Designates 22nd day in October of each year as "Stuttering Awareness Day" and second full week in May of each year as "Stuttering Awareness Week."

SJR134

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

No. 134

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED MARCH 23, 2026

Sponsored by:

Senator� ANGELA V. MCKNIGHT

District 31 (Hudson)

SYNOPSIS

���� Designates 22nd day in October of each year as
�Stuttering Awareness Day� and second full week in May each year as �Stuttering
Awareness Week.�

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

A Joint
Resolution
designating October 22nd as �New
Jersey Stuttering Awareness Day� and the second full week of May as �New Jersey
Stuttering Awareness Week.�

Whereas,

Stuttering is a speech disorder characterized by repetition of sounds,
syllables, or words, prolongation of sounds, and interruptions in speech; and

Whereas,

It is estimated about one percent of the world�s population stutters and
roughly three million Americans stutter; and

Whereas,

Children often begin to experience signs of stuttering between the ages of two
and five and children who stutter are more likely to experience negative social
and educational outcomes than their peers who do not stutter; and

Whereas,

When stuttering continues into adulthood, a person may have difficulty
communicating with other people and stuttering may affect a person�s quality of
life, interpersonal relationship, job opportunities, and professional growth;
and

Whereas,

There is currently no cure for stuttering, but there are a variety of
treatments available to people who stutter which can assist a person with the
difficulties associated with stuttering; and

Whereas,

Early intervention of stuttering is generally more effective than waiting until
a child is older and many schools have resources; and

Whereas,

Organizations dedicated to bringing hope and empowerment to children and adults
who stutter through support, education, advocacy, and research, have locations
in New Jersey; and

Whereas,

President Joe Biden is an example of an individual who was able to overcome the
difficulties associated with stuttering to achieve great personal and
professional success; and

Whereas,

�International Stuttering Awareness Day� is celebrated on October 22
nd

and �National Stuttering Awareness Week� is the second week of May and educate
the public about stuttering; now, therefore,

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

���� 1.��� a.� The 22nd day of
October of each year is designated as �Stuttering Awareness Day� in New Jersey
to promote awareness of the array of support and treatment services available
to individuals who stutter.

���� b.��� The Governor is
respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public
officials and citizens of this State to observe �Stuttering Awareness Day� with
appropriate activities and programs.

���� 2.��� a.� The second full week
in May of each year is designated �Stuttering Awareness Week� in New Jersey to
promote awareness of the array of support and treatment services available to
individuals who stutter.

���� b.��� The Governor is
respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public
officials and citizens of this State to observe �Stuttering Awareness Week�
with appropriate activities and programs.

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

STATEMENT

���� This joint resolution
designates the 22nd day of October of each year as �Stuttering Awareness Day�
and the second full week of each year in May as �Stuttering Awareness Week� in
New Jersey. �This day and week will promote the available help available to
those who stutter and raise awareness of the disfluencies associated with a stutter.�
In observation of the day and week, the State will also account for the ways
that stuttering affects the speakers� life and inform the public on how to
become an ally to those who feel uncomfortable or embarrassed by a stutter. �Observation
of the day and week will act as the platform to remind the community about
available resources to assist people with stutters and more importantly, that
help is always available for anyone who wants it.

���� This joint resolution promotes
the support, education, and advocacy for people who stutter, the family member
of a person who stutters, and any ally to a person who stutters.