Sherrill, Jain Announce NJDOT’s First Design-Build Contract Award

Governor Mikie Sherrill and New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Commissioner Priya Jain today announced Agate Construction Company, Inc. and A. Servidone, Inc./B. Anthony Construction Corp. JV have been awarded a $47.7 million contract for the Department’s first Design-Build project, the Route 50 Bridge over Cedar Swamp Creek replacement project, located in Upper Township, Cape May County.

“When I took office, I made clear that we were going to do things differently and deliver for the people of New Jersey. That means taking more efficient, innovative approaches to modernizing our aging infrastructure. The Route 50 Bridge project reflects that, by replacing this critical connection to Cape May County and key coastal evacuation route through New Jersey’s first-ever Design-Build approach. By combining design and construction into one streamlined process, we’re cutting delays, lowering costs, and delivering this long-overdue upgrade faster for New Jerseyans.”

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NJ Right to Life PAC Endorses Rosie Pino for Congress

New Jersey Right to Life PAC (NJRTL-PAC), the state’s premier pro-life advocacy organization, officially announced its endorsement of four-term local elected official, Rosie Pino, for Congress in New Jersey’s 9th Congressional District.

The high-profile endorsement draws a razor-sharp contrast in the Republican Primary, solidifying Pino as the only true conservative leader in the race who explicitly and unapologetically stands for protecting life.

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Reynolds-Jackson Applauds Advancement of the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act

Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson issued the following statement after testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee today in support of the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey. The Assemblywoman is the prime sponsor of the Act (Bill A1715) in the Assembly. The General Assembly passed the legislation earlier this year.

“The advancement of the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act in the Senate Judiciary Committee marks another important step toward strengthening and protecting one of our most fundamental rights, the right to vote. At a time when we are seeing growing efforts across the country to create barriers to participation and raise questions about who should have access to the ballot box, New Jersey is continuing to move in the opposite direction by making clear that every eligible voter deserves a fair opportunity to participate in our democracy.

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Assembly Democrats Advance Bill Targeting “Revenge Porn” on Social Media Sites

With nonconsensual, intimate, and explicit images and videos proliferating online, the General Assembly passed legislation yesterday that would require social media companies to take steps to remove this content from their platforms. Bill A3064 is sponsored by Assemblyman Chris Tully and Assemblywoman Shanique Speight.
There’s been a significant rise in non-consensual intimate image (NCII) distribution, also known as “revenge porn.” Victims of NCII suffer emotional, psychological and reputational harm. To make matters worse, they often face difficulties in getting these images removed from social media platforms.
“In a matter of minutes exploitative content can spread across platforms and leave victims to deal with the kind of lasting emotional and personal consequences that can last a lifetime,” said Assemblyman Tully (D-Bergen). “As technology continues to evolve, particularly with the rise of AI-generated media, we have a responsibility to make sure the protections in place evolve alongside it, and part of that responsibility is making sure there exists an effective pathway for getting harmful content removed quickly.”
The bill would define intimate images and videos and would require social media companies to establish and implement procedures to assist nonprofit organizations in monitoring, flagging, and removing nonconsensual intimate images from social media platforms.
“For victims, especially young people, the emotional toll of having what feels like your dignity taken away can be devastating and it is our responsibility to make sure they are not powerless in these moments,” said Assemblywoman Speight (D-Essex, Hudson). “If we want people to be able to regain a sense of control, we need to make sure harmful content does not continue circulating unchecked in the first place, and this bill is an important step toward making that happen.”

Katz, Venezia, Sweeney Bills to Protecting New Jersey Children Clears Assembly

With children’s mental and physical health top of mind, the New Jersey General Assembly advanced legislation designed to improve access to crisis support services and address harmful social media practices that can contribute to eating disorders among young users. Bills A2733 and A2739 respond to growing concerns about the mental health challenges facing children and the impact digital platforms can have on young people’s self-image and emotional health. Assemblywoman Andrea Katz and Assemblyman Michael Venezia sponsored both bills.

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General Assembly Advances ‘Patient and Provider Protection Act’

Assemblyman Roy Freiman’s ongoing efforts to address rising prescription costs took a big step forward today with the Assembly passage of the “Patient and Provider Protection Act” (A1502). The legislation aims to bring transparency and accountability to pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), the middlemen who often drive up costs for patients and families. The “Patient and Provider Protection Act” would regulate PBMs and help make prescription drugs more affordable for New Jersey families.

