ASSEMBLY WOMEN AND CHILDREN COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

SENATE, No. 1126

 

with committee amendments

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED:  MAY 16, 2019

 

      The Assembly Women and Children Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 1126.

      As amended by the committee, this bill requires each board of education which operates an educational program for public school students in grades 9 through 12 to provide information on the provisions of the "New Jersey Safe Haven Infant Protection Act," P.L.2000, c.58.  The bill specifies that the instruction will take place as part of the district's implementation of the Core Curriculum Content Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education beginning with the 2019-2020 school year.

      Newborn infants are sometimes abandoned in life-threatening situations by parents under severe emotional stress.  At times these parents are teens who are frightened and overwhelmed with dealing with an unanticipated pregnancy.  Fostering awareness of the availability of a "safe haven" provided under the law may ultimately help to protect the life of a newborn.

      As reported by the committee, Senate Bill No. 1126 is identical to Assembly Bill No. 1380 which was also reported by the committee on this date.

 

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

      The committee amended the bill to update the effective date of the bill to first apply to the 2019-2020 school year instead of the 2011-2102 school year, as originally provided in the bill.