Legislator
Legislator > Bob Singer
State Senator
Bob Singer
(R) - New Jersey
New Jersey Senate District 30
In Office - Started: 10/14/1993
contact info
Lakewood Office
1771 Madison Ave.
Suite 202
Lakewood, NJ 08701
Suite 202
Lakewood, NJ 08701
Phone: 732-987-5669
General Capitol Building Address
P.O. Box 068
State House, 145 W. State St.
Trenton, NJ 08625-0068
State House, 145 W. State St.
Trenton, NJ 08625-0068
Phone: 609-847-3905
| Bill | Bill Name | Summary | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2886 | Requires pharmacies to provide certain information regarding insulin manufacturer assistance programs. | Requires pharmacies to provide certain information regarding insulin manufacturer assistance programs. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S4506 | Exempts minor league baseball players from certain State wage laws under certain circumstances. | This bill exempts minor league baseball players from the provisions of the State wage and hour laws and the recordkeeping requirements of the wage payment laws, provided the players are employed under a collective bargaining agreement that is in effect and expressly governs wages and working conditions. In putting forth this legislation, the sponsor affirms a dual commitment to organized labor and to the economic and social vitality of the New Jersey communities that host minor league baseball teams. The legislation recognizes the important role these teams play as sources of affordable family entertainment, youth engagement, and local economic development, while also respecting the strong labor protections already secured through collective bargaining. In March 2023, the Major League Baseball Players Association, the certified labor union for Major League Baseball players, entered into the first-ever nationwide collective bargaining agreement with Minor League Baseball. This landmark agreement established significant protections for minor league players, including guaranteed annual salaries, health care coverage, housing stipends, retirement benefits, meals, and tuition assistance. Due to the unique nature of minor league baseball employment--marked by irregular schedules, extensive travel, and non-traditional training demands--certain provisions of State wage and hour laws are incompatible with the terms negotiated by the parties. This bill ensures that the legal framework governing these players remains consistent with the collectively bargained agreement, without undermining its protections or benefits. The exemption established by this bill applies only during the period in which a valid collective bargaining agreement is in effect and expressly provides for the wages and working conditions of the affected players. The bill also requires the league and union to notify the Department of Labor and Workforce Development in the event of the agreement's termination or replacement, ensuring continued transparency and accountability. Several other states, including Florida, Indiana, and California, have taken similar steps to harmonize their labor laws with the terms of this collective agreement. This legislation adopts a balanced and narrowly tailored approach that supports players, protects the integrity of organized labor, and sustains the community and economic benefits of minor league baseball across New Jersey. | Passed |
| A4544 | Expands eligibility requirements of State's child care assistance program to include full-time graduate and post-graduate students. | Expands eligibility requirements of State's child care assistance program to include full-time graduate and post-graduate students. | Passed |
| S4524 | Appropriates $34 million from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to State Agriculture Development Committee for county planning incentive grants for farmland preservation purposes. | This bill appropriates $34 million to the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) for the purpose of providing planning incentive grants to counties for up to 80 percent of the cost of acquisition of development easements on farmland for farmland preservation purposes. The funding in this bill is provided from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax (CBT) revenues pursuant to Article VIII, Section II, paragraph 6 of the State Constitution, approved by the voters of the State in November 2014. The "Preserve New Jersey Act," P.L.2016, c.12 (C.13:8C-50), implements the constitutional dedication of CBT revenues for open space, farmland, and historic preservation. The "Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund" was established pursuant to section 8 of the "Preserve New Jersey Act. Under the bill, five counties will each receive a "base grant" of either $1 million or $500,000, as specified in the bill. Those five counties, plus 10 other counties identified in the bill, would also be eligible to compete to receive an additional grant from the "competitive grant fund" pursuant to subsection c. of section 1 of the bill, in an amount not to exceed $7.5 million. The maximum grant award a county could receive under the bill is $8.5 million (i.e., the $1 million base grant, if applicable, and a $7.5 million competitive grant). The bill also appropriates to the "Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund" moneys from the General Fund already constitutionally dedicated to the "Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund" for the purpose of making the appropriations from that fund required by this bill. The allocations and projects listed in this bill have been approved by the SADC and the Garden State Preservation Trust. | Crossed Over |
| S4387 | Requires establishment of tracking system in Division of Consumer Affairs to determine compliance with continuing education requirements. | This bill requires the Division of Consumer Affairs to develop an automated system for use by the boards, committees, or other entities in the division that regulate a profession or occupation which requires a licensee to complete continuing education to renew a license to track the credits or hours completed by each licensee. The system is to determine if a licensee is in compliance with the continuing education requirement of the particular profession or occupation in time for the renewal of a license, notwithstanding any hardship experienced by a licensee that has been determined by the requisite board, committee, or other entity. | Crossed Over |
| S4674 | Establishes gold and silver transactional currency system; designates Commissioner of Banking and Insurance as administrator; provides legal tender status; authorizes fees. | This bill establishes a voluntary gold and silver transactional currency system in New Jersey. The bill creates an electronic currency system backed by gold and silver held in trust, providing an alternative transactional medium while maintaining existing monetary systems. The bill designates the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance as the administrator of the system, with authority to contract with private vendors for implementation. The bill recognizes qualifying gold and silver specie as legal tender under constitutional authority and creates electronic transactional currency backed by precious metals held in pooled depository accounts. Participation in the system is voluntary with no requirement for acceptance of the currency by any party. The bill provides full redemption rights for currency holders in either United States dollars or physical precious metals and includes security and anti-fraud protections. Trust fund protections prevent legislative appropriation of backing assets, and the bill includes a delayed effective date to allow for proper system implementation and regulatory framework development. | In Committee |
| S4673 | Establishes EDA grant program to support increased business expenses incurred by certain businesses impacted by certain public highway projects; appropriates $1 million. | This bill requires the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to establish and administer a grant program to provide financial assistance to reimburse retail business establishments for the cost of any increased business expenses incurred due to a public highway project. Under the bill, the grant program is to reimburse a retail business establishment operating within an impacted construction zone for any increase in business expenses incurred during a relief period. The bill defines "relief period" to mean the period of time between the date on which a public highway project commences and the date on which the project concludes. "Public highway project" means any infrastructure project that involves the construction, improvement, or maintenance of a State, county, or municipal highway, road, or street, including, but not limited to, the repair or reconstruction of any highway, road, or street that has suffered serious damage as a result of a natural disaster or catastrophic failure from any external cause. "Impacted construction zone" means any area immediately surrounding a public highway project, within which area the occurrence of the public highway project impedes or blocks the normal and reasonable flow of traffic or otherwise restricts access to business establishments located within the area. In addition to any other information or documentation that the EDA deems necessary, the bill requires an application for a grant to include: (1) evidence that an applicant is a retail business establishment that is qualified under the grant program; (2) documentation of the business expenses regularly incurred by the applicant prior to the relief period; and (3) documentation of the increased business expenses incurred by the applicant during the relief period as a direct result of the public highway project. An applicant's documentation of business expenses prior to and during the relief period, respectively, is required to demonstrate the business expenses incurred by the applicant for an equal number of business days. The bill directs the EDA to review and approve applications for the grant program on a rolling basis, subject to the availability of funds for the program. Upon the approval of an application, the grant issued to an approved applicant is required to be in an amount equal to the difference between: (1) the increased business expenses incurred by the applicant during the relief period as a direct result of the public highway project; and (2) the business expenses regularly incurred by the applicant prior to the relief period. These amounts are to represent the business expenses for an equal number of days during which an applicant incurred business expenses. To assist the authority in the review of applications under the program, the bill requires the Commissioner of Transportation to notify the EDA of the commencement or completion of public highway projects. The Commissioner of Transportation is also required to notify the EDA of each ongoing public highway project within the State within 30 days after the bill's effective date. The bill appropriates $1 million to the EDA to support the costs of administering the grant program. | In Committee |
| S4672 | Establishes New Jersey Bullion Depository for secure precious metals storage. | This bill establishes the New Jersey Bullion Depository as a division within the Department of the Treasury to provide secure storage for precious metals including gold and silver. The depository would be constructed and operated entirely by private contractors under State oversight. The State Treasurer would appoint an administrator to oversee operations and ensure compliance with security standards The bill establishes comprehensive account management allowing eligible entities to deposit, withdraw, and transfer precious metals within five business days. Eligible account holders include fiduciaries, political subdivisions, business and nonprofit corporations, educational institutions, and financial institutions. Key operational protections include prohibition of fractional reserve practices to ensure 100 percent physical backing of all accounts, mandatory Class 3 vault security standards with specific requirements for armed security personnel, biometric access controls, and comprehensive surveillance systems. The legislation requires annual security audits by independent certified firms with results kept confidential under the Open Public Records Act. The bill mandates comprehensive insurance coverage with a minimum of $100 million in aggregate coverage, including all-risk property coverage for stored assets and fidelity coverage for employee dishonesty. Customer assets must be held in bankruptcy-remote structures separate from operator assets and protected from creditor claims. Emergency procedures ensure depositor access within 72 hours of any operational disruption. In cases of operator bankruptcy or material breach, the administrator has authority to assume immediate control, appoint successor operators, and implement customer protection measures. The State shall maintain standby agreements with qualified operators to ensure continuity. The depository shall use licensed private agents as intermediaries for retail transactions, with the State Treasurer establishing licensing requirements and real-time transaction reporting systems. Revenue from depository fees would be deposited to the State General Fund. The bill includes a delayed effective date allowing the State Treasurer to take advance administrative action for implementation, including adoption of regulations and operator selection procedures. This legislation creates economic opportunities for New Jersey while providing residents and businesses with secure, accessible precious metals storage without relying on facilities concentrated in New York. | In Committee |
| S4683 | Expands "Daniel's Law" to prohibit disclosure of personal information of members of NJ Legislature. | This bill expands "Daniel's Law," P.L.2020, c.125, to prohibit the disclosure of personal information of members of the New Jersey Legislature. Under the bill, "member of the legislature" means any person elected or selected to serve in the New Jersey Senate or General Assembly. Currently, Daniel's Law: (1) prohibits the disclosure, by both governmental entities and private parties, of the home address of any active, formerly active, or retired federal, State, county, or municipal judicial officers, prosecutors, law enforcement officers, or child protective investigators and employees of the Department of Children and Families; (2) prohibits disclosure of home addresses and unlisted telephone numbers for active or retired law enforcement officers, child protective investigators and employees of the Department of Children and Families, as well as active, formerly active, or retired judicial officers or prosecutors; and (3) permits criminal prosecution and statutory civil action concerning prohibited disclosures. The bill expands the scope of Daniel's Law to also include members of the legislature. This bill is in response to the violent attacks, on June 13, 2025, against two Minnesota state lawmakers, Melissa Hortman and John Hoffman, and their immediately family members, at their home. | In Committee |
| S4426 | Appropriates funds to DEP for environmental infrastructure projects in FY2026. | Appropriates funds to DEP for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2026. | Passed |
| S1403 | Requires employer or contractor engaged in work for public body to submit payroll records to DOLWD. | Requires employer or contractor engaged in work for public body to submit payroll records to DOLWD. | Passed |
| S4467 | Authorizes NJ Infrastructure Bank to expend certain sums to make loans for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2026. | Authorizes NJ Infrastructure Bank to expend certain sums to make loans for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2026. | Passed |
| A4331 | Establishes licensure for cosmetic retail services. | Establishes licensure for cosmetic retail services. | Passed |
| S3309 | Establishes "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act"; revises motor vehicle franchise agreements. | Establishes "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act"; revises motor vehicle franchise agreements. | Passed |
| S2951 | Authorizes provision of monetary awards to whistleblowers who report State tax law violations committed by employers in construction industry. | This bill requires the Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury to provide monetary awards to whistleblowers who report tax law violations committed by employers in the construction industry. The bill defines "employer in the construction industry" as an employer engaging in any activity related to the erection, construction, alteration, demolition, repair or maintenance of buildings, structures, bridges, highways, roadways, dams, tunnels, sewers, underground buildings or structures, pipelines or ducts and all other construction projects or facilities. Under the bill, if the director proceeds with an administrative or judicial action against an employer in the construction industry and determines that the action is based on specific and credible information brought to the director by an individual, the director is required to provide that individual an award of at least 15 percent, but not more than 30 percent, of the proceeds collected as a result of the action or from any settlement in response to that action; provided, however, if the director determines an action is based principally on an individual's disclosure of an allegation resulting from a judicial or administrative hearing, from a governmental report, hearing, audit, or investigation, or from the news media, any award provided by the director to that individual may not exceed 10 percent of the proceeds. The bill requires the director to determine the amount of an award based upon the extent to which any information submitted by an individual contributed to the outcome of an action or related settlement. If the director determines that the claim for an award pursuant to the bill is brought by an individual who planned and initiated the actions that led to the violation resulting in the administrative or judicial action in which that individual is a party, the bill permits the director to reduce the amount of the award. In addition, if such an individual is convicted of criminal conduct arising from the individual's role in the violation, then the director is not permitted to provide an award to that individual. The following individuals are also ineligible to receive an award under the bill: (1) an individual who obtained information through the individual's official duties as an employee of the Department of the Treasury; and (2) an individual who filed a claim for an award based on information obtained from an ineligible individual for the purpose of avoiding the rejection of the claim that would have resulted if the claim was filed by the ineligible individual. The bill provides that any complaint with respect to an award provided, reduced, or revoked pursuant to the bill is to be filed within 30 days after the date of the provision, reduction, or revocation of that award. Finally, the bill protects any employee, as defined by the bill, from retaliatory action under the provisions of the "Conscientious Employee Protection Act," P.L.1986, c.105 (C.34:19-1 et seq.). | Crossed Over |
