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At a news conference at the State House with Citizens' Campaign Chair Harry Pozycki, Senator Ellen Karcher, D-Monmouth and Mercer, unveiled proposed legislation to reform the State's redevelopment laws. The measure would ban pay-to-play contributions at all levels for redevelopment projects, and would ensure transparency and public input in redevelopment plans.

10 Dec: Karcher/Vitale Measure To Expand Background Checks On Resource Families Approved By Senate

TRENTON – The Senate approved legislation today sponsored by Senators Ellen Karcher and Joseph Vitale that would authorize the Division of Youth and Family Services (DFYS) to conduct more extensive background checks on resource families before placing a child with that family.

“The safety and well-being of New Jersey’s foster children must be DFYS’s top priority,” said Senator Karcher, D-Mercer and Monmouth. “Before any child is placed with a resource family, the most thorough background check possible must be conducted on every adult living in the home of that family. We cannot afford to cut corners on these checks.”

Senator Ellen Karcher, D-Monmouth and Mercer, Vice Chair of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee, listens to testimony before her panel.

29 Nov: Karcher/Vitale Measure To Expand Background Checks On Resource Families Approved In Committee

TRENTON – The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee approved legislation today sponsored by Senators Ellen Karcher and Joseph Vitale that would authorize the Division of Youth and Family Services (DFYS) to conduct more extensive background checks on resource families before placing a child with that family.

“As much as we need to bring more resource families into New Jersey’s child welfare system, we need to make sure that there is no history of child abuse with those individuals, either in New Jersey or other states,” explained Senator Karcher, D-Monmouth and Mercer. “We cannot cut corners when it comes to health and safety of New Jersey’s children and expanded background checks will help us to weed out more unqualified applicants.”