SENATE HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND SENIOR CITIZENS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION No. 30

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 6, 2024

      The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee reports favorably Senate Joint Resolution No. 30.

      This joint resolution designates June 23 of each year as “International Widows’ Day.”  According to the United Nations, there are an estimated 260 million widows around the world, and nearly one in ten live in extreme poverty.  In the United States, one million women become widowed each year.  Seventy percent of all married women will be widowed in their lifetime.  Many widows are far younger than one may guess, as the median age of a widow is 59, according to the United States Census Bureau.

      Widows are often unsupported by our country’s social services, programs, and policies.  Many widows face challenges even years after the loss of a loved one, including financial and legal difficulties, mental and physical health issues, and the loss of health insurance.  It is important to draw attention to the experiences and realities of widows, including the need for increased bereavement leave, changes to Social Security regulations regarding widows, and the plight of widows in other countries.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2024-2025 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.