With the goal to make critical homeless prevention services more accessible, legislation to make information on such programs available online was approved Feb. 24 by the full Assembly, 79-0.

With eating disorders affecting at least 30 million Americans of all backgrounds, three Assembly Democrats have sponsored a resolution to help promote awareness about this widespread mental illness. The legislation would designate the final week in February each year as ‘Eating Disorders Awareness Week’ in New Jersey.

Bill to Help Identify Students Eligible for Meal Programs, Destigmatize Debt

Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen) released the following statement in response to recently introduced legislation to allow parents to opt their children out of school lessons based on religious or moral objections, which targets a law passed last year that ensures New Jersey classrooms have LGBTQ inclusive curriculum:

Legislation Promoting Rehabilitative Treatment for Substance-Dependent Offenders Passes Assembly Committee

Armato & Vainieri Huttle Bill Would Permit Reduction in Court-Ordered Fines Upon Completion of Treatment Programs

(TRENTON) – Placing an emphasis on rehabilitation over punishment, Assembly Democrats John Armato and Valerie Vainieri Huttle have sponsored a bill that would reduce court-ordered fines owed by drug or alcohol-dependent people upon the completion of a treatment program. The legislation was advanced by the Assembly Judiciary Committee Thursday.

Bill in Response to Sexual Misconduct on Bergen County School Trip to Germany

(TRENTON) – A bill expanding New Jersey’s jurisdiction to prosecute crimes of child endangerment occurring outside of the state — sponsored by Assembly Democrats Gordon Johnson, Gary Schaer, Valerie Vainieri Huttle and Joann Downey– cleared the full Assembly 78-0 Thursday. The bill will now go to the Senate for further review.

In light of false bomb threats that affected New Jersey’s Jewish community and the rest of the country in recent years, the Assembly Judiciary Committee moved Thursday to advance legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Gordon Johnson, Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Gary Schaer and John McKeon to stiffen the penalties for creating a false public alarm.

Legislation Would Require Insurance Companies to Pass Along

Prescription Drug Price Savings to Consumers

(TRENTON) – With soaring healthcare costs affecting millions of Americans – from exorbitant drug pricing to high premiums – Assembly Democrats have sponsored a bill aimed at making medical care more affordable. The Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee advanced legislation on Thursday that would require drug savings to be passed along directly to consumers.

Aiming to encourage employers to keep call center jobs in New Jersey, legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Shavonda Sumter, Dan Benson, Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Eric Houghtaling and Benjie Wimberly to require employers that outsource call center jobs overseas to forfeit any state aid or business incentives they may have received was signed into law Tuesday.

In nine counties in New Jersey, there are less than five child psychiatrists available to treat the thousands of children who live there.

To address the shortage of child psychiatrists across the state, the Assembly Human Services Committee on Monday advanced legislation to permit psychiatrists who contract with the Department of Children and Families to participate in an existing tuition reimbursement program. The measure (A-1033) is sponsored by Assembly Democrats Joann Downey, Eric Houghtaling and Valerie Vainieri Huttle.

“Nationwide, 59% of active psychiatrists are age 55 and older. That means we will likely have more psychiatrists leaving than entering the profession in the near future,” said Downey (D-Monmouth). “Expanding New Jersey’s tuition reimbursement program for psychiatrists is one way we can tackle this issue head-on, and increase access for children who need it most.”