| A1682 | Requires State Board of Education to adopt New Jersey Student Learning Standards pertaining to labor movement; requires school districts to provide instruction on labor movement. | Requires State Board of Education to adopt New Jersey Student Learning Standards pertaining to labor movement; requires school districts to provide instruction on labor movement. | Passed |
| S3227 | Establishes licensure for cosmetic retail services. | Establishes licensure for cosmetic retail services. | In Committee |
| S1067 | Directs DHS to conduct landscape analysis of available mental health services. | Directs DHS to conduct landscape analysis of available mental health services. | Vetoed |
| S1054 | Requires State Board of Education to adopt New Jersey Student Learning Standards pertaining to labor movement; requires school districts to provide instruction on labor movement. | Requires State Board of Education to adopt New Jersey Student Learning Standards pertaining to labor movement; requires school districts to provide instruction on labor movement. | In Committee |
| S4622 | Requires home health care services to be delivered in culturally sensitive manner. | This bill requires home health care services to be delivered in a culturally sensitive manner. Under the bill, a home care agency that provides home care services to a patient, is to, upon the request of the patient or the patient's guardian, provide home care services to the individual in a manner that is culturally sensitive to that patient and to those who are within the patient's home, which is to include, but is not to be limited to: (1) home care services that are delivered in a manner that does not infringe or violate the recognized, ethnic traditions or religious laws that are observed by the patient; (2) the preparation and delivery of meals in a manner that conforms to the religious dietary law observed by the patient, if applicable; (3) the administration of medicines and treatments in a manner that conforms to the religious laws observed by the patient, including the religious dietary law observed by the patient; (4) the ability of the patient to choose the sex of the home care agency employee who provides treatment to the patient in order to comply with the religious laws observed by the patient; (5) the delivery of services by home care agency employees who are dressed modestly and who interact with the patient and those within the patient's home, as provided for in the bill; and (6) the delivery of home health care services in a manner that accommodates the schedule of the patient or the patient's guardian, as it pertains to prayer time, observed religious holidays, religious days of rest, and other ethnic or religious activities, observances, and traditions. | In Committee |
| S4613 | Establishes Department of State Police as principal department in executive branch of State government. | This bill establishes the Department of State Police as a principal department in the executive branch of State government. Under current law, the Division of State Police is situated in the Department of Law and Public Safety, which is headed by the Attorney General. Under the provisions of this bill, the Division of State Police is transferred to and constituted as the Department of State Police, which is established as a principal department in the executive branch of State government. The Superintendent of State Police is established as the head of the Department of State Police. The bill provides that the Superintendent of State Police is to be designated as the State Director of Emergency Management and that any personnel change made within the Department of State Police is subject only to the approval of the Superintendent of State Police. The approval of the Attorney General is not required. Currently, the Office of Emergency Management is allocated within the Division of State Police, with the superintendent serving as the Director of Emergency Management. Finally, the bill clarifies that the oversight and monitoring of the current Division of State Police performed by the Office of Law Enforcement Professional Standards under current law would apply to the Department of State Police established under this bill. | In Committee |
| S699 | Establishes program in SADC for acquisition of development easements on privately-owned woodlands. | Establishes program in SADC for acquisition of development easements on privately-owned woodlands. | Crossed Over |
| S1962 | Provides certain protections to residents of long-term care facilities. | Provides certain protections to residents of long-term care facilities. | Crossed Over |
| S3976 | Grants priority course registration to certain student parents attending institutions of higher education. | Grants priority course registration to certain student parents attending institutions of higher education. | In Committee |
| S3977 | Requires institution of higher education to collect certain information concerning student parents. | Requires institution of higher education to collect certain information concerning student parents. | In Committee |
| S4596 | Requires victim notification concerning termination of sex offender's obligation to register and requires court to enter or continue restraining order for victim of sex offense under certain circumstances. | This bill requires victim notification concerning the termination of a sex offender's obligation to register and requires the court to enter or continue a restraining order for a victim of a sex offense under certain circumstances. The sponsor believes that victims of sex offenses should have the right to be informed of a potential change in the status of the offender when that offender requests to be removed from the registry of sex offenders. Those victims should also be guaranteed the opportunity to appear at any hearing on the matter and to address the court at that time. Should the court grant the offender's request to be removed, the victim should be informed of that as well. Additional protections through restraining orders should also be provided. Under current law, with certain exceptions, a person required to register under Megan's Law may make an application to the Superior Court to terminate the obligation to register upon proof that the person has not committed an offense within 15 years following conviction or release from imprisonment, whichever is later, and is not likely to pose a threat to the safety of others. Under the provisions of this bill, upon receipt of an application to terminate the obligation to register as a sex offender, the court is required to notify the victim of the sex offense for which the person is required to register of the filing of the application and the date, time, and location of any hearing on the application. The bill provides that the victim has the right to appear at the hearing and make a statement to the court regarding the victim's position on the application. The court also is required to notify the victim if the application is granted and the person's obligation to register is terminated. In addition, current law provides that when a defendant charged with a sex offense is released from custody before trial on bail or personal recognizance, the court authorizing the release may, as a condition of release, issue an order prohibiting the defendant from having any contact with the victim. Under the provisions of this bill, the court is required to issue an order prohibiting the defendant from having any contact with the victim if the victim consents to the order being entered. Current law also provides that when a defendant is found guilty of a sex offense, the court may, at the time of sentencing, order the continuation of a prior order or condition of bail that restricts the defendant's contact with the victim, or enter an order imposing these restrictions at the time of sentencing. Under the provisions of this bill, the court is required, at the time of sentencing, to order the continuation of a prior order restricting the defendant's contact with the victim or enter an order imposing these restrictions if the victim consents to the continuation or entering of the order. Further, the bill provides that an order entered under this provision is to remain in effect until modified or terminated by further order of the court. The court is not to modify or terminate an order without the consent of the victim. The bill provides that this provision is to apply to any orders in effect on the bill's effective date and any orders entered on or after the bill's effective date. | In Committee |
| S2340 | Authorizes outpatient substance use disorder treatment programs to make housing available under certain circumstances. | This bill authorizes licensed outpatient substance use disorder treatment programs (treatment programs) to offer housing to individuals receiving treatment from the program. Specifically, the bill authorizes treatment programs to acquire housing units and concurrently provide both treatment services and housing, as well as transportation between treatment and housing, to individuals in need of both substance use disorder treatment and housing. The bill requires that the housing be provided under a separate contract from the treatment services, and that the housing contract expressly state that the individual acknowledges a good faith responsibility to repay any discounts or subsidies provided in connection with the housing. Additionally, the individual receiving the housing is to be advised that the receipt of housing and treatment services are not contingent on each other, and that each service may be received separately and independently. Any housing offered by a treatment program is to be operated in compliance with State and local laws relating to zoning and safety. The bill specifies that treatment programs are otherwise prohibited from providing or receiving any form of remuneration or anything of value for the referral of a person who is seeking treatment for a substance use disorder. Doing so is currently a crime of the fourth degree, which is punishable by imprisonment for up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. The bill further specifies that nothing in its provisions is to be construed to prohibit a person, program, or entity from providing an individual with educational or informational materials about community resources, including, but not limited to, housing assistance. | In Committee |
| S4004 | Revises law on extended employment programs for persons with disabilities. | Revises law on extended employment programs for persons with disabilities. | In Committee |
| S3429 | Expands eligibility requirements of State's child care assistance program to include full-time graduate and post-graduate students. | Expands eligibility requirements of State's child care assistance program to include full-time graduate and post-graduate students. | In Committee |
| S4548 | Requires public institution of higher education to suspend students and employees charged with bias intimidation under certain circumstances. | This bill requires a public institution of higher education to suspend students and employees charged with certain crimes. The bill provides that, notwithstanding any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, whenever a student enrolled in a public institution of higher education is charged with bias intimidation for an action that was committed during a protest against a religious group or on the grounds of a religious facility, the student is to be subject to immediate academic suspension from the institution until the case is disposed of at a trial, the complaint is dismissed, or the prosecution is terminated. The bill further provides that if the student is found guilty of the charge, the student is to be subject to expulsion from the institution. Similarly, the bill provides that, notwithstanding any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, whenever an employee of a public institution of higher education is charged with bias intimidation for an action that was committed during a protest against a religious group or on the grounds of a religious facility, the employee is to be subject to immediate suspension from performing their duties, without pay, until the case is disposed of at a trial, the complaint is dismissed, or the prosecution is terminated. If the employee is found guilty of the charge, the employment of the employee at the institution is to be terminated. | In Committee |
| S4550 | Permits State and certain local government employees to work on Good Friday in exchange for alternate religious holiday leave. | This bill permits State government employees, and certain local government employees, to work on the day known as Good Friday in exchange for religious holiday leave to be used during the same calendar year on the day of another religious holiday. The bill directs the Civil Service Commission to create a list of acceptable holidays for this purpose. Under the bill, the list created by the Civil Service Commission will be based upon the annual list of observable religious holidays created by the Commissioner of Education pursuant to current law. The bill directs the commission to promulgate rules, regulations, and administrative procedures to implement its provisions, which would include, but need not be limited to: providing that employees of political subdivisions are eligible to exchange religious holiday leave; employees of schools or school districts are not eligible to exchange religious holiday leave; eligible employees must notify their employers by January 1 of the calendar year in which the holiday leave will be used and if the employee fails to notify their employer, the religious holiday leave will default to Good Friday. | In Committee |
| S4547 | Requires Rutgers, the State University to adopt Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment Policy for Students and Student Groups and establish other measures to ensure community safety and academic functions. | This bill requires Rutgers, the State University to adopt a Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment Policy for Students and Student Groups and other measures to ensure community safety and academic functions. The bill directs the governing boards of Rutgers, the State University to adopt a Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment Policy for Students and Student Groups. The policy is to include, at a minimum; · the establishment of clear and fair time, place, and manner parameters for protest activities that will avoid disruption of academic activities;· provisions for the application of consistent, rigorous, and effective disciplinary actions for violations of its rules;· a provision requiring all individuals who engage in protests or demonstrations, including those who wear face masks or face coverings, to, when asked, present their university identification to the satisfaction of a university Public Safety officer or other university representative;· the incorporation of a specific definition of "antisemitism." The bill directs Rutgers, the State University to identify and implement effective techniques to be used by university staff, including university public safety, during protests and demonstrations that enable the identification of individuals who violate university rules. The bill provides that any student identified as violating the Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment Policy for Students and Student Groups is to be referred to the Office of Student Conduct for disciplinary sanctions. The bill directs Rutgers, the State University to expand its public safety personnel and provide certain training. The bill requires Rutgers, the State University to establish adequate oversight and support of student groups. Under the bill, sanctions for violations of the Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment Policy for Students and Student Groups are to be determined by the Office of Student Conduct and may include actions to defund, suspend, or derecognize a student group. The bill directs Rutgers, the State University to:· develop a training module on the Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment Policy for Students and Student Groups and requires each student and student group to annually complete the training; · designate one or more staff members to conduct a thorough review of the portfolio of programs that engage in the scholarly examination of regional areas, starting with the Middle East;· expand its faculty searches to ensure intellectual diversity among faculty, course offerings, and scholarship; · review its admissions procedures to ensure they reflect best practices and make recommendations to the President for improvements that ensure unbiased admission processes; and · develop and adopt a university policy of institutional neutrality; create opportunities for constructive dialogue programing with the goal of improving dialogue among those with differences of opinion, and engaging with others with different and distinct viewpoints. | In Committee |
