New Jersey Assembly Bill A2188

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/7/22
• Refer: 2/7/22

Caption

Establishes public awareness campaign concerning Period of PURPLE Crying program and shaken baby syndrome.

Impact

The implications of A2188 on state laws center on enhancing the protective measures for infants by promoting awareness and education about the Period of PURPLE Crying, which peaks during the infant's early months. By providing structured information about potential risks linked to excessive infant crying, the bill is designed to safeguard children from incidents of shaken baby syndrome, ultimately aligning with public health goals to prevent child abuse and mitigate risks of severe injury or fatality in infants.

Summary

Assembly Bill A2188, introduced in New Jersey, focuses on establishing a public awareness campaign regarding the Period of PURPLE Crying program and issues surrounding shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma. The bill mandates the Commissioner of Health, in coordination with the Commissioner of Children and Families, to develop and implement this campaign, which aims to educate parents and caregivers about the characteristics of increased and unsoothable crying in infants, and the associated risks that can lead to critical injuries if mismanaged. Information will be disseminated through varied community resources to ensure wide accessibility.

Contention

While the bill serves a public health interest, potential points of contention may include concerns about government overreach in educating families and the adequacy of resources available for implementing such awareness programs. There may be debates regarding the effectiveness of campaigns in changing caregiver behavior versus focusing on more immediate support measures for families facing challenges related to infant care, such as access to counselling or parenting classes.