New Jersey AJR 38: Permanently designates first Monday in November as "Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Awareness Day" in New Jersey.

Bill Text

ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION
No. 38

STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2024 SESSION

Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman CAROL A. MURPHY
District 7 (Burlington)

SYNOPSIS
Permanently designates first Monday in November as “Complex Regional
Pain Syndrome Awareness Day” in New Jersey.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.

AJR38 MURPHY
2

A JOINT RESOLUTION permanently designating the first Monday in 1
November as “Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Awareness 2
Day” in New Jersey. 3
4
WHEREAS, Complex regional pain syndrome, also called reflex 5
sympathetic dystrophy (CRPS/RSD), is a type of chronic pain 6
condition; and 7
WHEREAS, CRPS/RSD occurs after an injury, and affects one limb, 8
such a as an arm, leg, hand, or foot. Although CRPS/RSD is not 9
yet completely understood, it is believed the syndrome results from 10
an abnormality in the central or peripheral nervous system and an 11
inappropriate immune system response; and 12
WHEREAS, Symptoms of CRSP/RSD include, but are not limited to, 13
swelling, joint stiffness, pain, tremors, muscle spasms, muscle 14
atrophy, changes in skin color, skin texture, hair, or nails, burning 15
or stinging sensation, and reduced mobility; and 16
WHEREAS, There is no known cure for CRPS/ RSD, but a 17
combination of physical therapies, medication, and psychological 18
support can help manage the symptoms; and 19
WHEREAS, The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and 20
Stroke (NINDS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 21
leads NIH research on CRPS/RSD; and 22
WHEREAS, NINDS-supported scientists are studying new approaches 23
to understand and treat CRPS/RSD, intervene to limit the symptoms 24
and disability associated with the syndrome, and support future 25
CRPS/RSD clinical trials using federal Food and Drug 26
Administration-approved treatments for autoimmune disease; and 27
WHEREAS, Since 2014, the first Monday in November has been 28
recognized as “Color The World Orange” Day to raise global 29
awareness of, and bring attention to, CRPS/RSD and all those 30
affected by the syndrome; and 31
WHEREAS, On that Monday, famous buildings and landmarks all over 32
the world are lit with the color orange, including, but not limited to, 33
Niagara Falls between Ontario and New York, the Kosciuszko 34
Bridge in New York, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 35
Cleveland, Ohio; and 36
WHEREAS, The permanent designation of the first Monday in 37
November as “Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Awareness 38
Day” in the State of New Jersey will serve to raise public 39
awareness about the signs and symptoms of CRPS/RDS, bolster 40
research efforts to develop treatments for, and limit the 41
disabilities associated with, the syndrome, and support those 42
affected with CRPS/RDS and their families; now, therefore, 43
44
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate and General Assembly of the 45
State of New Jersey: 46

AJR38 MURPHY
3

1. The first Monday in November of each year is designated as 1
“Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Awareness Day” in the State of 2
New Jersey in order to raise public awareness about the signs and 3
symptoms of complex regional pain syndrome, also called reflex 4
sympathetic dystrophy (CRPS/RDS), bolster research efforts to 5
develop treatments for, and limit the disabilities associated with, the 6
syndrome, and support those affected with CRPS/RDS and their 7
families. 8
9
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a 10
proclamation recognizing the first Monday in November of each 11
year as “Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Awareness Day” in 12
New Jersey and calling upon public officials, the citizens of the 13
State, and other interested groups to observe the month with 14
appropriate activities and programs. 15
16
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately. 17
18
19
STATEMENT 20
21
This joint resolution designates the first Monday in November of 22
each year as “Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Awareness Day” 23
in the State of New Jersey in order to raise public awareness about 24
the signs and symptoms of complex regional pain syndrome, also 25
called reflex sympathetic dystrophy (CRPS/RDS), bolster research 26
efforts to develop treatments for, and limit the disabilities 27
associated with, the syndrome, and support those affected with 28
CRPS/RDS and their families. 29