Bill > A2188

Introduced Session

This bill requires the Commissioner of Health, in consultation with the Commissioner of Children and Families, to establish a public awareness campaign to provide information to parents and caregivers about the Period of PURPLE Crying program, increased and unsoothable infant crying, shaken baby syndrome, and abusive head trauma, and preventive measures that may be taken by parents and caregivers to promote child safety and protect against injuries or death caused by shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma. The Commissioner is required to: make, at a minimum, information about the Period of PURPLE Crying program, increased and unsoothable infant crying, shaken baby syndrome, and abusive head trauma available electronically on the Departments of Health and Children and Families websites; disseminate information to parents and caregivers through a variety of entities, including, but not limited to, local health agencies and clinics, physicians and advanced practice nurses, health care facilities, birthing facilities, licensed child care centers, pharmacies, libraries, Division of Child Protection and Permanency local offices, and other community-based outreach programs and organizations; and report to the Governor and the Legislature concerning the activities and accomplishments of the public awareness campaign within two years of the effective date of the bill. The Period of PURPLE Crying describes a period of increased and unsoothable crying in infants that begins at about two weeks of age, peaks in the second month of life, and continues until about three to four months of age. There are other common characteristics of this period which are better described by the acronym PURPLE: Peak of crying; Unexpected and unexplained crying; Resists soothing; Pain-like face; Long-lasting crying; and Evening or late afternoon crying. While the Period of PURPLE Crying is a normal developmental phase for infants, increased and unsoothable crying often leads to shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma when a parent or caregiver shakes an infant out of frustration or anger. The Period of PURPLE Crying program is an educational, evidence-based shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma prevention program offered in hospitals and other community based organizations to support parents and caregivers in their understanding of increased and unsoothable infant crying and help reduce the incidence of shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma. A public awareness campaign to provide information to parents and caregivers about the Period of PURPLE Crying program, increased and unsoothable infant crying, shaken baby syndrome, and abusive head trauma is in the public interest and will serve the interests of public safety in this State.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Nancy Muñoz (R)*,  DeAnne DeFuccio (R),  Mila Jasey (D), 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Women and Children Committee (on 02/07/2022)

Official Document