“This bill is about putting patients first and making prescription drugs more affordable for New Jersey families,” said Assemblyman Freiman (D-Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset). “PBMs need to be held accountable by providing a fair process for independent pharmacies to access medication and ensuring patients don’t have to jump through hoops to find the most affordable option for their prescriptions. This legislation would ensure that no New Jerseyan’s access to medication is hindered by contracts that place profits ahead of people.”

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Swain Bill to Promote Community Supported Agriculture Passes Assembly

Community supported agriculture (CSA) programs would get increased visibility under legislation passed by the General Assembly today.

Bill A3108, sponsored by Assemblywoman Lisa Swain, would require the Department of Agriculture to develop and implement a statewide publicity and marketing program to increase awareness of CSA programs.

CSAs allow consumers to purchase seasonal subscriptions directly from local farms in exchange for regular shares of fresh produce and other agricultural products.

The bill would require the department to create and maintain a dedicated CSA webpage, promote participating farms and programs statewide, develop promotional labels for farmers, and establish an annual “Community Supported Agriculture Week” during the last full week of February. It would also expand opportunities for schools to participate in CSA programs through the State’s existing Farm to School Program.

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Bill Regulating Deceptive AI-Generated Real Estate Ads Clears Housing Committee

With artificial intelligence (AI) making it increasingly easy to manipulate photos and videos, the Assembly Housing Committee advanced legislation yesterday that would regulate the deceptive use of AI and heavily altered images in certain property listings. Assemblywomen Carmen Morales and Mitchelle Drulis and Assemblyman Al Abdelaziz sponsored Bill A4728.

“Searching for a place to live is already stressful enough without people having to wonder if the listing they are looking at is even real,” said Assemblywoman Morales (D-Essex). “When people can hide serious problems and exaggerate conditions, we have a serious problem. We must do everything we can to protect our residents during one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives.”

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Bill Would Safeguard Access to Reproductive Health Care in New Jersey

Recognizing that health care decisions are best left between patients and their doctors, the Assembly Health Committee today advanced legislation that would strengthen protections for both patients seeking reproductive health care services in New Jersey and their providers.

Bill A2218 would ensure that patients have the freedom to make medical decisions with their reproductive health care providers, without interference from other individuals or entities. Assemblywomen Shanique Speight, Ellen Park, Annette Quijano, and Luanne Peterpaul sponsored the legislation.

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Simmons Bill to Ensure Dialysis Patients Can Have a Support Person Present Advances in Assembly

Legislation sponsored by Assemblywoman Heather Simmons that would ensure dialysis patients can have a designated support person present during treatment cleared the Assembly Health Committee on Monday.For thousands of New Jersey residents living with end-stage kidney disease, dialysis is a life-sustaining treatment that often requires hours-long sessions several times each week. These treatments can be physically exhausting and emotionally draining, leaving many patients in need of additional support.“Dialysis is not just a medical procedure; it is a demanding and deeply personal experience,” said Assemblywoman Simmons (D-Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland). “This bill was inspired by a nonverbal patient who was unable to have a support person present during treatment, despite relying on that person for comfort, communication, and advocacy. A3434 helps ensure patients can have a trusted support person by their side during dialysis when they need it most.”During testimony at yesterday’s hearing, Assemblywoman Simmons introduced Patty Bomba of Carneys Point, who shared her family’s experience advocating for her 29-year-old granddaughter living with multiple disabilities and end-stage renal disease. Bomba testified that when her granddaughter began dialysis treatment, her request to accompany her as a support person was denied. As a result, serious issues arose during treatment that she believes could have been avoided had she been allowed to be present.The legislation, known as the “New Jersey Dialysis Patient Support Person Accommodation Act,” would require dialysis centers across New Jersey to reasonably accommodate patients requesting that a support person accompany them during dialysis treatment. The bill would also require facilities to establish written policies regarding support person access, provide staff training, and comply with oversight from the Department of Health.Under the bill, dialysis centers may still establish reasonable health, safety, and infection control measures, provided those policies do not unnecessarily restrict access to a support person. Facilities that fail to comply would be subject to penalties, fines, or corrective action orders from the Department of Health.