Several pro-worker bills supported by the New Jersey State AFL-CIO were voted on in committee today. Below is a summary of actions taken in the state Senate and Assembly:
Earned Sick Leave (A-1827/S-2171): The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee voted to release this bill from committee bringing it one step closer to a floor vote. Having previously passed the full Assembly, a full Senate vote will send this legislation to the governor’s desk. We thank the bill’s prime sponsors, Senator Weinberg and Assembly members Lampitt and Mukherji, and look forward to enactment of this crucial policy that the State Federation and its affiliates have taken the lead on for several years. The committee vote took place along party lines.
PSE&G Nuclear Energy (A-3724/S-2313): The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee also voted to release this bill which will help to preserve middle class jobs as well as strengthen and diversify New Jersey’s energy portfolio. We thank the bill’s prime sponsors, Senators Sweeney, Smith, and Van Drew and Assembly members Burzichelli, McKeon, and DeAngelo. The legislation received unanimous support in the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and was released from the Assembly Appropriations Committee as well.
Out-of-Network Consumer Protection (A-2039/S-485): The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee voted to release this bill which seeks to end the practice of charging consumers exorbitant fees for out-of-network care. We thank the bill’s prime sponsors, Senators Vitale and Weinberg, Assembly Speaker Coughlin, and Assemblyman Schaer. The committee vote took place mostly along party lines Senators Sarlo, Thompson, and Bucco voted “no” while O’Scanlon, Oroho, and Addiego were absent. The bill was also released by the Senate Commerce and Assembly Appropriations Committees.
We once again thank the many legislative champions of these measures and look forward to working with our affiliates to enact these policies into law in order to benefit working people and consumers across the state.