Bill Text: NJ SJR39 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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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-Amended.html

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[First Reprint]

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

No. 39

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

215th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 6, 2012

 

 

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 reported by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee on March 8, 2012, with amendments.

  

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, ¹[There are currently 15 such centers] The Displaced Homemakers Network of New Jersey and other displaced homemaker programs¹ in New Jersey¹[, giving] give¹ numerous women the help they need to lift themselves and their families out of dire situations, and ¹[reducing] reduce¹ 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.