Designates October 23 of each year as "Aromatic L-amino Acid Decarboxylase Deficiency Awareness Day."

SJR120

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

No. 120

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED MARCH 12, 2026

Sponsored by:

Senator� ANGELA V. MCKNIGHT

District 31 (Hudson)

SYNOPSIS

���� Designates October 23 of each year as �Aromatic
L-amino Acid Decarboxylase Deficiency Awareness Day.�

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

A Joint
Resolution
designating October 23 of each
year as �Aromatic L-amino Acid Decarboxylase Deficiency Awareness Day�.

Whereas,

The State of New Jersey supports protecting the health of young children and
vulnerable populations, as well as educating the public and medical communities
about rare diseases; and

Whereas,

A rare disease is generally considered to be a disease that affects fewer than
200,000 people in the United States at any given time; and

Whereas,

Aromatic L-Amino Acid Decarboxylase (�AADC�) Deficiency is a life-limiting,
severely debilitating genetic neurologic rare disease that significantly
impacts a patient�s development, motor skills, growth, cognition, and language
skills; and

Whereas,

AADC Deficiency results from an inherited genetic condition where patients lack
the AADC enzyme that is required to create dopamine; and

Whereas,

Without dopamine, patients may never achieve motor-skills milestones like
holding their heads up, sitting, or standing, nor will the patient develop the
ability to communicate or perform the most basic life needs; and

Whereas,

Although some patients who are born with AADC Deficiency may be asymptomatic at
birth, AADC patients typically experience symptoms within the first year of
life such as developmental delay and involuntary eye movements; and

Whereas,

A patient suspected of having AADC Deficiency is diagnosed with the disease through
genetic and other biochemical tests; and

Whereas,

AADC Deficiency affects approximately 1 in 100,000 people in the United States;
and

Whereas,

Caregivers of patients with AADC Deficiency are often responsible for the
overall care of the patient due to the debilitating nature of this disease and
patients may need life-long care; and

Whereas,

The State of New Jersey can raise awareness of AADC Deficiency in the public
and medical communities within this State �in order to assist individuals
suffering from AADC and their caregivers; now, therefore,

����
Be It
Resolved
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.��� October 23 of each year
is designated as �Aromatic L-amino Acid Decarboxylase Deficiency Awareness Day�
in New Jersey.

���� 2.��� The Governor is
respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation and call upon public
officials, private organizations, and all citizens of this State to observe �Aromatic
L-amino Acid Decarboxylase Deficiency Awareness Day� with appropriate awareness
activities and programs.

���� 3.��� This joint resolution
shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

���� This resolution establishes
October 23 of each year as �Aromatic L-Amino Acid Decarboxylase Deficiency Day�
in New Jersey.������

���� The State of New Jersey
supports protecting the health of vulnerable populations and young children, as
well as educating the public and medical communities about rare diseases. A
rare disease is generally considered to be a disease that affects fewer than
200,000 people in the United States at any given time. Aromatic L-Amino Acid
Decarboxylase (�AADC�) Deficiency is a life-limiting, severely debilitating
genetic neurologic rare disease that significantly impacts a patient�s
development, motor skills, growth, cognition, and language skills. While some
patients who are born with AADC Deficiency may be asymptomatic at birth, AADC
patients typically experience symptoms within the first year of life such as
developmental delay and involuntary eye movements. Caregivers of patients with
AADC Deficiency are often responsible for the overall care of the patient due
to the debilitating nature of this disease and patients may need life-long
care. The State of New Jersey can raise awareness of AADC Deficiency in the public
and medical communities within this State in order to support individuals with AADC
Deficiency and their caregivers by designating this awareness day.