiness for floor consideration in the respective house).

Adoption: Adopted on April 29, 2025 (the status indicates the resolution was approved by both chambers and sent to the Governor for proclamation).

Sponsor: Andrea Stewart-Cousins (primary). Stewart-Cousins is a high-ranking state official (Senate Majority Leader) and serves as the primary sponsor for this memorializing resolution.

Affected Parties and Impact

Governor’s Office: The central action is a gubernatorial proclamation designating an awareness week.

General Public in New York: Public health awareness campaigns, schools, healthcare providers, child welfare organizations, and community groups may reference the proclaimed week in education and outreach.

Nonprofit and Advocacy Organizations: Groups focusing on child safety, pediatric health, abuse prevention, and family services may align programs and events with the awareness week.

Fiscal and Administrative Considerations

Fiscal Impact: Generally minimal or none, as memorializing resolutions do not create new programs or funding; any awareness activities would be voluntary and funded within existing resources if pursued by partners.

Administrative: No new regulatory requirements; primarily serves as a formal request for gubernatorial action.

Additional Context

The bill’s content centers on awareness and education around AHT/SBS, a critical child-protection issue, by designating a week to emphasize prevention resources, reporting, and supportive services.

If you’d like, I can add a brief background section on Abusive Head Trauma/Shaken Baby Syndrome to provide readers with context about why awareness weeks are used.

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