Senator

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale which would require hospitals to report to the public certain information regarding infection rates was unanimously approved by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee today.

“While there is an inherent risk of infection in even the most professional of hospitals, patients should have access to information regarding the rate of infection, to make the best decisions regarding their health care,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, the Chair of the Senate Health Committee. “By requiring hospitals to make public their infection rates, we push them to seek a higher standard of safety, and we give patients the necessary information to protect themselves from complications in surgery.”

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale which would require off-track betting facilities to pay four percent of their net wagering revenues to host municipalities was unanimously approved by the Senate Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee today.

“Off-track wagering is a novel approach to reenergize the horse racing industry and spur economic investment in a community,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex. “However, as we’ve seen in my hometown of Woodbridge, taxpayers are very concerned that they might have to foot the bill for increased traffic, noise pollution and crime. By requiring off-track betting parlors to invest back into their host communities, we can provide an incentive for towns to host these facilities and ensure that any additional local costs are borne on the backs of the off-track facility operators.”