Bill > S1665

This bill proposes to amend Chapter 6 of the General Laws by adding two new sections to promote awareness and prevention of sleep deprivation and drowsy driving. Specifically, it mandates that the governor annually issue proclamations designating the second week of March as "Massachusetts Sleep Awareness Week" and the Sunday when Daylight Savings Time begins as "Massachusetts Sleep Awareness Day," encouraging special attention to the problems of sleep deprivation and its consequences, such as impaired reaction time, judgment, vision, information processing, memory, performance, vigilance, motivation, moodiness, aggression, and the dangers of driving while sleep-deprived. The bill also calls for state agencies and private organizations, particularly those in education, transportation, public health, and public safety, to implement policies and programs aimed at increasing public understanding of sleep, sleep disorders, and the effects of sleep deprivation, promoting science-based policies for better sleep health, supporting research, and improving access to care for sleep disorders. Furthermore, it requires the governor to annually proclaim the second week of November as "Massachusetts Drowsy Driving Prevention Week" to highlight the need for public awareness and action regarding drowsy driving and driver fatigue, defining "drowsy driving" or "driver fatigue" as operating a vehicle while feeling sleepy, tired, drowsy, or exhausted.