Bill Text: NJ SJR39 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates May of each year as "Displaced Homemakers Awareness Month."
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-2)
Status: (Passed) 2013-01-28 - Approved P.L.2013, JR-2. [SJR39 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-SJR39-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator DIANE B. ALLEN
District 7 (Burlington)
SYNOPSIS
Designates May of each year as "Displaced Homemakers Awareness Month."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating May of each year as "Displaced Homemakers Awareness Month" in the State of New Jersey.
Whereas, Displaced homemakers are women who have primarily worked in the home for many years, have lost their primary source of income due to the death, separation, divorce, or disability of their spouse, and must transition into a new role as the primary source of household income; and
Whereas, The work associated with the home and family is vitally important to society and requires great effort and care, but years spent working as a homemaker often do not translate effectively when searching for a job; and
Whereas, Obtaining or updating skills for a workplace that technology has quickly changed in dramatic ways, all while overcoming the trauma associated with the death, separation, divorce, or disability of a spouse, can be a daunting task, often leading to prolonged dependence on public assistance and hardship, both for the women and their children; and
Whereas, Since the 1970s, when the divorce rate rose substantially, the dilemmas faced by the growing numbers of displaced homemakers have gained increased attention in New Jersey; and
Whereas, The New Jersey "Displaced Homemakers Act" was enacted in 1979, followed by the appropriation of startup money for six Displaced Homemaker Centers in 1982 to provide counseling and training, and to address the various barriers to employment these women face; and
Whereas, In 1984, the Displaced Homemakers Network of New Jersey was founded, and has continuously advocated for increased support for the State's Displaced Homemaker Centers and the women in need of their services; and
Whereas, There are currently 15 such centers in New Jersey, giving numerous women the help they need to lift themselves and their families out of dire situations, and reducing the need for prolonged dependence on public assistance; and
Whereas, Despite these successes, the dilemmas faced by the more than 750,000 displaced homemakers in the State are still underappreciated among the general population, and they could be aided substantially thorough increased public awareness; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The month of May is designated as "Displaced Homemakers Awareness Month" in the State of New Jersey in order to recognize the grave challenges faced by the State's more than 750,000 displaced homemakers and to foster increased public attention to their situation.
2. The Legislature requests the Governor to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of this State to observe "Displaced Homemakers Awareness Month" with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates May of each year as "Displaced Homemakers Awareness Month" in the State of New Jersey.
Displaced homemakers are women who have primarily worked in the home for many years, but have lost their primary source of income due to the death, separation, divorce, or disability of a spouse. These women must therefore transition into a new role as the primary source of household income, all while overcoming devastating personal trauma. In recent decades, New Jersey has given increased attention to the challenges faced by displaced homemakers. This has led to the current 15 Displaced Homemaker Centers located throughout the State, each providing needed counseling and training, and addressing the many barriers to employment that these women face. Despite these successes, the dilemmas faced by the more than 750,000 displaced homemakers in the State are still underappreciated among the general population, and could be aided substantially thorough efforts to increase public awareness.
