Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 2025, as Brain Injury Awareness Month in the State of New York

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Dean Murray

Urges the Governor to proclaim March 2025 as Brain Injury Awareness Month in New York, boosting awareness, prevention, and support for survivors and families (nonbinding).

ADOPTED

Overview

Bill number and type: J 239, a memorializing resolution.

Title: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 2025 as Brain Injury Awareness Month in the State of New York.

Status: ADOPTED.

Introduced: January 16, 2025.

Primary sponsor: Dean Murray.

Purpose (intent): To urge and memorialize the Governor to issue a proclamation recognizing March 2025 as Brain Injury Awareness Month in New York, thereby promoting awareness, prevention, treatment, and support for individuals affected by brain injuries.

Purpose and Intent

The resolution seeks formal state-level recognition of Brain Injury Awareness Month, with the aim of:

Highlighting the impact of brain injuries on individuals, families, and communities.
Encouraging public education on prevention strategies, resources, and services.
Honoring brain injury survivors, caregivers, and medical professionals working in this field.

It is a symbolic, non-binding acknowledgment. It does not create new laws, mandates, or funding obligations.

Key Provisions (What the bill would do)

Memorializes the Governor to proclaim March 2025 as Brain Injury Awareness Month in New York.

Likely language would include a brief statement recognizing the significance of brain injury awareness and the need for continued attention to prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and support services.

May urge state agencies, organizations, schools, and communities to observe Brain Injury Awareness Month through events, educational activities, and public outreach (as is customary in such resolutions).

Who/What is Affected

Governor and Executive Branch: Encouraged to issue a proclamation designating March 2025 as Brain Injury Awareness Month.

Individuals and organizations involved in brain injury awareness: Hospitals, clinics, advocacy groups, survivors and families, and public health organizations may align events and programs with the proclamation.

General public: Increased visibility and awareness about brain injuries and related resources.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduced: January 16, 2025, and referred to Finance.

Actions: On January 22, 2025, the bill was reported to the calendar for consideration and adopted (with multiple entries reflecting calendar reporting and adoption on that date).

Current status: Adopted by the Legislature; the next step would typically be transmission to the Governor for official proclamation.

Fiscal impact: As a memorializing resolution, it generally carries no direct fiscal impact or new funding authority.

Additional Notes

Brain Injury Awareness Month (March) is observed at the state and national levels; this bill aligns New York’s recognition with that broader awareness effort.

The resolution’s effectiveness hinges on the Governor issuing a proclamation; it does not enact new laws or policies.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to emphasize potential advocacy opportunities or provide a brief comparison to other state resolutions recognizing Brain Injury Awareness Month.

Bill