SJR72: Joint Resolution Text

LRB-4748/1

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2005 - 2006 LEGISLATURE

2005 Senate JOINT RESOLUTION 72

March 1, 2006 - Introduced by Senators Lassa, Schultz, Robson, Olsen, Plale, Wirch, Breske, Darling and Miller, cosponsored by Representatives Kestell, Kerkman, Sheridan, Seidel, Lehman, Ott, Gunderson, Grigsby, Krawczyk, M. Williams, Sinicki, Berceau and Turner. Referred to Committee on Senate Organization.

SJR72,1,2 Relating to: proclaiming the week of April 16-22, 2006, "Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week.

SJR72,1,4 Whereas, the 70,000 children born in Wisconsin every year are our most vulnerable citizens; and

SJR72,1,9 Whereas, the American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes that newborns, infants, and toddlers are especially vulnerable to shaken baby syndrome, the pattern of injury that results from an act of violent shaking or throwing by a parent or caregiver, but that children as old as 5 years of age can be injured by such acts of violence; and

SJR72,1,11 Whereas, shaken baby syndrome and other inflicted head trauma is now recognized as a leading cause of child fatalities; and

SJR72,1,14 Whereas, researchers at the University of California-Irvine report that children between the ages of birth and 5 months are at the greatest risk of injury and death due to abuse or neglect; and

SJR72,2,4 Whereas, statistics suggest that as many as 66 children are shaken each year in Wisconsin, 17 of these children die, and the remainder suffer from severe and permanent disabilities, including loss of vision, brain damage, paralysis, and seizures; and

SJR72,2,6 Whereas, medical professionals believe that many more cases of shaken baby syndrome are being misdiagnosed or not detected; and

SJR72,2,10 Whereas, these inflicted injuries are usually precipitated when a parent or caregiver is not prepared to cope with the frustration and anger that can result from the inconsolable crying of an infant or unrealistic expectations of a child's behavior; and

SJR72,2,15 Whereas, it is estimated that 10 to 20 percent of infants experience episodes of colic, characterized by inconsolable crying for more than 3 hours a day for more than 3 weeks, meaning that every year between 7,000 and 14,000 Wisconsin babies may have such sustained periods of crying, with commensurate stress for their caregivers; and

SJR72,2,18 Whereas, a survey conducted by Prevent Child Abuse America found that one-half of Americans with children believe parents do find themselves in situations where they are afraid they might abuse or neglect their child; and

SJR72,2,20 Whereas, shaken baby syndrome and other inflicted injuries are totally preventable; and

SJR72,2,23 Whereas, the medical costs of treating shaken baby syndrome cases and the costs of rehabilitation services to surviving infants may exceed more than $1,000,000 for the care of a single disabled child during the first few years of life; and

SJR72,3,2 Whereas, the costs of those services are primarily paid by the state of Wisconsin Medicaid program, which in 2003 paid for 38 percent of births in the state, and by private health insurers, resulting in higher taxes and health insurance costs for all citizens of the state; and

SJR72,3,6 Whereas, shaken baby syndrome cases further impact costs to communities in many ways, including the investigation and prosecution of shaken baby syndrome cases, the tragic disruption of families, and the special education needs that are frequently required by those who have survived even modest head traumas; and

SJR72,3,10 Whereas, shaken baby syndrome prevention programs have demonstrated that educating new parents about the danger of shaking or throwing young children and how they can help protect their child from injury can effect a significant reduction in the number of shaken baby syndrome cases; and

SJR72,3,13 Whereas, training and education for child care providers, as well as our high school and middle school students, who are frequently employed as paid or unpaid babysitters, is also effective in helping keep young children safe from injury; and

SJR72,3,16 Whereas, the minimal costs and effort involved in such educational and preventive programs avert enormous medical and disability costs and untold grief for many families; and

SJR72,3,23 Whereas, efforts to prevent shaken baby syndrome are supported by numerous groups such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Exchange Club, the Kiwanis, the Children's Trust Fund, Parents' Action, Healthy Start Coalition, as well as advocacy groups formed by parents and relatives of children who have been killed or injured by shaking, such as the National Shaken Baby Coalition, the Shaken Baby Association, the SKIPPER Initiative, and the Shaken Baby Alliance; and

SJR72,4,3 Whereas, the Wisconsin legislature strongly supports efforts to protect our children, especially through education and awareness activities that enable parents to keep their children safe from injury; now, therefore, be it

SJR72,4,6 Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the week of April 16-22, 2006, be designated as "Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week"; and, be it further

SJR72,4,9 Resolved, That the Wisconsin legislature requests that the governor proclaim the week of April 16-22, 2006 as "Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week" in the state of Wisconsin; and, be it further

SJR72,4,16 Resolved, That the Wisconsin legislature encourages the governor to undertake all practicable efforts to educate new parents, child care providers, foster and adoptive parents, babysitters, and others who care for our children about shaken baby syndrome, including the causes and consequences of shaking or throwing injuries, the need to be prepared to cope with frustration and anger, and the need to educate all other caregivers of a child about the danger of shaking and throwing and ways they can help protect that child from injury.

SJR72,4,17 (End)