Senate Passes Holzapfel-Wolfe-McGuckin “Betsy’s Law” Bill to Protect Boarded Animals
Legislation sponsored by Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Dave Wolfe and Greg McGuckin, all R-Ocean, to protect pet owners and their boarded animals was approved by the New Jersey Senate. The bill now heads to Gov. Christie for his consideration.
Betsy’s Law was drafted after the death of a Rottweiler, Betsy, who suffocated in her cage after being left unsupervised overnight at an animal hospital following a minor procedure. (Facebook)
“Betsy’s Law” was drafted in response to the death of a dog following a minor veterinary procedure. Betsy was boarded overnight and hanged herself in her crate as a result of a lack of animal supervision.
Singer Bill to Protect Developmentally Disabled From Dangerous Acts Gains Senate Approval
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer that would upgrade current law to better protect those with developmental disabilities from being victimized by the acts of others that are dangerous and potentially deadly gained Senate approval.
Sen. Robert Singer introduced the legislation after a 19-year-old autistic man was coerced into jumping into frigid Atlantic waters in February from a jetty in Manasquan by two men who videotaped and posted the incident to social media. (Flickr)
“Today’s unanimous Senate vote sends a clear message that bullying or taking advantage of anyone, especially those who are less able to protect themselves, is wrong and won’t be tolerated,” said Senator Singer. “These updates to current law will enhance protection for those with developmental disabilities and will make sure anyone committing these types of troubling acts is held accountable.”
Senate Passes Singer Trio of Healthcare Bills to Raise Awareness, Combat Skin Cancer, ALS, COPD
The New Jersey Senate advanced a trio of healthcare bills sponsored by Senator Robert Singer to raise awareness, encourage prevention efforts, and support New Jersey residents coping with Skin Cancer, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS,) and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Sen. Robert Singer’s healthcare bills raise awareness, encourage prevention efforts, and support state residents coping with Skin Cancer, ALS, and COPD. (©iStock)
Senator Singer’s bill, S-2459, ignites an aggressive effort to fight COPD by creating an 11-member task force to investigate strategies to promote awareness on the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. The task force will also study the resources that are used statewide to combat COPD and determine the best way to improve the quality and accessibility of community-based services for those living with this disease. Nearly 451,000 people – 5.1 percent of New Jersey’s population – are living with COPD, according to the most recent statistics available from the CDC.
“We need to do more to help the hundreds of thousands of New Jersey residents struggling with COPD – the third leading cause of death in the U.S.,” said Senator Singer. “By establishing a task force to evaluate how we can raise awareness and expand community resources, we are helping countless New Jerseyans with COPD live fuller, happier lives.”
Senate Adopts Oroho Measure Supporting Establishment of First Outpatient Clinic for Veterans in Sussex County
The full Senate adopted legislation sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho supporting the establishment of the first Sussex County-based outpatient medical clinic for veterans.
An outpatient clinic maintained by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. (VA)
“Sussex and Warren counties are the only two counties in the state without a veterans’ outpatient clinic and for many veterans living in this area the closest in-state clinic is more than 40 miles away in Morris Plains,” said Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris). “The lack of access to local medical care for veterans is a major obstacle and a serious concern. Establishing a local clinic in Sussex County will make it far easier for the tens of thousands of veterans living here to get the care that they need and deserve.”
Holzapfel-Wolfe-McGuckin Bill Protects Homeowners from Utility Infrastructure Replacement Costs Following Natural Disasters
To protect residents from being billed directly for utility infrastructure replacement costs when their homes or property are damaged by a natural disaster, Sen. Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Dave Wolfe and Greg McGuckin have introduced legislation (S-3064) prohibiting utility companies from charging customers for the cost of such upgrades.
Legislation sponsored by Holzapfel, Wolfe and McGuckin would prohibit utility companies from charging customers for utility infrastructure replacement costs when their homes or property are damaged by a natural disaster. (Flickr)
“Recovery from Sandy has been a long, drawn out process for so many who live at the Shore, especially those on the barrier islands who had to elevate their houses,” said Holzapfel. “It’s unfathomable that these homeowners are being charged for utility infrastructure work.”
