Bucco/Thompson Fireplace Safety Measure Now Law
Senators Anthony Bucco and Sam Thompson sponsor legislation signed into law today creating a statewide license for master hearth professionals.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Anthony Bucco and Sen. Sam Thompson to improve fireplace safety was signed into law. (Pixabay)
“This new law is helpful to residents in my legislative district and across the state,” said Bucco (R-25). “It’s an opportunity for skilled hearth professionals to concentrate on their trade and running a business. This legislation grew from strong bipartisan support, and I am pleased it is now law.”
The bill (A3118/S1303) creates statewide licensing for the installation, replacement, connection, and repair of fireplaces and hearth appliances, eliminating licenses issued by individual municipalities and local agencies.
Bucco/Doherty Bill to Teach High Schoolers About Safe Haven Act Is Now Law
Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony Bucco and Senator Michael Doherty to ensure that all high school students are taught about the “New Jersey Safe Haven Protection Act” has been signed into law.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Anthony Bucco and Sen. Michael Doherty to ensure that all high school students are taught about the ‘New Jersey Safe Haven Protection Act’ has been signed into law. (NJSafeHaven.org)
“Since its enactment, New Jersey’s Safe Haven Act has saved the lives of seventy-two infants,” said Bucco. “Think of how many more innocent newborns will be positively impacted by increasing awareness of this program amongst our teens. Through this new law, we can help prevent more cases of illegal abandonment and give unwilling parents the opportunity to surrender a child lawfully, anonymously, and safely.”
“We’ve seen the horror stories in the news where a distressed teenage parent unsafely abandons their newborn, sometimes leading to the baby’s death,” said Doherty. “We have the tools to prevent those terrible outcomes through a program that has already proven to work. Further expanding education about Safe Havens can save a helpless baby from desertion and give a loving family the child they always wanted. I am pleased that all New Jersey high school students will be taught about this lifesaving program.”
Doherty: Medical Study Shows Consuming Fluoridated Water During Pregnancy Causes Low IQ in Children
In response to a new medical study indicating that fluoride consumed by expecting mothers may lower their children’s IQ, Senator Michael Doherty warned of the dangers of exposing pregnant women to fluoride, which is often found in drinking water.
In response to a new medical study, Sen. Michael Doherty warned of the dangers of exposing pregnant women to fluoride, which is often found in drinking water. (Flickr)
Pediatrician Dimitri A. Christakis, MD, MPH, who is the editor-in-chief of JAMA Pediatrics, the peer-reviewed medical journal that published the study, was shocked and hesitant to release his findings, fearing public backlash. But he has stated that the impact of prenatal fluoride exposure is comparable to the impact of lead.
“Everyone, especially pregnant mothers, should have the right to clean, healthy water,” said Doherty (R-Warren, Hunterdon, Somerset). “This medical research indicates that the future intelligence of unborn children is at risk if a pregnant women consume fluoride commonly found in drinking water. Similar to avoiding sushi and alcohol, we should caution mothers-to-be to limit their fluoride exposure to promote the health and well-being of their developing child.”
Bateman: Sweet Opportunity Going Stale as Home Baking Bill Languishes in Senate Committee
Senator Kip Bateman says the lack of one essential ingredient is preventing hundreds of wanna-be entrepreneurs from selling their homemade goodies in New Jersey.
Sen. Kip Bateman says New Jersey should stop being a roadblock that prevents home bakers from using their talents to supplement their family income. (Pixabay)
Forty-nine other states allow the sale of cookies, cakes and pastries made by home bakers. Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Bateman lifting the ban here has passed the Assembly several times, but remains scuttled in the Senate.
“This continued prohibition of the sale of home baked goods is another example of Trenton using its muscle to control people’s lives,” said Bateman (R-16). “Every other state recognizes that folks aren’t going to keel over dead from cupcakes prepared in a home kitchen. New Jersey should stop being a roadblock that prevents home bakers from using their talents to supplement their family income.”