| S4516 | Transfers authority over admission to Veterans Diversion Program to Judiciary. | This bill transfers the authority to determine eligibility for admission into the statewide Veterans Diversion Program, (the VDP), from the prosecutor to the Judiciary. Currently, the prosecutor has sole discretion to determine if a servicemember can be admitted to the VDP. A servicemember is not eligible if the person is charged with a crime of the first or second degree or a crime or offense involving violence or a threat of violence. A person is also ineligible for admission if convicted of a violent crime enumerated in subsection d. of N.J.S.A.2C:43-7.2. Moreover, there is a presumption against admission, subject to the discretion of the prosecutor after consulting with any victim, for a servicemember charged with a crime or offense involving domestic violence if the crime or offense was committed while subject to a temporary or permanent restraining order. To the extent that the bill eliminates the discretionary determinations, (thereby permitting the court to consider for admission a servicemember charged with a crime or offense involving domestic violence if the crime or offense was committed while subject to a temporary or permanent restraining order) the VDP is similar to other diversionary programs operated by the Judiciary such as the Recovery Court Program and the Pretrial Intervention Program, (PTI), and admission to the program can be court-managed. It is the sponsor's view that otherwise eligible defendants can be rejected for admission based on unsworn statements by victims. Additionally, the bill transfers the authority to determine the duration of participation in the VDP to the court. | In Committee |
| S4422 | Requires automatic issuance of credential to provide services in carrier provider network for physicians in good standing in New Jersey. | This bill requires approval of an application submitted for credentialing so a physician can participate in a carrier's provider network if the application demonstrates that the license of the physician issued by the State Board of Medical Examiners in New Jersey is in good standing. This also includes applications for the renewal of a credential. This is intended to streamline the credentialing process for physicians licensed in the State. | In Committee |
| S4395 | "Flood Zone Clarification Act"; modifies procedure for delineation of State flood hazard areas. | This bill prohibits the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from implementing or adopting, prior to June 1, 2038, the rules and regulations proposed by the DEP and published in the New Jersey Register on August 5, 2024, which are known as New Jersey's Protecting Against Climate Threats (NJPACT) Rules. The bill also prohibits the DEP from implementing or adopting a rule or regulation that is substantially similar to one or more provisions set forth in the NJPACT rule proposal, unless, prior to that date, the Legislature has passed a concurrent resolution authorizing the DEP to adopt those rules and regulations. Additionally, the bill limits the DEPs current discretion over the delineation of the State's flood hazard areas by requiring the DEP to set the State's flood hazard area delineation for each watercourse at no more than one foot above the 100-year flood elevation delineated for that watercourse by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Current law requires the DEP to make flood hazard area delineations at least as protective as floodplain delineations approved by the FEMA for the NFIP. This bill would not change that requirement, but would remove the unlimited discretion current law affords the DEP in determining the height of a flood hazard area. Specifically, the bill requires the DEP, within three months following the bill's effective date, to set the State's flood hazard area delineation for each watercourse at one foot above the 100-year flood elevation delineated for that watercourse by the FEMA. The bill also requires the DEP, within three months following each subsequent FEMA delineation of a floodplain for a watercourse, to set the State's flood hazard area delineation for that watercourse at one foot above the 100-year flood elevation delineated for that watercourse by the FEMA. The bill provides that a person applying to the DEP for a permit or other approval, pursuant to the "Flood Hazard Area Control Act," P.L.1962, c.19 (C.58:16A-50 et seq.) on and after the first day of the fourth month next following the bill's effective date, would be subject to the State's flood hazard area delineation of one foot above the FEMAs delineation of the 100-year flood elevation for that watercourse. The bill also provides that after the bill's effective date, the DEP may not adopt a rule or regulation relevant to delineating an area as a flood hazard area unless the DEP first submits the proposed rule or regulation to the Legislature, and the Legislature passes a concurrent resolution authorizing the DEP to adopt the rule or regulation. The bill requires the DEP to submit to the Legislature each rule or regulation it proposes to delineate an area as a flood hazard area, and prohibits the DEP from adopting a proposed rule or regulation unless the Legislature passes a concurrent resolution specifically approving the proposed rule or regulation. The bill is introduced in response to the DEPs recently proposed NJPACT Rules. The proposed NJPACT Rules, in relevant part, propose to establish a "climate-adjusted flood elevation" of five feet above the FEMA 100-year flood elevation for each New Jersey watercourse. The DEP's justification for proposing the rule is to adjust flood-hazard development thresholds to take into account projected sea level rise due to climate change. The adoption of the DEP's proposed NJPACT rules would be detrimental to New Jersey, and particularly to our State's coastal communities. The DEP has failed to conduct a proper cost-benefit analysis to justify adoption of the proposed rules. The adoption of the rule proposal would cause large portions of New Jersey's coastal area as being improper for development and use. The DEPs assertions that development of these areas would constitute a threat to the safety, health, and general welfare from flooding due to projected climate change are not accurate. The DEP used an outdated and flawed 2019 Rutgers report to justify its proposed establishment of a "climate-adjusted flood elevation" of five feet above the FEMA 100-year flood elevation. Rather than protect the general welfare, adoption of the rule proposal would significantly harm the general welfare, which the DEP is responsible to protect. Adoption of the DEP's rule proposal would limit the ability of middle- and lower-income families to own, improve, or restore coastal properties, and thereby incentivize many of those families to sell their coastal properties to the wealthy or to the government. Adoption of this bill would set a standard delineation mechanism in State law, and thereby prevent the DEP from setting the State's flood hazard area delineation at more than one foot above the FEMA-delineated 100-year flood elevation. | In Committee |
| S3864 | Allows certain individuals eligible for family support services to set aside unused agency-after school care service hours for use during holiday and weekend hours. | Allows certain individuals eligible for family support services to set aside unused agency-after school care service hours for use during holiday and weekend hours. | In Committee |
| S664 | Increases amount of cigarette and other tobacco products tax revenues provided to New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research to $10 million; establishes dedicated, non-lapsing Cancer Research Fund. | This bill increases the amount of cigarette and other tobacco products tax revenues provided to the New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research (NJCCR) to $10 million. The bill also establishes a dedicated, non-lapsing Cancer Research Fund within the Department of the Treasury. In doing so, the bill prioritizes funding: 1) to expand the NJCCR's capacity to fund research regarding the causes, prevention, treatment, and palliation of all cancers and to serve as a resource of information to providers and consumers of cancer care and treatment services; and 2) for cancer research grants that reduce and eliminate disparities among the various racial and ethnic populations within the State's minority and vulnerable communities by increasing access to clinical trials and high-quality cancer care and treatment. Pursuant to current statute, the NJCCR annually receives $1 million in cigarette and other tobacco products tax revenues. This money is deposited into an existing lapsing Cancer Research Fund and then appropriated to the commission. In recent years, pursuant to the annual appropriations act, this money has been transferred from the Cancer Research Fund to the General Fund. The appropriations act then provides the NJCCR funding via a budget line. Despite the statutory requirement, in FY 2022, the NJCCR was appropriated $4 million in funding. Under the bill, the existing lapsing Cancer Research Fund is replaced by a non-lapsing, revolving fund. This fund is to be the repository of the $10 million in cigarette and other tobacco products tax revenues deposited into the account under the bill and any other funds approved by the Department of Health or the NJCCR. Moneys deposited in the fund, and any interest earned thereon, are to be used exclusively for providing grants for cancer research projects authorized and approved by the commission, with at least $5 million to be used to fund general cancer research and at least $5 million to be used to fund pediatric cancer research. The State Treasurer will be the custodian of the fund and all disbursements from the fund are to be made by the State Treasurer upon vouchers signed by the chairperson of the NJCCR or the chairperson's designee. The monies in the fund are to be invested and reinvested by the Director of the Division of Investment in the Department of the Treasury in the same manner as other trust funds in the custody of the State Treasurer, in the manner provided by law. Interest received on the monies in the fund are to be credited to the fund. | In Committee |
| S4331 | Prohibits local government from naming its property after foreign terrorist organization. | This bill prohibits a local government from naming property under its ownership or control, including, but not limited to, a road, bridge, school, building, neighborhood, community, or park, after a group, that has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the federal government, or after land controlled by a foreign terrorist organization, not including recognized, sovereign nations. The bill requires the Division of Local Government Services (division) in the Department of Community Affairs, in consultation with the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (office), to develop and publish a list of designated foreign terrorist organizations and lands controlled by foreign terrorist organizations, not including recognized, sovereign nations. The bill defines a "local government" as a municipality, county, school district, or other political subdivision of the State, or any public board, commission, committee, authority, or agency which is not a State board, commission, committee, authority, or agency. The bill requires a local government to remove or dismantle signs, street pole banners, plaques, or other forms of displays of support for, or the naming of property after, a foreign terrorist organization, under the control or ownership of the local government within 30 days following the bill's enactment. Within 90 days following the bill's effective date, the bill requires a local government that has named property under its control or ownership after a foreign terrorist organization to rename the property so that it does not identify the name of as a foreign terrorist organization. The bill requires the State to reimburse local governments for both of these costs, upon application. If a local government violates the provisions of the bill, the State Treasurer, for each day in which the local government is in violation of the bill, is directed to deduct a portion of the total amount of State aid allocated to the local government. The daily deduction is to be in an amount equal to the result of dividing the total amount of State aid allocated to the local government by the total number of days in the fiscal year in which the State aid is allocated. The bill provides that the division, in consultation with the office, is to adopt rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| A3940 | Modifies regulation of mortuary science and establishes oversight of mortuary and embalming science. | An Act concerning the practice of funeral directing and embalming, and supplementing P.L.1952, c.340 (C.45:7-32 et seq.) and amending various parts of the statutory law. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4163 | Requires health insurers to provide coverage for biomarker precision medical testing. | An Act concerning health insurance coverage for biomarker precision medical testing and supplementing various parts of the statutory law. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S1310 | Makes certain for-profit debt adjusters eligible for licensing to conduct business in State. | Makes certain for-profit debt adjusters eligible for licensing to conduct business in State. | Crossed Over |
| S3416 | Establishes additional health insurance carrier network adequacy standards with respect to certain physician specialists. | This bill establishes additional network adequacy standards for health insurance carriers that offer a managed care plan. Current law requires regulations for those carriers to include standards for the adequacy of the provider network with respect to the scope and type of health care benefits provided by the carrier, the geographic service area covered by the provider network, and access to medical specialists. This bill requires the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance to adopt regulations to ensure that covered persons have reasonable and timely access to physician specialists at in-network hospitals and facilities, including anesthesiologists, radiologists, pathologists, emergency medicine physicians, and services under their supervision. | In Committee |
| S3882 | Requires retention of funds collected by Department of Banking and Insurance and certain professional boards. | Requires retention of funds collected by Department of Banking and Insurance and certain professional boards. | In Committee |
| S3799 | Revises credentialing process for physicians attempting to enter a health insurance carrier's provider network. | This bill makes changes to the existing health insurance carrier credentialing process to facilitate transparency and enforcement. First, the bill requires a carrier committee reviewing a credentialing application to notify the applicant within 30 days following submission of the application whether the application is incomplete. If the committee does not notify the applicant of an incomplete application within 30 days, the application is to be deemed complete. In addition, the bill requires carriers to include on their Internet websites the universal participation and renewal forms and an explanation of the credentialing process, including a list of all the documents required for participation and renewal and any expected timelines. The bill also provides that if a physician, while waiting to receive a credential to participate in the provider network of a carrier, is delivering health care services to covered persons within the network, the carrier is required to reimburse the physician for services delivered as of the date the credentialing application was filed, if the application is approved by the carrier. Under the bill, carriers are prohibited from requiring a physician who is already credentialed with the carrier and who changes employers or health care facilities within this State to submit a new application or renewal form to participate in the carrier's network solely on the basis that the physician changed employers or health care facilities. Lastly, the bill authorizes the Department of Banking and Insurance to receive, investigate, and enforce alleged violations of law relating to the credentialing process. | In Committee |
| S3098 | Requires health insurers to provide coverage for biomarker precision medical testing. | Requires health insurers to provide coverage for biomarker precision medical testing. | In Committee |
| S1635 | Modifies regulation of mortuary science and establishes oversight of mortuary and embalming science. | Modifies regulation of mortuary science and establishes oversight of mortuary and embalming science. | In Committee |
| S4286 | Establishes certain protections for health care professionals who receive behavioral health care and apply for State licensure. | This bill establishes certain protections for health care professionals who receive behavioral health care and are seeking State licensure as health care professionals. This bill is intended to encourage healthcare professionals to seek behavioral health care without fear of licensing repercussions. The bill aims to strike a balance between ensuring patient safety and encouraging healthcare professionals to seek behavioral health treatment. Under the bill, no State board or agency that licenses health care professionals in the State is permitted to inquire into an applicant's history of receiving behavioral health care during the licensing or license renewal process, except when inquiring about a behavioral health condition that impairs the applicant's ability to practice health care safely. A State board or agency will limit any questions on any licensing or license renewal forms concerning the applicant's behavioral health to inquiries about current impairments affecting the applicant's ability to perform the essential functions of the professional role with reasonable skill and safety. A State board or agency may inquire whether an applicant has a current health condition, including a behavioral health condition that impairs the applicant's ability to practice health care safely. Such inquiry must include assurances that the applicant will not face board or agency action if the applicant is receiving treatment for a behavioral health care condition and not currently impaired. Any inquiry responses related to past or current behavioral health care provided to an applicant will remain confidential and, if there is no impairment to the applicant's ability to practice safely, such responses will not be used as the sole basis for denial of licensure or license renewal or imposition of a requirement by the board or agency that the applicant participate in a treatment program as a condition of licensure. The bill requires the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety, in collaboration with the Department of Health, to provide training to each State licensing board and agency and the board and agency's staff on how to handle behavioral health disclosures in a non-stigmatizing manner. | In Committee |
