S-786

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney and Senator Barbara Buono which would provide paid family leave benefits for workers caring for sick family members and newborn or newly adopted children received final legislative approval today from the full Senate by a vote of 21 to 15.

             “I know this type of leave time is necessary, because I’ve been there myself,” said Majority Leader Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem, in reference to the birth of his 14 year-old daughter, Lauren, who remained in intensive care for 75 days after she was born.  “In my case, I had an understanding employer, but I can’t say the same for all of New Jersey’s workers.  This bill would signify a new day for the State’s workforce, in that, the needs of families will be put before the needs of business owners. Parenting is the most important job that many of us will ever undertake, and this legislation would allow New Jersey to remain in the forefront of providing necessary benefits for its hard-working residents.”

TRENTON –  Senator Barbara. Buono, the Chair of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee, today made the following comments in conjunction with the panel’s consideration of S-786, the bill she is co-prime sponsoring to provide for paid family leave in New Jersey. The bill was approved 8-6 and now goes to the full Senate.

            “Every so often we get a chance here to make decisions which will make a real difference in the lives of our residents. Today is one of those days.

            TRENTON – Senator Dana Redd, D-Camden, today voted in favor of a paid family leave bill (S-786) as it was approved by the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee, saying her support “reflects my total commitment to the working community across this State.”

            The bill, sponsored by Senators Stephen M. Sweeney and Barbara Buono, now goes before the full Senate for consideration. It was approved 8-6 by the committee.

            “This bill is reflective of my total commitment to the working community across this State, as well as to the business community of New Jersey,” said Senator Redd, a member of the Senate budget panel.

TRENTON – Senator Loretta Weinberg, D-Bergen, today testified before the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee in favor of legislation sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney and Budget and Appropriations panel Chair Senator Barbara Buono, which would appropriate up to six weeks of paid family leave time for employees. 

TRENTON – Senator Sandra B. Cunningham, D-Hudson, and a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, released the following statement today regarding legislation sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney and Senator Barbara Buono, to provide up to six weeks of paid family leave time for employees:

            “My vote today in support of extending paid family leave benefits to employees of all businesses, regardless of size, was a vote of good conscience.  In my district, there are a substantial number of small businesses, whose employees are primarily single women, who serve as the head of their households. 

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney and Senator Barbara Buono, which would provide paid family leave benefits for workers caring for sick family members and newborn or newly adopted children was approved today by the Senate Budget and Appropriations panel by a vote of 8-6.

             “When my daughter Lauren was born, she remained in the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit for 75 days, and she required constant care, which meant that either my wife or I were there with her round the clock,” said Senator Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem.  “I’m thankful that I had such an understanding employer, but I can see how it would be hard on an employee who doesn’t.  This legislation is about giving families time to bond – it’s about giving them time to care for their loved ones.  Passing this legislation is vital to helping hard working New Jerseyans balance taking care of their families and holding onto jobs that enable them to do so.”