Bucco’s “Erin’s Law” Signed Requiring Child Sex Abuse Prevention Education in Every NJ Classroom
“Erin’s Law,” legislation (S-1130/A-769) long-sponsored by Senator Anthony Bucco to require all school districts to incorporate age-appropriate sexual abuse prevention and awareness education into the NJ Student Learning Standards, formerly known as the core curriculum, for students in grades Pre-K through 12, has been signed into law.
Today’s enactment of the legislation follows a years-long effort by Senator Bucco, Erin Merryn – the survivor for whom the bill is named– and a number of other local advocates, who have worked together to ensure every child in New Jersey has the tools they need to recognize and report sexual abuse.
Erin’s Law, sponsored by Sen. Bucco, requires NJ schools to teach kids in grades Pre-k through 12 about sexual assault. The bill is named for Erin Merryn, a survivor and national advocate. (Photo Courtesy of Erin Merryn)
“Every child should understand how to recognize and report sexual abuse. Teaching kids not to talk to strangers isn’t enough when their abuser could be hiding in plain sight. 93 percent of kids know their attacker. They need age-appropriate safe-touch education,” Senator Bucco said. “We have spent years fighting for Erin’s Law to ensure that every child, in every New Jersey classroom, has access to this lifesaving information.”
Some private schools in New Jersey are already voluntarily providing safe-touch educational resources that are similar to those that would be mandatory under Senator Bucco’s Erin’s Law. In one New Jersey case, the availability of this critically-important knowledge is already having an impact.
“What makes me feel good about this law getting passed is that other kids, like me, can speak up about what is happening to them by any unsafe adult, or anyone. This law being passed will allow all children in New Jersey to see, and more likely to help them understand the importance of where it is safe & unsafe to touch. This will help kids going through abuse not be afraid to say something about it. Thank you Senator Bucco for helping all New Jersey children,” a child, who after receiving a “safe-touch” lesson at a New Jersey private school subsequently reported her abuser, said. (The child is choosing to remain anonymous in this statement, due to their status as a minor and a survivor of sexual assault.)
NOW LAW: Corrado Bill Requiring Public Employees Convicted of Sex Offenses to Forfeit Pensions
Any public employee or elected official who is convicted of committing a sex offense while on the job will be required to forfeit their state pension, under a newly enacted law that was sponsored by Senator Kristin Corrado.
Any public employee or elected official who is convicted of committing a sex offense while on the job will be required to forfeit their state pension under a newly enacted law sponsored by Sen. Kristin Corrado. (©iStock)
“Anyone who has the audacity to use their taxpayer-funded position of power to assault a coworker doesn’t deserve a state pension,” Corrado (R-40) said. “Public service is about helping people and making the state you work for a better, safer place for all. Anyone who commits a crime that is contrary to that mission, whether it’s an ethics violation or a sex offense, shouldn’t be paid by the state for life. We need to confront this crisis head-on and ensure that people know there are real consequences for committing crimes in the workplace.”
Pennacchio: Murphy’s Frivolous SALT Lawsuit Is a Waste of Taxpayer Dollars
Senator Joe Pennacchio criticized Governor Murphy’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service, claiming it is a waste of state resources and taxpayer money.
Sen.Joe Pennacchio criticized Gov. Murphy’s lawsuit against the IRS, claiming it is a waste of state resources and taxpayer money. (Flickr)
“The Murphy Administration is lawsuit happy,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “The Governor should not be using New Jersey taxpayer dollars to play politics. Rather than fighting with the federal government, I urge Governor Murphy to focus on genuine and immediate tax solutions that we have the power as state lawmakers to advance.”
Corrado Statement on Judiciary’s Action to Improve Treatment of Sexual Assault Survivors
Senator Kristin Corrado, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, responded to actions announced by the New Jersey Judiciary today to address the concerning behavior of several judges in recent sexual assault cases:
Sen. Kristin Corrado’s statement on actions announced by the Judiciary to address the concerning behavior of several judges in recent sexual assault cases. (©iStock)
“I commend the Chief Justice and the Judiciary for taking seriously the concerns that many of us have raised regarding the abhorrent treatment of sexual assault victims in our state’s courtrooms,” said Corrado (R-40). “These are good first steps that will begin the process of restoring the confidence of survivors to seek the justice they deserve through our courts.”
Oroho: Governor’s IRS Lawsuit Does Not Solve State’s High Tax Problem
Says Real Tax Relief Will Occur When Path To Progress Reforms Are Implemented
Senator Steven Oroho said that a lawsuit announced today by Governor Phil Murphy and Attorney General Gurbir Grewal against the Internal Revenue Service amounts to window dressing and won’t provide meaningful, long-term property tax relief to New Jersey families.
