Bill Text: NJ AJR140 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges municipalities to establish local Access for All Committees to assist citizens with disabilities.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-02-25 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Human Services Committee [AJR140 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2020-AJR140-Introduced.html
No. 140
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
219th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 25, 2020
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE
District 37 (Bergen)
SYNOPSIS
Urges municipalities to establish local Access for All Committees to assist citizens with disabilities.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution urging municipalities to establish an Access for All Committee in order to improve the quality of life for citizens with disabilities in their communities.
Whereas, The State of New Jersey recognizes and acknowledges its ongoing legal commitments to meeting the needs of its employees and citizens with disabilities; and
Whereas, The State fully supports the provisions of the "Americans with Disabilities Act" (ADA), 42 U.S.C. s.12101 et seq., which pertain to the provision of reasonable accommodations in the workplace and the provision to all citizens of equal access to facilities and services; and
Whereas, The New Jersey Senate and General Assembly remain keenly aware of the need to be proactive in enforcing compliance with the ADA by addressing the special needs our citizens with disabilities; and
Whereas, Despite the great strides that New Jersey citizens with disabilities have made following the enactment of the ADA, barriers continue to exist that deny equal access to employment, as well as to public and private facilities; and
Whereas, Several New Jersey communities, including Ridgewood, Glen Rock, Maywood, Tenafly, Hasbrouck Heights, Fort Lee, Fair Lawn, Bergenfield, and Paramus, have established Access for All Committees, which are composed of town residents with disabilities and local officials, and which work collaboratively with the mayor and township or borough council to address issues of access within each community's boundaries; and
Whereas, These local Access for All Committees serve as a resource for anyone in need of assistance with access, and aim to increase awareness through education as a means to encourage the development of a more informed and sensitive populace; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Legislature and Governor of New Jersey hereby reaffirm the State's commitment to promote the full implementation of, and compliance with, the ADA, and respectfully encourage each municipality in the State to create an Access for All Committee in order to address issues of access occurring within their respective jurisdictions.
2. Copies of this
resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the
Clerk of the General Assembly or the Secretary of the Senate to the mayor or
chief executive of each municipality in this State.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution would reaffirm the State's commitment to promoting the full implementation of, and compliance with, the "Americans with Disabilities Act" (ADA), 42 U.S.C. s.12101 et seq., and would respectfully encourage each municipality in the State to create an Access for All Committee within their respective jurisdictions.
Despite the great strides that New Jersey citizens with disabilities have made following the enactment of the ADA, barriers continue to exist that deny equal access to employment, as well as to public and private facilities. Several New Jersey communities, including Ridgewood, Glen Rock, Maywood, Tenafly, Hasbrouck Heights, Fort Lee, Fair Lawn, Bergenfield, and Paramus, have attempted to address these barriers through the establishment of Access for All Committees, which are composed of town residents with disabilities and local officials, and which work collaboratively with the mayor and township or borough council to address issues of access within each community's boundaries. These local Access for All Committees serve as a resource for anyone in need of assistance, and aim to increase awareness through education as a means to encourage the development of a more informed and sensitive populace.
