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Vitale-Buono Bill To Modernize Environmental Penalties On Polluters Receives Final Legislative Approval

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale and Barbara Buono which would expand the State Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) enforcement abilities and increase environmental penalties, bringing them more into line with current environmental priorities, was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 26-11, receiving final legislative approval.

“New Jersey’s environmental enforcers are currently hamstrung by the outdated and ineffective penalties they can impose for even the most serious environmental violations,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex. “Many of these penalties haven’t been updated in decades, and polluters take advantage of this fact to flaunt the law, viewing the meager fines as simply the cost of doing business in New Jersey. We need to give the DEP greater ability to impose serious penalties to clean up our communities in the Garden State.”

Senator Ronald L. Rice, D-Essex, presides over the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.

Rice Measure To Increase Rental Assistance Advances

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Ronald L. Rice to lower the qualifying age for the State’s rental assistance grant program from 65 to 62 received final legislative approval today when the full Senate approved the measure.

“It’s costly to love in this State and for many seniors the quality of life is suffering because affordable housing is limited,” said Senator Rice, D-Essex. “We need to keep our seniors close to their families and loved ones, and by lowering the qualifying age for the State’s rental assistance grant program we will be able to help many more needy seniors. As the citizens of New Jersey age, we need to provide them with the assistance they need.”

Sacco/ Girgenti Bill To Honor Transportation Expert Receives Final Legislative Approval

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senators John A. Girgenti and Nicholas J. Sacco to honor prominent transportation expert, former Congressman Robert A. Roe, by designating Route No. 23 in his name, was approved by the full Senate today.

“Congressman Roe played a leading role in promoting the growth and development of New Jersey’s transportation infrastructure system,” said Senator Girgenti, D-Bergen and Passaic. “As the Chairman of the House Public Works and Transportation Committee and primary author of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1991, Congressman Roe’s crowning achievement was delivering billions of transportation dollars to New Jersey. Congressman Roe had a long and distinguished career in public service and for his many contributions to the State it’s absolutely appropriate to designate Route 23 in his name.”

Senator John Girgenti on the floor of the Senate

Girgenti Measure To Crack Down On Those Who Use Fake Utility Id Badges

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator John A. Girgenti to upgrade the penalties for misusing public utility employee identification badges and to establish penalties for making, selling and possessing fake public utility IDs received final approval in the Senate today.

“I am concerned about the number of instances in which New Jersey residents have been victimized by people posing as utility employees,” said Senator Girgenti, D-Bergen and Passaic. “There are steps consumers can take to protect themselves against home invaders posing as utility workers. It’s important that New Jerseyans be cautious about giving anyone access to their homes. Residents should not hesitate to call the utility to confirm if they have dispatched workers to their houses or neighborhoods.”

Sweeney/Madden Bill Would Allow Taxpayers To Contribute To New Jersey Veterans Haven Fund

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Steve Sweeney and Fred H. Madden which would allow taxpayers to use their gross income tax return to help fund the cost of housing and vocational training for displaced veterans at the New Jersey Veterans Haven received unanimous final legislative approval today from the full Senate.

Veterans Haven is a State operated transitional housing facility designed to provide psychological, social and vocational rehabilitation to displaced veterans. Located in Winslow, the 54- bed facility has helped over 625 homeless veterans since its inception in 1996. The program is divided into three phases: treatment, self-reclamation and community reintegration. Each phase lasts from three to six months and is tailored to meet the individual needs of each patient, the Senators said.

“This legislation would help provide a way for residents to thank the men and women who risk their lives trying to protect us and others around the world,” said Senator Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem. “It’s sad when veterans return home, and because of injuries sustained in combat and other unfortunate circumstances, they have no where to live and are unable to find employment. The contributions to the Veterans Haven program help pay for training to help veterans become self-sufficient – we owe them that chance.”

“This bill is about helping to treat some of the illnesses and side effects of combat, that so often go unaddressed in our service men and women,” said Senator Madden, D-Camden and Gloucester. “It is about helping to provide a chance for these veterans to live self-sufficiently and to provide for their families. The Veterans Haven program helps these men and women to overcome some of the side effects brought about by the trauma of combat so that they can live and prosper here at home.”

Senate Sends Calling Card Companies A Message: Expose Your Fees And Stop Milking Consumers

Codey Bill Would Crack Down on Unscrupulous Calling Card Practices

TRENTON — The full Senate today unanimously approved a bill sponsored by Senate President Richard J. Codey (D-Essex) to crack down on calling card companies that cheat consumers out of the advertised minutes by imposing hidden fees and restrictions. Bill S2887 would prohibit certain types of charges and fees and require that all charges and restrictions be clearly disclosed on the cards or packaging and advertising.

“There are a lot of smaller phone card companies out there that try to stay competitive by advertising what appears to be a great deal,” said Sen. Codey. “Then the consumer gets hit with all these hidden fees and they only end up getting 50 or 60 minutes when they thought they were purchasing 100. This has to stop. If I went to a gas station and said fill it up, I wouldn’t expect to drive away with half a tank of gas.”