Sen. Steven Oroho said that the Governor’s lawsuit against the IRS won’t provide meaningful, long-term property tax relief to New Jersey families. (Pixabay)
“New Jersey homeowners are the most overtaxed residents in the United States,” Oroho said. “The lawsuit announced today does very little to address that. The better approach would be to fix the state’s underlying tax problems that make the SALT limitation an issue. Governor Murphy can help make the Garden State more competitive and accomplish real savings for taxpayers by getting behind the Path to Progress reforms that have bipartisan support in the Legislature.”
Pennacchio Calls for Immediate Legislative Action on Greenwood Lake Fund
Second Largest Recreational Lake Shutting Down Due to Toxic Algae Bloom
In light of news that Greenwood Lake will close due to a toxic algae bloom, Senator Joe Pennacchio called for the State Assembly to immediately vote on his legislation that would create and annually dedicate half-a-million dollars to the New Jersey Greenwood Lake Fund.
In light of news that Greenwood Lake will close due to a toxic algae bloom, Sen. Joe Pennacchio has called on the Assembly to vote on his bill that would establish the “NJ Greenwood Lake Fund.” (GoogleMaps)
“New Jersey is in the midst of a water crisis – toxic algae is spreading across our freshwater lakes at an alarming rate,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “The expense of protecting Greenwood Lake shouldn’t fall on the backs of the local residents and business owners in West Milford alone. The State of New Jersey must prioritize funding to safeguard one of Passaic County’s most popular and scenic waterways.”
Kean Statement on Proposed Legislative Redistricting Reforms
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean released the following statement on a report from leading academics on “Improving New Jersey’s Legislative Apportionment Process.”
Sen. Tom Kean’s statement on a report from leading academics on “Improving New Jersey’s Legislative Apportionment Process.” (SenateNJ.com)
“Last year, we raised the alarm when Democrats attempted to fast-track a constitutional amendment that would have made legislative elections less competitive while cementing permanent Democratic majorities in the New Jersey Legislature,” said Kean (R-21). “With broad bipartisan support from outside groups and respected academics, we defeated their attempt to rig our elections. Any changes to improve how we reapportion legislative districts should focus on making the process fairer and more transparent.”
Corrado Legislation to Combat Opioid Crisis Signed into Law
Two pieces of bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Kristin Corrado to combat New Jersey’s growing opioid crisis have been signed into law by the Governor.
Two pieces of legislation sponsored by Sen. Kristin Corrado to combat New Jersey’s growing opioid crisis have been signed into law. (©iStock)
“Raising awareness is an important step that will help us to battle the crisis of opioid abuse that’s plaguing New Jersey and save lives,” said Corrado (R-40). “We’re ensuring that individual patients who are prescribed opioids are warned of the potential danger of addiction. On a larger scale, we’re going to highlight the vast scope of this disease to reduce the stigma of talking about it or seeking help. These efforts will work in tandem to educate patients and the general public about this growing problem.”
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Praise Signing of Law Doubling Veterans’ Tax Exemption
Delegation Also Calls for Action to Exempt Combat Pay from State Income Tax
Senator Christopher Connors, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove praised the recent signing of legislation (A-5609) that doubled the veterans’ income tax exemption from $3,000 to $6,000.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove praised the recent signing of a law doubling the veterans’ income tax exemption from $3,000 to $6,000, and called for the passage of legislation exempting combat pay from the state income tax. (Flickr)
The legislation, introduced by Assemblyman Bruce Land (D-1), was signed into law by Governor Murphy on June 30 of this year subsequent to being passed by the State Legislature ten days prior.
Connors, Rumpf, and Gove also support legislation, S-129, introduced by Senator Kristen Corrado (R-40), which would exclude military pay for service in a combat zone or for hospitalization as the result of injury while serving in a combat zone from taxable gross income under the New Jersey gross income tax.
Doherty Slams Corporate Welfare Tax Breaks that Haven’t Helped Camden Residents
Says City’s Budget Outlook is Dismal Due to Millions in Lost Revenues
Senator Michael Doherty (R-23) slammed New Jersey’s ineffective tax incentive scheme saying new reports show that it has done little to help residents in the state’s poorest city.
Sen. Michael Doherty slammed New Jersey’s ineffective tax incentive scheme saying new reports show that it has done little to help residents in the state’s poorest city. (Pixabay)
“Large corporations shouldn’t be given special tax breaks that mom and pop businesses are never offered,” Doherty said. “While the State of New Jersey is pouring millions of dollars to entice wealthy businesses to move to Camden, those subsidies have done nothing to lift the city’s residents out of poverty. Instead, Camden continues to face revenue challenges while the State bankrolls the development of grandiose corporate headquarters on the Delaware River waterfront that do little to improve the lives of those in the community.”
