Senate Approves Singer Bill that Would Create Administrative Law Unit Dedicated to Special Education Cases
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer that would create a dedicated group of administrative law judges to oversee special education cases was approved by the New Jersey Senate.

Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Sen. Robert Singer that would create a dedicated group of administrative law judges to oversee special education cases was approved by the New Jersey Senate. (SenateNJ.com)
“There is no question New Jersey needs to do a better job addressing special education conflicts,” said Singer (R-30). “It is unacceptable for people to have to wait so long to get answers impacting the education of a child with special needs. The unit established within the Office of Administrative Law by this legislation would increase efficiency and help all parties by reaching more timely decisions and resolutions.”
Senate Approves Singer Bill that Would Increase Safety for Train and Bus Operators
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer that would upgrade the penalty for all assaults on train and bus operators was approved by the New Jersey Senate today.

Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Sen. Robert Singer that would upgrade the penalty for all assaults on train and bus operators was approved by the New Jersey Senate. (SenateNJ.com)
“Every day, operators of trains and busses in New Jersey are responsible for safely transporting thousands of people in and around the state,” said Singer (R-30). “Unfortunately, there have been many instances where bus and train operators are assaulted by unruly passengers. People who engage in such abhorrent behavior are not only putting the lives of the operators at risk, but also the lives of all the passengers. This legislation will significantly increase the penalty for such assaults, and act as a deterrent for future alterations.”
Singer Measure Providing More Support for Adult Day Care Services Clears Panel
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer that would boost support for facilities that provide daytime services to elderly New Jersey residents today cleared the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Robert Singer that would boost support for facilities that provide daytime services to elderly New Jersey residents today cleared the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. (SenateNJ.com)
Singer’s bill, S-2561, would establish a minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate for providers of adult medical daycare services.
“Adult day health services are crucial to the physical and emotional well-being of New Jersey seniors,” said Singer (R-30). “An increase in funding for these providers will help them better assist, protect, and support the elderly throughout our state. With increased support, these facilities would be able to offer more services and specialized care, including nursing, nutrition, medication management, and both physical and behavioral therapy.”
Singer to Introduce Bill Reinstating Bail & Pretrial Detention for Some Violent Criminals
In response to concerns that New Jersey’s criminal justice reform efforts have gone too far and jeopardize public safety, Senator Robert Singer will introduce legislation giving courts greater discretion to determine if and under what conditions defendants accused of violent crimes should be released on bail.

Sen. Bob Singer will introduce legislation giving courts greater discretion to determine if and under what conditions defendants accused of violent crimes should be released on bail. (©iStock)
“Like other states, New Jersey rushed to implement criminal justice reforms that let most defendants remain free while awaiting trial,” said Singer (R-30). “Although the reforms were well-intentioned, we’ve seen cases around the nation where people accused of violent acts have been set free only to commit horrific new crimes. If we don’t restore some sanity to our law, it’s only a matter of time before that happens in New Jersey with tragic consequences.”
Singer Bill is Just the Ticket for Sports and Concert Fans who Have a Change of Plans
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer and advanced today by the Senate Commerce Committee would free the hands of ticket buyers who have a change of plans and want to sell their seats.

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Robert Singer and advanced by the Senate Commerce Committee would free the hands of ticket buyers who have a change of plans and want to sell their seats. (Pixabay)
Known as the New Jersey Ticket Consumer Choice Act, Singer’s bill (S-376) would guarantee the right of ticket purchasers to opt-out of restrictions that limit their ability to sell or give away the tickets they have purchased.
“When an individual buys a ticket, they should be able to do whatever they want with it,” said Singer (R-30). “Some sellers have restrictions that limit the ticket-holders’ freedom to resell the ticket. Restrictions can go so far as to forbid giving the ticket as a gift.
Singer Bill to Help Adults with Developmental Disabilities Clears Panel
Expands Access to Support Programs for Those Who Turn 21
Senator Robert Singer sponsors legislation, approved today by the Senate health committee, that would expand access to support services for some adults with developmental disabilities.