| S4261 | Establishes "Study Commission to Create and Expand Independent Housing for High-Functioning Special-Needs Adults." | This bill would establish the "Study Commission to Create and Expand Independent Housing for High-Functioning Special-Needs Adults." The commission would be composed of 11 members. The Commissioner of Human Services, the Commissioner of Health, and the Assistant Commissioner of the Division of Developmental Disabilities, or their designees, would serve as ex-officio members. There would also be eight public members to be appointed by the Governor upon the recommendations of the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate and the General Assembly. The public members would be residents of the State, and be providers or caregivers to, or have lived experience as, a high-functioning special-needs adult. The Governor would appoint a chairperson from among the membership of the commission and appoint any co-chairperson, as necessary. The members of the commission would be appointed for a period of four years. The members would serve without compensation but would be reimbursed for necessary expenses. Additionally, the Department of Human Services would be required to provide staff assistance to support the work of the commission. The purpose and duties of the commission would be to: (1) study and analyze the current housing conditions of special-needs adults residing in New Jersey; (2) study and analyze how special-needs adults are housed in other states; (3) identify sources of funding for the creation and expansion of independent housing for special-needs adults; (4) provide recommendations on the type and location of housing that would be best suited for high-functioning special-needs adults; and (5) provide recommendations on ways to create and expand independent housing for high-functioning special-needs adults. The commission would report annually to the Governor and to the Legislature its findings and recommendations. As used in this bill, "special-needs adult" means an individual with a developmental disability who receives services from the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities within the Department of Human Services. | In Committee |
| S165 | Expands definition of child under PFRS and SPRS. | This bill expands the definition of a child under the PFRS and SPRS to include the child of a deceased member that is under the age of 24 and that is enrolled in a degree program in an institution of higher education for at least 12 credit hours in each semester. Under current law, a person is considered a child under the PFRS and SPRS if the person is: (1) under the age of 18; (2) 18 years of age or older and enrolled in a secondary school; (3) under the age of 24 and enrolled in a degree program in an institution of higher education for at least 12 credit hours in each semester, provided that the member died in active service as a result of an accident met in the actual performance of duty at some definite time and place, and the death was not the result of the member's willful misconduct; or (4) any age who, at the time of the member's or retirant's death, is disabled because of an intellectual disability or physical incapacity, is unable to do any substantial, gainful work because of the impairment and the impairment has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, as affirmed by the medical board. This bill would remove the requirement that if the child is under the age of 24 and enrolled in an institution of higher education, the child must be the survivor of a member who died in the line of duty to be considered a child under the PFRS or SPRS. This bill would permit any child of a deceased member that is under the age of 24 and that is enrolled in a degree program in an institution of higher education for at least 12 credit hours in each semester to be considered a child regardless if the member died in the line of duty or not. | In Committee |
| S4237 | Includes Jewish persons with definitions of "minority," "minority group member," and "minority business." | This bill includes Jewish persons within the definitions of "minority," "minority group member," and "minority business" in laws concerning public contracts and grants. Under current law concerning public contracts and grants, the definitions of "minority," "minority group member," and "minority business" include persons who are black, Hispanic, Asian-American, American Indian or Alaskan natives, and, in certain definitions, Portuguese. This bill would add Jewish persons to such definitions. | In Committee |
| S2963 | Creates "New Jersey Private Contractor Registration Act"; makes an appropriation. | This bill establishes the "New Jersey Private Contractor Registration Act." The bill prohibits contractors and subcontractors from engaging in private construction work, unless they are registered pursuant to the bill. Under the bill, "private construction work" means all building or work on a building, structure, or improvement of any type, as well as related building or work on a building, done within the State under an express or implied contract on behalf of another entity or individual. Private construction work does not include "public work" as that term is defined in the prevailing wage law, or "home improvement," as that term is defined in the "Contractors' Registration Act." As part of the registration, the contractor is required to include the following information: (1) the name, principal business address and telephone number of the private contractor; (2) whether the private contractor is a corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or other form of business entity; (3) if the private contractor's principal business address is not within the State, the name and address of the private contractor's custodian of records and agent for service of process in the State; (4) the name and address of each person with a financial interest in the private contractor and the percentage interest, except that if the private contractor is a publicly-traded corporation, the private contractor is required to supply the names and addresses of the corporation's officers; (5) the private contractor's tax identification number and unemployment insurance registration number; (6) a certification form provided by the commissioner, with documentation satisfactory to the commissioner, that the private contractor has all valid and effective licenses, registrations or certificates required by State law, including registrations or certifications required to do business in the State of New Jersey; (7) disclosure of any administrative merits determination, arbitral award or decision, or civil judgment, for violations of any of the certain federal and State labor laws or executive orders; and (8) any other relevant and appropriate information as determined by the commissioner. The bill requires a private contractor to pay an initial non-refundable registration fee of $750 to the commissioner. Upon successful completion of an initial two year registration, a private contractor is thereafter required to register for a two-year period and pay a non-refundable registration fee of $500. The bill provides that reduced fee schedules based upon an entity's annual revenue or non-profit status may be prescribed by regulation. The bill provides for penalties and fines for noncompliance with its provisions, including but not limited to the suspension of a contractor's registration. The bill appropriates from the General Fund to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development $2,000,000 to effectuate the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| S3735 | Extends certain provisions of P.L.2022, c.9. | An Act concerning the mandatory retirement age of police chiefs and fire department chiefs and amending P.L.2022, c.9. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3565 | Codifies and extends authorization for certain out-of-State health care practitioners and recent graduates of health care training programs to practice in New Jersey. | Codifies and extends authorization for certain out-of-State health care practitioners and recent graduates of health care training programs to practice in New Jersey. | In Committee |
| S780 | Renames, extends eligibility, and makes various other changes to Primary Care Practitioner Loan Redemption Program. | Renames, extends eligibility, and makes various other changes to Primary Care Practitioner Loan Redemption Program. | In Committee |
| S653 | Allows certain persons with developmental disabilities 21 years of age and older to simultaneously participate in adult day and employment programs. | Allows certain persons with developmental disabilities 21 years of age and older to simultaneously participate in adult day and employment programs. | In Committee |
| S684 | Requires telecommunications, cable television, and Internet service providers to allow for service contracts to be paused or canceled following service recipients's admission to long-term care facility. | An Act allowing for service contracts to be paused or canceled following service recipients' admission to certain long-term care facilities and supplementing Title 56 of the Revised Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| SR123 | Urges Congress to pass H.R.9997 naming US Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic Leonard G. "Bud" Lomell, Jr. VA Clinic. | This resolution urges the Congress of the United States to pass H.R.9997, currently pending before the Subcommittee on Health in the House of Representatives. This bill names the US Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Toms River, New Jersey, the Leonard G. "Bud" Lomell, Jr. VA Clinic. Born in 1920, Second Lieutenant Leonard G. "Bud" Lomell, Jr. and his parents moved to Point Pleasant, New Jersey. Second Lieutenant Leonard G. "Bud" Lomell, Jr. later became a long-time resident of Toms River and Ocean County. After college, Second Lieutenant Lomell enlisted in the Army, volunteering for the elite Ranger Corps, and was a member of the Second Rangers Battalion during the June 6, 1944, D-Day invasion, commanding his own platoon as First Sergeant. Then-First Sergeant Lomell saved countless Allied lives during his service, resulting in a battlefield promotion to Second Lieutenant and the awarding of some of the military's highest honors, including the Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart, and Silver Star. Following World War II, Second Lieutenant Lomell attended law school on the G.I. Bill, eventually settling with his family in Toms River and, in 1957, establishing his own law firm, which grew to become one of Ocean County's largest law firms. Serving as selflessly in civilian life as he did in the military, Second Lieutenant Lomell was involved in numerous civic and charitable organizations, including by serving as president of the Ocean County Bar Association, a director of the First National Bank of Toms River, a member of the Dover Township Board of Education, and as a founding member of the World War II Army Rangers Battalion Association. Since Toms River, New Jersey, in the Fourth Congressional District, was designated as the site for the new Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic, a state-of-the-art facility serving the region's large veteran population, it is altogether fitting and proper to name this clinic the Leonard G. "Bud" Lomell, Jr. VA Clinic in honor of the decorated war hero, model citizen, and dedicated husband and father. | In Committee |
| S4056 | Prohibits health insurance carriers from placing time limit on coverage of anesthesia services before, during, or after medical or surgical procedures. | This bill prohibits health insurance carriers from placing a time limit on the coverage of anesthesia services before, during, or after a medical or surgical procedure. Under the bill, a carrier (including an insurance company, health service corporation, hospital service corporation, medical service corporation, or health maintenance organization authorized to issue health benefits plans in the State) will be prohibited from limiting coverage based on the amount of time in which anesthesia services are used before, during, or after a medical or surgical procedure. For the purpose of this bill, "anesthesia services" means the same as the prevailing medical coding standards found within the American Medical Association's Current Procedural Terminology code for anesthesia, including anesthesia modifier codes. | In Committee |
| S4058 | "Ruth Gilbert Alzheimer's Accessibility Act"; allows certain individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or dementia to receive, and caregivers transporting those individuals to utilize, parking privileges reserved for persons with disability. | This bill permits a person to park a motor vehicle in parking spaces reserved for a person with a disability if the person has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia and the person's ability to walk is limited, impaired, or creates a safety condition while walking as certified by a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner. Under the bill, a person diagnosed Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia and whose ability to walk is limited, impaired, or creates a safety condition while walking is eligible to receive from the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission a person with a disability identification card, a vehicle identification placard, and license plates that display the national wheelchair symbol. Under current law, vehicle identification placards are required to be displayed on the motor vehicle used to transport an individual with a disability and when the vehicle is parked overtime or in parking spaces reserved for individuals with a disability. A caregiver may utilize the placard while transporting an individual with a disability. Additionally, under current law, wheel chair symbol license plates may be issued to motor vehicles owned, operated, or leased by an individual with a disability or by any person furnishing transportation on the individual's behalf. | In Committee |
| S4029 | Makes FY2025 supplemental appropriation of $10 million for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Grant Program. | The bill supplements the FY2025 appropriations act by appropriating $10 million to the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness to create a grant program for State and local officials to purchase equipment or training necessary to address sightings of unidentifiable Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), also known as drones. The recent surge in mass sightings of UAS and unexplained usage of this technology in national airspace is disconcerting to the citizens of New Jersey and a potential threat to critical infrastructure. This supplemental appropriation provides needed funds to support State and local law enforcement in safeguarding vital assets and ensuring strict adherence to all regulations and requirements associated with UAS ownership and operation in New Jersey. | In Committee |
| S2840 | Directs DEP to lift conservation restrictions imposed as condition of CAFRA permit under certain conditions. | This bill would direct the Department of Environmental Protection to lift certain conservation easements imposed on a parcel of real property as a condition of a permit award issued under the "Coastal Area Facility Review Act," P.L.1973, c.185 (C.13:19-1 et seq.) (CAFRA), under certain conditions. Specifically, the bill would require that: (1) the parcel of real property is needed, and would be used for, the physical expansion of an existing school for special needs children; and (2) a substantively similar conservation restriction would be imposed on a parcel of real property that is at least twice the size of, and located no more than 20 miles from, the original property. | In Committee |
| A5152 | Reschedules June 2025 primary election date; provides for adjustment of certain election related deadlines. | An Act concerning the date of the June 2025 primary election and adjustment of certain election related deadlines. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3965 | Reschedules June 2025 primary election date; provides for adjustment of certain election related deadlines. | Reschedules June 2025 primary election date; provides for adjustment of certain election related deadlines. | In Committee |
| S3989 | Expands list of animals prohibited from use in traveling animal acts; limits certain exceptions to apply only at educational institutions. | This bill would amend section 1 of P.L.2018, c.141 (C.23:2A-16), known as "Nosey's Law," by expanding the list of animals covered under the law. Nosey's law prohibits the use of "wild or exotic animals" in a traveling animal act. Currently, domestic species such as cattle, bison, domestic dogs, domestic cats, domestic horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules are excluded from the definition of "wild or exotic animals" under the law. This bill would remove the exclusions from the definition. Additionally, two new animal classifications would be added to the definition of "wild or exotic animals," lagomorpha (rabbits and hares) and rodentia (rodents). This bill would make it illegal to use these animals in a traveling animal act. Finally, the bill would limit the exceptions provided in the current law to provide that the prohibition on the use of certain animals in a traveling exhibition would not apply only when outreach programs for bona fide educational or conservation purposes are conducted at an educational institution. | In Committee |
| S700 | Requires DHS to establish three-year Obstetric Discrimination Prevention and Mitigation Pilot Program. | Requires DHS to establish three-year Obstetric Discrimination Prevention and Mitigation Pilot Program. | In Committee |
| S765 | Revises law prohibiting feeding of bears; establishes program in DEP for distribution of bear-proof garbage cans. | Revises law prohibiting feeding of bears; establishes program in DEP for distribution of bear-proof garbage cans. | In Committee |
