James Beach

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senator Jim Beach, which would require public colleges and universities in New Jersey to provide a link on their website to access information on educational benefits available to veterans has been introduced in the Senate.

“This bill would benefit our hard-working men and women in uniform, who return home or are discharged from the military and decide to pursue other educational opportunities,” said Senator Beach, D-Camden. “It can be hard to secure educational scholarship and benefit information when you’ve been out of school for a while, and this bill would keep these veterans aware of available opportunities.”

TRENTON – A group of measures sponsored by Senator Jim Beach which would upgrade the penalties associated with child pornography were unanimously approved today by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

“As a parent and a grandparent and a legislator, it is my responsibility to do what I can to help ensure the safety and well-being of the children of New Jersey,” said Senator Beach, D-Camden. “These measures are designed to send a clear message that anyone who intends to harm our youth will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We must protect the children of our State.”

TRENTON – Two measures sponsored by Senator Jim Beach which would appropriate funds for clean water and farmland preservation projects around the State were approved today by Senate Committees.

One measure, S-2797, would establish a “Clean Water State Revolving Fund” within the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to determine how to best utilize the federal stimulus funds authorized and appropriated through the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.”

“These funds would help to cover the cost of clean water projects throughout the State of New Jersey,” said Senator Beach, D-Camden. “The federal stimulus dollars have already been appropriated so there will be no additional cost to taxpayers. It is our responsibility to ensure that we use the funds where they are most needed.”

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Jim Beach designed to give county sheriffs a measure of administrative flexibility and ensure essential functions can continue in the sheriff’s absence was unanimously approved by the Senate Law, Public Safety and Veterans’ Affairs Committee today.

“Our State’s county sheriffs perform essential law-enforcement duties for our communities, particularly in the more rural and suburban regions of New Jersey,” said Senator Beach, D-Camden. “Rather than saddle these law enforcement professionals with mountains of paperwork, we should give them the option to share the burden with a duly-authorized undersheriff. And in the event that a sheriff is absent, the administrative functions of the office should be carried on by a qualified undersheriff.”