AJR 139 New Jersey General Assembly · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Designates month of September each year as "Deaf Awareness Month" in New Jersey. *

AJR 139 designates September each year as "Deaf Awareness Month" and the last full week of September as "Deaf Awareness Week" in New Jersey. This resolution directly affects all New Jersey residents by establishing annual periods to increase public awareness about deaf culture, communication needs, and challenges faced by the estimated 850,000 residents with hearing loss in the state. The bill requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe these designations with appropriate activities. It does not create new laws or funding but aims to promote education about deaf issues, including sign language and accessibility barriers.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 19, 2026 Last action Jun 18, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduced → Reprint · 4 edits

MODERATE

The resolution was amended in committee to remove the separate designation of the last full week of September as 'Deaf Awareness Week,' leaving only the month-long 'Deaf Awareness Month' designation. Additional sponsors and co-sponsors were added, and the bill moved from introduced status to first reprint after being reported by the Assembly Health Committee on June 18, 2026.

Scope change

The scope was narrowed: the resolution no longer designates a specific week within September as 'Deaf Awareness Week,' limiting the designation to the full month of September only.

SCOPE

The designation of the last full week of September each year as 'Deaf Awareness Week' in New Jersey was struck from the resolution. The bill now only designates the entire month of September as 'Deaf Awareness Month.'

TECHNICAL

Assemblywoman Margie Donlon (District 11, Monmouth) and Assemblyman Anthony S. Verrelli (District 15, Hunterdon and Mercer) were added as sponsors.

Assemblymen Sampson and Assemblywoman Quijano were added to the co-sponsor list.

The bill status changed from 'As introduced' to 'As reported by the Assembly Health Committee on June 18, 2026, with amendments,' reflecting committee action.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 19, 2026

Introduced

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health Committee

lower

2 primary · 2 co-sponsors