Press Releases

 Offices of 6th District Legislators to Assist Eligible Seniors, Disabled Residents in Completing Applications for Tax Relief

(VOORHEES)– Senator James Beach, Assembly Budget Committee Chairman Louis Greenwald, and Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt (all D-Camden) today urged seniors and those with disabilities to take advantage of the state property tax reimbursement program known as the “Senior Freeze.”

Measure Would Exempt First $5,000 in Annual Contributions To NJ BEST College Savings Plan from State Income Taxes

(TRENTON)-An Assembly panel has released legislation Assemblymen Fred Scalera, John McKeon and Louis Greenwald sponsored to provide a state income tax deduction to residents who save for their children’s higher education through a state-administered college savings plan.

ASSEMBLY APPROVES GREENWALD/FISHER BILL TO EDUCATE PARENTS ON SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME

(TRENTON) – The Assembly today voted 77-0 to approve legislation Assembly members Louis D. Greenwald and Douglas H. Fisher sponsored to require the state include information about Shaken Baby Syndrome to new parents.

“All new parents need to be absolutely aware of how devastating this syndrome can be,” said Greenwald (D-Camden). “Learning about Shaken Baby Syndrome will hopefully prevent parents from harming their babies.”

Praises Obama Measure to Expand Health Insurance for New Jersey Kids

(VOORHEES)— Assembly State Budget Committee Chairman and longtime children’s health advocate Louis Greenwald (D-Camden) today praised President Obama for signing into law a bill that will expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP). Known in New Jersey as NJ FamilyCare, the expansion will include up to an additional 100,000 uninsured New Jersey children through an increased federal funding guarantee.

For Release: January 19, 2009

Contact: Brian McGinnis, 856-435-1247

GREENWALD/FISHER BILL TO EDUCATE PARENTS ON SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME ADVANCES

(TRENTON) – The Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee has released legislation Assembly members Louis D. Greenwald and Douglas H. Fisher sponsored to require the state include information about Shaken Baby Syndrome to new parents.

“All new parents need to be absolutely aware of how devastating this syndrome can be,” said Greenwald (D-Camden). “Learning about Shaken Baby Syndrome will hopefully prevent parents from harming their babies.”

According to the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome, 1,200 to 1,400 children nationwide annually receive medical treatment for injuries attributed to being violently shaken by a caregiver.

Nearly 30 percent of those injuries prove fatal, and about 80 percent of survivors incur lifelong brain injuries that can lead to learning and physical disabilities, blindness, hearing and speech disabilities, cerebral palsy and behavior disorders.

The legislation (A-725) would require the state to include information on Shaken Baby Syndrome in the resource guide it provides to new parents. The guide also would be published in Spanish. A health care professional would be required to review information in the guide with new parents as part of the discharge procedure.

“Bringing in a health professional to reinforce and make certain that new parents understand what Shaken Baby Syndrome is, how it can be brought about and what it can do to their baby ultimately will save lives,” said Fisher (D-Cumberland). “This will protect innocent newborns.”

The bill was released 11-0. It goes to the Assembly Speaker who decides if and when to post it for a floor vote.