Bills on bereavement leave, protected tenancy pass committee

State Senate committees on Thursday approved a pair of bills that would provide bereavement leave for workers after the death of a child and extend protected tenancy for tenants who are senior citizens or have disabilities. 

The first bill, sponsored by State Sens. Vince Polistina (R-Egg Harbor Twp) and Raj Mukherji (D-Jersey City), would amend New Jersey’s Family Leave Act and Family Leave Insurance to allow workers to take bereavement time after miscarriage, stillbirth, termination of a pregnancy for medical reasons, an unsuccessful adoption, or a failed fertility treatment. The Senate Labor Committee approved the bill by a 4-0 vote Thursday.

“The loss of a child is an unspeakable, traumatic experience for any parent,” Mukherji said in a release. “Allowing time to grieve is a compassionate way to help parents come to terms with their heartbreaking loss. Our family leave law is the most appropriate way to address this need.”

The bill was referred to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

The second bill, sponsored by State Sen. Brian Stack (D-Union City), would extend the protected tenancy period for qualified senior citizen and disabled tenants from 40 years to their lifetime. The Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee advanced the bill in a 4-0 vote.

“Life expectancies continue to increase in the United States, and this bill will protect members of our most vulnerable populations, senior citizens, and people with disabilities by allowing them to remain in their homes without harmful disruptions in their living conditions later in life,” Stack said in a release. “Research shows that evictions are directly linked to increased stress, risk of depression, disruptions to health care, and other health issues. By allowing these community members to stay in their homes, we can continue to help people facing financial hardship keep a roof over their heads.”