Nia H. Gill

TRENTON – In an effort to combat the foreclosure crisis affecting the nation, a bill sponsored by Senator Nia H. Gill which would provide protections for homeowners facing substantial mortgage interest rate increases or foreclosure was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 39-0, receiving final legislative approval.

“Today in New Jersey, homeowners are losing their homes due to the national mortgage crisis created by the practices of some subprime, predatory lenders,” said Senator Gill, D-Essex and Passaic, and Chair of the Senate Commerce Committee. “The State must provide some level of protection for our citizens who may be on the brink of, or already face, financial insolvency, trying to cope with soaring mortgage payments. Through this bill, we’re ensuring that our State property owners are given the notice and flexibility they need to survive crushing mortgage increases.”

TRENTON – In an effort to combat the foreclosure crisis affecting the nation, a bill sponsored by Senator Nia H. Gill which would provide protections for homeowners facing substantial mortgage interest rate increases or foreclosure was unanimously approved by the Senate Commerce Committee today.

“New Jerseyans are losing their homes at an alarming rate due to foreclosure and the home loan crisis which is going on nationwide,” said Senator Gill, D-Essex and Passaic, and Chair of the Committee. “The Legislature has an obligation to create a statutory scheme to allow protection for consumers who are struggling to live with the effects of a crisis created by the subprime lending practices of some predatory mortgage lenders. By ensuring early notification of rate increases and giving homeowners a grace period from higher payments, we can hopefully provide some relief for hard-hit families in the Garden State.”

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Nia H. Gill which would prohibit public entities from entering into confidential court settlements in which the public institution is named as a party of a lawsuit was unanimously approved by the Senate today.

“The people of New Jersey have a fundamental right to know the actions of their government, whether in the Statehouse, city hall, or courtroom,” said Senator Gill, D-Essex and Passaic. “This bill extends the reach of OPRA to include court settlements in which a public institution or employee is named. When taxpayers are footing the bill for these settlements, they deserve to know, and transparency and accountability must be a priority in everything we do as elected representatives of the people.”

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Nia H. Gill which would prohibit public entities from entering into confidential court settlements in which the public institution is named as a party of a lawsuit was unanimously approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee today.

“In this State, we operate under the assumption that open, transparent government is absolutely necessary to protect the peoples’ interests,” said Senator Gill, D-Essex. “The people’s right to know should always be paramount, not only in legislative hearings or executive action, but in nearly all aspects of governance and public decision-making This bill would go a long way to preserve the sanctity of public scrutiny and ensure transparency and accountability at all levels of government.”

TRENTON – The Senate gave final legislative approval today to a measure sponsored by Senator Nia Gill that would prohibit insurance companies from discriminating against individuals seeking to purchase a life insurance policy based on their intent to travel abroad.

“Insurance rates should be based upon sound actuarial principles and not perceived notions about which foreign countries are ‘dangerous,’” said Senator Gill, D-Essex and Passaic. “It is of critical importance that all insurance decisions are based in fact and not colored by any form of discrimination.”

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Nia H. Gill and John H. Adler which would amend New Jersey’s counterfeiting laws to make them consistent with those of the International Trademark Association was approved today by the full Senate by a vote of 37 to 1.

“We are sending a strong, clear message: counterfeiting will not be tolerated in New Jersey,” said Senator Gill, D-Essex and Passaic. “We cannot continue believing counterfeit products are harmless. They have infiltrated markets for every consumer good imaginable and they threaten our economy, health, and safety.”

“The stiffer penalties in this bill will discourage people from selling knock-offs of popular items,” said Senator Adler, D-Cherry Hill. “These products not only hurt legitimate businesses, but threaten consumers’ health and safety. Just a few months ago, there was a product recall because counterfeit tubes of toothpaste were being sold that contained a possibly toxic chemical.”