This bill proposes a supplemental appropriation of $500,000 to the Department of Health (DOH) specifically for the Huntington's Disease Grant Program. The funds will be allocated to support grants for institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, or New Jersey-based research organizations. These grants will facilitate services such as pre-symptomatic testing, neurology and psychiatry services, neurophysiological evaluations, treatment, disease management, and counseling for individuals living with or at risk for Huntington's disease. The total funding for the program, including this supplemental appropriation, would increase from an estimated $200,437 to $700,437 for the fiscal year 2023.

Huntington's disease is a hereditary and fatal condition that leads to the progressive deterioration of nerve cells in the brain, affecting individuals during their prime working years. The disease manifests through various symptoms, including movement, cognitive, and psychiatric disorders, and currently affects approximately 900 to 1,200 residents in New Jersey, with an estimated 7,000 individuals at risk. The bill aims to enhance support for those impacted by this debilitating disease, which has no cure and significantly impacts the quality of life for patients and their families.