Singer Praises AG Nominee Platkin’s Support for Jewish Community
Following the Senate Judiciary Committee’s approval of the nomination of Matt Platkin to serve as Attorney General, Senator Robert Singer praised the Acting Attorney General’s support for Lakewood and the Jewish community:

Sen. Robert Singer praised Acting Attorney General Matt Platkin’s support for Lakewood and the Jewish community. (©iStock)
“Our Jewish community in Lakewood and surrounding towns has been targeted with hate crimes, stabbings, and vile anti-Semitic social media posts in recent years,” said Singer (R-Ocean). “Whenever those issues arose, Matt Platkin was a partner in helping us to protect the rights of our community and fight for justice. He did that as chief counsel to the governor, and I have no doubt he’ll continue to do it once he’s confirmed as Attorney General.”
Singer Bill Protecting Health Services for Military Dependents Signed by Governor
New Law Ensures Family Members of Service Members Stationed in NJ Will Have Access to Care Through the Department of Human Services
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer to ensure that dependents of military personnel assigned to duty stations in New Jersey qualify for home- and community-based services under the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services was signed today by the Governor.

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Robert Singer to ensure that dependents of military personnel assigned to duty stations in New Jersey qualify for home- and community-based services was signed into law. (SenateNJ.com)
“Military members who relocate their families here won’t have to struggle to get the assistance their children need and deserve. There will be no question about it,” said Singer (R-30). “When they are assigned here, they meet residency requirements as soon as they move in and will be treated like New Jerseyans.”
Singer’s Potentially Life-Saving Legislation Awaits Action by Gov. Murphy
Senator Robert Singer’s legislation bolstering advanced life support services across the state is on its way to the Governor’s desk for consideration after passing both the Senate and Assembly this week.

Sen. Robert Singer’s legislation bolstering advanced life support services across the state is on its way to the Governor’s desk for consideration after passing both the Senate and Assembly. (Pixabay)
The bill, A-4107/S-2768, updates the State’s regulations of emergency medical services, including allowing a single paramedic who arrives at the scene of an emergency to begin treatment immediately, rather than waiting for a second medic.
“This is a critical piece of legislation that will save lives,” said Singer (R-30). “We have heard the frustrations of paramedics who found themselves in situations where people desperately needed help, but their hands were tied by regulations that forced them to wait for support from another authorized responder.
Singer & Bucco Bill Assisting Service Members and Veterans with No-Fee Legal Assistance Clears Senate
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer and Senator Anthony M. Bucco that would help military service members and veterans with cost-free legal representation in civil issues was approved today in the Senate.

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Robert Singer and Sen. Anthony M. Bucco that would help military service members and veterans with cost-free legal representation in civil issues was approved by the Senate. (Pixabay)
The Military Pro Bono Program would be established in the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs under the legislation, S-1388.
“Thousands of New Jersey residents are serving in the armed forces on active-duty or as reserves,” said Senator Singer (R-30). “Many will be returning home after deployments oversees in Iraq, Afghanistan or elsewhere. Some may have been adversely affected by or during deployment and may require legal help or guidance to re-establish their lives back home.
Singer Bill that Would Establish Pilot Program for Mental Health Care Facilities Clears Committee
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer that would establish a two-year pilot program for certain mental health care facilities to treat juvenile patients cleared the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee today.

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Robert Singer that would establish a two-year pilot program for certain mental health care facilities to treat juvenile patients cleared the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee today. (Pixabay)
“The mental health of young people in New Jersey is a growing area of concern, especially after the unnecessary lockdowns during the pandemic,” said Singer (R-30). “Currently, there is a greater demand for inpatient mental health treatment and services for juvenile patients than there are available beds. In fact, some health care facilities even have vacant adult mental health treatment beds, which under current law, cannot be used to treat juvenile patients. My legislation will create a pilot program to study whether these facilities can effectively treat juvenile patients using vacant adult beds. This will help so many patients receive the care and treatment they need and maximize the use of mental health resources throughout New Jersey.”
Panel Clears Singer Legislation to Help Fill School Bus Driver Seats
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer that would help remedy the ongoing shortage of qualified school bus drivers was endorsed today by the Senate Transportation Committee.

