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17 May: Sweeney Legislation To Help Those With Developmental Disabilities Transition To Adult Employment Clears Committee

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senate President Steve Sweeney that would help young adults with developmental disabilities transition to adult employment cleared the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee today.

“There are many services that are provided to children with developmental disabilities to help them get through school, but those services don’t always continue once they reach adulthood. Establishing a center in each county will ensure that these young people are given a chance to enter the workforce well prepared and can become successful adults,” said Sweeney.

03 Mar: Vitale Bill To Give Adoptees Access To Birth Records Approved

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale which would give adult adoptees and certain others access to the adoptee’s birth certificate was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 30-7.

“For New Jersey’s adopted residents, this bill is about a matter of fairness, giving them the same opportunity to know where they came from as non-adopted people,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex. “I think too many of us take for granted family history, but the struggles and triumphs of our ancestors contribute greatly to the people we are today. This bill would pull back the veil on history that so many adopted individuals run into in their quest to learn more about their identities.”

24 Jan: Vitale Bill To Give Adoptees Access To Birth Records Advances

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale which would give adult adoptees and certain others access to the adoptee’s birth certificate was unanimously approved by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.

“I think that most of us take for granted the fact that we can trace our family’s journey through preceding generations, and have a sense of self which includes what our parents and grandparents went through to deliver us to this moment in time,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, the Chair of the Senate health panel. “However, for many adopted New Jerseyans, there’s a missing piece to the puzzle, and so many unanswered questions about who they are and how they came to be. Through this legislation, we have a chance to give a brief glimpse of history to those adopted State residents who for so long were left in the dark regarding their birth parents.”