| S3978 | "Student-Parent Protection Act"; ensures equal rights and opportunities for parenting students enrolled in institutions of higher education. | This bill, entitled the "Student-Parent Protection Act," ensures equal rights and opportunities for parenting students enrolled in institutions of higher education. Under current law, an institution of higher education offering associate, baccalaureate, or graduate degree programs is: · prohibited from requiring a student to take a leave of absence, withdraw from an associate, baccalaureate, or graduate program, or limit associate, baccalaureate, or graduate studies solely due to pregnancy or pregnancy-related issues; · required to provide reasonable accommodations to a pregnant student to enable the student to complete coursework and research; and · required to develop and adopt a written policy for students on pregnancy discrimination and procedures for addressing pregnancy discrimination complaints under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 or under State law. Current law further provides that an enrolled student in good academic standing who chooses to take a leave of absence because she is pregnant or has recently given birth is to return to the associate, baccalaureate, or graduate program in good academic standing following a leave period consistent with the policies of the institution of higher education or of up to one academic year, whichever period is longer. If there is a medical reason for a longer absence, her standing in the associate, baccalaureate, or graduate program is to be maintained during that period of absence. This bill expands the protections provided under current law for pregnant students to parenting students. Under the bill, a parenting student is defined as a student enrolled in an institution of higher education who is the parent or legal guardian of a child under 18 years of age. The bill also requires the institution's discrimination policy to be posted at a publicly available location on its Internet website. The bill clarifies that a student is not required to reapply for admission at the institution following a leave period. | In Committee |
| S3963 | Establishes separate criminal offense for threats against certain persons involved in criminal proceedings; requires pretrial detention. | This bill establishes an offense for threats made towards certain persons involved in criminal proceedings, bars plea bargaining concerning the offense, provides that the offense shall be subject to a presumption of pretrial detention, and requires a prosecutor to seek the detention of a defendant pending trial who is charged with the newly created offense or any other offense that is subject to a presumption of pretrial detention under existing law. This bill provides that threatening a prosecutor, law enforcement officer, judge, juror, witness in a criminal proceeding, or family member of any of these persons constitutes a crime of the second degree. A crime of the second degree is ordinarily punishable by a term of imprisonment of five to 10 years, a fine of up to $150,000, or both. Further, a prosecutor cannot decline to charge a defendant with the newly created offense if all elements of the offense may be reasonably asserted by the prosecutor. Moreover, a prosecutor may not offer a negotiated plea agreement to any defendant charged with the offense. An offender who is charged with the offense established by the bill is subject to a presumption of pretrial detention, for which the prosecutor is required to make an application. The prosecutor is additionally required to make an application for the pretrial detention of a defendant charged with murder or any crime in which the defendant would be required to serve an ordinary or extended term of life imprisonment. Finally, the bill specifies that the Office of Victim-Witness Advocacy in the Division of Criminal Justice and each county prosecutor's office coordinate with law enforcement in the municipality where the victim of a threat resides to provide law enforcement protection to the victim until the conclusion of the prosecution of the case. | In Committee |
| S3979 | Requires each institution of higher education to designate student parent liaison. | This bill directs each institution of higher education to designate at least one employee to serve as a student parent liaison. The student parent liaison is to ensure that student parents are both aware of and able to access the necessary services for their academic success. The student parent liaison is to, at a minimum, provide information to student parents on the availability of:(1) academic support services;(2) student academic success strategies; and(3) any other resources developed by the institution to meet the unique needs of student parents. Under the bill, the student parent liaison is to be the primary point of contact for student parents seeking accommodations or leave related to parenting. Contact information for the student parent liaison is to be easily accessible through the Internet website of the institution. | In Committee |
| S3964 | "Small Modular Nuclear Energy Incentive Act." | This bill, to be known as the "Small Modular Nuclear Energy Incentive Act," would direct the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to establish a program to solicit bids for the construction of new small modular nuclear reactors in the State. The bill would authorize the BPU to issue financial incentives to SMRs, to be known as SMR incentives, for each megawatt hour of electric energy produced by the reactor. The amount of the incentive would be determined through a competitive solicitation process. Private entities would submit bids to the BPU, which state the level of SMR incentive they estimate they would require to achieve profitability. The BPU would select the lowest bids, except that the bill authorizes the BPU to give preference to certain projects, for example projects sited at former nuclear energy facilities or fossil fuel power plants. The bill would authorize the BPU to use moneys in the "Global Warming Solutions Fund," which serves as the repository for funds collected by the State under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), in order to fund the SMR incentives. The bill would direct the BPU to develop the program within one year after the bill's enactment, and to begin the first competitive solicitation round within two years after the bill's enactment. The bill would restrict the owner or operator of an SMR that receives an incentive from otherwise profiting from the environmental attributes of the energy it produces. Finally, the bill would require each SMR that is selected to participate in the incentive program to pay an annual administrative fee to the BPU, to compensate the BPU for its costs in administering the program. | In Committee |
| S3947 | Provides for voluntary contributions for taxpayers on gross income tax returns to support nonprofit organizations providing pro-life information and services. | This bill establishes the "New Jersey Access to Pro-Life Information and Services Fund" through a designation on the State gross income tax return. This designation would permit taxpayers to make voluntary contributions to support nonprofit organizations providing pro-life information and services in this State. The State would be required to annually appropriate the amounts deposited into the "New Jersey Access to Pro-Life Information and Services Fund" to the Department of Health to be used exclusively for the awarding of grants, in consultation with the Commissioner of Human Services and the Commissioner of Children and Families, to nonprofit organizations whose mission and operations are dedicated to providing pro-life information and services in the State. The bill defines "pro-life information and services" to mean educational, counseling, or referral services relating to pregnancy, childbirth, and alternatives to abortion including, but not limited to, programs and services available in this State to support children and families, adoption, and foster care. | In Committee |
| S2826 | Provides certain resources to county prosecutors for enforcement of law regarding failure to pay wages; makes appropriation. | This bill requires the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD), for purposes of supporting the enforcement of the provisions of State wage and hour laws, to provide funds and training to each county prosecutor's office for the investigation and prosecution of the abovementioned laws and worker exploitation. The bill requires the county prosecutor of each county to establish and assign an assistant prosecutor to the investigation and prosecution of violations of the State wage and hour laws. The bill makes an appropriation from the General Fund to the DOLWD, not to exceed $2,000,000, for purposes of effectuating the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| S3855 | Revises reimbursement payments for providers using telemedicine and telehealth. | This bill revises reimbursement payments for providers using telemedicine and telehealth. Under the bill, a health insurance carrier (including carriers of managed care plans, the State Health Benefits Commission, the School Employees' Health Benefits Commission, and health benefits plans under the Medicare program and NJ FamilyCare) will be required to provide coverage and payment for healthcare services delivered through telemedicine or telehealth at a provider reimbursement rate that equals the provider reimbursement rate that is applicable when services are delivered through in-person contact and consultation. Current law only requires that a carrier provide coverage and payment for services delivered through telemedicine and telehealth at a provider reimbursement rate that does not exceed the reimbursement rate that is applicable when the services are delivered through in-person contact or consultation. The requirements of this bill will not apply to a health care service provided by a telemedicine or telehealth organization that does not provide a health care service on an in-person basis in the State. | In Committee |
| S3878 | Eliminates transfer inheritance tax for step-grandchildren. | This bill eliminates the State's transfer inheritance tax for the step-grandchildren of a decedent by treating step-grandchildren the same as a decedent's stepchildren and grandchildren under the New Jersey Transfer Inheritance Tax Act, R.S.54:33-1 et seq. Currently, step-grandchildren are treated as Class D beneficiaries under subsection d. of R.S.54:34-2 because they do not fall within any of the other statutory classes of beneficiaries (Classes A and C; subsections a. and c.) set forth in that section of law. As Class D beneficiaries, step-grandchildren of a decedent are subject to a transfer inheritance tax of: 15 percent on any property transfer of an amount up to $700,000; and 16 percent on any property transfer in excess of that amount. By contrast, the grandchildren of a decedent, being the "issue of any child or legally adopted child of a decedent," are classified as Class A beneficiaries under subsection a. of R.S.54:34-2, and thus are not subject to any transfer inheritance tax pursuant to the provisions of that section of law. Transfers to stepchildren are likewise treated as Class A beneficiaries and exempt from any transfer inheritance tax under R.S.54:34-2.1. Under the bill, step-grandchildren, i.e., the issue of any stepchild of a decedent, would be treated like stepchildren and grandchildren with respect to a decedent's property transfer, and thus be considered Class A beneficiaries subject to no taxation. | In Committee |
| S2962 | Requires contractor subject to prevailing wage law to provide orientation meeting to new employee on prevailing wage project. | An Act concerning the rights of employees under the prevailing wage law and amending P.L.1963, c.150. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4811 | Makes supplemental appropriation of $20 million for provision of Summer Tuition Aid Grants in summer 2025; provides conditional authority for transfer of additional resources to Summer Tuition Aid Grants account. | A Supplement to the annual appropriations act for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, P.L.2024, c.22. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3803 | Establishes pilot program providing NJ FamilyCare eligibility for children with special needs who would otherwise be ineligible due to parental income and assets, and requires DHS commissioner to conduct study. | The bill requires the Commissioner of Human Services (the commissioner) to establish a three year pilot program to provide NJ FamilyCare benefits to children with special needs who live in the family home and, except for parental income and assets, would qualify for federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. The bill defines a "child with special needs" as a child under the age of 21 who meets the federal definition of blind or disabled for the purposes of the SSI program, as provided in section 1614(a)(3)(C) of Title XVI of the federal "Social Security Act," (42 U.S.C. 1382c). The Department of Human Services (department) will annually redetermine whether a child with special needs continues to meet the definition of blind or disabled under the SSI program. If the department determines that the child no longer qualifies as blind or disabled for the purposes of the SSI program, the department will terminate the child's NJ FamilyCare benefits. The commissioner will establish an appeals process for families whose child's NJ FamilyCare benefits were terminated subsequent to a redetermination. Within 180 days of the end of the pilot program, the commissioner will report to the Governor and to the Legislature on: 1. the number of children with special needs who became eligible for NJ FamilyCare benefits under the initiative; 2. State costs to provide NJ FamilyCare benefits under the pilot program; 3. the department's costs to administer the pilot program; and 4. the commissioner's recommendations concerning continuation of the benefits available under the initiative. The pilot program will expire upon submission of the report to the Governor and the Legislature. Federal SSI benefits, which include monthly income support and access to State Medicaid benefits, are available to children under the age of 18, or children under the age of 22 who are students regularly attending school, and who meet the SSI program's definition of blind or disabled. Federal SSI benefits are only available to special needs children whose parents or legal guardian have limited income and assets. Under the State's comprehensive Medicaid demonstration waiver, children whose medical condition necessitates a nursing home level of care can access private duty nursing services through the Medicaid Long-Term Supports and Services program (MLTSS), regardless of parental income or assets. Many middle-income families of children whose disabilities do not require nursing-home level of care, and who do not qualify for NJ FamilyCare or SSI benefits due to income or assets, struggle to afford the care and services necessary for their children to continue to live in the family home. It is the sponsor's intent to provide, even on a pilot basis, NJ FamilyCare benefits to alleviate the financial burden placed on middle-income families who have children with special needs. | In Committee |
| SR115 | Commemorates anniversary of October 7th attack on Israel. | On October 7, 2023, just after the 50th anniversary of the start of the multi-front 1973 Yom Kippur War against Israel, the terrorist organization Hamas carried out a brutal attack against the Jewish people and the State of Israel. The attack began in the early morning when Hamas launched thousands of rockets from the Gaza Strip that reached as far as Tel Aviv and the outskirts of Jerusalem, and then infiltrated Israeli towns and army bases in the south, including a gathering of young people at a music festival. The armed terrorists launched a coordinated strike arriving in boats, paragliders, motorcycles, and other vehicles. News reports, survivor accounts, images, and videos from the scenes of this horrific attack show that Hamas terrorists slaughtered ordinary civilians and entire families, including babies and elderly people, set houses on fire, raped women, and took hostages. In the immediate aftermath of the attack, 1,200 people were confirmed dead in Israel, including American citizens, and another 3,400 were injured. The October 7th attack was one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in modern history, resulting in more Jews killed that day than on any single day since the Holocaust. On October 7th, Hamas took 251 men, women, and children hostage from Israel into Gaza, including American citizens, and kept them in inhumane and torturous conditions, including in cramped underground tunnels, since their kidnapping. One of the American hostages taken into captivity by Hamas, Edan Alexander, is a resident of Tenafly, New Jersey, and is still being held in captivity. Hamas has executed many of these hostages, including six individuals who were shot at close range on August 29, 2024 as Israeli Defense Forces approached their location. Israeli authorities believe that 101 of the hostages who were kidnapped on October 7th remain in captivity, and it is believed that only 64 individuals remain alive. The October 7th terror attack prompted a defensive war against Hamas by the Israeli Defense Forces. Many thousands of innocent Palestinian civilians have been wounded and killed by Israeli strikes targeting Hamas leaders, militants, and command and control positions. A large percentage of Palestinian civilians have been displaced and are now living in makeshift shelters with limited access to food, clean water, and medical care. The suffering and death which has occurred as a result of the October 7th attacks are tragic and horrific. It is therefore fitting and proper for New Jersey to commemorate the anniversary of the October 7th attack by Hamas against Israel, to mourn the lives that were lost as a result, condemn any and all acts of terrorism, stand in solidarity with the people of Israel and the Palestinian people, call for the release of all hostages, and support efforts seeking a peaceful resolution to the conflict. | In Committee |
| S3051 | Requires Division of Consumer Affairs to hire staff to alleviate professional license application backlog; appropriates $10,000,000 in fiscal years 2026, 2027, and 2028. | Requires Division of Consumer Affairs to hire staff to alleviate professional license application backlog; appropriates $10,000,000 in fiscal years 2026, 2027, and 2028. | In Committee |
| S2015 | Concerns prevailing wage law requirements for public institutions of higher education. | Concerns prevailing wage law requirements for public institutions of higher education. | In Committee |
