ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 28

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 1996 SESSION

By Assemblywoman HECK

An Assembly Resolution establishing the Assembly Advisory Council on Women.

Whereas, Despite the fact that many areas of opportunity have been opened to women over the past two decades, there continues to be a significant degree of inequality in the treatment of women both socially and economically; and

Whereas, The continuing disparity in salary between men and women for similar work as well as the inability of women to break through the "glass ceiling" that keeps women from top positions in business and government are only two examples of this unequal treatment; and

Whereas, In addition, there are a variety of issues which are unique to women, in particular working women, but which because of their significance to the functioning and well-being of families are of equal importance to society as a whole; and

Whereas, Women are subjected to a great deal of stress as they struggle to meet the often conflicting demands of their roles as members of the workforce outside of the home and principal caretakers within the home; and

Whereas, Although it is generally acknowledged that women are a vital component of this nation's labor force, not enough has been done to provide women and their families with the supports necessary to alleviate that stress; and

Whereas, Despite the fact that there has been a great deal of rhetoric concerning the problems and struggles which confront women within this society, there has often been a lack of government action in fashioning solutions adequate to address those problems; and

Whereas, It is therefore appropriate to establish an advisory council to comprehensively and systematically review the problems and issues which confront women in contemporary society and to recommend appropriate legislative and administrative action; now, therefore,

    Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. There is created the Assembly Advisory Council on Women composed of seven members of the General Assembly. The members, chairperson and vice-chairperson of the council shall be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly. No more than five members of the advisory council shall be of the same political party.

    2. The advisory council shall organize as soon as possible after the appointment of its members. The chairperson shall appoint a secretary who need not be a member of the advisory council.

    3. It shall be the duty of the advisory council to:

    a. Study issues affecting the social and economic well-being of women within the State;

    b. 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, including, but not limited to, child and dependent care, education, economic self-sufficiency, health care, equality in business, the professions and government, and workplace opportunities;

    c. 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 collect information and identify solutions to those problems and issues which confront women in contemporary society; and

    d. Recommend appropriate remedial legislative and administrative action necessary to address the identified areas of concern.

    4. The advisory council shall be entitled to call to its assistance and avail itself of the services of officials and employees of any State, county, or municipal department, board, bureau, commission, or agency as it may require and as may be available to it for the purpose of carrying out its duties under this resolution, and to employ stenographic and clerical assistants and incur traveling and other miscellaneous expenses as it may deem necessary in order to perform its duties, and as may be within the limit of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to it.

    5. The advisory council shall 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, as well as to any other persons the advisory council may deem appropriate.

Establishes Assembly Advisory Council on Women.