Committee Advances Singer Bill that Would Exempt Certain Customers from Early Termination Fees
Individuals preparing to enter long-term care facilities may no longer have to pay a termination fee for their cable, phone, or internet services thanks to legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer and approved today by the Senate Commerce Committee.

Individuals preparing to enter long-term care facilities may no longer have to pay a termination fee for their cable, phone, or internet services thanks to legislation sponsored by Sen. Robert Singer and approved today by the Senate Commerce Committee. (Pixabay)
“Some cable, phone, and internet providers lock customers into a one- or two-year contract and breaking that contract can result in an early termination fee that can cost a customer up to $300,” said Singer (R-30). “My legislation will eliminate these fees for individuals who become ill or disabled and must immediately enter a long-term care facility. Companies should not be charging these people fees, who, under no fault of their own, must leave their home to get the medical and personal care they need.”
Committee Approves Singer Bill Establishing Minimum Reimbursement Rate for Traumatic Brain Injury Special Care Nursing Facilities
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer that would establish a minimum NJ FamilyCare reimbursement rate for traumatic brain injury special care nursing facilities was advanced today by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Robert Singer that would establish a minimum reimbursement rate for brain injury services was advanced by the Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee. (US Army Photo)
“Reimbursement rates for brain injury services have remained static in recent years despite growing costs. This threatens the ability of providers to meet the complex needs of individuals with brain injuries and provide services within a safe and fulfilling community environment,” said Singer (R-30). “My legislation will more than double the reimbursement rate for special care nursing facilities, which will help offset the increased costs of staff and therapy services. This will ensure that people with brain injuries can continue to thrive and reach their optimal recoveries in community settings.”
Committee Clears Singer Bill that Would Allow Online Training for Zoning Board Members
Members of planning boards and zoning boards of adjustment may soon be able to complete their required training online thanks to legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer and approved today by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.

Members of planning boards and zoning boards of adjustment may soon be able to complete their required training online thanks to a bill sponsored by Sen. Robert Singer and approved by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee. (Pixabay)
“It’s time to bring the training process for members of planning and zoning boards into the digital age,” said Singer (R-30). “This legislation will allow board members to become better trained without requiring them to take time out of their busy work day or weekend. This will benefit taxpayers, improve efficiency, and reduce hands-on effort from municipal employees.”
Senate Advances Singer Bill Modernizing Advertising Requirements for Alarm Industry
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer that would modernize advertising requirements of the burglar alarm, fire alarm, and locksmith industries was approved today by the New Jersey Senate.

The New Jersey Senate approved legislation today sponsored by Sen. Robert Singer that would modernize advertising requirements of the burglar alarm, fire alarm, and locksmith industries. (©iStock)
“These small, but important updates to the advertising guidelines of the alarm and locksmith industries are long overdue,” said Singer (R-30). “Virtually every successful business, whether small or large, has a functioning website. There is simply no need to require license number information in ads—the business web address is more than satisfactory. This legislation will help cut red tape for our local businesses and encourage a more streamlined advertising production process.”
Singer Bill that Would Pave the Way for “Manicuring Apprenticeships” Clears Committee
New Jerseyans seeking an alternate route to become a manicurist may soon be able to earn their license through an apprenticeship thanks to legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer and approved today by the Senate Commerce Committee.

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Robert Singer that would allow an individual to earn their manicurist license through an apprenticeship was approved today by the Senate Commerce Committee. (SenateNJ.com)
“Formal education for any trade is important, but for many people, the cost of cosmetology school is just too high. In the case of manicurists, on-the-job training can be a sufficient substitute in lieu of more formal education,” said Singer (R-30). “My legislation will create a manicuring apprenticeship program, which will lower the monetary barrier to entry for anyone interested in learning about this field. This new, alternate route initiative will allow those who are ready and eager to work to get started as soon as possible.”
Committee Advances Singer Bill Easing Restrictions for Debt Adjusters
For-profit debt adjusters may soon be eligible to conduct business in New Jersey thanks to legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer and approved today by the Senate Commerce Committee.

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Robert Singer that would allow for-profit debt adjusters to conduct business in New Jersey was approved today by the Senate Commerce Committee. (Pixabay)
“For-profit debt adjustment companies are already permitted to operate in 34 states, but if New Jerseyans would like to employ the services of one, they are forced to use a Pennsylvania-based company,” said Singer (R-30). “This legislation will remove existing regulations to bring New Jersey into line with the rest of the country and, at the same time, provide a layer of protection for consumers by serving as a deterrent against adjusters who set out to deceive customers.”
Committee Advances Singer Bill Boosting Services for Adult Day Care Centers
Adult day care centers may soon accommodate the religious dietary needs of individuals thanks to legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer and approved today by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.

Adult day care centers may soon accommodate the religious dietary needs of individuals thanks to legislation sponsored by Sen. Robert Singer and approved today by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. (SenateNJ.com)
“Adult day care centers provide vital services to thousands of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout New Jersey,” said Singer (R-30). “On several occasions, I have heard from constituents that it is difficult to select a proper care facility because many do not accommodate religious dietary needs. My legislation will help rectify that issue by encouraging all adult care centers to do just that.”
Singer Bill that Would Protect Buyers of Homes with Solar Panels Clears Committee
The Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee advanced legislation today sponsored by Senator Robert Singer that would require sellers of single-family homes with solar panels to disclose the contact information for the business that installed the solar panels.

The Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Robert Singer that would require sellers of single-family homes with solar panels to disclose the contact information for the business responsible for the installation. (SenateNJ.com)
“It is not uncommon for the buyer of a property with solar panels to have trouble finding out how to contact the installer,” said Singer (R-30). “This bill would require the seller to disclose the contact information for the installer of the solar panels, which would make it easier for the buyer to contact the installer as needed in the future. It would also help protect a buyer from unknowingly assuming responsibility for a lease agreement related to solar panels installed on the property.”
Singer Introduces Bill Protecting Vulnerable Seniors from Predatory Practices
Seniors could be afforded stronger legal protections to shield their estates from scammers and unworthy beneficiaries thanks to legislation recently introduced by Senator Robert Singer.

Seniors could be afforded stronger legal protections to shield their estates from scammers thanks to legislation introduced by Sen. Robert Singer. (Pixabay)
“Seniors have always been prime targets for scammers who prey on their trusting nature and easy demeanor,” said Singer (R-30). “We’ve all heard the stories—an elderly person passes away and their entire estate is left to a seemingly random caregiver. In many of these instances, the so-called caregiver took advantage of a person who was clearly in a vulnerable state. My legislation will curb this despicable behavior so that our seniors can feel confident that their estate will go to the proper beneficiaries.”
Singer Statement on State Health Benefit Premium Increases
Senator Robert Singer (R-Ocean) issued the following statement on recent increases in State health benefit premiums:
The School Employees’ Health Benefits Plan (SEHBP, which covers school employees in more than 300 school districts) and the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP, which covers employees in more than 500 local governments and authorities) are now in a state of crisis as a result of mismanagement by Murphy Administration officials who control these two plans. Premiums for these plans are skyrocketing this year by up to 22% which means property taxpayers will be paying hundreds of millions of dollars more for benefits. Hundreds of thousands of local government employees and retirees will also pay thousands of dollars more due to premium sharing.

Statement from Sen. Robert Singer on recent increases in State health benefit premiums. (©iStock.com)
The facts reveal that the current crisis was avoidable had there been prudent, transparent management of these two programs. The magnitude of this problem is so large, that many people have not processed it.