| S3739 | Requires 10 percent increase in respite care services for eligible individual under State Respite Care Program with implantable cardioverter defibrillator and enrolled in NJ FamilyCare. | This bill requires that the maximum amount of respite care services received in a calendar year under the Statewide Respite Care Program by an eligible person with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator who is enrolled in NJ FamilyCare be 10 percent higher than the amount established for other eligible persons, which is currently $6,559.63. In doing so, an eligible person under the program with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator who is enrolled in NJ FamilyCare will receive up to $7,215.59 of respite services annually. Under the bill, an implantable cardioverter defibrillator means a battery-powered device surgically placed inside an individual's chest that monitors the heart's rhythm and delivers an electrical shock to correct arrhythmias. The Statewide Respite Care Program provides relief and support to family or other uncompensated caregivers from the demands of the daily care of functionally impaired persons, including the frail elderly. The goal of the program is to delay the placement of New Jersey residents in costly institutional facilities. | In Committee |
| S3749 | Allows individual entering assisted living or long-term care facility to terminate trash collection contract. | This bill requires a trash collection service doing business in this State to allow a person who has entered a long term care or an assisted living facility to terminate a trash collection contract without incurring an early termination fee. Unless otherwise waived by the trash collection service, the bill requires the person to give the service recipient no less than 45 days' notice prior to the requested date of the contract's termination or cancellation. However, if a physician's order requires the person's immediate relocation to a long-term care facility, this notice requirement would be waived, and the contract could be terminated within 48 hours. The trash collection service is to provide a standard termination form to the service recipient upon request, which the service recipient and a physician are to utilize when requesting contract termination or cancellation from the service. If a service recipient is unable to submit the standard termination form and a representative of the recipient is requesting contract termination or cancellation, the representative is to submit to the trash collection service the standard termination form and a copy of the power of attorney, conservatorship, or guardianship documents verifying the representative's authority. The bill also allows a trash collection service to require written proof of a service recipient's relocation to a long-term facility. In this event, the bill provides that the delivery of a written notice to the trash collection service of the contract termination and a letter signed by the service recipient's physician no later than 45 days prior to the scheduled date of termination would be deemed to constitute sufficient proof. | In Committee |
| S3717 | Prohibits automobile insurers from using underwriting rules to raise automobile insurance rates on persons deemed not at fault in motor vehicle accidents. | This bill prohibits automobile insurers from using underwriting rules to raise automobile insurance rates on insured persons who are involved in a motor vehicle accident and who are deemed not at fault. Under the bill, automobile insurers will be prohibited from using underwriting rules to assign a risk to a rating plan on the basis of the insured person's involvement in a motor vehicle accident in which the insured person is deemed not at fault by the insurer providing coverage to the insured. | In Committee |
| S3718 | Permits Secretary of Higher Education to appoint antisemitism monitor to any institution of higher education; requires institution to implement recommendations of antisemitism monitor. | This bill authorizes the Secretary of Higher Education to appoint, at the secretary's discretion, an antisemitism monitor to any institution of higher education in the State. Under the bill, the responsibilities of the antisemitism monitor include: (1) reviewing institution policies related to combatting antisemitism and protecting Jewish students and staff, and how those policies are implemented and enforced; (2) reviewing the efforts of the institution in developing a safe academic environment for Jewish students and staff; and (3) establishing a procedure for members of the campus community to report an incident of antisemitism, including information, as applicable, on the institution's response to the incident. The monitor is to permit the submission of anonymous reports. The bill directs an antisemitism monitor to issue quarterly progress reports to the secretary and the governing board of the institution, or on a schedule determined by the secretary. The progress report shall detail the monitor's findings and include: (1) recommendations to the institution; and (2) recommendations to the Legislature. The bill also requires the institution to implement the recommendations of the antisemitism monitor. The bill directs the salary of an antisemitism monitor to be fixed by the secretary and paid by the institution. The bill requires an institution of higher education to provide the support and access to the monitor as may be necessary for the monitor to fulfill the responsibilities of the position. Under the bill, the failure of an institution to comply with the bill's provisions may, at the recommendation of the secretary, result in: (a) a reduction or total withdrawal of State support for operational and capital costs of the institution; or (b) the loss of eligibility for students enrolled at the institution in student assistance programs administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. | In Committee |
| S2640 | Concerns discrimination based on membership in a labor organization. | This bill extends protection under the Law Against Discrimination (LAD) to members of a labor organization. The LAD, P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-1 et. seq.), provides protections for those who are members of a protected class, including protection against discrimination in employment, public accommodations, housing, land use, lending, and association membership. Under current law, a member of a protected class includes an employee who has one or more characteristics, including race, creed, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, affectional or sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, sex, gender identity or expression, disability or atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait of any individual, or liability for service in the armed forces. This bill provides that members of a labor organization also are members of a protected class who are entitled protection under the LAD. In addition, the bill revises the definition of "labor organization" to include any organization of any kind, including a labor union or any agency or employee representation committee or plan, in which public or private employees participate and which exists and is constituted for the purpose, in whole or in part, of collective bargaining, or of dealing with public or private employers concerning grievances, terms or conditions of employment, or of other mutual aid or protection in connection with employment. | In Committee |
| S3602 | Makes supplemental appropriation of $20 million for provision of Summer Tuition Aid Grants in summer 2025; provides conditional authority for transfer of additional resources to Summer Tuition Aid Grants account. | Makes supplemental appropriation of $20 million for provision of Summer Tuition Aid Grants in summer 2025; provides conditional authority for transfer of additional resources to Summer Tuition Aid Grants account. | Introduced |
| SCR113 | Proposes constitutional amendment to increase amount of veterans' property tax deduction based on annual increases in CPI. | This concurrent resolution would amend the State Constitution to increase the amount of the veterans' property tax deduction each tax year based on the annual percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The CPI is a widely used method of measuring inflation and is an expression of the average change over time in the prices paid by certain consumers for the purchase of certain goods and services. CPI Indexes are issued for both the United States as a whole and for various geographic areas. Currently, citizens and residents of the State who have been honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances from active service in the United States Armed Forces are annually entitled to a $250 deduction from the amount of property taxes due on real property. The deduction was last increased by voter approval of a constitutional amendment in 1999 to gradually raise the deduction over a period of four years. The final increase occurred in 2003 to set the amount of the deduction at $250, where it has remained ever since. To account for changes in the cost of living that have occurred since 2003, the concurrent resolution would first increase the amount of the deduction for tax year 2026 by the amount of the annual percentage increases in the CPI that have occurred each tax year from 2003 through 2025. Then, beginning in tax year 2027, the concurrent resolution requires the amount of the deduction to be annually adjusted based on the percentage increase in the CPI for that tax year. Any increase made to the deduction would be rounded to the next highest dollar increment and the amount of the deduction would not be reduced in any year, even if inflation decreases. The concurrent resolution also provides that the amount of the deduction would not be reduced for any year, even if the Consumer Price Index decreased in that year. The proposed constitutional amendment is conditional upon the enactment of implementing legislation establishing a definition of Consumer Price Index to determine increases in tax year 2026 and thereafter. | In Committee |
| S2311 | Requires criminal history background check for individuals seeking licensure issued by boards regulating certain health care professions. | An Act concerning criminal history background checks for certain health care professionals and amending P.L.2002, c.104. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3371 | Revises limits for net cash surrender and net cash withdrawal values for certain annuity policies and contracts from $100,000 to $250,000. | An Act concerning annuity policies and contracts and amending P.L.1991, c.208. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3498 | Requires degree-seeking students enrolled in public institutions of higher education to receive instruction on American government and civic engagement. | The bill requires students enrolled in public institutions of higher education to receive instruction on American government and civic engagement. Under the bill, beginning with the 2022-2023 academic year, the governing board of a public institution of higher education will require students pursuing a degree to receive educational instruction on American government and civic engagement prior to graduation from the institution. By requiring students to receive instruction on American government and civic engagement, public institutions of higher education in the State will more adequately equip individuals with the knowledge necessary to make informed civic decisions and ensure a globally-aware and socially-responsible citizenry. | In Committee |
| SJR126 | Designates July 24 of each year as "Josh Gibson Negro Leagues Appreciation Day" in New Jersey. | This joint resolution designates July 24 of each year as "Josh Gibson Negro Leagues Appreciation Day" to honor the contributions of baseball legend Josh Gibson and the Negro Leagues. Josh Gibson was born on December 21, 1911, in Buena Vista, Georgia and moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1923. Gibson was introduced to organized baseball when he joined the Gimbels A.C. at 16 years old and later joined the Crawford Colored Giants, a semi-professional team in Pittsburgh, in 1929. While in the stands at a professional game on July 25, 1930, Gibson was invited to replace Homestead Grays catcher Buck Ewing after he injured his hand, as Gibson's batting abilities were already well known. Over the course of his career, Gibson's catching skills, including a powerful arm, quick release, and agility, were praised by various major league stars. Gibson's hitting propelled him to be the second-highest paid player in the Negro Leagues behind Satchel Paige. With the integration of Negro Leagues statistics into Major League Baseball history in 2024, Gibson is now Major League Baseball's career leader in batting average (.372), slugging percentage (.718), and On-base Plus Slugging (1.177), and the single-season leader in batting average (.466) and slugging percentage (.974), surpassing Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth, and now holds three separate single-season all-time records. A plaque was placed at Memorial Field in Belmar, New Jersey to commemorate Gibson's "legendary 600-foot home run that reached the backyard of the Belmar Post Office," which took place on July 24, 1936 and could be the longest home run ever witnessed. Josh Gibson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972, with his incredible baseball career serving as proof that, since the first game of the National Negro Baseball League on May 2, 1920, the Negro Leagues positively impacted the sport of baseball and paved the way for people like Jackie Robinson to play in Major League Baseball. | In Committee |
| S2937 | Requires definitions of Antisemitism and Islamophobia be included in State's diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging policies, and in any such policy for recipients of State's funds. | Requires definitions of Antisemitism and Islamophobia be included in State's diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging policies, and in any such policy for recipients of State funds. | In Committee |
| S1292 | Establishes State definition of anti-Semitism; creates a public awareness campaign; appropriates $100,000. | Establishes State definition of anti-Semitism; creates a public awareness campaign; and appropriates $100,000. | In Committee |
| S3445 | Establishes process for selection, instruction, and oversight of commissioners to Article V convention for proposing amendments to United States Constitution; establishes criminal penalties for certain violations. | This bill establishes a process for the selection, instruction, and oversight of commissioners to an Article V convention for proposing amendments to the United States Constitution, and establishes criminal penalties for certain violations. Under the bill, an odd number of commissioners would be named as this State's delegates to an Article V convention by a resolution passed by the State legislature, by a majority of those legislators present and voting in a joint session. To be eligible for selection and service as a commissioner, a person would be required to be: a United States citizen and have been such for at least 5 years; a resident of this State and have been such for at least 3 of the last 5 years; at least 25 years old; a registered voter in this State; not registered or required to be registered as a federal lobbyist at any time within the last 5 years; not a federal employee, other than a member of the United States armed forces, or contractor, currently or at any time within the last 10 years; not a federal elected or appointed officer at any time within the last 10 years; not a convicted felon for crimes involving moral turpitude in any jurisdiction, nor for any crime in any jurisdiction within the last 10 years; not a Statewide office while performing the duties of commissioner or interim commissioner; able to attend the convention unencumbered with other responsibilities that could detract from full-time commitment to the responsibilities of the convention, taking into consideration the anticipated duration of the convention; and have relevant subject matter expertise in areas that may include, but may not be limited to, constitutional law, civics, rules of order, American history, political science, political theory, and government. A position as a State legislator would not be deemed a "Statewide office." The bill provides for a commissioner to receive the same compensation as a member of the legislature of this State, prorated for length of time served, and the same allowance for expenses. The bill prohibits a commissioner or interim commissioner from accepting, during the time of service, any gifts or benefits with a combined value of more than $200, other than from an immediate family member and of the kind customarily granted by a member of one's family. The term "gift or benefit" would be construed liberally to include current and future loans, lodging, food, offer of prospective employment, and other actual and prospective benefits. An employer's decision to continue paying a commissioner's current salary would not be construed to be a gift. However, such salary would not be altered until the adjournment of the Article V convention and proposed amendments have been submitted to the states for ratification. The bill provides that the resolution naming the commissioners and their commission would prohibit a commissioner from voting for or otherwise promoting any change to the traditional convention rule of decision on the floor and in the committee of the whole, to-wit, that each state has one vote. A commissioner would also be prohibited from voting in favor of any proposed amendment that would alter the text of the specific guarantees of individual liberty established by the United States Constitution, including the original constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the following amendments: Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, Nineteenth, Twenty-Third, Twenty-Fourth, and Twenty-Sixth. The commissioning resolution would be required to clearly state the scope of the commissioners' authority, which would be limited by: (1) if this State was not one of the two-thirds of the states applying for the convention, the subject matter enumerated in the 34 state applications that triggered the convention; or (2) if this State was one of the two-thirds of the states applying for the convention, the subject matter in this State's application; and (3) any additional instructions from the legislature, whether in the commissioning resolution or issued thereafter. The bill allows the legislature to provide additional instructions at any time via subsequent resolution. In addition to the commissioning resolution, the Senate and General Assembly would adopt a resolution to outline the commission's initial statement and charter. The advisory committee would put forth the resolution for the Legislature's approval. A commissioner who has been named on the commissioning resolution would be permitted to withdraw from consideration if the commissioner is unable to uphold the goals established in the resolution of initial statement and charter. The bill also establishes a three-member advisory committee composed of a member of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate; a member of the General Assembly appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly; and a member of the legislature nominated by joint action of the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the General Assembly and approved by the majority of those voting in each chamber. The advisory committee has the responsibility to determine whether a prospective or actual action by a commissioner would violate or violates the commissioning resolution or any subsequent instruction. Upon determining that a commissioner or interim commissioner has exceeded the scope of the commissioner's authority, the advisory committee would be required to recall or suspend said commissioner, and would communicate said action and the reasons therefor to the President of the Senate, Speaker of the General Assembly, the Attorney General, and the presiding officers of the convention. Under the bill, the legislature is empowered to remove said commissioner and appoint an interim commissioner to fill the vacancy. The bill establishes criminal penalties for certain violations. Under the bill, a commissioner or interim commissioner who exceeds the scope of the commissioner's authority would be guilty of a crime of the third degree. In addition, any individual who, while not being privileged by law, knowingly bribes, threatens, intimidates or obstructs a commissioner, interim commissioner, or a person representing another state in the capacity of a commissioner or interim commissioner at a convention held in this State, in the performance of the commissioner's duties, or attempts to do so, would be guilty of a crime of the third degree. | In Committee |
