Loretta Weinberg

TRENTON – A measure sponsored Senator Loretta Weinberg which would require colleges and universities to provide alternate testing arrangements for students who are unable to attend scheduled exams because of religious observances was unanimously approved today by the Senate Education Committee.

“This bill is about parity,” said Senator Weinberg, D-Bergen. “It is absolutely unfair and discriminatory for students to have to miss out on such important exams – exams that are necessary to attend these institutions of higher learning because of their religion. By providing alternate exam dates, these students would be provided with the same opportunities as students of other religions to take the exams and go on to the college, university, law or medical school of their choosing.”

TRENTON – Senator Loretta Weinberg has introduced legislation which would fine campaign groups who choose to post signs on public property.

“The proliferation of campaign signs on public property is not only an eyesore, but it pollutes the environment because some groups do not go back and remove the signs once elections are over,” said Senator Weinberg, D-Bergen. “More importantly though, this is an issue of safety. Many of the campaign signs are put up at dangerous intersections. In my District, Route 4 doesn’t have a median, but I always see campaign signs up and down the road. I would hate for someone to get hit trying to put up a campaign sign on the highway.”

TRENTON – Senator Loretta Weinberg, D-Bergen, today testified before the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee in favor of legislation sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney and Budget and Appropriations panel Chair Senator Barbara Buono, which would appropriate up to six weeks of paid family leave time for employees.

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senator Loretta Weinberg which would help law enforcement personnel locate and safely return missing persons to their families received unanimous final legislative approval today from the full Assembly.

The legislation is named for Patricia Viola, a Bogota woman who disappeared from her kitchen in 2001 and has never returned. Patricia relies on medication to control her epilepsy, which makes her case of higher risk. Patricia’s husband Jim has led the fight for this legislation, said Senator Weinberg.

“When a loved one goes missing, those who love and care for them immediately go into panic mode, and their worries do not subside until that missing person is found,” said Senator Weinberg, D-Bergen. “By establishing real guidelines for law enforcement to follow when searching for missing people, this legislation gives hope to their families that police are doing everything in their power to help safely locate and return their missing loved ones.”

NEWARK – A measure sponsored by Senator Loretta Weinberg to provide pregnant women with early testing for HIV as a way to protect their babies from contracting the virus that causes AIDS was signed into law today by Acting Governor Codey.

“As every mother knows, there is nothing more beautiful than a healthy newborn baby,” said Senator Weinberg, D-Bergen. “This new law will help expectant mothers find out if they have HIV so they take the steps needed to protect the health of their babies.”