This measure would proclaim the month of March 2025 as California Down Syndrome Awareness Month. The measure would also proclaim March 21, 2025, as California Down Syndrome Awareness Day, and would encourage all Californians to support and participate in related activities.

This measure would proclaim the month of March 2025 as California Down Syndrome Awareness Month. The measure would also proclaim March 21, 2025, as California Down Syndrome Awareness Day, and would encourage all Californians to support and participate in related activities.

This measure would proclaim the month of March 2025 as California Down Syndrome Awareness Month. The measure would also proclaim March 21, 2025, as California Down Syndrome Awareness Day, and would encourage all Californians to support and participate in related activities.

WHEREAS, Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder that occurs in 1 out of every 700 to 1,000 births; and

WHEREAS, Down syndrome affects all races and ethnicities; and

WHEREAS, Down syndrome occurs when an individual has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21. This additional genetic material alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome; and

WHEREAS, Down syndrome causes delays in physical and intellectual development and is the most common cause of intellectual disabilities; and

WHEREAS, Down syndrome can also cause additional medical problems, including, but not limited to, heart defects, hearing problems, vision impairment, upper respiratory infections, and intestinal and thyroid problems; and

WHEREAS, Adequate access to health care, early intervention programs, and inclusive education, as well as appropriate research, are vital to the growth and development of individuals with Down syndrome; and

WHEREAS, The inherent dignity, worth, and valuable contributions of persons with Down syndrome as promoters of well-being and diversity of their communities, and the importance of their individual autonomy and independence, including the freedom to make their own choices, should be recognized; and

WHEREAS, Individuals with Down syndrome attend school, work, participate in decisions that affect them, have meaningful relationships, vote, and contribute to society in many wonderful ways; and

WHEREAS, This inclusiveness facilitates the participation of individuals with Down syndrome in society and helps them fulfill their personal potential; and

WHEREAS, The Buddy Walk program of the National Down Syndrome Society helps raise awareness and funds for programs that benefit people with Down syndrome and their families, and the Special Olympics raises awareness and allows individuals with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities to discover new strengths and abilities, skills, and success; and

WHEREAS, In 2011, the United Nations General Assembly declared March 21 as World Down Syndrome Day to be observed every year beginning in 2012, and invited all to observe World Down Syndrome Day in order to raise public awareness of Down syndrome; and

WHEREAS, The 21st day of the third month was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication of the 21st chromosome, which causes Down syndrome; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That March 2025 is proclaimed California Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and March 21, 2025, is proclaimed California Down Syndrome Day; and be it further

Resolved, That all Californians are encouraged to support and participate in related activities; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

WHEREAS, Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder that occurs in 1 out of every 700 to 1,000 births; and

WHEREAS, Down syndrome affects all races and ethnicities; and

WHEREAS, Down syndrome occurs when an individual has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21. This additional genetic material alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome; and

WHEREAS, Down syndrome causes delays in physical and intellectual development and is the most common cause of intellectual disabilities; and

WHEREAS, Down syndrome can also cause additional medical problems, including, but not limited to, heart defects, hearing problems, vision impairment, upper respiratory infections, and intestinal and thyroid problems; and

WHEREAS, Adequate access to health care, early intervention programs, and inclusive education, as well as appropriate research, are vital to the growth and development of individuals with Down syndrome; and

WHEREAS, The inherent dignity, worth, and valuable contributions of persons with Down syndrome as promoters of well-being and diversity of their communities, and the importance of their individual autonomy and independence, including the freedom to make their own choices, should be recognized; and

WHEREAS, Individuals with Down syndrome attend school, work, participate in decisions that affect them, have meaningful relationships, vote, and contribute to society in many wonderful ways; and

WHEREAS, This inclusiveness facilitates the participation of individuals with Down syndrome in society and helps them fulfill their personal potential; and

WHEREAS, The Buddy Walk program of the National Down Syndrome Society helps raise awareness and funds for programs that benefit people with Down syndrome and their families, and the Special Olympics raises awareness and allows individuals with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities to discover new strengths and abilities, skills, and success; and

WHEREAS, In 2011, the United Nations General Assembly declared March 21 as World Down Syndrome Day to be observed every year beginning in 2012, and invited all to observe World Down Syndrome Day in order to raise public awareness of Down syndrome; and

WHEREAS, The 21st day of the third month was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication of the 21st chromosome, which causes Down syndrome; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That March 2025 is proclaimed California Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and March 21, 2025, is proclaimed California Down Syndrome Day; and be it further

Resolved, That all Californians are encouraged to support and participate in related activities; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

WHEREAS, Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder that occurs in 1 out of every 700 to 1,000 births; and

WHEREAS, Down syndrome affects all races and ethnicities; and

WHEREAS, Down syndrome occurs when an individual has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21. This additional genetic material alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome; and

WHEREAS, Down syndrome causes delays in physical and intellectual development and is the most common cause of intellectual disabilities; and

WHEREAS, Down syndrome can also cause additional medical problems, including, but not limited to, heart defects, hearing problems, vision impairment, upper respiratory infections, and intestinal and thyroid problems; and

