Legislation will allow collection of information on sexual orientation & gender identity

          (TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Mila Jasey and Nicholas Chiaravalloti to better serve the LGBT community at New Jersey’s public colleges and universities by allowing demographic forms to collect data on sexual orientation and gender identity was signed into law on Monday.

          “Having this information can help colleges and universities track enrollment, academic success and retention rates for LGBT students. This can help identify any areas of need, and ensure these students are getting the support services and resources necessary to thrive academically,” said Jasey (D-Essex/Morris).

FLORHAM PARK - Mikie Sherrill's campaign to unseat Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, R-Harding, in 2018 gained some year-end traction Tuesday morning at the Florham Park Diner, where about 50 Democratic leaders in the 11th Congressional District gathered to pledge support.

State Sen. Richard Codey of Essex County introduced the former Navy helicopter pilot, federal prosecutor and mother of four during a breakfast meeting attended by mayors, council members and county committee chairmen who believe Sherrill could be part of a dramatic, nationwide shift in Congress following the 2018 midterm elections.

I am proud to announce the endorsement by Planned Parenthood of my candidacy for re-election to the Assembly representing the 27^th District.  This outstanding, underfunded organization provides comprehensive women’s health services, including screenings and preventative care for thousands of NJ residents who are otherwise without medical homes.  My sincere thanks to Executive Director Christine Sadovy, (pictured below), and for all who stand with me in Standing up for Planned Parenthood.

LIVINGSTON – Senator Richard J. Codey and Assembly members John McKeon and Mila  Jasey  (D- Essex/Morris) released the following statement after meeting with New Jersey Transit executives about the upcoming diversion of the Morris and Essex train line this summer:

“Ralph & David’s Law” is Named in Honor of Morris County Man & Sussex County Boy Killed by Drunk Drivers

(TRENTON) – Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats John McKeon, Mila Jasey and Valerie Vainieri Huttle to ensure stiff penalties for anyone who commits vehicular homicide while driving drunk received final legislative approval from the Senate on Monday.

The bill (A-3686), known as “Ralph and David’s Law,” would establish a new crime of “strict liability vehicular homicide” for killing a person while drunk driving.  The bill is named in honor of Ralph Politi, Jr. and David Heim who were both tragically killed by drunk drivers. 

The legislation, which was unanimously approved by the Assembly last month, now heads to the Governor’s desk.

“In the case of both Ralph and David, this bill’s namesakes, their tragic deaths, and their family’s grief, were compounded by the leniency of their perpetrator’s sentence,” said McKeon (D-Essex/Morris).  “This legislation will help close that loophole and send a stronger message that we will not tolerate this type of negligent and reckless behavior.”

“What these families have endured is unimaginable, but hopefully this will serve as a potent reminder and a powerful deterrent for others who might be inclined to get behind the wheel drunk,” said Jasey (D-Essex/Morris).  “This legislation sends a message, loud and clear, that we will not tolerate this type of callous disregard for another person’s life.”

“As it stands now, a person convicted of killing someone while driving drunk could be out of jail in 30 days,” said Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen).  “What kind of message does that send to potential offenders?  Worse, what kind of message does that send to the families of these victims?  We need to stand with them and create a much more stringent deterrent against drunk driving.”

Pro-Worker Bill Calls for Expanded Leave Time, Higher Compensation, More Family Member Coverage, Increased Job Protections & Greater Program Promotion

            (TRENTON) – Legislation Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto, Assembly Speaker Emeritus Sheila Oliver, Assemblyman Reed Gusciora and Assemblywoman Mila Jasey crafted to improve New Jersey’s paid family leave program to ensure it works better for New Jersey families was approved 22-15 Monday by the Senate, giving it final legislative approval.

            The bill was approved by the Assembly last week.

The bill (A-4927) would expand leave times, provide higher compensation to those taking leave, cover more family members, improve job protections and boost awareness of the program.

            “This is an invaluable law, but it’s underused and needs improvement,” said Prieto (D-Hudson/Bergen). “New Jersey’s hard-working men and women deserve a program that can truly help them in their time of need, whether it’s caring for a loved one or welcoming a new family member. The 2009 law was a great first step that we all take pride in, but we also know it wasn’t quite enough. We need to do better – and this bill represents that big step forward.”

More than 155,000 people used New Jersey's paid family leave to take care of a new child or a sick relative in the law's first five years, but too few know the benefits exist or how to sign up, according to a study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health.

The law gives people six weeks off while collecting two-thirds of their pay, but it is capped at an amount set annually. The program is funded through employee payroll deductions of about 50 cents per week until they reach the yearly maximum contribution of $26.08.

Under this bill, the funding mechanism and deduction amount would not change.

The sponsors noted that the bill is supported by key advocates throughout the state, such as New Jersey Citizen Action, AARP, AFL-CIO, New Jersey Policy Perspective & New Jersey Main Street Alliance.

“This is smart, yet compassionate, policymaking,” said Oliver (D-Essex).  “It’s no surprise that key advocates for working families, seniors, laborers and small businesses are supporting this legislation. They understand that improving wage compensation, boosting job protections and covering more family members will provide the economic security necessary to free employees to tend to the needs of a loved one.  In turn, this will address a number of challenges we face as a society that, if ignored, will pose a greater burden on families, businesses and government resources.”

“This legislation is pro-worker, pro-family and pro-economy,” said Gusciora (D-Mercer/Hunterdon).  “Studies show that family leave programs help businesses retain qualified, experienced workers, which in turn boosting their bottom line.  However, our program, as it stands now, needs to be revamped to ensure that it actually delivers on the promise of providing workers with a livable wage and peace of mind to take time off to care for a loved one.”

