New Singer Bill Gives Police Instant Access to NJ Prescription Monitoring Program
Senator Robert Singer (R-Monmouth) has introduced new legislation to allow law enforcement officials to access New Jersey’s Prescription Monitoring Program (NJPMP) without first obtaining a court order or a subpoena. Singer drafted the bill in conjunction with the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
Sen. Robert Singer’s bill would permit law enforcement to access the New Jersey Prescription Monitoring Program without first obtaining a court order or a subpoena, allowing police to help people coping with addiction and investigate dealers without delay. (Wikimedia Commons)
“Physicians and pharmacists use the NJPMP on a daily basis to stop doctor-shopping and immediately connect people who are suffering with the treatment they need,” Senator Singer said. “Police officers who are tackling the opioid epidemic share those goals, but they don’t have the same, instant access to this lifesaving information. That has to change.”
“In light of the critical role intelligence plays in fighting the opioid epidemic, this bill loosens the restrictions for the collection and analysis of valuable information in the State’s PMP database. Moreover, it provides law enforcement agencies with access consistent to that of other state regulatory agencies,” Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni explained. “The bill helps in identifying both users and medical professionals who may be abusing the current prescription system earlier on, perhaps before such abuse results in more fatal overdoses.”
Singer, Weinberg & Gordon Request Appointment of a Special Envoy to Monitor & Combat Anti-Semitism
Senator Bob Singer, Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg and Senator Bob Gordon joined a bipartisan group of more than 60 Jewish state legislators from across the United States in a letter to President Donald Trump asking him to appoint a Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat anti-Semitism.
Sen. Robert Singer, Sen. Loretta Weinberg and Sen. Bob Gordon joined a bipartisan group of state legislators from around the country to call for the reappointment of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat anti-Semitism. (SenateNJ)
“In recent months we’ve seen numerous threats of violence against Jewish Community Centers throughout the country,” Senator Singer said (R-Monmouth and Ocean). “We must do more to keep anti-Semitism from taking root in our country and the rest of the world. We cannot continue to effectively track the rise in anti-Semitism, or deter people from committing these vile acts, without reappointing a Special Envoy. I hope that the administration will heed our call and fill this vacancy as soon as possible.”
Singer’s High School to College Readiness Improvements Head to Governor
The New Jersey Senate has passed legislation sponsored Senator Robert Singer (R-Monmouth) to explore how the state can better prepare high school students for postsecondary education.
Sen. Robert Singer’s bill establishes the “High School to College Readiness Commission” to explore how the state can better prepare high school students for college and careers. (SenateNJ)
S-2567 would establish the 18-member “High School to College Readiness Commission,” which would be charged with developing recommendations to enhance preparation for post-secondary education; and raise awareness among parents and students on admission requirements and other related issues.
“Less than half of all high school students feel prepared to go to college or start a career after graduation. Clearly, we can do more to help these young people gain the confidence, tools, and the knowledge to succeed once they enter the real world.” Senator Singer (R-Monmouth, Ocean) said.
“The High School to College Readiness Commission will give both parents and students the information they need to skyrocket to the top of every classroom and professional environment. I look forward to seeing it signed into law and reviewing their findings in the year that follows,” Singer, a longtime member of the Senate Higher Education Committee, added.
Singer Resolution to Promote Skin Cancer Awareness Passed by Senate
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer designating May of each year as “Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month” was passed by the New Jersey Senate. SJR-18 also establishes the first Monday in May as “Melanoma Monday.”
Sen. Robert Singer’s resolution designates May of each year as “Skin Cancer Detection & Prevention Month” and the first Monday in May as “Melanoma Monday.” (Wikimedia Commons)
“Skin cancer is almost always curable if it is recognized and treated early, but without early detection, it can easily turn fatal,” Senator Singer (R-Monmouth, Ocean) said. “The Jersey Shore attracted 98 million visitors in 2016 and many more will soon arrive. Raising awareness at the beginning of the season will ensure these families have the tools to prevent skin cancer before they even step foot on the beach.”
Singer Bill Mandating Police Stop Driver Safety Education Passes Committee
Bill Requires MVC to update Drivers License Test, Manual to Include Procedures for Police Stops
The NJ Motor Vehicles Commission would be required to inform and test drivers on their responsibilities during police stops under legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer and advanced by the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.
