ASSEMBLY COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 28

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED: MAY 13, 1996

 

      The Assembly Community Services Committee reports favorably Assembly Resolution Bill No. 28.

      This resolution creates a seven member bipartisan Assembly Advisory Council on Women. The members, chairperson and vice-chairperson would be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly with not more than five members of the council from the same political party.

      The advisory council would have the following duties: (1) to study issues affecting the social and economic well-being of women within the State; (2) to solicit, through public hearings and other means, the concerns of the citizens of this State on issues affecting the equality and quality of life of women; (3) to consult with business and industry, labor, community-based organizations, child welfare advocates, State and local officials, and women from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds to identify solutions to those problems and issues which confront women in contemporary society; and (4) to recommend appropriate remedial legislative and administrative action necessary to address the identified areas of concern.

      The advisory council would report its findings, conclusions, and recommendations for legislation or administrative action as often as appropriate to the Speaker of the General Assembly, the President of the Senate, the chairpersons of the appropriate standing reference committees of both Houses of the Legislature, the Governor, the Director of the Division on Women, and any other persons the advisory council may deem appropriate.

      Assembly Resolution No. 2 of 1992-93 and Assembly Resolution No. 35 of 1994-95 created the Advisory Council on Women during those legislative sessions. The council conducted many hearings across the State which led to several major legislative initiatives.

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 1996 legislative session pending technical review. As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.