Connors-Rumpf-Gove to Legislature: Act on Financial Exploitation of Seniors & Disabled Bill
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove are calling for action on a legislative initiative that would create the new offense of theft by financial exploitation of a vulnerable person.
Connors, Rumpf and Gove are calling for legislative action on their bill creating the new offense of theft by financial exploitation of a vulnerable person. (Flickr)
Under the 9th District delegation’s legislation (S-925/A-738), a newly established offense of financial exploitation would be established for a person who, when being in a position of trust, commits a theft against a senior citizen or a person with a disability.
Singer Bill Protecting Victims of Identity Theft From Debt Collection Advanced
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer protecting consumers who fall victim to identity theft from debt collection was advanced by the Senate Commerce Committee.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Robert Singer would protect consumers who fall victim to identity theft from debt collection. (©iStock)
“Identity theft is a serious crime and one that can unfortunately bury even the most cautious consumer under a mountain of debt,” said Singer (R-Monmouth, Ocean). “This bill gives those who fall victim to identity theft a means to restore their lives and avoid the financial ruin of wrongly being tied to debt caused by fraud and no fault of their own.”
Pennacchio Joins New Jersey Right to Life in Denouncing Planned Parenthood’s Alleged Sale of Aborted Body Parts
Pennacchio Calls for Investigation, Legislative Review
Following the release of a video reportedly depicting a Planned Parenthood executive discussing the sale of body parts from aborted fetuses, Senator Joe Pennacchio joined New Jersey Right to Life Executive Director Marie Tasy in denouncing the abhorrent act. Senator Pennacchio also announced efforts to make sure the practice does not occur in New Jersey.
“Selling body parts from an aborted fetus is a sickening shock to the conscious,” said Pennacchio (R-Morris). “If true, Planned Parenthood’s participation in performing abortions to systematically sell body parts from fetuses represents a level of depravity that’s hard to fathom.”
Holzapfel, Wolfe & McGuckin Sponsor Anti-Tethering Bill to Prevent Inhumane Treatment of Dogs
Continuing their efforts to prevent the cruel treatment of animals, Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Dave Wolfe and Greg McGuckin (all R-Ocean) have introduced legislation to prohibit the inhumane tethering of dogs.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Jim Holzapfel and Asm. Dave Wolfe and Greg McGuckin (all R-Ocean) would prohibit the inhumane tethering of dogs. (©iStock.com)
“As legislators and pet owners, we have always been passionate about protecting animals from abusive pet owners,” said Holzapfel. “It’s difficult to understand why someone would chain or restrain their ‘pet’ for long periods of time to the point where the dog cannot care for itself. It’s deplorable.”
The bill, S-3061/A-4628, makes it unlawful to tether a dog that poses a risk of entanglement, strangulation, drowning or other harm to the health or safety of the dog. It also prohibits the tethering of a dog during severe weather conditions. Dogs at risk of imminent harm may be seized by authorities. Violators face fines and jail time.
Rumpf & Gove Vote “No” on Common Interest Community Bill, Connors Pledges to Oppose in Senate
9th District legislators Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove voted against a common interest community (A-469) legislative measure that would modify State laws which regulate homeowners’ associations. Senator Christopher J. Connors, also representing the 9th Legislative District, has pledged to oppose the legislation should it be considered in the Senate.
Asm. Brian Rumpf and Asw. DiAnne Gove voted against a bill modifying laws regulating homeowners’ associations in the Assembly and Sen. Chris Connors has pledged to oppose the bill in the Senate. (©iStock.com)
The 9th District delegation issued the following statement on its opposition to the latest version of common interest community legislation considered by the Legislature:
“On the surface, this common interest community bill seems to have the best intentions by calling for homeowners’ rights to common property, establishing standards for elections and access to records as well as providing for a recall procedure for board members. However, our extensive past experience with common interest community legislation has taught us that, inevitably, the devil is in the details.