Sen. Robert Singer’s bill would require the MVC to inform and test drivers on the procedures they must follow during a traffic stop. (Flickr)
“Sadly, we have already seen too many examples of how a routine traffic stop can turn into a deadly encounter in a matter of minutes,” Senator Singer (R-Monmouth, Ocean) said. “It is critical for us to hold law enforcement officers accountable for safely interacting with the public, but there are simple steps that drivers can also take to prevent a police stop from escalating into a dangerous situation.”
Singer’s Skin Cancer Prevention Effort Passes Senate Committee
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer designating May of each year as “Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month” has passed the Senate Health & Human Services Committee. SJR-18 also establishes the first Monday in May as “Melanoma Monday.”
Sen. Robert Singer’s resolution designates May of each year as “Skin Cancer Detection & Prevention Month” and the first Monday in May as “Melanoma Monday.” (Wikimedia Commons)
“Skin cancer is almost always curable if it is recognized and treated early, but without early detection, it can easily turn fatal,” Senator Singer (R-Monmouth, Ocean) said. “The Jersey Shore attracted 98 million visitors in 2016 and many more will soon arrive. Raising awareness at the beginning of the season will ensure these families have the tools to prevent skin cancer before they even step foot on the beach.”
Holzapfel/Singer Bill to Protect N.J. Animals Passed by Senate
Legislation sponsored by Senator Jim Holzapfel (R-Ocean) and Senator Robert Singer (R-Monmouth, Ocean) to protect pets against cruel treatment by their owners was passed by the New Jersey Senate.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Jim Holzapfel and Sen. Bob Singer to protect pets from inhumane treatment was passed by the New Jersey Senate. (©iStock.com)
“You would hope that pet owners would treat their animals with decency and provide them with a safe and healthy home environment, but sadly, that isn’t always the case,” Senator Holzapfel said. “We must protect these animals and show that this kind of treatment will not be tolerated.”
Senate Passes Bipartisan Singer Bills to Aid Incoming NJ College Students
The New Jersey Senate has passed two bills sponsored by Senator Robert Singer to support incoming New Jersey college students.
Sen. Robert Singer’s bills establish new State scholarship programs and provide high school students with instruction on student loans. (SenateNJ.com)
The first bill, S-991, would replace the NJ STARS and NJ STARS II State-funded scholarship programs with the New Jersey Scholarship Honors Program. Currently, NJ STARS II scholarships are only available to students who graduate from a county college with at least a 3.25 GPA. The new program created by S-991 would extend the scholarship award to high school students who graduate in the top 10 percent of their class who wish to attend a four-year in-state college. The bill was amended to include students who attend private colleges. Eligible students would receive an award of $4,000 per year.
“Our goal with this legislation is to encourage New Jersey’s best and brightest to pursue a high-quality college education,” Senator Singer Singer (R-Monmouth, Ocean) said. “A high school student who graduates in the top 10 percent of their class has demonstrated that they can succeed at any college of their choice – public or private; four-year or two-year. They should be able to take advantage of that hard-earned opportunity.”
Editorial: Three Health Care Issues N.J. Must Watch
The following editorial on healthcare policy by Senator Robert Singer was published by the Asbury Park Press on March 9, 2017:
Sen. Robert Singer says it’s critical for state policymakers and residents to be aware of several potential issues that could impact the quality, cost or access to health care for New Jersey residents. (©iStock)
With much discussion focused on possible federal changes to the Affordable Care Act, it’s critical for state policymakers and residents to be aware of several other potential issues that could impact the quality, cost or access to health care for New Jersey residents.
Here are three to watch:
Singer Bill to Add Student Loan Instruction to High School Graduation Requirements Advances
All high school students would receive instruction on available State and federal student loans, as well as student loan debt under legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer (R-Monmouth, Ocean) and advanced by the Senate Budget Committee.
Sen. Robert Singer’s bill would add instruction on student loans, including how to pay them back, as a high school graduation requirement. (SenateNJ.com)
“No one should rush into signing a contract that could cost them tens of thousands of dollars without fully understanding the repercussions of making such an enormous decision,” Senator Singer said. “High school students statewide are already required to take a financial literacy course in order to graduate. Without a doubt, learning how to get a student loan and more importantly, how to pay it back, is essential to understanding how to manage money in today’s world.”