| SCR81 | Proposes constitutional amendment to increase amount of veterans' property tax deduction from $250 to $2,500 over four years. | If approved by the voters of the State, this proposed constitutional amendment would increase the amount of the veterans' property tax deduction from the current $250 to $2,500. The increase would occur over four years. Veterans who are honorably discharged from active service in a branch of the United States Armed Forces qualify for the deduction. A qualified veteran's surviving spouse would receive the deduction after the qualified veteran dies. The amendment would increase the amount of the deduction to $1,000 in tax year 2025, $1,500 in tax year 2026, $2,000 in tax year 2027, and $2,500 in tax year 2028, and every tax year thereafter. The voters of the State last approved an increase in the amount of the deduction in 1999, from $50 to $250, over four years. The amount of the deduction has been $250 since 2003. | In Committee |
| S3223 | Permits greater diversity in creation of new health sharing ministries and establishes and exempts certain mandates and reporting requirements. | This bill permits greater diversity in the creation of new health sharing ministries and establishes and exempts certain mandates and reporting requirements. Under the bill, a participant in a health care sharing ministry established after December 31, 1999 will not be considered an applicable individual subject to the State's minimum essential coverage requirement, which requires that every applicable individual maintain health insurance coverage. Currently, a participant in a health care sharing ministry established after December 31, 1999 is considered an applicable individual subject to the State's minimum essential coverage requirements and must maintain health insurance coverage or pay a State-imposed tax. Additionally, the bill establishes certain reporting requirements for health care sharing ministries and organizations that offer or intend to offer a plan or arrangement to facilitate payment or reimbursement of health care costs or services for residents of this State. The reporting requirements include the total number of individuals and households that participated in the plan or arrangement in the immediately preceding calendar year and the total amount of fees, dues, or other payments collected by the ministry or organization in the immediately preceding calendar year, among other requirements. Ministries or organizations that fail to comply with the reporting requirements under the bill may be subject to certain monetary penalties or other administrative or legal actions. As used in this bill, "health care sharing ministry" means a not-for-profit organization pursuant to 26 U.S.C. s.501(c)(3) that is exempt from federal income taxes under 26 U.S.C. s.501(a), whose members: (1) share a common set of ethical or religious beliefs and share medical expenses among members in accordance with those beliefs, without regard to the state in which a member resides or is employed; and (2) retain membership even after they develop a medical condition. The term "health care sharing ministry" excludes ministries that do not conduct an annual audit that: (1) is performed by an independent certified public accounting firm; (2) follows generally accepted accounting principles; and (3) is made available to the public upon request. | In Committee |
| S3035 | "New Jersey Student Support Act"; establishes program to Department of Treasury to provide tax credits to taxpayers contributing to organization which awards scholarships to certain nonpublic school students. | This bill directs the Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education, to establish a program to provide tax credits to taxpayers that make contributions to a selected student support organization that awards scholarships for eligible students to attend participating nonpublic schools. The program established by the director would allow a taxpayer to claim a tax credit against the corporate business tax or personal gross income tax equal to 75 percent of any contribution made to a student support organization; in the case of the gross income tax credit, a taxpayer is required to contribute a minimum of $100 to a student support organization in order to claim a tax credit. The value of a credit for an individual taxpayer in a given year or privilege period is not permitted to exceed the lesser of 50 percent of the taxpayer's total tax liability or $1,000,000 for a tax credit against the corporate business tax or $100,000 for a credit against the personal gross income tax. The maximum amount of tax credits allowable in each State fiscal year may not exceed $37.5 million. The Director of the Division of Taxation, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education, is responsible for the administration of the program. The Director of the Division of Taxation is to select one student support organization, draft regulations to implement the program, and submit an annual report to the Governor and Legislature on the implementation and results of the program. The regulations are to include a requirement that tax credits issued under the provision of the bill will be issued equitably among the counties. The Director of Taxation, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education, is also required to establish a five-person oversight committee to oversee the operation of the student support organization. The student support organization would receive contributions made to the program, spending no more than five percent of contributions on administrative costs, and distributing the remaining 95 percent as scholarships for eligible families. The student support organization is required to verify student eligibility prior to awarding a scholarship, not limit scholarships to students in a certain school or region, award scholarships equally to all eligible students who apply in a given school year, and provide a student with a scholarship that is not less than the amount the student received in the prior school year. The student support organization is to publicize the program, carry forward no more than 20 percent of funds each year, and submit an annual report to the State Treasurer and the Commissioner of Education. The student support organization is required to contract annually for an independent financial audit of the program and transmit a copy of the financial audit to the Division of Taxation, the State Treasurer, and the Commissioner of Education no later than December 1 of each year. To be eligible for a scholarship from the student support organization, a student is to reside in New Jersey and intend to enroll in grades kindergarten through 12 in the next school year. A student is required to have a household income that does not exceed the federal income guidelines for reduced price lunch under the National School Lunch Program multiplied by 2.6. To participate in the program, a school is to: be located in New Jersey; be a nonpublic school that is eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program; comply with all federal and State anti-discrimination statutes; and comply with the "Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act," P.L.2002, c.83 (C.18:A37-13 et seq.). The bill also includes language requiring that the provisions of the bill not supersede, impact, or interfere with the full funding in each State fiscal year necessary to satisfy the requirement of the New Jersey Constitution that the Legislature provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of free public schools for the instruction of all children in the State between 5 and 18 years of age; the full funding of the veterans' $250 property tax deduction, required to be provided to eligible veterans pursuant to the State Constitution; the senior citizens' and disabled persons' $250 property tax deduction authorized by the State Constitution; the full payment of contributions required by law to be made to the State-administered retirement systems; and the full funding of the Stay NJ property tax credit program established in P.L.2023, c.75 (C.54:4-8.75a et seq.). No later than six months after the conclusion of the fourth school year in which scholarships are awarded under the program, the Department of the Treasury, in conjunction with the Department of Education, any relevant governmental organization, and stakeholders from the nonpublic school community, is required to submit a report to the Governor and Legislature that will include: information on the number of scholarships and the amount of tax credits awarded under the program; recommendations on improvements to the program; and the number of nonpublic school closures five years prior to awarding any scholarships under the program compared to closures after the implementation of the program. The Department of Education is required to establish a Student Support Grant Program to provide grants to school districts in which at least 50 percent of the student population is eligible for free or reduced price lunch under the National School Lunch Program. The grant funding is for student support services, including tutoring programs or opportunities, teacher retention bonuses, or the provision of mental health or counseling services. The department will establish an application process for the grants. As part of that process, the eligible school districts are required to demonstrate how the funding will assist the district in providing needed support to its students. The bill provides that the Legislature will annually appropriate from the General Fund to the Department of Education $37.5 million to fund the grant program. | Dead |
| S2535 | Establishes minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate for structured day program services provided to beneficiary eligible for brain injury services. | This bill amends existing law, which established minimum Medicaid reimbursement rates for brain injury services, to include structured day program services. Current law is limited to community residential services. Under existing law, "brain injury service" means community-based services, residential services, day care services, and home care services provided to a Medicaid beneficiary requiring treatment for traumatic or non-traumatic brain injuries, regardless of whether such services are provided through the Medicaid fee-for-service delivery system or the managed care delivery system. Specifically, the bill requires the Medicaid per diem or encounter reimbursement rates for Structured Day Program Services provided to a Medicaid beneficiary requiring treatment for a brain injury, currently at $3.65 for every 15 minutes of services, when such services are provided by an approved brain injury service provider, to be equal to the average of the reimbursement rates for Day Habilitation Services - Tiers D and Tier E provided to a Medicaid beneficiary eligible for services provided by the Division of Developmental Disabilities in the Department of Human Services, currently at $9.09 for every 15 minutes of service. | In Committee |
| S2010 | Requires minimum annual State appropriation of $10 million for Public Health Priority Funding. | This bill supplements the "Public Health Priority Funding Act of 1977" and requires a minimum annual State appropriation of $10 million for Public Health Priority Funding, thereby reinstating New Jersey's only State appropriated, unrestricted fund for local health departments. Such appropriation will be expended in accordance to the provisions of the "Public Health Priority Funding Act of 1977." From 1966 to 2010, under the "State Health Aid Act" and later amended as the "Public Health Priority Funding Act of 1977," the State provided local health departments with flexibility to address local needs, emerging threats, and other priorities via the appropriation of dedicated funds. The State eliminated Public Health Priority Funding in the FY 2011 Appropriations Act. For context, in FY 2010, Public Health Priority Funding amounted to approximately 15 percent of the total funding for local health departments. Currently, local health departments in New Jersey are funded via local property taxes and State and federal funding that is designated for specific purposes, such as vaccines or environmental health services. | In Committee |
| S1032 | Requires DHS and DCF to conduct study on service provider workforce, and to evaluate rates paid to, and assess cost of living adjustments for, service providers. | Requires DHS and DCF to conduct study on service provider workforce, and to evaluate rates paid to, and assess cost of living adjustments for, service providers. | In Committee |
| S3396 | Broadens types of contracts that educational research and service corporations may enter into on behalf of members; exempts those contracts from certain public bidding requirements. | This bill permits educational research and service corporations to contract with institutions of higher education that are voting members of the educational research and service corporation and exempts those contracts from public bidding requirements. Under current law, a four-year public institution of higher education is permitted to join with other public or independent institutions to form an educational research and services corporation to be operated exclusively for charitable, scientific, and educational purposes in accordance with federal law. Current law further permits an educational research and service corporation to act as a lead agency or contracting unit for the procurement of goods and services concerning educational technology systems and related services by the entities comprising the corporation. The bill permits the educational research and services corporation to act as a lead agency or contracting unit for the procurement of all goods and services including, but not limited to, goods and services concerning educational technology systems and related services. The provisions of the bill also permit an educational research and services corporation to enter into an agreement with an institution of higher education which is a voting member of the educational research and services corporation to provide services, consulting, staffing, or goods concerning educational technology systems and related educational support services. The bill stipulates that these agreements are to be considered shared services agreements and are not subject to any public bidding requirements under State law including, but not limited to, the County College Contracts Law and the State College Contracts Law. | In Committee |
| SJR119 | Changes "Jewish Heritage Month" observed in April of each year to "Jewish American Heritage Month" to be observed in May of each year. | Under current law, "Jewish Heritage Month" is observed during the month of April in this State to honor the contributions and achievements Jewish Americans have made to this State and to the nation. On April 20, 2006, President George W. Bush proclaimed that May would be "Jewish American Heritage Month." This resolution amends current law to be consistent with the national observance of "Jewish American Heritage Month" during the month of May of each year. | In Committee |
