MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Phil Murphy signed A1104, also known as the Hunger-Free Students’ Bill of Rights Act. The bill seeks to prevent school districts from taking adverse action, such as a denial of meals or public identification measures, known as “lunch shaming,” against students who have school meal bills that are in arrears.

The bill also requires districts to annually provide all parents and/or guardians with the information and forms necessary to maximize participation in programs. Additionally, the bill requires a district’s liaison for homeless students to ensure that homeless students receive free meals.

“We have an obligation to ensure that our schools are safe, nurturing environments for our students and maximize the reach of beneficial programs” said Governor Murphy. “No child deserves to be shamed over school lunch debt. I commend the Legislature for taking decisive action to protect New Jersey’s students from the stigma and punishment of lunch shaming.”

“This bill tackles two very important parts of our school meal issue here in New Jersey,” said Assemblywoman Carol Murphy. “First, by eliminating policies employed in schools to punish and effectively stigmatize students whose families cannot pay off school meal debt. And second, by establishing guidelines for schools to improve the identification and participation of eligible students in free and reduced-price meal programs.”

“I find it totally unacceptable that children, whose families may be struggling to pay for any number of reasons, are being singled out,” said Assemblywoman Angela McKnight. “Taking a meal away from a child, forcing them to sit at a particular table or stand at the back of the lunch line, withholding grades and barring them from school trips or even prom hinders productive learning. It’s bullying and in no way appropriate.”

“We need to be getting a better picture of why families can’t pay and then developing action around that, not making assumptions,” said Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle. “The solution could be as simple as connecting parents with school meal program applications and qualification requirements, but until we ensure school districts are doing that we won’t know.”

“For many children around the state, the meals they receive in school may be their only reliable source of food each day,” said Senator Teresa Ruiz. “Unfortunately, the cost can be financially straining for families struggling to make ends meet and we have seen one too many instances in our state of students being shamed for their school lunch debt. Last year, through legislation I sponsored, we were able to eliminate the cost associated with reduced price meals. As we continue to address food insecurity and school nutrition, the Hunger-Free Students Bill of Rights Act will ensure no one is ostracized for their inability to pay for a meal.”

“In the wake of the current public health crisis, many families across the state will be struggling financially,” said Senator James Beach. “Once schools reopen, this law will ensure all districts are handling school lunch debt respectfully and in a manner that does not punish the students.”

MORRIS COUNTY — Senator Anthony M. Bucco has introduced a pair of bills to help front line healthcare workers and first responders who are suffering from the stresses of responding to COVID-19. The first bill creates a toll-free hotline they can call for support, while a resolution calls on the federal government to provide additional resources to combat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

“While the overall number of COVID cases throughout New Jersey is dropping, the psychological toll experienced by healthcare workers through constant exposure to sickness, fatalities, and the tragedy of it all remains,” said Bucco (R-25). “Those who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder deserve quick and proper assistance to help them better cope with all they have experienced. I am proud to team with Rutgers University to create a 24/7 helpline that will provide an outlet for our healthcare and first responder heroes to safely share their thoughts and connect with peer support and counseling services.”

Bucco’s first bill, in coordination with the Department of Health and Rutgers University Behavioral HealthCare, would create a toll-free helpline for first responders, health care workers, and other frontline workers experiencing PTSD.

The legislation requires the operators of the helpline to be familiar with post-traumatic stress disorder and the emotional and psychological anxieties unique to first responders, health care workers, and their families. They may also be trained to provide counseling services involving marriage and family life, substance abuse, personal stress management, and other emotional or psychological conditions that may adversely affect the well-being of front line workers.

Bucco’s second piece of legislation urges the federal government to provide aid to New Jersey to combat PTSD due to COVID-19.

New Jersey has more than 120,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and nearly 8,000 deaths attributable to the disease.

“While the federal government has donated many resources to help New Jersey in the war against COVID-19, more help is necessary to best combat post-traumatic stress disorder,” added Bucco. “We must ensure that our hospital workers, first responders, and their families have access to the mental health services they need to cope with the trauma and stress they have endured as a result of this pandemic.”

Both bills have bipartisan support in the New Jersey Legislature. Additional legislation to help those on the front lines is forthcoming, Bucco said.

NEW JERSEY — COVID-19 testing will be available daily in East Rutherford to all NJ Transit employees. Through an agreement with Agile Urgent Care and Accurate Diagnostics Lab, NJ Transit employees will be accepted for appointment-only testing at the site which opened on April 13 and is currently geared toward first responders and frontline healthcare workers. Online registration access for NJ Transit employees will be available beginning on Sunday, May 3.  NJ Transit is also working to expand access to similar testing sites in central and south Jersey.

