HARRISBURG, PA – Attorney General Michelle Henry announced significant financial support for two Philadelphia-based non-profit organizations, Center for Families and Relationships (CFAR) and Project HOME, to enhance their mental health services. Each organization will receive $520,125, funded by restitution payments from a fraud and money laundering case involving the now-defunct Juniata Community Mental Health Clinic (JCMHC).
The restitution, part of a U.S. Department of Justice prosecution, is aimed at replenishing resources within the community affected by the clinic’s closure. The funds were secured following convictions of multiple defendants involved in the JCMHC case, with court approval for the fund’s distribution by the Office of the Attorney General.
Attorney General Henry highlighted the selected organizations’ dedication to aiding vulnerable groups, stating that these funds will help extend their services to more individuals in need. “This is a pivotal moment for these organizations to enhance and expand their influential programs,” she remarked.
CFAR specializes in providing mental health counseling to youth, families, and couples, including a significant focus on trauma resulting from gun violence. Their bilingual programming also supports uninsured children and families in need of mental health services.
Project HOME, recognized for its efforts to combat homelessness and support mental well-being, will similarly benefit from the additional funding, aiming to further their mission of serving Philadelphia’s underserved populations.
United States Attorney Jacqueline Romero of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania praised the collaborative law enforcement efforts that led to the recovery and redistribution of funds. “It’s gratifying to see these assets being used to directly benefit those in need of mental health care in our community,” Romero stated.
The checks, along with the judge’s approval order, were recently dispatched to the organizations, marking a new chapter in their community service efforts.
An Abortion Battle is Now Raging in Trenton as Dems, Republicans Face Off With Dueling BillsTRENTON, NJ – New Jersey Senate Majority Leader Senator M. Teresa Ruiz and Senate President Nicholas P. Scutari have introduced a groundbreaking piece of legislation, S.3452, aimed at expanding reproductive health care coverage across the state. This bill seeks to ensure that all New Jersey residents have comprehensive insurance coverage for abortion and other reproductive health care services without financial barriers.
This legislative move responds to the ongoing challenges to abortion access at both the federal level and in various states. Building on New Jersey’s 2023 protections, which mandated insurance coverage for abortion services, the new bill would eliminate co-pays for pregnancy termination under Medicaid and all state health insurance plans, including State Health Benefits and School Employees’ Health Benefits.
Additionally, the bill includes provisions to protect medical providers from punitive actions by medical malpractice insurers if they offer reproductive or gender-affirming health care services that are illegal in the patient’s state of residence.
Senator Ruiz emphasized the bill’s importance, stating, “This bill represents a monumental stride towards safeguarding reproductive freedom and health care rights in New Jersey. It ensures that all individuals can make personal health decisions without facing financial or regulatory obstacles.”
Senate President Scutari also highlighted the bill’s significance in advancing health equity, remarking, “Protecting reproductive rights and ensuring health equity are fundamental principles that drive our legislative efforts in New Jersey.”
As part of ongoing budget negotiations, this bill has been spotlighted in Governor Murphy’s budget address as a key element in the state’s commitment to reproductive rights. This legislation marks the first in a series of measures aimed at strengthening and codifying reproductive and bodily autonomy rights in New Jersey.
An Abortion Battle is Brewing in New Jersey as New “Pain-Capable” Protection Bill Introduced
New Jersey GOP lawmakers have introduced a new bill aimed at restricting abortions beyond 20 weeks post-fertilization, citing the ability of unborn children to feel pain at this stage. Sponsored by Senator Joseph Pennacchio of District 26 (Morris and Passaic) and co-sponsored by Senators Singer, A.M. Bucco, and Space, the proposed legislation is formally named the “Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.”
The bill stipulates that abortions should not be performed or attempted when the probable post-fertilization age of the fetus is 20 weeks or more, except under specific conditions. These exceptions include scenarios where the life of the pregnant woman is at risk due to a physical disorder, illness, or injury related to the pregnancy, or if the pregnancy results from rape or incest, with the stipulation that these incidents must be reported to law enforcement or the Division of Child Protection and Permanency before the procedure.
Physicians would be required to determine the probable post-fertilization age of the fetus before performing an abortion. The bill mandates that abortions conducted under the exceptions should be performed in ways that would provide the best chance for the fetus to survive, unless doing so would pose a greater risk to the woman’s life or cause substantial and irreversible impairment.
The legislation also aligns with the federal “Born Alive Infant Protection Act,” outlining procedures for cases where an abortion results in a live birth. Furthermore, it necessitates documentation proving the circumstances of rape or incest, requires informed consent from the woman undergoing the abortion, and mandates that physicians submit annual summaries of all performed abortions to the National Center for Health Statistics.
Violations of this bill would constitute a third-degree crime, punishable by three to five years in prison or a fine up to $15,000, or both. However, women upon whom abortions are performed would not face civil or criminal liability.
Supporters of the bill argue that substantial medical evidence indicates that fetuses can experience pain at 20 weeks, making it a compelling interest of the state to protect unborn children from this stage. Critics of such measures generally contend that they infringe on women’s reproductive rights and access to healthcare. The bill is modeled on H.R.36 from the 114th Congress, reflecting a continuing national dialogue on the balance between fetal rights and women’s autonomy.
