Monday, May 12, 2014

NJ Senate OKs Bills Saving Infants, Honoring Military

The New Jersey state Senate passed today a pair of bills sponsored by Senator Anthony Bucco (R-Morris) to separately save the lives of infants and honor military veterans.

Senate bill 122 creates more “Safe Havens” for newborn infants to be dropped off across New Jersey.

“This bill is to save as many of these vulnerable infants as possible,” Bucco said. “Since my Republican colleagues and I enacted the Safe Haven law in the 2000-2001 legislative session, the lives of more than 50 infants have been saved and there has been a 60 percent reduction in the number of illegal child abandonments in New Jersey. I urge the Assembly to advance this life-saving bill to Gov. Christie for signage into law.”

Current law allows a parent or person acting on their behalf to take a newborn baby to two types of sites: any hospital emergency room or any county or municipal police station.

S122 expands the list of sites at which newborn infants may be left safely and anonymously by a parent, or another person acting on the parent’s behalf, in accordance with the provisions of the “New Jersey Safe Haven Infant Protection Act,” to include fire stations and the premises of ambulance, first aid, and rescue squads that are staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Senate also advanced Bucco’s S1607 to the Governor for consideration to make May “Military Appreciation Month” in New Jersey.

“I encourage all New Jerseyans to honor the sacrifices of our armed forces and their families,” Bucco said. “I’m hoping that May can be a special month with activities, programs and events dedicated to our bravest men and women all across New Jersey.”

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