News & Releases

TRENTON – Senator Joseph V. Doria announced earlier this week the support of the Consumers for Civil Justice (CCJ) for his bill, S-176, which would amend the “Wrongful Death Act” in New Jersey to provide fairness and justice to families who have lost a loved one due to wrongful death.

“I’m very happy to announce the support of the CCJ in pushing for justice for families grieving wrongful deaths,” said Senator Doria, D-Hudson. “In New Jersey, the current law is way too restrictive in terms of recoverable damages, especially in cases where there is no financial loss to the surviving family members, like the death of a small child. I think it’s inhumane, and unfair, to tell grieving families that since their loss doesn’t hit them in the wallet, that they aren’t entitled to some form of compensation to help make them whole.”

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Ellen Karcher which would prohibit the payment of temporary disability benefits when disability is incurred as the result of a fourth degree crime or gross misconduct was approved by the Senate Labor Committee by a vote of 3-0.

“The State Disability Fund should not be in the business of subsidizing illegal activities and dangerous misconduct,” said Senator Karcher, D-Monmouth and Mercer. “It should act as a safety net for people who are legitimately injured and cannot work due to their injuries. We need protections in place to ensure that the TDI fund is not plundered by greedy cons looking for a State handout and taking advantage of a worthwhile program.”

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale which would give adoptees and certain others access to the adoptee’s original birth certificate and other related family information was approved by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee today by a vote of 9-0, with one abstention.

“Questions like ‘Where did I come from?’ cut to the very core of identity,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, the Chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. “For some adopted individuals, that question can lead to a lifelong search for birth parents, costing hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, and months, if not years, of their time. In New Jersey, we should give adoptees the support and resources needed to answer some of the most fundamental questions of identity, by allowing them access to their original birth certificates.”