WHEREAS, Adequate access to health care, early intervention programs, and inclusive education, as well as appropriate research, are vital to the growth and development of individuals with Down syndrome; and

WHEREAS, The inherent dignity, worth, and valuable contributions of persons with Down syndrome as promoters of well-being and diversity of their communities, and the importance of their individual autonomy and independence, including the freedom to make their own choices, should be recognized; and

WHEREAS, Individuals with Down syndrome attend school, work, participate in decisions that affect them, have meaningful relationships, vote, and contribute to society in many wonderful ways; and

WHEREAS, This inclusiveness facilitates the participation of individuals with Down syndrome in society and helps them fulfill their personal potential; and

WHEREAS, The Buddy Walk program of the National Down Syndrome Society helps raise awareness and funds for programs that benefit people with Down syndrome and their families, and the Special Olympics raises awareness and allows individuals with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities to discover new strengths and abilities, skills, and success; and

WHEREAS, In 2011, the United Nations General Assembly declared March 21 as World Down Syndrome Day to be observed every year beginning in 2012, and invited all to observe World Down Syndrome Day in order to raise public awareness of Down syndrome; and

WHEREAS, The 21st day of the third month was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication of the 21st chromosome, which causes Down syndrome; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That March 2025 is proclaimed California Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and March 21, 2025, is proclaimed California Down Syndrome Day; and be it further

Resolved, That all Californians are encouraged to support and participate in related activities; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

Date of Hearing: April 21, 2025

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON

, Chair

SBPCA Bill Id:

Author:() – As Ver:March 6, 2025

SENATE VOTE: 38-0

SUBJECT:

SUMMARY: Proclaims the month of March 2025 as California Down Syndrome Awareness Month, proclaims March 21, 2025, as California Down Syndrome Day, and encourages all Californians to support and participate in related activities. Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder that occurs in one out of every 700 to 1,000 births and affects all races and ethnicities.
2. Down syndrome occurs when an individual has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21. This additional genetic material alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome.
3. Down syndrome causes delays in physical and intellectual development. Down syndrome can also cause additional medical problems, including, but not limited to, heart defects, hearing problems, vision impairment, upper respiratory infections, and intestinal and thyroid problems.
4. Adequate access to health care, early intervention programs, and inclusive education, as well as appropriate research, are vital to the growth and development of individuals with Down syndrome.
5. Individuals with Down syndrome attend school, work, participate in decisions that affect them, have meaningful relationships, vote, and contribute to society in many wonderful ways.
6. The Buddy Walk Program helps raise awareness and funds for programs that benefit people with Down syndrome and their families, and the Special Olympics raises awareness and allows individuals with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities to discover new strengths and abilities, skills, and success.
7. In 2011, the United Nations General Assembly declared March 21 as World Down Syndrome Day to be observed every year beginning in 2012, and invited all to observe World Down Syndrome Day in order to raise public awareness of Down syndrome.
8. The 21st day of the third month was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication of the 21st chromosome that causes Down syndrome.
9. The inherent dignity, worth, and valuable contributions of persons with Down syndrome as promoters of well-being and diversity of their communities, and the importance of their individual autonomy and independence, including the freedom to make their own choices, should be recognized.

FISCAL EFFECT: This resolution is keyed non-fiscal by Legislative Counsel.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

None on file

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by:

 THIRD READING 

Bill No: SCR 35

Author: Grayson (D)

Introduced: 3/6/25

Vote: 21

SUBJECT: California Down Syndrome Awareness Month and California Down Syndrome Awareness Day

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This resolution proclaims the month of March 2025 as California Down Syndrome Awareness Month. The resolution also proclaims March 21, 2025, as California Down Syndrome Awareness Day, and encourages all Californians to support and participate in related activities.

ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder that occurs in one out of every 700 to 1,000 births. Down syndrome occurs when an individual has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21. This additional genetic material alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome.
2. Down syndrome causes delays in physical and intellectual development and is the most common cause of intellectual disabilities. Down syndrome can also cause additional medical problems, including, but not limited to, heart defects, hearing problems, vision impairment, upper respiratory infections, and intestinal and thyroid problems.
3. The inherent dignity, worth, and valuable contributions of persons with Down syndrome as promoters of well-being and diversity of their communities, and the importance of their individual autonomy and independence, including the freedom to make their own choices, should be recognized. Individuals with Down syndrome attend school, work, participate in decisions that affect them, have meaningful relationships, vote, and contribute to society in many wonderful ways.
4. In 2011, the United Nations General Assembly declared March 21 as World Down Syndrome Day to be observed every year beginning in 2012, and invited all to observe World Down Syndrome Day in order to raise public awareness of Down syndrome. The 21st day of the third month was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication of the 21st chromosome, which causes Down syndrome.

This resolution proclaims March 2025 California Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and March 21, 2025, California Down Syndrome Day.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 3/17/25)

None received

OPPOSITION: (Verified 3/17/25)

None received

Prepared by: Hunter Flynn / SFA / (916) 651-1520

3/19/25 15:14:25

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