Bill Text: NJ A2662 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires informational posters about safe placement alternatives for newborn infants be posted in public restrooms used by females.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-02-08 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Women and Children Committee [A2662 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-A2662-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman PAMELA R. LAMPITT
District 6 (Burlington and Camden)
SYNOPSIS
Requires informational posters about safe placement alternatives for newborn infants be posted in public restrooms used by females.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act promoting safe placement alternatives for newborn infants and amending P.L.2000, c.58.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 6 of P.L.2000, c.58 (C.30:4C-15.9) is amended to read as follows:
6. a. The Commissioner of Children and Families, in consultation with the Commissioner of Health [and Senior Services], shall establish an educational and public information program to promote safe placement alternatives for newborn infants, the confidentiality offered to birth parents and information regarding adoption procedures. This campaign shall include the establishment of a 24-hour, toll free hotline to assist in making information about the safe haven procedures established by P.L.2000, c.58 (C.30:4C-15.5 et al.) as widely available as possible.
b. The Department of Children and Families shall provide to licensed general hospitals in this State and State, county or municipal police stations information about relevant social service agencies which may be made available to any person voluntarily delivering a child as provided in section 4 of P.L.2000, c.58 (C.30:4C-15.7).
c. (1) Beginning no later than the 180th day after the effective date of P.L. , c. (pending before the Legislature as this bill), there shall be displayed in each restroom for use by females that is in a public or private elementary or secondary school for children 12 years of age or older or institution of higher education within the State a poster no smaller than 10 inches by 15 inches, which provides basic information about the safe haven procedures established by P.L.2000, c.58 (C.30:4C-15.5 et al.) and includes the 24-hour, toll free hotline established pursuant to subsection a. of this section. The Department of Children and Families shall prepare the poster and distribute copies as the Commissioner of Children and Families determines necessary to effectuate the purposes of this act.
(2) Each restroom for use by females that is covered by the provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be subject to random on-site inspection by any official authorized by statute or ordinance to enforce the State or local health codes for the purpose of assessing its compliance with the provisions of this subsection.
(cf: P.L.2009, c.255, s.1)
2. This act shall take
effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill amends the "New Jersey Safe Haven Infant Protection Act" to promote greater awareness of the safe placement alternatives for newborn infants available under that law.
The bill would require that, beginning no later than the 180th day after its effective date, there be displayed in each restroom for use by females that is in a public or private elementary or secondary school for children 12 years of age or older or institution of higher education within the State a poster no smaller than 10 inches by 15 inches, which provides basic information about the safe haven procedures established by the "New Jersey Safe Haven Infant Protection Act" and includes the 24-hour, toll free hotline established pursuant to that law. The Department of Children and Families is to prepare the poster and distribute copies as the Commissioner of Children and Families determines necessary to effectuate the purposes of the bill.
The bill provides that each restroom for use by females that is covered by its provisions is subject to random on-site inspection by any official authorized by statute or ordinance to enforce the State or local health codes for the purpose of assessing its compliance with the provisions of the bill.
