‘URBAN HOPE’ EDUCATION REFORM, UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS EXTENSION, NO CIVIL STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE, RESTRICTING SEX OFFENDER RESIDENCY, & PERMITTING DIRECT WINE SHIPPING TOP THURSDAY ASSEMBLY AGENDA

(TRENTON)-Assembly committees on Thursday will consider the Urban Hope education reform legislation, removing the statute of limitations for sexual abuse civil actions, restricting sex offender residency, and permitting direct wine shipping.

A pilot program to allow horse wagering in taverns and restaurants, child welfare reform, removing the waiting period for marriage and civil union licenses, gender equity in the workplace, and property tax relief for schools with significant enrollment growth are also on tap.

 Hearings began at 10 a.m. Audio of the hearings are streaming live at:

http://www,njleg.state.nj.us/media/live_audio.asp

Highlights include:

• The Urban Hope Act (A-4426) sponsored by Angel Fuentes (D-Camden/Gloucester) to allow nonprofits to build and operate “renaissance” schools in Camden, Jersey City, and Newark. It will be considered by the Assembly Budget Committee at 10 a.m.
• A bill to continue an option made available by federal legislation to permit laid-off workers in New Jersey to continue to receive extended unemployment benefits (A-4437). It’s sponsored by Joseph Egan (D-Middlesex/Somerset) and will be heard at 10 a.m. by the Assembly Labor Committee.
• The Assembly Judiciary Committee at 10 a.m. will consider a bill to remove the statute of limitations in civil actions for sexual abuse (A-3622). It’s sponsored by Annette Quijano (D-Union), Peter Barnes III (D-Middlesex) and L.Grace Spencer (D-Essex).
• A pilot program to allow horse wagering in taverns and restaurants in Bergen, Hudson, Essex, Passaic, Union, Morris, Somerset, Hunterdon, Warren, Sussex, northern Middlesex and Ocean counties (A-4285). It’s sponsored by John Burzichelli (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland), Ralph Caputo (D-Essex) and Connie Wagner (D-Bergen). It will be heard at 2 p.m. by the Assembly gaming panel.
• A bill (A-4436) to permit direct wine shipping in New Jersey. It’s sponsored by John Burzichelli and Celeste Riley (both D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland) and John Wisniewski (D-Middlesex) and will be heard at 10 a.m. by the Assembly Budget Committee.
• Legislation to permit municipalities to regulate where sex offenders may live (A-3363). It’s sponsored by Pam Lampitt (D-Camden), Daniel R. Benson and Wayne DeAngelo (both D-Mercer/Middlesex).It will be heard at 10 a.m. by the Assembly Budget Committee.
• A bill sponsored by John Burzichelli and Celeste Riley (both D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland) to provide about $4.1 million in property tax relief to schools with significant enrollment growth (A-3961). It’s to be heard at 10 a.m. by the Assembly Budget Committee.
• A bill sponsored by Lou Greenwald (D-Camden), Ralph Caputo (D-Essex) and Annette Quijano (D-Union) to eliminate the waiting period for marriage and civil union licenses (A-4366). It’s to be heard by the Assembly Budget Committee at 10 a.m.
• The Assembly Human Services Committee at 10 a.m. will take testimony from the federal monitor overseeing the state’s child welfare reform efforts and consider a bill (A-4109) sponsored by Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen), Ruben J. Ramos Jr. (D-Hudson) and Cleopatra Tucker (D-Essex) to improve child abuse investigations.
• The Assembly Labor Committee at 10 a.m. will consider a bill (A-2563) to ensure gender equity in the workplace (A-2563). It’s sponsored by Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen) and Joan Quigley (D-Hudson/Bergen).