Legislation Assemblyman Gary S. Schaer championed to protect the sincerely held religious beliefs, observances, and practices of all New Jersey residents and a measure permanently designating April as Jewish Heritage Month were signed into law today by Governor Jon S. Corzine at a ceremony at Congregation Ahavas Israel in Passaic.

Under the newest Schaer law, all New Jersey colleges and universities must make accommodations for students whose religious obligations prevent participation in a test schedule on the date of religious observance, such as the Jewish observance of Rosh Hashanah, the Islamic celebration of Eid al-Fitr, and the Christian observance of Ash Wednesday.

“No student should have to choose between compromising their religious beliefs and taking a failing grade on an exam,” said Schaer (D-Passaic/Bergen/Essex).  “New Jersey’s colleges and universities must respect the religious beliefs of their students, recognize the importance of our society’s diversity, and provide an alternate time and place for testing when exam schedules and religious observances coincide.”

The measure (A-422/S-1023) is the fourth religious accommodation law authored by Schaer to be enacted.

“We commend Assemblyman Schaer for introducing these bills and for his leadership in steering them through the legislature,” said Rabbi Mordechai Biser, Associate General Counsel of Agudath Israel of America, who served as an advisor on the bills. “As a result of these new statutes, New Jerseyans of all faiths will have the ability to observe their religious beliefs and be accommodated in colleges and universities, the workplace, in hospitals, and in other settings.”

“We commend Assemblyman Schaer for his leadership and his work to eliminate barriers that religious communities encounter in both personal and public situations,” said NJ Catholic Conference Executive Director Patrick Brannigan. “Religious liberty is an important strength of

our civil society; we thank Assemblyman Schaer for his vigilance in the defense of religious liberty and thank Governor Corzine for signing this important legislation.”

Governor Corzine also ceremonially signed the other three Schaer religious accommodation laws which previously were enacted in the last legislative session. The laws:

· Make it unlawful to discriminate against employees because of religious practices;

· Mandate alternate testing dates because of days of religious observance for certain applicants seeking licensure;

· Provide for religious accommodation regarding admission procedures at licensed health care facilities.

Governor Corzine also signed a law codifying April of each year as Jewish Heritage Month in New Jersey. Activities during the month will serve to commemorate the contributions Jewish immigrants and their descendants have made to the state and the nation.

“New Jersey’s diverse Jewish population deserves to be recognized,” said Schaer (D-Passaic).  “The rich heritage and generations of contributions made by the Jewish community have made an enormous positive impact on the state and the nation.”

Assemblyman Neil Cohen (D-Union) introduced legislation (AJR-79) with Schaer to create a permanent celebration to avoid the yearly chaos of submitting a bill each year to maintain the designation. Similar laws have been enacted to designate commemorations that include Black History Month, Women’s History Week, and Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month.

The laws take effect immediately.