This expansion of testing advances Principle 2 of Governor Murphy’s “The Road Back: Restoring Economic Health Through Public Health.”  With support from the Governor and working with the United Transportation Union’s SMART-TD Local 60 President Jerome Johnson and the Amalgamated Transit Union’s New Jersey State Council President Orlando Riley, NJ Transit is extremely pleased to announce this significant health and safety advancement for NJ Transit employees. The ability to facilitate access to testing for employees will lead to quicker identification of cases, quicker treatment for those testing positive, and immediate isolation to prevent spread.

“The men and women of NJ Transit have been an essential part of our frontline COVID-19 response efforts,” said Governor Murphy.“With increased access to testing, we can ensure the health and safety of NJ Transit’s workforce and build public confidence in our mass-transit system, as our economy begins to reopen in the weeks ahead.”

“Maintaining the public transportation system to ensure essential personnel has a way to get where they are needed is critical, and the committed men and women of NJ TRANSIT are on the front lines doing their part to keep the trains and buses clean, safe, and running,” NJ Transit Chair and NJDOT Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti said. “Providing our employees access to testing is another way we can keep everyone safe and make sure those that need treatment get it as soon as possible.”

“There has been no higher priority at NJ TRANSIT than the health and safety of our incredibly dedicated employees. Providing access to a dedicated COVID-19 testing site is just another layer of protection we’re adding to the many proactive measures we’ve taken since the onset of this pandemic,” said NJ Transit President & CEO Kevin Corbett. “Our employees have continued to operate on the frontlines of this crisis in order to keep essential personnel moving through the region, and we’re pleased to be able to facilitate access to testing that will ultimately lead to quicker treatment and slowing the spread of the virus.”

“I would like to thank Governor Murphy for his understanding that testing is something all New Jersey citizens need.  I am extremely appreciative that Governor Murphy understands that the frontline employees must be tested for this deadly virus,” says Smart-TD Local 60 General Chairman and President Jerome C. Johnson.“Smart-TD Local 60 members are most susceptible to catch this virus due to the nature of their respective duties.  Governor Murphy’s understanding and leadership will only help protect our members and passengers by making sure all essential employees are tested for the COVID-19 virus.”

“It’s great news that NJ Transit will be testing all employees, particularly our members working on the frontlines. It’s imperative that we identify those individuals who are positive, in order to prevent further spreading of the virus and help those positive individuals get the care they need,” said ATU NJ State Council Chairman Orlando Riley.

“On behalf of the Members of PBA 304, the PBA would like to thank NJ Transit,  Agile Urgent Care and Accurate Diagnostics for partnering together to ensure that all members of the New Jersey Transit Police Department, as well as our frontline employees from ATU NJ State Council, Smart-TD Local 60 and the other Rail Unions on the property all, operate in a healthy and safe environment,” said PBA 304 President Dan Whartnaby.

As a reminder, all staff and customers on NJ TRANSIT vehicles are required to wear face coverings per Governor Murphy’s Executive Order No. 125.

Due to the rapidly changing nature of the COVID-19 response, customers are strongly encouraged to sign up for My Transit alerts and to check njtransit.com for the latest updates.

As an added precautionary measure to protect bus operators and customers, NJ Transit has implemented rear-door boarding on all bus routes where rear-boarding is available. Seats near the bus operator have been taken out of service to allow for proper social distancing for the operator.  Customers are encouraged to use the NJ Transit mobile ticketing app or purchase paper tickets prior to boarding to limit cash transactions with the bus operator. Travel should be limited to essential personnel only.

MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 135, suspending in-person requirements for receipt of a marriage license and marriage ceremonies, and for the receipt of working papers for minors.

“Our current public health emergency requires us to adjust our processes to protect public health and safety,” said Governor Murphy. “Even in uncertain times, we must allow important milestones, like marriages or youth seeking their first job, to move forward in a safe, efficient manner.”

Under the executive order, individuals may use videoconferencing technology for the licensing process and the marriage ceremony. The requirement that a marriage or civil union be solemnized in the physical presence of an officiant and two witnesses can be satisfied through the use of live audio-visual technology, provided certain conditions are met.

The order also suspends the 72-hour waiting period between the license application and issuance, extends the period that a license is valid from 30 to 90 days, and waives fees imposed for the issuance of a second marriage or civil union license if the original has expired.

Additionally, minors seeking to certify their working papers with a school designated official will be permitted to do so through videoconference. Individual school districts will craft procedures that satisfy the statutory requirements without requiring in-person contact.

The executive order permits both in-person marriage licensing and ceremonies and in-person certification of working papers to continue, subject to social distancing, where offices are open, and officials are available to oversee the processes.

The order will take effect on Monday, May 4, 2020.

Click here to download a copy of Executive Order No. 135.