TRENTON – The full Senate will convene on Monday at 2 PM to consider a package of bills including a measure by Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney, and Senator Barbara Buono, D-Middlesex, which would provide paid family leave benefits for workers caring for sick family members and newborn or newly adopted children.
“This bill is 12 years in the making, and I am encouraged that this vote will bring New Jersey that much closer to providing workers with the leave time they need, and want to take care of their family members,” said Senate Majority Leader Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem.
The Senators’ bill, S-786, would authorize up to six weeks of employee paid family leave (family temporary disability leave) within any 12 month period, during which an employee could take time off to care for an ill family member, or a newborn or recently adopted child.
Other key bills set to be considered on Monday include:
� S-233, sponsored by Senators John H. Adler, D-Cherry Hill, and Shirley K. Turner, D-Mercer, which would amend a special probation statute to increase participation in drug program, and permit courts to reduce certain fees.
� S-611, sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale, D-Middlesex, which would permit an adopted person to gain access to his or her original birth certificate and other related information.
� S-367/503, sponsored by Senators Raymond J. Lesniak, D-Union, and Shirley K. Turner, D-Mercer, which would upgrade penalties for tampering with witnesses and informants, and upgrade hindering apprehension or prosecution under certain circumstances.
� S-390, sponsored by Senator Nia H. Gill, D-Essex and Passaic, which would prohibit unfair discrimination in the issuance, renewal or rating of life insurance polices based on future foreign travel.
� S-520, sponsored by Senator Nicholas J. Sacco, D-Hudson and Bergen, which would require drivers to make all reasonable efforts to remove ice or snow from their vehicles; creates fine.
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