351:1 Statement of Intent.

I. The general court recognizes that there is a Centers for Disease Control-defined double pediatric cancer cluster of Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) and Pleuropulmonary Blastoma (PPB) in a 5-town area of the Seacoast. The general court further notes that there are more than 2 times the expected incidence of pediatric brain and central nervous system (CNS) cancers in the same 5-town area of the seacoast.

II. Therefore, the general court hereby designates September as childhood cancer awareness month and declares that steps should be taken to raise awareness about pediatric cancers and possible environmental triggers, encourage research, improve screening and treatment for rare pediatric and brain and CNS cancers, discover the causes of these cancers, develop cures for these cancers, identify ways to prevent cancers in our children by identifying and mitigating environmental or other triggers, continue to consider ways to improve access to, and the quality of, health care services for detecting and treating RMS, PPB and brain and CNS cancers; and calls on the people of New Hampshire, interest groups such as Next Generation Choices Foundation "Less Cancer," and affected persons to promote awareness of pediatric cancer and to take an active role in the fight to end the devastating effects of pediatric cancer on individuals, families, and the economy.

351:2 New Section; Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Amend RSA 4 by inserting after section 13-v the following new section:

4:13-w Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The governor shall annually proclaim September as childhood cancer awareness month and shall urge cities and towns throughout the state to observe this month in an appropriate manner to raise awareness about pediatric cancers and possible environmental triggers and observe such month with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

351:3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

Approved: July 02, 2018

Effective Date: August 31, 2018

351:1 Statement of Intent.

I. The general court recognizes that there is a Centers for Disease Control-defined double pediatric cancer cluster of Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) and Pleuropulmonary Blastoma (PPB) in a 5-town area of the Seacoast. The general court further notes that there are more than 2 times the expected incidence of pediatric brain and central nervous system (CNS) cancers in the same 5-town area of the seacoast.

II. Therefore, the general court hereby designates September as childhood cancer awareness month and declares that steps should be taken to raise awareness about pediatric cancers and possible environmental triggers, encourage research, improve screening and treatment for rare pediatric and brain and CNS cancers, discover the causes of these cancers, develop cures for these cancers, identify ways to prevent cancers in our children by identifying and mitigating environmental or other triggers, continue to consider ways to improve access to, and the quality of, health care services for detecting and treating RMS, PPB and brain and CNS cancers; and calls on the people of New Hampshire, interest groups such as Next Generation Choices Foundation "Less Cancer," and affected persons to promote awareness of pediatric cancer and to take an active role in the fight to end the devastating effects of pediatric cancer on individuals, families, and the economy.

351:2 New Section; Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Amend RSA 4 by inserting after section 13-v the following new section:

4:13-w Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The governor shall annually proclaim September as childhood cancer awareness month and shall urge cities and towns throughout the state to observe this month in an appropriate manner to raise awareness about pediatric cancers and possible environmental triggers and observe such month with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

351:3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

Approved: July 02, 2018

Effective Date: August 31, 2018