A Senate committee approved Sen. Robert Singer’s legislation that would expand access to support services for some adults with developmental disabilities. (Pixabay)
Singer’s bill, S-3298, would allow a person with disabilities between the age of 21 and 26 who transitions from receiving services from the Division of Children’s System of Care to qualifying for support from the Division of Developmental Disabilities to be eligible, under certain circumstances, to attend and participate in both an adult day program and an employment program.
Singer Calls on Democrats to Permanently Stop Effort to Enact Automatic Annual Toll Hikes
New Bill Would Implement 3% Annual Toll Hikes on GSP, NJT & AC Expressway
Senator Robert Singer called on Democrats to permanently stop an effort to enact automatic annual toll hikes on New Jersey toll roads after a bill to implement the increases was pulled from consideration today due to a lack of support from the Senate Transportation Committee.

Sen. Robert Singer called on Democrats to permanently stop an effort to enact automatic annual toll hikes on New Jersey toll roads. (SenateNJ.com)
“Voters just turned out in droves to send the message that New Jersey is too expensive,” said Singer, a member of the Senate Transportation Committee. “It would have been lunacy for Democrats still reeling from Election Day to forge ahead with automatic annual toll increases on roads that hundreds of thousands of commuters have to travel every day. Thankfully there was enough sense on the Transportation Committee to not even consider the bill today. Hopefully, we never will.”
Affordable Housing Project in Howell Underscores Need for Legislative Reform, Say Singer, Kean and Thomson
Sen. Robert Singer and Assemblymen Sean Kean and Edward Thomson, lawmakers from Legislative District 30, which includes Howell, say a proposed 319-unit project in the township illustrates the urgent need for affordable housing reform. When the Legislature reconvenes after the November election, they are calling on lawmakers to immediately consider affordable housing policy that includes eliminating mandatory construction, and ensuring housing obligation calculations account for the town’s infrastructure, among other factors.

Sen. Robert Singer, Asm. Sean Kean, and Asm. Edward Thomson, lawmakers from District 30, say a proposed 319-unit project in Howell illustrates the urgent need for affordable housing reform. (Pixabay)
“When a judge mandates hundreds of new housing units for a town, they often fail to consider the uniqueness of each community and the impact on the town’s quality of life,” said Singer. “It is time for the Legislature to fulfill its responsibility to enact a sensible affordable housing policy which serves the best interest of the communities we represent.”
Singer/Connors/Holzapfel/Thompson/O’Scanlon Call on NJ Homeland Security to Vet Incoming Afghan Refugees
Question Ability of Federal Officials in Kabul to Keep Local Communities Safe
Almost 10,000 Afghan refugees fleeing the turmoil in their homeland will be coming to New Jersey, and Senate Republicans are calling on New Jersey’s Department of Homeland Security and Preparedness to ensure they are thoroughly vetted.

In a letter to the director of New Jersey’s Homeland Security and Preparedness, Sens. Singer, Connors, Holzapfel, Thompson and O’Scanlon emphasized the need to vet and screen refugees coming to the state from Afghanistan. (Wikimedia Commons)
Senators Robert Singer, Chris Connors, Jim Holzapfel, Sam Thompson and Declan O’Scanlon today wrote to NJ Homeland Director Laurie R. Duran emphasizing the need to protect New Jersey residents from possible terrorists who may have circumvented checkpoints and federal screening on the ground in Kabul before boarding flights to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.
Senate Republican Leadership Calls on Senate President Sweeney to Recognize Sen. Vince Polistina
Say Atlantic County Families Can’t Afford to Wait Months for Help
The Senate Republican leadership team called for Senate President Stephen Sweeney to recognize the swearing-in of Senator Vince Polistina (R-2) that occurred on Monday, August 23.

The Senate Republican leadership team called for Senate President Stephen Sweeney to recognize the swearing-in of Senator Vince Polistina (R-2) that occurred on Monday, August 23. (SenateNJ.com)
The following joint statement was issued by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean (R-21), Deputy Leader Bob Singer (R-30), Conference Leader Kristin Corrado (R-40), Whip Joe Pennacchio (R-26), Deputy Whip Kip Bateman (R-16), and Budget Officer Steven Oroho (R-24):
“We are deeply concerned that Senate President Sweeney will not recognize the swearing-in of Senator Polistina. We believe the families of the 2nd Legislative District deserve the representation and support that a sitting senator can provide during this extremely difficult time.