Gordon Co-Sponsors Medicine Disposal Bill; Lautenberg Works to STOP Underage Drinking

State Senator Robert Gordon (D-Fair Lawn) co-sponsored a bill which prohibits health care institutions from discharging medications into sewer or septic systems.

A vote to amend the bill took place in the Senate on Thursday with a vote of 34 to 0 in favor. The amount of time a health care institution would have to submit a plan for the disposal of unused prescription medication would be changed from 90 to 120 days after enactment of the bill.

Gordon also voted Thursday in favor of a bill which permits municipalities to enact ordinances regulating where sex offenders may reside and also restricts location of certain child care centers and school bus stops. The third and final passage went through with a vote of 33 to 0.

A bill that permits the sale of raw milk under certain conditions and establishes a raw milk permit program which was sponsored by Assemblywoman Connie Wagner (D-Paramus) was recently passed by a vote of 71 in favor and 6 against.

Earlier this month U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg introduced the Sober Truth on Preventing (STOP) Underage Drinking Reauthorization Act with the goal to reduce and prevent underage drinking.  The legislation builds on the success of the original STOP Act signed into law in 2006.

Lautenberg had stated that since the STOP Act became law there have been increased efforts to address underage drinking however it is still found that alcohol is still “the primary drug of choice for our youth. We must build on our successful efforts to educate our society about the dangers of youth alcohol abuse in hopes of reducing the suffering, violence and death that far too often is caused by underage drinking.”