Senator Sean T. Kean

May 8, 2008

Contact: Tara Fantini / (732) 974-0400
Senator Sean T. Kean (R-11)

Bill Would Allow Towns to Set Policies

Senator Sean Kean announced today that he will introduce legislation that would give towns the authority to enact policies for police officers who become pregnant.

Kean said he was drafting the measure in response to the case in Ocean Township in which a pregnant police officer was denied the opportunity to be placed on “light duty” during her pregnancy.

Kean spoke with Ocean Township Mayor William Larkin who indicated that the town was unsure if, under state law, they could institute a policy on police officers who become pregnant.

“Towns need the ability to set policies to address situations where a police officer becomes pregnant and may not be able to safely perform certain duties,” said Kean. “It makes sense to allow towns to protect a police officer and her unborn child by placing her on temporary light duty while she is pregnant.”

Under the measure, towns would be able to place municipal employees whose duties are inherently dangerous or physically demanding on light duty.

“With an increasing number of women joining the ranks of law enforcement, it is important that there be guidelines for both the officers and the towns,” said Kean. “This measure will help ensure that the brave women in law enforcement are not put in situations that could harm themselves or their baby.”

Kean’s 11th District colleagues, Assemblymembers Dave Rible and Mary Pat Angelini, have announced that they will introduce the companion measure in the Assembly.

Bill Would Allow Towns to Set Policies Senator Sean Kean announced today that he will introduce legislation that would give towns the authority to enact policies for police officers who become pregnant. Kean said he was drafting the measure in response to the case in Ocean Township [...]