Vitale-Coniglio Bill To Require Health Care Facilities To Adopt Violence Prevention Programs Approved By Senate

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale and Joseph Coniglio which would require the establishment of violence prevention programs in health care facilities in order to protect workers from violence was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 38-0, receiving final legislative approval.

“A hospital or other health care facility can be an extraordinarily dangerous work environment,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, the Chair of the Senate Health Committee, and a member of the Budget Panel. “Staffers provide care for patients suffering from dementia or delirium, as well as those with substance abuse problems or violent tendencies. Health care workers must be trained in working with violent individuals, and taught the appropriate skills to avoid becoming a target for violence.”

Vitale Bill To Prohibit New Jersey From Investing In Iran Receives Final Legislative Approval

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale which would prohibit New Jersey’s pension and annuity funds from investing in foreign companies doing business with Iran and require the funds to divest any interests in such companies was unanimously approved by the Senate today by a vote of 34-0, receiving final legislative approval.

“As the debate continues over whether the United States should be involved in conflicts in the Middle East, I think most people on either side of the debate would agree that New Jersey tax dollars should not be used to fuel the Iranian war machine,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex. “New Jersey must pull out of investments which promote Iran’s nuclear weapons program and expand their military capabilities and international terror campaigns. We cannot use New Jerseyans’ hard-earned tax dollars to fund future attacks against American troops or citizens.”

Scutari Clothing Donation Bin Bill Receives Final Legislative Approval

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Nicholas P. Scutari, to require charitable organizations that place clothing bins in public places to post disclosure information on each bin as a way to discourage clothes-collecting profiteers, was approved by the full Senate today.

“With charitable donations increasing, for-profit businesses began to realize the financial potential of donation bins,” Said Senator Scutari, D-Middlesex, Somerset and Union. “Profit organizations, claiming to be owned by charities, have started collecting for the needy. These groups then sell the clothing, donate a small portion to charity, and keep the rest. The public has the right to know if their charitable contributions will actually be going to companies looking to make a buck. Posting information on donation bins gives our citizens the opportunity to select what organizations they would like to help.”

Buono-Karcher-Vitale Bill To Protect Against Fraud In Charity Care Approved By Senate

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Barbara Buono, Ellen Karcher and Joseph F. Vitale which would improve State oversight over the hospital charity care subsidy program, which provides funding for emergency health care for the uninsured, was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 36-0, receiving final legislative approval.

“New Jersey’s charity care subsidy program is fraught with loopholes and lax oversight, and has become a magnet for abuse and fraud,” said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex, a member of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. “We need to step up efforts to ensure the State’s investment in hospital charity care is going to the people who need it most – those New Jerseyans who are legitimately uninsured and cannot afford the high cost of health care in the Garden State.”

Smith Bill To Establish Sick Leave Banks For Schools Approved

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Bob Smith which would permit the creation of sick leave banks for school employees was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 38-0, receiving final legislative approval.

“Often, when employees get sick or hurt, and are forced to take extended leave from their jobs, their families may face a serious economic crisis, trying to balance mounting health care bills against the lack of income,” said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset. “Sick leave banks give employees the added security that, should they need extra time, they have a tool to protect themselves and their families. New Jersey’s school boards should pave the way for the adoption of sick leave banks, and stand as an example for private business to follow.”

Sweeney/Smith Measure To Reduce Carbon Emissions Passes Committee

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Stephen M. Sweeney and Bob Smith that would allow New Jersey to participate in the carbon emissions cap-and-trade program of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) was approved by the Senate Economic Growth Committee today.

“New Jersey has become a national leader in the efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Senator Sweeney, D-Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem. “We can’t affect real progress on our own, however. We must join with other states to act collectively to reduce carbon emissions and fight global warming.”

Two Turner Anti-Gang Violence Measures Move Forward In Committee

TRENTON –Senator Turner today welcomed committee approval of two measures which build upon previous efforts aimed at combating street gangs in New Jersey, saying that the two bills “continue our fight to free our communities from the scourge of street gangs.”

“We can’t just close our eyes and wish away street gangs,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. “These criminals are always looking for new ways to avoid getting caught, and need to be constantly vigilant in adapting the tools we provide the police as they fight to protect our communities.”

Smith/Buono Bill Would Encourage Renewable Energy

TRENTON – The Senate Economic Growth Committee approved legislation today sponsored by Senators Bob Smith and Barbara Buono that would revise the laws concerning electricity production in New Jersey to encourage expanded use of renewable energy sources.

“As a state, New Jersey needs to do more to rely on renewable energy sources for our electricity and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels,” said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset. “With this bill, we provide economic incentives for both individuals and businesses to install renewable energy systems like solar panels and windmills and create a greater demand for the electricity produced by these systems.”

Turner/Weinberg Measure To Require Schools To Report Suspicious Absences Passed By Senate

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senators Shirley Turner and Loretta Weinberg that would require school districts to notify the Division of Youth and Family Services of long-term unexcused absences received final legislative approval today as it passed the Senate unanimously.

“Frequent, unexplained absences from school are one of the biggest warning signs of child neglect and abuse,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. “If our schools can be more proactive in looking for these long-term, unexplained absences, we can make sure that DYFS intervenes with those families before the neglect or abuse leads to permanent harm or death. We must learn from the tragedies of the past.”