Gov. Signs ‘Peggy’s Law’ to Protect Seniors in Assisted Living Facilities From Abuse
Governor Christie has signed Peggy’s Law, legislation sponsored by Senate Republicans Jim Holzapfel and Diane Allen to protect senior citizens in assisted living facilities from abuse.

Sens. Jim Holzapfel and Diane Allen’s “Peggy’s Law” will protect seniors living in assisted living facilities from abuse. The law is named for a 93-year-old woman from Brick, New Jersey. (SenateNJ)
“When families put their loved ones in the care of a nursing home or other assisted living facility, they expect that they’ll be treated properly and with respect,” Senator Holzapfel (R-Ocean) said. “If an employee of one of these homes even has the slightest suspicion that something might be awry, it should be their duty to report it.”
Sweeney-Greenstein-Kean-Holzapfel Bill To Crack Down on Child Porn Now Law
Legislation sponsored by Senate President Steve Sweeney, Senator Linda R. Greenstein, Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean, and Senator Jim Holzapfel that would strengthen New Jersey’s child pornography laws and establish additional penalties for violators was signed into law by the Governor today.

Legislation sponsored by Sens. Sweeney, Kean, Greenstein, and Holzapfel strengthening New Jersey’s child pornography laws and establishing additional penalties for violators has been signed into law. (©iStock)
“If someone in New Jersey has engaged in the large-scale collection or distribution of pictures of children in sexually suggestive poses, they pose a serious threat to our children and our community,” said Senator Kean. “The Attorney General has highlighted the need to better address this growing problem, including the establishment of new child pornography crimes, tougher punishments, and better monitoring of offenders. There’s a bipartisan consensus that these protections are overdue.”
“We cannot allow the sexual exploitation of children to be tolerated in this state, nor can we turn a blind eye to loopholes in our laws that allow people to engage in this despicable activity in any way,” said Senator Holzapfel. “It’s clear that people who collect child erotica are a threat to public safety and the children of New Jersey, and our laws must be tightened to reflect that.”
Passed: Holzapfel, Allen Bill to Protect Seniors in Assisted Living
Legislation sponsored by Senator Jim Holzapfel (R-Ocean) and Senator Diane Allen (R-Burlington) to protect senior citizens in assisted living facilities was passed by the New Jersey Senate.

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Jim Holzapfel and Sen. Diane Allen to protect seniors in assisted living was advanced by the senate. (SenateNJ.com)
“When families put their loved ones in the care of a nursing home or other assisted living facility, they expect that they’ll be treated properly and with respect,” Senator Holzapfel said. “If an employee of one of these homes even has the slightest suspicion that something might be awry, it should be their duty to report it.”
Holzapfel, Wolfe & McGuckin Blast Democrats’ Plan to Cut Millions in Local School Funding
Toms River Would Lose $3.3 Million, Brick $2.1 Million Under Sweeney/Prieto Agreement
Senator Jim Holzapfel, Assemblyman Dave Wolfe, and Assemblyman Greg McGuckin (all R-10) blasted a back-room deal negotiated by Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) and Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto (D-Hudson) that would redirect millions of dollars of state education aid from school districts like Toms River and Brick that are still struggling to recover from Superstorm Sandy.

Holzapfel, Wolfe & McGuckin blasted a back-room deal by New Jersey Democrats that would drive up property taxes in towns like Brick and Toms River by cutting millions in state school aid from their school districts. (SenateNJ.com)
“We have a property tax crisis that is about to explode as a result of this backroom deal negotiated in secret by Democrats who control the New Jersey Legislature,” said Holzapfel. “First, we were devastated by huge ratable losses resulting from Superstorm Sandy, and now we’ll be devastated by massive cuts to our schools thanks to New Jersey Democrats.”
The Sweeney/Prieto plan would slash $3.3 million in state school aid to Toms River, cut $2.1 million to Brick, and reduce Manchester’s aid by $177,000. Other local school districts, including Lakehurst, Seaside Heights, Lavallette and Island Heights would lose funding as well.
Holzapfel, Allen Bill to Protect Seniors in Assisted Living Advanced by Senate Panel
Legislation sponsored by Senator Jim Holzapfel (R-Ocean) and Senator Diane Allen (R-Burlington) to protect senior citizens in assisted living facilities was advanced by the Senate Health Committee.

