Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 2025, as Scleroderma Awareness Month in the State of New York

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Josh Jensen

Urges New York's governor to proclaim June 2025 as Scleroderma Awareness Month, boosting public awareness and advocacy; ceremonial with no new laws or spending.

ADOPTED

Overview and Status

Bill number: K 629

Title: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 2025 as Scleroderma Awareness Month in the State of New York

Type: Resolution (ceremonial, non-binding)

Current status: ADOPTED

Introduced: May 30, 2025

Sponsor (primary): Josh Jensen

Key legislative actions:

May 30, 2025: Referred to Calendar (twice listed)
June 4, 2025: Adopted (twice listed)

Purpose and Intent

The resolution memorializes the Governor to issue a proclamation designating June 2025 as Scleroderma Awareness Month in New York.

The objective is to raise public awareness about scleroderma (systemic sclerosis), highlight its impact on patients and families, and encourage education, advocacy, and supportive actions across the state.

Key Provisions

The core provision requests the Governor to issue an official proclamation recognizing June 2025 as Scleroderma Awareness Month.

The resolution may encourage state and local entities, educational institutions, healthcare providers, and the public to observe and participate in awareness activities during June 2025.

As a resolution, there are typically no new laws, regulations, or budgeting requirements created by the bill.

Affected Parties and Impacts

Directly affected: Scleroderma patients and their families, advocacy and disease-awareness organizations, and the broader New York community engaged in health education and awareness.

Institutions and entities potentially involved: State agencies, healthcare systems, schools, community organizations, and private sector partners that may host or support awareness events in June 2025.

Fiscal/operational impact: Generally minimal to none, since proclamations are ceremonial. The bill does not authorize spending or create new programs.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

Introduction and referral: The measure was introduced May 30, 2025 and referred to the calendar (both listed entries indicate calendar referral in the same period).

Adoption: The resolution was adopted on June 4, 2025, finalizing the ceremonial request to the Governor.

Effect of adoption: If the Governor issues the proclamation, Scleroderma Awareness Month would be formally recognized within New York State for June 2025; if not, recognition would depend on the Governor’s discretionary action.

Context and Significance

This bill is a ceremonial acknowledgments instrument commonly used to highlight public health concerns and mobilize community engagement without creating statutory obligations.

The sponsor, Josh Jensen, leads the effort to elevate visibility for scleroderma and to align state government with awareness and support initiatives.

If you’d like, I can provide a one-paragraph brief suitable for a press release or a side-by-side comparison with similar resolutions (e.g., other health-awareness months) for deeper context.

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