New Jersey Senate Democratic Office

Commuters should not be left in the dark on changes to their private bus route service. In response to recent cancellations of routes and services by private bus carriers that left some New Jerseyans stranded, legislation from Senator Angela V. McKnight & Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz was recently signed into law giving riders more advanced notice. "We need to make sure transportation is reliable, dependable and that people can get to and from their destinations," says McKnight. In recent years, various private bus carrier companies have terminated services and routes throughout the state with little notice. The bill requires a private bus operator to provide at least four months’ written notice to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and NJ Transit before a substantial cutback in service. The bus operator is also required to give at least three months’ written notice to customers and hold at least one public meeting in the affected area.

New Jersey residents have been hit with a spike in energy costs this summer, with some South Jersey residents seeing monthly electric bills more than double. A bill authored by Senator John Burzichelli would automatically inform customers of their energy use at regular, early intervals so they can manage consumption to accommodate their needs. “The sudden spike in energy bills can result in sticker shock for consumers. It can make it difficult for them to manage household finances,” said Senator Burzichelli on his Energy BillWatch legislation. "This program will provide alerts so they aren’t caught by surprise with exorbitant bills at the end of the month. It would provide real-time information that allows customers to manage their energy consumption and control costs.”

We are one step closer to ensuring access to mental health care for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Legislation from Linda Greenstein to establish certain requirements to ensure access to mental health services for these individuals unanimously passed the Senate Budget Committee. “Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing are an underrepresented group who often face serious challenges due to cultural and communication barriers," says Senator Greenstein. This legislation will help ensure they have access to care that is most appropriate utilizing a patient’s preferred method of communication, so that those challenges do not represent an insurmountable barrier to obtaining care.

We heard powerful testimony on how psilocybin can make a real difference in the lives of people suffering from adverse health conditions. The Senate Budget Committee approved legislation from Senate President Nicholas Scutari & Senator Joe Vitale to establish a framework for the regulated production and use of psilocybin as a behavioral health treatment. "Scientific research is showing that psilocybin can be a safe and effective treatment for severe depression, anxiety and other mental health disorders,” says Scutari. Clinical trials and research are showing psilocybin to be an effective treatment for PTSD, substance use disorder, anorexia and chronic pain, as well as depression and anxiety. A non-addictive drug derived from mushrooms, psilocybin has been officially designated a “breakthrough therapy” by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "Mental health disorders are not a one-size fits all category – psilocybin might be the one treatment that works for thousands of people in our state," Vitale says.

Funding secured by Senator Joe Lagana in this year's state budget will help communities like Saddle Brook take major steps to ensure they are better protected from flooding and future storms. Senator Lagana joined Lisa Swain, ?Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco, Mayor Bob White and other local officials to present $1 million to Saddle River County Park to dredge the the pond at Otto Pehle Park.

On Monday, the Senate Education Committee heard powerful testimony from students, educators, and advocates defending the Freedom to Read Act from Andrew Zwicker Their voices underscored that access to diverse books and ideas is crucial for every student's growth, well-being, and success. The bill passed committee, bringing us one step closer to ensuring that our schools and libraries remain spaces for education, not censorship. Together, we’re paving the way for a future where all students can explore diverse and inclusive materials.

“Despite the provision of federal aid, many families whose homes were damaged by Hurricane Ida remain financially burdened from the effects of the storm," says Senator Troy Singleton. His legislation to provide mortgage relief and foreclosure protections form those still struggling from Hurricane Ida advanced committee unanimously.

Since the Fall of 2021, PEN America has counted more than 10,000 attempts to ban books across the United States. “Attempts to ban books are disproportionately being used to silence marginalized voices and perspectives - particularly people of color or LGBTQ+ individuals,” says Senator Andrew Zwicker. The Freedom to Read Act protects a reader’s freedom to access information and safeguards librarians from harassment brought on by extreme book ban efforts. The bill passed the Senate Education Committee.?

Today the State Senate unanimously confirmed John Hoffman to serve as an Associate Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court. "You're going to have an unbelievable impact on people's lives," says Senate President Nicholas Scutari.

Today the Senate Education Committee will hear the Freedom to Read Act from Senator Andrew Zwicker. Last year alone over 1,000 books were challenged across the country, "hoping to erase diverse materials from book shelves, usually targeting works focused on race and LGBTQ+ themes," says the Senator. This legislation will protect a reader’s freedom to access information and safeguard librarians from harassment brought on by extreme book ban efforts. BAYARD RUSTIN CENTER FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE American Library Association