Oroho Bill to Help Dairy Farmers is Now Law
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho to expand the eligibility of dairy farmers and qualifying farming operations for small business loans was recently signed into law.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Steven Oroho to expand the eligibility of dairy farmers for small business loans was recently signed into law. (Wikimedia Commons)
“As the Garden State, we should do all we can to help keep the farmer on the farm,” said Oroho (R- Sussex, Warren, Morris). “Expanding access to small business loans will help family farmers in need of financial assistance to purchase new farm equipment, while helping to reinvigorate our state’s agricultural industry. This program will be an important tool that farmers that can use to grow their business operations.”
NOW LAW: Corrado Bill Adding Mental Health Education to NJ School Curriculum
Senator Kristin Corrado’s (R-40) bipartisan legislation to incorporate mental health education into New Jersey public school’s health class curriculum has been signed into law.
Sen. Kristin Corrado’s legislation to incorporate mental health education into New Jersey public school’s health class curriculum has been signed into law. (Pixabay)
“Empowering students to recognize the warning signs of mental illness, and knowing how to ask for help, will ensure more kids have access to the support and treatment they need sooner, rather than later,” Corrado said. “I strongly believe that educating kids about the significance of mental health will break the stigma and save lives.”
Corrado Bill Outlawing Leasing of Dogs & Cats Signed Into Law
Senator Kristin Corrado’s legislation to prohibit the leasing of domestic dogs and cats has been signed into law.
Sen. Kristin Corrado’s legislation to prohibit the leasing of domestic dogs and cats has been signed into law. (Pixabay)
“Families are being deceived into thinking they’re purchasing a high-end breed with the promise of an affordable monthly payment plan, not realizing they’re actually signing a two- or three-year lease that could result in their pet being repossessed,” said Corrado (R-40). “This deceptive practice of renting-to-own puppies and kittens employed by sinister pet brokers is cruel and must be stopped.”
SIGNED INTO LAW: Oroho Bill Permanently Establishes NJ Hemp Program
Senator Steven Oroho’s legislation that permanently enacts a State program to permit hemp growth for industrial use has been signed into law.
Sen. Steven Oroho’s legislation that permanently enacts a State program to permit hemp growth for industrial use has been signed into law. (SenateNJ.com)
“Garden State farmers are now able to increase and diversify their crop yield through cultivating industrial hemp,” said Oroho (R- Sussex, Warren, Morris). “Found in more than 25,000 products, the versatile and profitable hemp plant will encourage new business growth and boost the state’s agricultural economy. With burdensome federal and state regulations removed, New Jersey farmers can greatly benefit from this potential billion dollar industry.”
Kean Bill to Expand Prenatal Care Signed Into Law
Legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean to improve maternal healthcare in New Jersey by expanding Medicaid coverage to include group prenatal care services has been signed into law.
Sen. Tom Kean’s legislation to improve maternal healthcare in New Jersey has been signed into law. (Flickr)
“Right now, moms and babies across the country are dying at disturbing rates from preventable complications,” said Kean (R-21). “Here in New Jersey, the statistics are particularly alarming, especially among women of color. Our state’s most vulnerable mothers and newborns deserve greater access to quality healthcare throughout pregnancy. The enactment of this law will help close the racial disparity gap, create stronger families, and save lives.”
O’Scanlon & DiMaso: Shore Rental Tax Repeal Too Little, Too Late
Senator Declan O’Scanlon and Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso issued a statement following Governor Murphy’s announcement that he would repeal the misguided short-term rental tax:
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon and Asw. Serena DiMaso said that Gov. Murphy’s announcement that he would repeal his misguided Shore rental tax is too little, too late. (Bing Maps)
“The Governor made the right call in repealing this short-term rental tax–and we acknowledge that–however it comes way too late,” said O’Scanlon. “We are in August at this point, summer is nearly over and most of the damage of this ill-conceived aspect of this tax has been done. The Governor and his policy folks need to recognize when something is emergent and do their homework up front, so they’re ready to take action the minute such bills land on his desk. This was a total failure of administrative planning and it likely, needlessly, cost the New Jersey economy millions of dollars.”
