News & Releases

23 Jun: Assembly Approves Coniglio/ Turner Measure To Ban Pocket Bikes From New Jersey Streets

TRENTON – Miniaturized motorcycles commonly known as “pocket bikes” or “mini-motos” would be banned from New Jersey’s streets and sidewalks under legislation sponsored by Senators Joseph Congilio and Shirley K. Turner and passed by the State Assembly today.

“Last summer, there were a number of high-profile accidents involving children riding on pocket bikes,” said Senator Coniglio, D-Bergen. “As schools let out for the summer this week, we will begin to see children spending their days outside playing their neighbors and enjoying the summer break. Hopefully, this bill will prevent a repeat of last year’s accidents and make the summertime as safe as possible for our kids.”

23 Jun: Resolution Against Social Security Privatization Passes Senate

TRENTON – The Senate approved a resolution today sponsored by Senators Barbara Buono and Shirley Turner that would call upon Congress to reject any plans by the Bush Administration to harm Social Security through the use of private accounts.

“The American people have spoken loud and clear on Social Security – they want it fixed, not destroyed,” said Senator Buono. “Hopefulluy that message is making its way to the Oval Office, but we need to keep speaking out against attempts to privatize Social Security and keep fighting for real reform that will keep the program solvent for decades to come.”

23 Jun: Senate Approves Adler-Bryant Bill To Upgrade Law Against Discrimination

TRENTON – The Senate approved a bill today, S-2522, to amend the State’s 60-year-old Law Against Discrimination and ban employers from discriminating against women who become pregnant or who are mothers. It passed 37-0 and now goes to the Assembly.

“Women should have legal protection in the workplace from being harassed or fired for becoming pregnant,” said Senator John H. Adler, a prime sponsor of the bill.

23 Jun: Madden/Bryant Measure To Aid In Early Detection Of kidney Disease Receives Final Legislative Approval

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Fred H. Madden and Wayne R. Bryant that would require clinical laboratories to aid in the early detection of kidney disease by monitoring creatinine levels in patients’ blood received final legislative approval today in the Assembly.

“This measure is about using preventative measures to help save lives,” said Senator Madden, D-Camden and Gloucester. “By working to identify kidney disease and other life-threatening disorders in their early stages, doctors will be able to help patients begin treatment as soon as they are diagnosed, and it will allow them to help the patients to live longer, healthier lives.”

23 Jun: Vitale ‘Emergency Health Powers Act’ Moves Closer to Law

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale which would give the Governor and the State Commissioner of Health greater authority to declare a public health emergency and give them access to the tools necessary to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the emergency was approved by the Senate by a vote of 38-0, giving it final legislative approval.

“Given the State’s proximity to two major metropolitan areas, and our seemingly constant status as a homeland security target, New Jersey needs to be able to respond to the unthinkable in a heartbeat,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, the Chairman of the Senate Health Committee. “In the event of a bioterrorist attack, rapid response is essential to protect the health and safety of the nine million residents of the Garden State. Without proper planning and safeguards in place, we’re opening the door to maximize the impact of tragedy.”

23 Jun: Senator Gill Says Blocking Clean Needle Programs Will Cost Lives

TRENTON – Senator Nia H. Gill today said the state appeals court ruling which will block the start of needle exchange programs in Atlantic City and Camden is “yet another delay which will cost lives” in the face of efforts to thwart the spread of HIV and AIDS in New Jersey.

“The faces of HIV/AIDS are the faces of women and children,” said Senator Gill, D-Montclair. “These are the lives that are paying the price for failed action.”

23 Jun: Rice Calls For Additional Education For Planning And Zoning Board

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Ronald L. Rice, to require municipal planning or zoning board members to take a land use law and planning course, received final approval in the full Assembly today.

“By requiring more education we are making sure that the members of municipal planning and zoning boards are equipped with the knowledge to make the right decisions,” said Senator Rice. Chairman of the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee. “Because the field of land use law and planning has become so complex, a mandated course for the members is necessary. We need to be sure that our members have the proper education so that they can decide intelligently on applications that come before them.”

23 Jun: Girgenti / Sacco Bill Would Allow Cops To Access Juvenile Records

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senators John A. Girgenti and Nicholas Sacco, which would extend the law and allow more New Jersey law enforcement officers to access juvenile records, was approved by the full Assembly today.

“The additional access to a juvenile’s record will help the law enforcement officers throughout the State prevent and solve more crimes that are committed by those under 18,” said Senator Girgenti, Chairman of the Senate Law, Public Safety and Veterans Affairs Committee. “The more information that officers have on the history of a juvenile who committed a crime, the better equipped they are to handle the situation accurately and compassionately. Neighboring municipalities need access to the juvenile records of nearby communities so that they can properly investigate crimes and check into juvenile offenses that occur.”

23 Jun: Senate Approves Gill-Rice Bill To Record Gang-Related Incidents

TRENTON – The Senate today approved a bill sponsored by Senators Nia H. Gill and Ronald Rice to require law enforcement officials to record whether criminal incidents are related to street gangs when periodic police reports are sent to the State Attorney General.

The bill, S-2125, also would require that fingerprint records include a designation as to whether a crime was gang related. The bill passed 37-0 and now awaits action in the Assembly.

23 Jun: Smith:Diesel Reduction Fight Not Over With Bill Approval

TRENTON – Senator Bob Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset, the Chairman of the Senate Environment Committee, and a prime sponsor of legislation to cut down on unhealthy emissions from diesel engines in New Jersey, issued the following statement regarding the bill’s pending consideration in the Senate and Assembly on Monday, and the bill’s fate as a ballot question in November:

“New Jersey is on the verge of cleaner skies and better breathable air. But, the fight for stronger protections from diesel emissions does not end when the bill is signed into law, and we will continue to push for public support when the protections are posed to the voters as a ballot question during this November’s election.