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TRENTON – Landmark legislation sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney and Senator Barbara Buono, which will make New Jersey the second state in the nation (after California) to provide paid family leave benefits for workers caring for sick family members or newborn or newly adopted children was signed into law today, at a ceremony at the State House.

“The signing of this bill ushers in a new day for New Jersey’s workforce, in that it gives hard-working parents and caregivers the time they need to take care of the family members who rely on them the most,” said Senator Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem. “By now, you all know of my strong conviction for this legislation, because I was in a similar situation when my 14 year-old daughter, Lauren was born. My employer was understanding, and allowed me to take the time I needed. Had my employment situation been different, I could have had a difficult time balancing spending the 75 days at the hospital with my newborn daughter, or going to work to provide for my wife and young son. This new law is aimed at helping workers whose employers won’t allow them to take this necessary leave time.”

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney and Senator Barbara Buono which would provide paid family leave benefits for workers caring for sick family members and newborn or newly adopted children received final legislative approval today from the full Senate by a vote of 21 to 15.

“I know this type of leave time is necessary, because I’ve been there myself,” said Majority Leader Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem, in reference to the birth of his 14 year-old daughter, Lauren, who remained in intensive care for 75 days after she was born. “In my case, I had an understanding employer, but I can’t say the same for all of New Jersey’s workers. This bill would signify a new day for the State’s workforce, in that, the needs of families will be put before the needs of business owners. Parenting is the most important job that many of us will ever undertake, and this legislation would allow New Jersey to remain in the forefront of providing necessary benefits to its hard-working residents.”

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney and Senator Barbara Buono which would provide paid family leave benefits for workers caring for sick family members and newborn or newly adopted children was approved today by the full Senate by a vote of 22 to 16.

“I’m sponsoring this legislation as a father, who understands the urgency of this type of leave time for working families, because I was in a similar situation 14 years ago when my daughter Lauren was born four months premature,” said Senate Majority Leader Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem. “Lauren remained in the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit for 75 days, and either my wife or I was there with her round the clock. My boss understood and allowed me to take off the time I needed, but I can’t imagine having to choose between spending time with my daughter who was clinging to life, and going to work to be able to put food on the table for my wife and then four year-old son.”

“Far too many individuals have had to make the tough decision between caring for a loved one and being able to maintain their income. Far too many new mothers and fathers have had to rush back to work after the birth of their child,” said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex. “These are choices that should never have to be made in the United States and soon they will no longer be choices forced upon New Jersey families.”

TRENTON � Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem, released the following statement today regarding his testimony before the Assembly Labor Committee about legislation he sponsored with Senator Barbara Buono, D-Middlesex, to provide paid family leave benefits for workers caring for sick family members and newborn or newly adopted children.

�This paid family leave bill is a fairness bill; it does the right thing for working men and women. The legislation is 12 years in the making, and I applaud its sponsors as well as the Assembly leadership and Senate President Codey for moving it, and working to make a big difference in the lives of working families.