By Vin Gopal
The Senate has advanced many of our bills in the past couple of weeks.
Two of our legislative initiatives to protect victims of human trafficking and domestic violence have progressed in the Senate. Human trafficking happens everywhere. It is modern-day slavery that keeps some of our most vulnerable residents – most victims are women and children – held captive physically, psychologically and emotionally. More than 80 percent of human trafficking is classified as sex trafficking. Appearing in court to testify only traumatizes the victims all over again.
That’s why it is gratifying that the Senate Judiciary Committee passed our sponsored legislation expanding protection for victims and witnesses of human trafficking to testify in criminal proceedings via closed circuit television. While the current law permits the victim or witness, the prosecutor, or the defendant or defense counsel to make a motion seeking closed circuit testimony, our bill would also permit a trial judge to act on the judge’s own motion to protect a victim or witness.
The Senate Judiciary Committee also passed our legislation that eliminates the statute of limitations for prosecution of human trafficking crimes. Under current law, only the most heinous crimes - murder, manslaughter, sexual assault, and criminal offenses arising from violations of certain environmental statutes that cause widespread injury or damage - have no statute of limitations. Our legislation recognizes the devastating impact that human trafficking has on victims by adding human trafficking to that list.
Last week, Senator Shirley Turner and I introduced the "Jack Reid Law: Protect All Students Act". The Act would prohibit harassment or bullying of nonpublic school students and require nonpublic schools to adopt an anti-harassment and bullying policy, similar to what is required of public schools. . The bill prohibits harassment or bullying, including cyberbullying, of a nonpublic school student by another student or students enrolled in a nonpublic school on school property or at a school function. The bill calls for the principal or chief school administrator to promptly investigate an incident, report their findings to the victim, and take appropriate action to ensure that any confirmed harassment or bullying is stopped to ensure the safety of the victim.
The Senate advanced legislation, of which my Legislative District 11 partner Assemblywoman Dr. Margie Donlon also is a prime sponsor, to extend the requirement that health benefits plans in the State reimburse the same amount for healthcare services delivered through telemedicine or telehealth as in-person visits to healthcare professionals. The requirement is set to expire this July 1. Our legislation extends it until December 31, 2027.
As we get closer to the elections in November, we want to make sure that young, first-time voters understand the voting process as well as their right, and their obligation, to vote. The Senate passed our legislation to require instruction on voting in the curriculum of high school seniors as part of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Social Studies.
As we travel to schools throughout Monmouth County students too often tell us they feel disenfranchised from government and politics. Our bill calls for instruction that provides students information on the importance of voting, including the role and responsibilities of citizens as voters. It would include information on voter registration, eligibility requirements, the pre-registration and registration processes, and other important aspects of voting.
Under the bill, school districts may collaborate with election officials to develop the instruction on voting and with local boards of elections to assist in providing students with voter preregistration or registration forms.
When we make sure everybody eligible to vote is included in our elections, we get better government for all residents.
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