Panels Consider Sex Offender, Drunk Driver, Farm Legislation

ASSEMBLY MAJORITY OFFICE RELEASE:
*** MONDAY’S ASSEMBLY COMMITTEES ***
RESIDENCY RESTRICTIONS & TOUGHER SENTENCES FOR SEX
OFFENDERS, IGNITION LOCKS FOR ALL DRUNK DRIVERS &
BOOSTING N.J. FARMERS TOP ASSEMBLY AGENDAS
(TRENTON) – Assembly committees on Monday, June 8 were set to consider residency restrictions and tougher sentences for sex offenders, requiring mandatory ignition locks for all drunk driving offenses and promoting New Jersey farm products.
Panels will also consider bills to honor Cape May veterans, help needy military families and boost
awareness of a community college scholarship program.
Legislation Assembly members Pamela R. Lampitt, Wayne DeAngelo and Linda Greenstein
sponsored to allow municipalities to enact rules to prohibit known sex-offenders from living near schools,
parks and playgrounds will be heard by the Assembly Judiciary Committee.
The measure (A-641) responds to a recent state Supreme Court ruling that invalidated 118 local
ordinances that created such exclusionary zones, citing “a need for statewide uniformity.
“State law needs to be clear that towns can be empowered to enact ordinances that fit a standard
model, make sense for their communities and will ultimately protect kids and give families peace of mind,”
said DeAngelo (D-Mercer/Middlesex), who championed Hamilton Township’s disallowed predator-free-
zone ordinance when he was a member of council.
“Local officials need to know that their efforts to protect children from sexual offenders has the full
and unqualified support of the law,” said Lampitt (D-Camden).
The panel will also consider the “Jessica Lunsford Act” sponsored by Assemblywomen Nancy
Munoz (R-Union) and Joan Voss (D-Bergen). The bill (A-1719) was also sponsored by Munoz’s husband
– the late Assemblyman Eric Munoz (R-Union) – and would increase sentences for sex offenders and
people who harbor them.
Jessica Lunsford was a Florida girl abducted and murdered by a sex offender.
The panel will also consider legislation (A-3073) that would make ignition interlocks mandatory for
all drunk driving offenses in New Jersey.
“We need to send a message loud and clear to both habitual and would-be drunk drivers: the
party’s over,” said sponsor Assemblyman Nelson T. Albano (D-Cumberland/Atlantic/Cape May), whose
son was killed in 2001 by a repeat drunk driver. “If you get caught driving drunk you will face severe
penalties and, through the interlocks, will only be able to operate your car when sober.”
The measure would be known as “Ricci’s Law” to honor the memory of Ricci Branca, a 17-year-
old Egg Harbor Township teen. Ricci was bike riding with friends when a drunk driver plowed into the
group and fled the scene. When police caught the driver, his blood alcohol concentration was 0.339
percent – more than four times the state’s legal limit of 0.08 percent.
The committee will also consider legislation (A-1904) sponsored by Greenstein (D-
Middlesex/Mercer), Valerie Vainieri Huttle and Gordon Johnson (both D-Bergen) to require county
political parties to adopt constitutions and bylaws and file committee membership lists with county clerks.
The Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee will consider legislation (A-4038)
sponsored by Albano and Assemblyman Matthew W. Milam (D-Atlantic/Cape May/Cumberland) that
would promote foods prepared with “Jersey Fresh” ingredients.
The bill (A-4038) would designate baked goods and other food products prepared with “Jersey
Fresh” produce as “Made With Jersey Fresh.”
“New Jersey grows more than 100 different varieties of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, and the state
is ranked nationally in the top 10 as a producer of blueberries, cranberries, peaches, bell peppers, squash
and tomatoes,” Milam said. “These are all fine ingredients, and promoting them with a ‘Made With Jersey
Fresh’ label will further support family farmers and bakers.”
The agriculture committee will also hear testimony on emerging bio-fuels technology that may benefit
New Jersey agriculture.
The Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee will consider
legislation (A-3788) sponsored by Albano and Milam to designate the Route 109 bridge over the Cape
May Canal between Cape May City and Lower Township as the Cape May County Veterans Memorial
Bridge. No public money could be used in making the change.
The Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee will consider legislation sponsored by
Assemblymen Jack Conners (D-Camden/Burlington) and Johnson to taxpayers to voluntarily contribute
money to help New Jersey military personnel and families in need of assistance.
The bill (A-4049) would provide for voluntary contributions on gross income tax returns to
charitable organizations that support active duty members of the New Jersey National Guard and Reserve
and their families.
“Far too often the families of the brave men and women sacrificing to defend this country suffer
financial and other difficulties because a provider is off on active duty,” Conners said. “This would be a
voluntary and simple way to help those families in need.”
The veterans panel will also hear testimony on the Our Lady of Lourdes Hospitality North
American Volunteers and their work with veterans and retired U.S. military.
The Assembly Education Committee will consider legislation Assembly members Patrick Diegnan,
Lampitt and Joan Voss (D-Bergen) sponsored to require school districts to ensure high school juniors and
seniors are aware they could be in line for a NJ STARS full-tuition scholarship. The program provides full-
tuition county college scholarships to students who graduate in the top 15 percent of their high school class.
“NJ STARS is allowing thousands of deserving students who might not have had the means to
attend college and work towards a degree that will benefit them for the rest of their lives,” said Diegnan (D-
Middlesex).
The panel will also conduct a roundtable discussion with invited participants on the New Jersey’s
statewide assessment program.
The Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee, meanwhile, has invited
representatives from the FealGood Foundation to discuss the foundation’s initiatives. The group is
dedicated to assisted first responders who have suffered adverse health effects after responding to the
Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
To view committee agenda please visit http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislativepub/legcal.asp.