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Initiatives

“Reverend Atkins has always kept the best interests of his fellow residents in mind when serving as a leader in his community,” - Speaker Coughlin 

A few months into his Legislature service, he already has signed on as prime sponsor on four bills leftover from the last legislative session.

 

One bill would expand military leave benefits, another would stop debt collectors from going after identity theft victims, a third would give the Economic Development Authority $5 million to help “event-related businesses” recover from the pandemic, and the fourth would establish a $1.8 million Council for Community Recovery and Family Success.

Expands military leave benefits for certain public officers and employees subject to proof of service. 

Establishes Council for Community Recovery and Family Success; appropriates $1.8 million. 

Requires debt collectors, in certain circumstances, to cease debt collections against certain victims of  identity theft.

Requires health insurers, SHBP, and SEHBP to cover mammograms for women over 35 and women under  35 under certain circumstances.

Appropriates $5 million to EDA to assist certain event-related businesses negatively impacted by COVID 19 pandemic.

Establishes a program in Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to pay for remaining tuition costs  related to certain remedial or developmental courses.

Clarifies the newspaper media delivery person and news media stringer are independent contractors for  purposes of State employment laws.

Regulates sale of handgun ammunition and develops system of electronic reporting of handgun  ammunition sales.*

Revises definition of destructive device to include certain .50 caliber rifles; makes certain exceptions.

Establishes pilot program in certain municipalities to make grants available to non-profit organizations to  perform outreach regarding VCCO.

Allows Attorney General to bring cause of action for certain public nuisance violations arising from sale or  marketing of firearms.

Provides $21 minimum annual energy assistance to qualified families.

Establishes certain law enforcement and privacy procedures; designated as New Jersey Values Act. 

Requires DCF and DOE to establish policies and procedures relating to child abuse and neglect and child  abuse prevention during certain public health emergencies.

Appropriates $813,000 to DHS to implement use of electronic benefit transfer cards in Senior Farmers'  Market Nutrition Program.**

Addresses long-term effects of COVID-19.

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