HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1276        FILED ON: 1/14/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Antonio F. D. Cabral and Michael J. Rodrigues

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to Machado-Joseph Disease Awareness Day.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1276        FILED ON: 1/14/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 5078 OF 2023-2024.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act relative to Machado-Joseph Disease Awareness Day.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Chapter 6 of the General Laws, as appearing in the Official 2022 Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after Section 15ZZZZZZ, the following section: 

Section AAAAAAA. The governor shall annually issue a proclamation designating July 2 as Machado-Joseph Disease Awareness Day in recognition of the thousands of individuals impacted by the hereditary Machado-Joseph Disease in Massachusetts and the need for increased public recognition, support, and awareness of this neurodegenerative disorder that disproportionately affects families of Portuguese-Azorean descent.