Fred H. Madden Jr

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senator Fred H. Madden that would ban the sale of “yo-yo waterballs,” which have been blamed for the strangulation deaths of hundreds of children in the United States was approved today by the Senate Commerce Committee.

“New Jersey ranks fourth in the nation for injuries from these yo-yo waterballs,” said Senator Madden, D-Camden and Gloucester, who is also a member of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. ” Passing this bill would make it clear that New Jersey takes the safety of children very seriously.”

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senator Fred H. Madden that would provide training for safe schools resource officers and public school employees serving as liaisons to law enforcement received final legislative approval today in the Senate by a vote of 38-0.

“In emergency situations, school resource officers and teachers serve as the first line of defense for the safety of our children,” said Senator Madden, D-Camden and Gloucester. “These teachers and officers should receive the best and most comprehensive safety-training possible so that, should a dangerous or violent situation arise, they are prepared to step in and protect their students.”

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senator Fred H. Madden that would ban the sale of “yo-yo waterballs,” which have been blamed for the strangulation deaths of hundreds of children in the United States was approved today by the Senate Commerce Committee.

“According to Consumer Product Safety Commission reports, parents have reported more than 375 injuries due to these ‘waterballs’, and 263 of them have involved suffocation due to strangulation,” said Senator Madden, D-Camden and Gloucester. “These toys are clearly dangerous and should be banned. The safety of our children must be our top priority,” said Senator Madden.

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Fred H. Madden and Ellen Karcher that would create “The Domestic Violence and Workforce Development Initiative Act,” and require the State’s workforce development counselors to be trained to address the needs of domestic violence victims was approved today by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

“Domestic violence is a very real problem – a problem that can be made worse if a victim feels that he or she is helpless and trapped in a bad situation because of a lack of employment,” said Senator Madden, D-Camden and Gloucester. “By requiring workforce development counselors and unemployment officers to undergo this training, they would be able to help empower victims of domestic violence to move forward and change their lives for the better.”