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Jim Holzapfel and Sen. Diane Allen to protect seniors in assisted living was advanced by a Senate panel. (SenateNJ.com)
“When families put their loved ones in the care of a nursing home or other assited living facility, they expect that they’ll be treated properly and with respect,” Senator Holzapfel said. “If an employee of one of these homes even has the slightest suspicion that something might be awry, it should be their duty to report it.”
Senators Sweeney, Greenstein, Kean & Holzapfel Introduce Legislation to Strengthen Child Pornography Law and Establish Stricter Penalties
Senate President Steve Sweeney, Senate Law & Public Safety Committee Chair Linda R. Greenstein, Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean, and Senator Jim Holzapfel yesterday introduced legislation that would strengthen New Jersey’s child pornography laws and establish additional penalties for violators.

Sens. Sweeney, Kean, Greenstein, and Holzapfel introduced legislation that would strengthen New Jersey’s child pornography laws and establish additional penalties for violators. (©iStock)
“If someone in New Jersey has engaged in the large-scale collection or distribution of pictures of children in sexually suggestive poses, they pose a serious threat to our children and our community,” said Senator Kean. “The Attorney General has highlighted the need to better address this growing problem, including the establishment of new child pornography crimes, tougher punishments, and better monitoring of offenders. There’s a bipartisan consensus that these protections are overdue.”
“We cannot allow the sexual exploitation of children to be tolerated in this state, nor can we turn a blind eye to loopholes in our laws that allow people to engage in this despicable activity in any way,” said Senator Holzapfel (R-Ocean). “It’s clear that people who collect child erotica are a threat to public safety and the children of New Jersey, and our laws must be tightened to reflect that.”
Now Law: Holzapfel/Wolfe/McGuckin Bill Requiring Use of Native Plants for Roadside Planting
New Jersey State roadways will now be lined with native plants for landscaping and reforestation purposes due to the efforts of Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Dave Wolfe and Greg McGuckin (all R-10). The bill, S-227/A-963, was signed into law on May 1, 2017 by Governor Christie.

Signed by Gov. Christie on May 1, 2017, Sen. Jim Holzapfel’s S-227 requires the use of native vegetation on New Jersey State roadways. (NJDOT)
“During the rebuilding of State Highway 35 on the barrier island following Superstorm Sandy, we worked on this bill to benefit the state both economically and ecologically,” said Senator Holzapfel. “We worked alongside Save Barnegat Bay to craft this important piece of legislation in an effort to restore the bay and prevent pollutants from entering local waterways.”
Holzapfel/Singer Bill to Protect N.J. Animals Passed by Senate
Legislation sponsored by Senator Jim Holzapfel (R-Ocean) and Senator Robert Singer (R-Monmouth, Ocean) to protect pets against cruel treatment by their owners was passed by the New Jersey Senate.

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Jim Holzapfel and Sen. Bob Singer to protect pets from inhumane treatment was passed by the New Jersey Senate. (©iStock.com)
“You would hope that pet owners would treat their animals with decency and provide them with a safe and healthy home environment, but sadly, that isn’t always the case,” Senator Holzapfel said. “We must protect these animals and show that this kind of treatment will not be tolerated.”
Holzapfel: Ill-Conceived Sanctuary Cities Bill Could Devastate New Jersey Budget
Senator Jim Holzapfel (R-10) announced his opposition to legislation, S-3007 /A-4590, which would require the State to reimburse local governments for the loss of federal funds that result from their status as a “sanctuary” jurisdiction.

Sen. Jim Holzapfel strongly opposes legislation to require NJ to reimburse local governments for the loss of federal funds that result from their status as a “sanctuary city.” (SenateNJ.com)
“The legislation has the potential to devastate our state budget by shifting a $15 billion burden onto New Jersey taxpayers,” stated Holzapfel. “While this ill-conceived legislation is designed to make a political statement, it lacks a financial statement that addresses the tremendous tax increases it would require.”
Holzapfel Bill Combating Animal Cruelty Passed by Senate Panel
Legislation sponsored by Senator Jim Holzapfel (R-Ocean) to prevent the cruel treatment of animals was today advanced by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

Sen. Jim Holzapfel’s bill to prevent animal cruelty statewide was advanced by the Senate Budget Committee. (©iStock.com)
“This legislation aims to prevent the inhumane tethering of animals for long periods of time, making them defenseless and unable to care for themselves,” Senator Holzapfel said. “This cruel and heartless treatment is horrifying and must be stopped.”