Bill > A2473

Introduced Session

This bill, designated as the "Parkinson's Disease Public Awareness and Education Act," requires the Commissioner of Health to establish a Parkinson's disease public awareness and education program, subject to available appropriations. The program is to include the development of a public education and outreach campaign to promote Parkinson's disease awareness and education, including, but not limited to: (1) the cause and nature of the disease; (2) diagnostic procedures and appropriate indications for their use; (3) lifestyle issues relating to how a person copes with Parkinson's disease; (4) environmental safety and injury prevention; and (5) availability of Parkinson's disease diagnostic and treatment services in the community. The program is also to include the development of: educational materials to be made available to consumers through local boards of health, physicians, hospitals, and clinics; professional education programs for health care providers to assist them in understanding research findings and the subjects set forth in the bill; and educational programs for other personnel, including judicial staff, police officers, fire fighters, and social services and emergency medical service providers, to assist them in recognizing the symptoms of Parkinson's disease and understanding how to respond to the needs of persons with the disease in the course of performing their duties, including dissemination of the information prepared pursuant to the bill. The program is also to include the development and maintenance of a list of current providers of specialized services for the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson's disease. Dissemination of the list is to be accompanied by a description of diagnostic procedures, appropriate indications for their use, and a cautionary statement about the current status of Parkinson's disease research and treatment. The statement must indicate that DOH does not endorse specific Parkinson's disease programs or centers in this State. The bill directs DOH, in consultation with the New Jersey Chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association and the Movement Disorders Center at the Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Group, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, to prepare, and make available on the department's Internet website, in English and Spanish, and in a manner that is easily understandable to patients and other laypeople, information about the symptoms and treatment of Parkinson's disease, and other information the commissioner deems to be necessary.

AI Summary

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Annette Quijano (D)*,  Aura Dunn (R),  Gabriel Rodriguez (D), 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health Committee (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document