SENATE HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND SENIOR
CITIZENS COMMITTEE
STATEMENT TO
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION No. 27
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
DATED: MAY 9, 2024
The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens
Committee reports favorably Senate Joint Resolution No. 27.
This joint resolution designates the third full week in May of
each year as “Roxie’s Wish: Drowning Prevention Week for
Children” to promote public awareness of strategies and best
practices for the prevention of drowning among children. The
resolution requests the Governor to annually issue a proclamation
recognizing the week and calling on public officials and the
residents of New Jersey to observe the week with appropriate
programs and activities.
Drowning is one of the leading causes of death among children
in this country, especially those under age five. Thousands of
people in the United States, many of them being children, die each
year from drowning under circumstances that are preventable.
Additionally, nonfatal drownings can cause a number of long-term,
significant cognitive and motor skill impairments. It is critical that
public awareness is increased so that residents can take proactive
measures to prevent children from drowning. By utilizing simple
safety strategies to mitigate risk, such as ensuring pools are
properly enclosed, providing close adult supervision whenever
children are in the water, teaching children how to swim, and
providing life jackets to children who cannot swim, unintentional
drowning deaths among children can be prevented.
This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 2024-2025 session
pending technical review. As reported, the bill includes the changes
required by technical review, which has been performed.