New Jersey Assembly Bill AJR129

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/12/24
• Refer: 2/12/24

Caption

Designates week of February 24 through March 2 of each year as "Say Something Week."

Impact

The resolution is primarily focused on empowering middle and high school students by equipping them with the tools and knowledge necessary to act if they become aware of a threat. Studies indicate that a significant portion of individuals who commit acts of violence often communicate their intentions beforehand, making it imperative for students to understand how to identify these behaviors. By institutionalizing 'Say Something Week', New Jersey hopes to create a culture of vigilance and responsibility among students, ultimately aiming to lower the incidence of school violence.

Summary

AJR129 is a joint resolution that seeks to designate the week of February 24 through March 2 of each year as 'Say Something Week' in New Jersey. This initiative aims to address the alarming rates of school violence and suicides among youth by fostering awareness and promoting proactive behaviors within school communities. The resolution highlights the critical need for students and educators to recognize early warning signs of potential violent incidents and to encourage the reporting of such threats to trusted adults.

Contention

While the bill primarily seeks to create awareness and promote safety, some stakeholders may raise concerns regarding the adequacy and effectiveness of such initiatives. Critics might argue that merely designating a week for awareness may not fully address the underlying issues related to mental health and access to resources for students in distress. There may also be discussions on how to effectively implement this program in schools, ensuring engagement from both students and educators to achieve meaningful outcomes.