Relating to: proclaiming October 2025 as Filipino American History Month in the state of Wisconsin.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Deb Andraca and 24 co-sponsors

Designate the fourth week of April as Every Kid Healthy Week to promote healthy lifestyles for NJ youth through annual proclamations and community activities.

Representative Haywood added as a coauthor

Overview

AJR 98 is a joint resolution introduced in the New Jersey General Assembly that designates the fourth week in April of each year as “Every Kid Healthy Week.” The bill aims to promote healthy lifestyle choices for New Jersey’s youth and to draw attention to the risks of childhood obesity. It directs the Governor to issue an annual proclamation recognizing the week and to encourage public officials and citizens to observe it with appropriate activities and programs. The resolution takes effect immediately if enacted.

What the bill would do

Designate the fourth week in April each year as “Every Kid Healthy Week” in New Jersey.

Require the Governor to annually issue a proclamation recognizing the week and to call upon public officials and citizens to observe it with suitable activities and programs.

Take effect immediately upon enactment (no delaying or separate implementing steps required).

Context and rationale (as presented in the bill)

The bill frames childhood health issues—such as obesity, food insecurity, and physical inactivity—as a threat to New Jersey’s future.

It cites statistics included in the introduced text: about 94,000 NJ children aged 10–17 are considered obese, and roughly 82,000 high school students are overweight.

It notes that obesity and related health issues can lead to higher healthcare costs for taxpayers and increase risks for chronic diseases and mental health concerns later in life.

The “Every Kid Healthy Week” referenced in the bill is described as a national movement to promote healthy eating, physical activity, nutrition education, and physical education, with schools, parents, and health clubs encouraged to participate.

Provisions and scope

This is a commemorative designation and advocacy-oriented measure, not a funding or mandate bill.

It requests public awareness and participation in activities that promote healthy lifestyles for youth.

The resolution emphasizes partnership among schools, families, and health-promoting organizations.

Who would be affected

New Jersey children and adolescents (and their families) as the primary beneficiaries through awareness and potential school/community activities.

Schools, parents, and local health organizations that might organize or participate in wellness events during the designated week.

State taxpayers, insofar as obesity-related health costs are a broader context cited by the bill.

Procedural and timeline notes

Status: Introduced in the Assembly and referred to the Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee.

Introduced: February 1, 2024.

The measure is a joint resolution and would take effect immediately if enacted. The Governor would issue the annual proclamation during the designated week.

Bill