Bill Text: NJ SCR135 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges Commissioner of Health to ensure health care providers and expectant and new parents are made aware of impact of Hurricane Sandy on pregnant women.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-01-14 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee [SCR135 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-SCR135-Introduced.html
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 135
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
215th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED JANUARY 14, 2013
Sponsored by:
Senator SHIRLEY K. TURNER
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
SYNOPSIS
Urges Commissioner of Health to ensure health care providers and expectant and new parents are made aware of impact of Hurricane Sandy on pregnant women.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Concurrent Resolution urging the Commissioner of Health to take certain actions regarding the impact of Hurricane Sandy on pregnant women and children born of women pregnant during such natural disasters.
Whereas, Hurricane Sandy affected millions of residents in the State, including thousands of pregnant women; and
Whereas, Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable during stressful events such as natural disasters, because they experience stronger and more prolonged releases of stress-related hormones, which may adversely affect the fetus; and
Whereas, Prenatal stress is associated with pregnancy complications, and a wide range of adverse birth outcomes, including premature birth, low birth weight, and compromised development of an infant's immune system; and
Whereas, Children born of mothers who have experienced prenatal stress are at increased risk for childhood and long-term cognitive, behavioral, physical, and mental health problems; and
Whereas, Research has shown that stress can have a greater impact on the fetus at certain times during a pregnancy, and weeks ten to 30 during a pregnancy have been found to be a particularly critical time, because exposure to stress during this period influences which developing structures of the fetus are affected, which in turn determines cognitive, behavioral, physical, and mental health outcomes; and
Whereas, Approximately 110,000 children are born in New Jersey each year, and since so many children in New Jersey have recently been born or will be born in the coming months to mothers who lived through Hurricane Sandy and continue to cope in its aftermath, the immediate and long-term impact on these children is a significant public health concern; and
Whereas, Researchers and clinicians believe that some effects of prenatal stress are reversible, and that with the right postnatal environment and support, children may overcome some of the difficulties caused by prenatal stress; and
Whereas, It is appropriate that public officials in the State make a concerted effort to ensure that health care providers and expectant and new parents in the State are made aware of the importance of addressing the immediate and long-term needs of pregnant women and the children born of women pregnant during and in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy; now therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey (the General Assembly concurring):
1. The Commissioner of Health is urged to ensure that health care providers and expectant and new parents in the State are made aware of the importance of addressing the immediate and long-term consequences of natural disasters on pregnancies.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this concurrent resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the General Assembly, and attested by the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the General Assembly, shall be transmitted to the Commissioner of Health and the Governor.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges the Commissioner of Health to ensure that health care providers and expectant and new parents in the State are made aware of the importance of addressing the immediate and long-term needs of pregnant women and children born of women who were pregnant during and in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
Research has shown that pregnant women are particularly vulnerable during and after natural disasters because they experience stronger and more prolonged releases of stress-related hormones. Prenatal stress is associated with pregnancy complications, premature birth, low birth weight, and increased risk for significant childhood and long-term problems. Since thousands of children in New Jersey have recently been born or will be born in the coming months to mothers who lived through Hurricane Sandy and who continue to cope in its aftermath, the immediate and long-term impact on these children is a significant public health concern.