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Robert Singer that would help remedy the ongoing shortage of qualified school bus drivers was endorsed by the Senate Transportation Committee. (Flickr)
Singer’s measure, S-1682/S-2152, would allow drivers to transport students in Type S school buses that can accommodate up to nine passengers without requiring commercial driver’s licenses.
Singer: Murphy Administration Needs to Help Shore Towns Manage Pop-up Parties
Senator Robert Singer said the Murphy administration needs to do a better job of listening to and working with local leaders in shore communities who have expressed serious concerns about the impact of pop-up parties on public safety.

Sen. Robert Singer said the Murphy administration needs to do a better job of listening to and working with local leaders in shore communities who have expressed serious concerns about the impact of pop-up parties on public safety. (Flickr)
“The Jersey Shore has always been a welcoming place for visitors, but many small towns are not equipped to handle thousands of teenagers who suddenly pour off trains and flood their streets, boardwalks, and commercial districts for pop-up parties organized on social media,” Singer (R-30) said. “We saw what happened in Long Branch a few weeks ago when 5,000 teens and young adults suddenly showed up in Pier Village. People were jumping on cars, fighting, and openly smoking pot and drinking in public. The local police had an extremely difficult time trying to restore order. Most shore towns looked at what happened in Long Branch and are hoping they’re not next, but hope isn’t a plan. That’s why they’re looking for help and guidance from the Murphy administration that so far has not been forthcoming.”
Singer Bill that Increases Medicaid Reimbursement Rates for Substance Use Disorder Treatment Clears Committee
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer that would increase Medicaid reimbursement for in-person partial care substance use disorder (SUD) treatment cleared the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Robert Singer that would increase Medicaid reimbursement for in-person partial care substance use disorder (SUD) treatment cleared the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. (©iStock)
“There are thousands of New Jersey residents in recovery who struggle with addiction every day,” said Singer (R-30). “Many of these individuals rely on partial care services, which include support programs such as counseling and psychiatric care. My legislation will increase Medicaid reimbursement for the critical services that partial care programs provide to some of New Jersey’s most vulnerable residents.”
Senate Approves Singer Bill to Assist Overburdened Registrars in Large Municipalities
Towns of More Than 100,000 Residents Could Benefit from Additional Deputy Registrars
Registrars struggling with a glut of paperwork demands in the state’s largest municipalities could get relief from legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer and endorsed today by the Senate.

Registrars struggling with a glut of paperwork demands in the state’s largest municipalities could get relief from legislation sponsored by Sen. Robert Singer and endorsed today by the Senate. (SenateNJ.com)
Municipalities with more than 100,000 residents would be authorized to appoint as many as five alternate deputy registrars to ease the workload of filing vital documents under Singer’s bill, S-85.
Pennacchio/Singer Bill Turns Tables on Pop-Up Mobs
As Jersey Shore towns face the likelihood of more pop-up “parties” like the one Saturday that lured more than 5,000 raucous young adults to Long Branch forcing businesses to close and municipal officials to declare a 9 p.m. curfew, Senator Joe Pennacchio and Senator Robert Singer said legislation they introduced last summer may hold the key to preserving the summer season.

As Jersey Shore towns face the likelihood of more pop-up ‘parties’ like the one Saturday that lured more than 5,000 raucous young adults to Long Branch forcing businesses to close and municipal officials to declare a 9 p.m. curfew, Sen. Joe Pennacchio and Sen. Robert Singer said legislation they introduced last summer may hold the key to preserving the summer season. (Flickr)
After an early summer pop-up mob last June, Pennacchio and Singer introduced a bill that would expand the legal definition of “riot,” and increase penalties for crimes committed during a riot.
“Our bill would provide communities and law enforcement with the tools necessary to combat these organized mobs,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “If it was passed a year ago, maybe we wouldn’t be worrying about the next ‘event’ that could erupt in violence, property damage and business interruption during the crucial summer season.