“Strengthening New Jersey’s paid family leave program is about reinforcing our state’s commitment to working families,” said Jasey (D-Morris/Essex). “No one should feel that putting family first puts his or her economic security in jeopardy.”

“We need to build upon the existing law to make it better and more relevant to today’s working families,” Prieto added. “People can’t take advantage of this program if they don’t know about it and they won’t take advantage of it if it doesn’t help them. We’re going to change that and make this program something usable for anyone who needs it.”

Measure Establishes Tuition Reimbursement Program for Psychiatrists, Addressing Shortage of Mental Health Care Access in Certain Parts of the State

(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Mila Jasey, John McKeon and Valerie Vainieri Huttle to reimburse tuition for psychiatrists who work in underserved areas of the state received final legislative approval Monday and now heads to the governor’s desk.

“The reimbursement program will only be available to physicians who engage in the full-time practice of psychiatry in an area of need designated by the Commissioner of Health,” said Jasey (D- Essex/Morris). “The intent of this legislation is to increase access to much-needed care in underserved communities.”

Under the bill (A-3962), the Commissioner of Health will designate, on the basis of health status and economic indicators, geographic areas of the state that have a shortage of physicians in the specialty of psychiatry. The program will provide 

(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Sheila Oliver, Tom Giblin and Mila Jasey to establish Montclair State University as a public research university was approved 75-0 by the Assembly on Thursday.

The bill would establish Montclair University as a public research university along with Rutgers, The State University, the New Jersey Institute of Technology, and Rowan University.

Currently, Montclair State University is one of eight state colleges in New Jersey.

“In the past 15 years Montclair State University has worked strategically and aggressively to grow its enrollment, faculty, and facilities, and that growth has enabled it to expand its educational programs and research initiatives,” said Speaker Emeritus Oliver (D- Essex). “Receiving numerous acknowledgements nationally as a research doctoral institution, it has clearly earned the designation of public research university by the state.”

In March 2016, the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education officially changed the programmatic mission of the institution to a doctoral degree-granting institution. In February 2016, the national Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, which is the widely recognized classification of United States institutions of higher education, recognized Montclair State University as a Research Doctoral University, based on the substantial growth at the university in doctoral-level education and research activity.

“Montclair State University, Rutgers, the State University, the New Jersey Institute of Technology and Rowan University are all now designated as research doctoral universities,” said Giblin (D-Essex, Passaic). “However, of these institutions only Montclair State University has not been recognized by the state of New Jersey as a public research university.”

“In light of the Montclair University’s actual and successful transformation to a research doctoral university, it is only appropriate for the state to recognize and designate the university as a public research university.” said Jasey (D- Essex, Morris).

Pro-Worker Bill Calls for Expanded Leave Time, Higher Compensation, More Family Member Coverage, Increased Job Protections & Greater Program Promotion

          (TRENTON) – Sweeping legislation Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto crafted to improve New Jersey’s paid family leave program to ensure it works better for New Jersey families cleared the General Assembly by a vote of 49-23-3 on Thursday. 

Also sponsored by Assembly Speaker Emeritus Sheila Oliver, Assemblyman Reed Gusciora and Assemblywoman Mila Jasey, the bill (A-4927) would expand leave times, provide higher compensation to those taking leave, cover more family members, improve job protections and boost awareness of the program.

The bill now awaits final legislative approval from the full Senate before heading to the Governor.

          “This is an invaluable law, but it’s underused and needs improvement,” said Prieto (D-Hudson/Bergen). “New Jersey’s hard-working men and women deserve a program that can truly help them in their time of need, whether it’s caring for a loved one or welcoming a new family member. The 2009 law was a great first step that we all take pride in, but we also know it wasn’t quite enough. We need to do better – and this bill represents that big step forward.”

More than 155,000 people used New Jersey's paid family leave to take care of a new child or a sick relative in the law's first five years, but too few know the benefits exist or how to sign up, according to a study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health.

The law gives people six weeks off while collecting two-thirds of their pay, but it is capped at an amount set annually. The program is funded through employee payroll deductions of about 50 cents per week until they reach the yearly maximum contribution of $26.08.

Under this bill, the funding mechanism and deduction amount would not change.

The sponsors noted that the bill is supported by key advocates throughout the state, such as New Jersey Citizen Action, AARP, AFL-CIO, New Jersey Policy Perspective & New Jersey Main Street Alliance.

“This is smart, yet compassionate, policymaking,” said Oliver (D-Essex).  “It’s no surprise that key advocates for working families, seniors, laborers and small businesses are supporting this legislation. They understand that improving wage compensation, boosting job protections and covering more family members will provide the economic security necessary to free employees to tend to the needs of a loved one.  In turn, this will address a number of challenges we face as a society that, if ignored, will pose a greater burden on families, businesses and government resources.”

“This legislation is pro-worker, pro-family and pro-economy,” said Gusciora (D-Mercer/Hunterdon).  “Studies show that family leave programs help businesses retain qualified, experienced workers, which in turn boosting their bottom line.  However, our program, as it stands now, needs to be revamped to ensure that it actually delivers on the promise of providing workers with a livable wage and peace of mind to take time off to care for a loved one.”

“Strengthening New Jersey’s paid family leave program is about reinforcing our state’s commitment to working families,” said Jasey (D-Morris/Essex). “No one should feel that putting family first puts his or her economic security in jeopardy.”

“We need to build upon the existing law to make it better and more relevant to today’s working families,” Prieto added. “People can’t take advantage of this program if they don’t know about it and they won’t take advantage of it if it doesn’t help them. We’re going to change that and make this program something usable for anyone who needs it.”