Philadelphia Non-Profits Receive Funding to Expand Mental Health Services for HomelessHARRISBURG, PA – Attorney General Michelle Henry announced significant financial support for two Philadelphia-based non-profit organizations, Center for Families and Relationships (CFAR) and Project HOME, to enhance their mental health services. Each organization will receive $520,125, funded by restitution payments from a fraud and money laundering case involving the now-defunct Juniata Community Mental Health Clinic (JCMHC).
The restitution, part of a U.S. Department of Justice prosecution, is aimed at replenishing resources within the community affected by the clinic’s closure. The funds were secured following convictions of multiple defendants involved in the JCMHC case, with court approval for the fund’s distribution by the Office of the Attorney General.
Attorney General Henry highlighted the selected organizations’ dedication to aiding vulnerable groups, stating that these funds will help extend their services to more individuals in need. “This is a pivotal moment for these organizations to enhance and expand their influential programs,” she remarked.
CFAR specializes in providing mental health counseling to youth, families, and couples, including a significant focus on trauma resulting from gun violence. Their bilingual programming also supports uninsured children and families in need of mental health services.
Project HOME, recognized for its efforts to combat homelessness and support mental well-being, will similarly benefit from the additional funding, aiming to further their mission of serving Philadelphia’s underserved populations.
United States Attorney Jacqueline Romero of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania praised the collaborative law enforcement efforts that led to the recovery and redistribution of funds. “It’s gratifying to see these assets being used to directly benefit those in need of mental health care in our community,” Romero stated.
The checks, along with the judge’s approval order, were recently dispatched to the organizations, marking a new chapter in their community service efforts.
Touchy New Jersey School Teacher Charged for Inappropriate Contact With StudentHUDSON COUNTY, NJ – A teacher at University Academy Charter High School in Jersey City has been charged with criminal sexual contact and endangering the welfare of a child. The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office announced the arrest following an investigation by its Special Victims Unit.
The incident, involving inappropriate contact with a juvenile student, occurred during school hours on May 29, 2024. Steven Gordon, 67, from Jersey City, was arrested on June 14, 2024, at the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office in Secaucus.
Gordon is facing charges of Criminal Sexual Contact, a fourth-degree crime, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a second-degree crime. Following the charges, Gordon resigned from his teaching position. He has been released pending his initial court appearance scheduled for July 5, 2024.
One Dead in District Heights Motorcycle CrashDISTRICT HEIGHTS, MD – The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit is currently investigating a fatal collision that occurred early Saturday morning involving a motorcycle and a sedan.
The incident took place on June 15, 2024, at about 3:35 AM on Pennsylvania Avenue near Walters Lane. Upon their arrival, officers discovered 35-year-old Johnathan Harkness of District Heights, the motorcycle rider, deceased in the roadway.
The preliminary findings suggest that the motorcycle and the sedan collided in the southbound lanes of Pennsylvania Avenue. While the sedan’s driver was unharmed and remained at the scene, further details regarding the cause of the crash are still under investigation.
Cecil County Woman Overwhelmed by $250,000 Lottery WinA Cecil County office worker’s usual morning routine of buying scratch-offs alongside her coffee paid off dramatically when she won a $250,000 prize from the Maryland Lottery. The winner, a secretary who prefers scratch-off games, was astonished by her luck with a Jumbo Cash ticket purchased last Monday.
Despite her usual routine and enjoyment of lottery games, the secretary admitted that she had never won big before. “I’ve always had luck with scratch tickets,” she said, “but not big luck.” The $250,000 top prize from the Jumbo Cash game, which only launched in late April with five top prizes, was beyond her expectations. As of now, three of these top prizes and all four $50,000 second-tier prizes remain available.
The winning moment occurred at a Wawa convenience store in Aberdeen, where the sheer shock of her win nearly caused her to collapse. “My legs all of a sudden got really weak. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to stay on my feet,” she recounted. After recovering, she immediately called her husband, who was initially asleep after a night shift. The news of their win was well worth the wake-up call.
The lucky purple ticket not only changed the life of this Cecil County resident but also benefited the local Wawa store, which will receive a $1,000 bonus from the Lottery for selling a top-prize winning ticket.
Armed Robbers Empty Register, Take Bag of Newports at Maryland 7-ElevenCROFTON, MD – A robbery at the 7-Eleven on 1044 Crain Highway North has triggered a police investigation after suspects made off with cash registers and cigarettes early on June 17.
At approximately 4:40 AM, Crofton police responded to a silent holdup alarm at the convenience store. Upon arrival, they discovered that two male suspects, both dressed in all-black attire, had entered the store and intimated they were armed before demanding the cash registers. After securing two registers and a bag of Newport cigarettes, the suspects fled in a white pickup truck driven by an unidentified accomplice.
Investigators have linked these suspects to a prior theft at a nearby Royal Farms store the same morning. The Anne Arundel County Police Department’s Regional Crimes Unit is actively pursuing leads and asks anyone with information about the incident to contact 410-222-4730 or use the anonymous tip line at 410-222-4700.
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