Loretta Weinberg

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Ellen Karcher and Loretta Weinberg which would create the Victims of Crime Compensation Agency (VCCA) within the Department of the Treasury was unanimously approved today by the full Senate.

“Helping victims of violent crime must be this agency’s priority,” said Senator Karcher, D-Mercer and Monmouth. “In the past, the Victims of Crime Compensation Board was used as more of a political patronage spot than a relief board. This legislation would work to make sure that victims of crime receive the funding and support they need to allow them to move forward.”

TRENTON – A measure known as “Patricia’s Law” and sponsored by Senator Loretta Weinberg to help law enforcement personnel locate and safely return missing persons to their families was unanimously approved today by the full Senate.

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. Patricia’s husband Jim has led the fight for this legislation, said Senator Weinberg.

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Loretta Loretta Weinberg and Ellen Karcher that would require information about human papillomavirus (HPV) be distributed to pediatricians, parents and guardians of students in grades seven through twelve was unanimously approved today by the full Senate.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HPV is the name of a group of viruses that includes more than 100 different strains or types. More than 30 of these viruses are sexually transmitted, and they can infect the genital area of men and women. The virus can cause the growth of abnormal cells in the cervix, which if left untreated, can become cancerous. HPV has been detected in over 90% of cervical cancer cases, Senator Weinberg said.

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Loretta Weinberg and Ellen Karcher which would establish the Asperger’s Syndrome Pilot Initiative received unanimous final legislative approval today by the full Senate.

Asperger’s Syndrome is a developmental disorder characterized by autistic-like behaviors – such as deficiencies in social and communication skills. Those living with Asperger’s Syndrome tend to be self-absorbed and often display obsessive or repetitive routines. The disease is not usually diagnosed until adulthood, Senator Weinberg said.

TRENTON – A bill package sponsored by Senators Loretta Weinberg and Joseph Coniglio which would improve New Jersey’s support infrastructure for families and individuals coping with autism was unanimously approved by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today.

“In the most recent federal statistics, New Jersey’s rate of new autism cases is the highest in the nation,” said Senator Weinberg, D-Bergen. “New Jersey needs to increase the assistance we provide to families living with autism, as well as contribute to our collective scientific understanding of the autism spectrum disorders. As more and more children are born with autism every year, we have an obligation to provide those kids the support programs they need, and work to decrease the incidence of autism in New Jersey and the world.”

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Ellen Karcher and Loretta Weinberg which would create the Victims of Crime Compensation Agency (VCCA) within the Department of the Treasury was unanimously approved today by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

“Historically, the Victims of Crime Compensation Board has been a political patronage spot, but this bill would serve as a step in the right direction toward returning the Board to its original mission – helping the victims of violent crime,” said Senator Karcher, D-Monmouth and Mercer.

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Loretta Weinberg and Ellen Karcher which would make training in autism awareness a condition for teacher certification was unanimously approved today by the Senate Education Committee.

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have determined that New Jersey has the highest autism rates in the nation, and as the population increases, so will the number of autism cases,” said Senator Weinberg, D-Bergen. “In today’s society, teachers must be able to deal with the different issues and needs children have, and this legislation would help further prepare them to educate today’s youth.”

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senator Loretta Weinberg known as “Billy’s Law,” which would create an oversight council on the out-of-state placement of children was unanimously approved today by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens committee.

The bill is named for Billy Albanese of Brooklyn, NY. Billy suffered a traumatic brain injury and attended Bancroft Neurohealth in Haddonfield from 1992 to 1997. Billy was reportedly left unsupervised in his wheelchair on numerous occasions, resulting in three falls which required a total of 40 stitches to his face and head. Billy’s father, Vito Albanese, helped found the Family Alliance to Stop Abuse and Neglect, Senator Weinberg said. Mr. Albanese and Billy attended today’s committee hearing.

TRENTON – A bill package sponsored by Senators Loretta Weinberg and Joseph Coniglio which would improve New Jersey’s support infrastructure for families and individuals coping with autism was approved by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Services Committee today.

“As of February, 2007, the federal Centers for Disease Control identified New Jersey as having the highest rate of autism incidence in the nation,” said Senator Weinberg, D-Bergen. “With our increased understanding of the spectrum of autism disorders comes the increased responsibility of providing a support system for families and individuals living with autism in the Garden State.”