New Jersey Governor Signs Bills Protecting Religious Exercise

On Dec. 20, New Jersey's Governor Jon Corzine signed two bills designed to protect religious exercise in the state. A 3513 requires that exams for various state licenses be offered a second time on an alternative date when the scheduled exam conflicts with an applicant's religious observances. A3517 provides that patients or their family members can postpone signing admission papers when entering a health care facility if their date of admission is a day on which their religious beliefs preclude them from doing signing. The Jewish Standard reports that this will allow observant Jews admitted to a hospital on Saturday to wait until after sundown to sign required paperwork. The bills are part of a 7-bill package sponsored by Assemblyman Gary Schaer and Sen. Loretta Weinberg. (See prior related posting.)