With the conclusion of the November election,
the New Jersey Legislature will be reconvening to finish
its business for the current session that ends on January
7th. Between now and then NAMI NEW JERSEY Advocates must
work to move the S2341/A3639 through the Senate and Assembly
committees and to the floor of each body for a full vote.
A concerted effort is needed to gain passage by January
7. After that date the bills must be reintroduced and begin
the legislative process again.
Strong support continues to build for bills S2341/A3639
that would reform New Jersey’s practice of placing
liens on the patients of state and county psychiatric hospitals
and their family members. 19 additional legislators have
become cosponsors of the legislation this fall following
an outpouring of letters and phone calls from NAMI NEW JERSEY
advocates. A total of 30 legislators, a quarter of both
houses of the legislature, are now signed on as sponsors.
Coupled with the NAMI NEW JERSEY success this summer in
having a bill signed into law that relieved adult children
from the financial responsibility for their parent’s
hospitalization, the current bill(s) would end the discriminatory
treatment of people with a mental illness and their families
that has existed since 1918.
ACTION REQUIRED:
Advocates are urged to contact the members of the committees
listed below. The Senate Committee is hearing S2341, the
Assembly Committee will be hearing A3639. The two bills
are identical. Senators and Assemblymen are most likely
to consider the comments of people who reside in their district.
If you are represented by one or more of the legislators
listed below make sure you contact them and let them know
you are one of their constituents. If you do not know who
your legislators are, you can find the information at http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/html/legsearc.htm
or by contacting the Office of Legislative Services (800)
792-8630. If you are not represented by a member of one
of the Committees it is still important that you, and as
many friends as possible, contact the two chairs and let
them know how important it is to move these bills through
committee so that they may be brought to the floor for a
vote.
<printable formatt>
SAMPLE LETTER/PHONE CALL
Dear Assemblyman or Senator _______________,
As a ( family member or friend of a person with a mental
illness, a mental health professional or a person with a
mental illness) I am writing/calling for your support in
moving S2341 or A3639 through committee so that they may
be brought to the floor for a vote. These bills would reform
the discriminatory practice of placing automatic liens on
the patients of state and county psychiatric hospitals and
there families. I appreciate your previous vote to end the
liens that were placed on adult children. I am now asking
that you help complete the job before the end of the current
session.
Thank you for your help.
Sincerely yours,
(your name and address)
Senate Senior Citizens, Veterans' Affairs and Human Services
Cafiero, James S. - Chair District 1, Republican
3319 New Jersey Ave., P.O. Box 789, Wildwood, NJ 08260 (609)-522-0462
Robertson, Norman M. - Vice-Chair District 34 Republican
Overlook at Great Notch, 150 Clove Rd., Little Falls, NJ
07424 (973)-237-1300
Connors, Leonard T. District 9, Republican
620 West Lacey Rd., Forked River, NJ 08731 (609)-693-6700
James, Sharpe District 29, Democrat
50 Park Place, Suite 1535, Newark, NJ 07102 (973)-622-0007
Rice, Ronald L. District 28, Democrat,
1044 South Orange Ave., Newark, NJ 07106 (973)-371-5665
Assembly Senior Issues and Community Services
Cottrell, Melvin - Chair, District 30, Republican
2110 W. County Line Rd., Jackson, NJ 08527 (732)-901-0702
LeFevre, Kenneth C. - Vice-Chair, District 2, Republican,
6814 Tilton Rd., Unit H, Egg Harbor Twp., NJ 08234 (609)-407-0407
Friscia, Arline M., District 19, Democrat,
249 Main St., Woodbridge, NJ 07001 (732)-634-2526
Gill, Nia H. District 27, Democrat,
425 Bloomfield Ave., 2nd Fl., Montclair, NJ 07042 (973)-509-0388
Vandervalk, Charlotte , District 39, Republican
220 Kinderkamack Rd., Suite E, Westwood, NJ 07675 (201)-666-0881
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