| S3359 | "CJ's Law"; Criminalizes manufacture, sale, and possession of substances containing kratom. | This bill, designated as "CJ's Law," would criminalize the manufacture, possession and sale of products containing kratom. Kratom, as known as mitragyna speciosa korth, mitragynine extract, biak-biak, cratom, gratom, ithang, kakuam, katawn, kedemba, ketum, krathom, krton, mambog, madat, Maeng da leaf, nauclea, or Nauclea Speciosa, is a botanical substance that grows naturally in Southeast Asia. The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises that kratom poses a threat to public health and has the potential for abuse. Kratom is frequently marketed on the Internet for its psychoactive and opioid-like analgesic effects, and for use in the treatment of morphine and heroin addiction. However, kratom is not approved in the United States for any medical use. In a statement released in April 2022, the FDA warned the public against using kratom, warning that the substance "affects the same opioid brain receptors as morphine" and that it appears to have "properties that expose users to the risks of addiction, abuse, and dependence." According to the FDA, scientific literature has disclosed serious concerns regarding the toxicity of kratom in multiple organ systems, with consumption leading to a number of health issues, including depressed respiratory function, nervousness, agitation, aggression, sleeplessness, hallucinations, delusions, loss of libido, tremors, skin hyperpigmentation, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and severe withdrawal signs and symptoms. Currently, possession and distribution of kratom is not barred by federal or New Jersey law. However, the FDA Import Alert # 54-15 provides guidance for FDA field personnel regarding the detention of dietary supplements and bulk dietary ingredients that contain kratom. The FDA has also issued a number of warning letters and conducted seizures of illegally sold, unapproved, or misbranded drug products containing kratom that make unproven claims about their ability to treat or cure opioid addiction and withdrawal symptoms. Kratom is banned or its uses restricted in several countries, including Australia, Denmark, Finland, France , Germany, Israel, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. Kratom is also illegal in several states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Several states have passed laws restricting its sale and use, while several other states have introduced legislation that would ban this drug. This bill amends existing law to include kratom as a controlled dangerous substance and to sets out gradations for crimes involving the substance. The bill would make it a crime of the second degree to manufacture, distribute or dispense, or possess or have under one's control with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense, a substance containing kratom in an amount of one ounce or more, including adulterants and dilutants. A crime of the second degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of five to 10 years, a fine of up to $150,000, or both. It would be a crime of the third degree to manufacture, distribute or dispense, or possess or have under one's control with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense a substance containing kratom in an amount of less than one ounce, including adulterants and dilutants. A crime of the third degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of three to five years, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. Under the bill, the possession of one ounce or more, including adulterants and dilutants, of a substance containing kratom would be a crime of the third degree, and possession of less than one ounce, including adulterants and dilutants, would be a crime of the fourth degree. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. CJ's Law is designated in remembrance of Christopher James (CJ) Holowach, who died at age 33 from cardiac arrest caused by mixture of drugs that included his physician prescribed Adderol and kratom. While awaiting arm surgery, CJ Holowach consumed kratom to numb his arm pain without jeopardizing his recovery from opioid addiction. However, he was unaware of the dangers of kratom as the supplement's bottle provided no warning labels or suggestions on safe dosage amounts. Kratom is marketed in a way to make it appear to be a safe herbal pain supplement, when it poses serious health risks. Further, addiction experts warn, echoing the sentiments of FDA warnings, that kratom can be highly addictive and create risk of abuse and dependence. It is the sponsor's hope that this bill will stop the sale of kratom in New Jersey, avoiding further tragedies including death. | In Committee |
| S3340 | "Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses Act"; prohibits distribution of State aid to an institution of higher education that authorizes, funds, or supports antisemitic events or organizations or fails to punish acts of antisemitism on campus. | This bill, entitled the "Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses Act" prohibits the disbursement of any State aid to an institution of higher education that:· authorizes, facilitates, provides funding for, or otherwise supports or encourages antisemitism or any event or organization promoting antisemitism on campus; · fails to enforce its own student code of conduct and policies and procedures on harassment, intimidation, and bullying; or· fails to adequately and appropriately punish the perpetrators of antisemitism with academic, professional, and legal consequences, which may include expulsion and referral for criminal prosecution. The bill defines "antisemitism" to mean the same as the term defined in the working definition of antisemitism adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance on May 26, 2016. | In Committee |
| S3360 | Permits unpaid leave of absence for public employees to assist military or civilian government in Israel during Hamas War. | This bill permits public employees a leave of absence without pay to assist the military or civilian government in Israel during the Hamas War. Such leave is contingent upon the employer's approval of the employee's documentation from an authorized representative of the Israeli defense forces or Israeli government. Upon the expiration of the leave, the employee will have the right to return to the former title and receive all of the rights, privileges, and benefits of that title as if the employee had remained in that title. This bill is necessitated by the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel by the terror group Hamas, which killed over 1,100 Israelis and foreign nationals and took over 200 hostages. To many in the United States, this horrific event was reminiscent of the 9/11 attack that killed many New Jersey residents. Since then, many Americans have left their family, friends, and jobs behind to volunteer in the defense of the State of Israel. This spirit of volunteerism is commended and should be supported. This legislation is a step in that support. | In Committee |
| S3350 | Establishes the New Jersey School Counts County College Scholarship Program. | This bill establishes the New Jersey School Counts County College Scholarship Program in the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. Under the program, a student who graduates from a participating public or nonpublic high school located in this State who has satisfied certain attendance, punctuality, and academic criteria during high school will be eligible to receive a two-year scholarship to a county college. This scholarship program is modeled on an initiative developed by the Business Coalition for Educational Excellence of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. That initiative provides students with a School Counts certificate which attests to the student's efforts and hard work during high school and which the student can present to potential employers as evidence of his diligence and accomplishments. The initiative recognizes those student who, although they may not be straight A students, have demonstrated a commitment and understanding of the importance of education. This initiative is currently operational in several counties. Under the bill, the authority will work in conjunction with the Business Coalition for Educational Excellence to encourage the participation of public and nonpublic high schools in the School Counts Scholarship Program. Each participating high school will award a School Counts certificate to a student who graduates from that high school and 1) achieves a 95 percent or greater rate of school attendance in each year of high school; 2) achieves a C grade point average or above in all academic courses in each year of high school; 3) completes more than the minimum number of credits required for graduation from high school; 4) completes high school in eight consecutive semesters or, in the case of a special education student, within the timelines established by the student's IEP; and 5) successfully completes Algebra I. A student who receives a School Counts certificate will be eligible for a two-year scholarship for full-time enrollment in a degree program at a county college in an annual amount not to exceed $2,000. The second year of the scholarship will be dependent upon the student making application to the authority and presenting evidence to the authority of satisfactory progress toward the award of an academic degree. Prior to receipt of a School Counts Scholarship, a student would have to have applied for all other available forms of State and federal grants and scholarships. The student must begin a course of study at a county college within six months of graduation from high school. The scholarship program will be financed through a combination of State appropriations, county college funds, and private contributions. A county college will be eligible to receive State funds on a per student basis when the college demonstrates that it has raised an equal amount of funds for the student's scholarship from private donations or other sources. In the first year of the scholarship program's operation, four county colleges will be selected for participation with not less than one college from the north, central, and southern regions of the State. In each subsequent year, three additional county colleges will be selected for participation until such time as all county colleges are eventually participating in the program. | In Committee |
| S3349 | Establishes New Jersey Workforce Industry Needs Scholarship. | This bill establishes the New Jersey Workforce Industry Needs Scholarship, which will provide opportunities to students pursuing professional certificates, industry-recognized credentials, diplomas, or degrees from eligible programs at a county college or county vocational school in the State. Under the bill, the Secretary of Higher Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development, the New Jersey Community College Consortium, and the New Jersey Council of County Colleges, is required to develop a list of eligible programs at county colleges and county vocational schools. Eligible programs are to be programs that prepare students to enter the workforce and meet the specific labor needs of the State as identified in the Labor Demand Occupation List produced by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Eligible programs are additionally to include, but need not be limited to, necessary certificates, credentials, diplomas, licenses or degrees for high demand positions in: advanced manufacturing; architecture and construction; education; health care and social services; human resources; law and public safety; life sciences; and transportation, logistics, and distribution. The scholarship amount is equal to the cost of tuition, fees, expenses for required course-related materials, and fees for professional licenses after applying all other federal or State scholarships or grants, and is not to exceed $5,000 each year. A student is eligible to receive the scholarship for up to three years if the student is enrolled in an associate degree program, and up to two years if the student is enrolled in any other eligible program. A student enrolled in a degree-seeking program shall maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or better on a 4.0 grading scale. Scholarships are to be awarded on an annual basis and subject to the limit of funds appropriated or otherwise made available for the scholarship. Priority is to be given to students seeking a degree, diploma, professional certificate, or industry-recognized credential in an industry area of high need. A minimum of five percent of scholarship awards are to be allocated towards dual-enrollment students eligible to receive the scholarship. | In Committee |
| S3361 | Provides that biennial renewal of license or certificate issued by New Jersey Board of Nursing is due on professional's birthday. | This bill provides that licenses and certificates issued by the New Jersey Board of Nursing are to expire on the professional's birthday, rather than on one of two fixed dates, as is the practice under current law. If the person's birthday does not correspond with a calendar day in the renewal year, the license or certificate will expire on the last day of the person's birth month in the renewal year. Licenses and certificates issued by the New Jersey Board of Nursing will continue to be valid for two years. The list of professionals licensed or certified through the New Jersey Board of Nursing includes registered professional nurses, licensed practical nurses, homemaker-home health aides, advanced practice nurses, and forensic nurses-certified sexual assault. The bill will take effect 30 days after the date of enactment and will apply to any license or certificate issued by the Board of Nursing on or after that effective date. | In Committee |
| S3345 | Requires president of public institution of higher education to regularly report on-campus criminal and fire events to the institution's governing board. | This bill requires the president of each public institution of higher education, or his designee, to report to the governing board of the institution, at each of its regular meetings, all crimes, fires, and other emergencies which occurred on campus during the previous reporting period. The report must include: a count and classification of all criminal incidents which occurred on campus and which were recorded by campus security and campus or local police departments; a list of campus alerts, threats, or emergencies which occurred on campus; and a count and classification of all fire incidents which occurred on campus and which were recorded by campus security and local fire departments. The report may also include: the status of all investigations of such acts or events, the type and nature of any discipline imposed on any student or employee identified as causing or contributing to such acts or events; and any other measures imposed, training conducted, or programs implemented, to reduce the incidence of such acts and events. The bill directs the president to report all matters that are not a matter of public record to the governing board in an executive session, and to clarify that such reporting does not render the information a government record available for public inspection under the provisions of P.L.1963, c.73 (C.47:1A-1 et seq.), commonly known as the open public records act, or under any other statute, regulation, executive order, or federal law, regulation, or order. | In Committee |
| S1965 | Regulates provision of pharmaceutical services in long-term care facilities. | Regulates provision of pharmaceutical services in long-term care facilities. | Crossed Over |
| S2083 | Allows certain volunteer firefighters, rescue and first aid squad members to claim $2,000 gross income tax exemption. | Allows certain volunteer firefighters, rescue and first aid squad members to claim $2,000 gross income tax exemption. | In Committee |
| S3272 | Requires institutions of higher education to provide greater assistance to certain students with military obligations. | Current law provides a student at a New Jersey public institution of higher education who is unable to complete a course because the student is called to partial or full mobilization for State or federal active duty as a member of the National Guard or a Reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States with certain options regarding his grade for the course. This bill amends the law to ensure that it applies to students who could not complete the coursework due to monthly drills, annual training, and any active duty whether it be voluntary or involuntary. The bill directs each public and independent institution of higher education to adopt and implement policies and procedures that will assist a student enrolled in the institution, who is serving as a member of the National Guard or a Reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States, to meet the student's military obligations without loss of academic status or opportunity. Under the bill, the policies and procedures must provide for: (1) the student to receive notification from the institution at which the student is enrolled each semester of his higher education rights and benefits as a member of the National Guard or a Reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States enrolled in the institution. The institution must display these rights and benefits on its website; and (2) accommodations to the student for each class missed by the student due to military obligation, including where appropriate the provision of lecture notes from the professor or instructor, access to a tutor, and at least five days per each missed class to enable the student to complete coursework. Under the bill, each public or independent institution of higher education must direct a student who is serving as a member of the National Guard or a Reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States to notify each professor or instructor of his military obligations upon enrollment in the course or as soon as is reasonably possible once those obligations become known to the student. The professor or instructor must then initiate communications with the student about each party's academic obligations when the student's military obligations interrupt coursework. The professor or instructor and the student must also enter into a contract that details each party's academic obligations. The professor or instructor must, to the extent feasible, offer the student options to complete coursework remotely through a modified curriculum that utilizes the Internet and other means, in the event that the student's military obligations prevent attendance at class. In the event that the professor or instructor refuses to abide by the contract, the professor or instructor will be subject to the regular disciplinary process established for the institution by its governing board. The bill directs public and independent institutions of higher education to accept and apply towards a degree program the credit recommendation of the American Council on Education for a student's military experience, up to a maximum of 30 credits for a student enrolled in the institution. Nothing in the bill prevents an institution from accepting and applying towards a degree program more than 30 credits for a student's military experience should the institution choose to do so. Finally, the bill provides that certain State laws pertaining to the higher education rights of students with military obligations will be enforced by the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and complaints concerning violations can be made to that department. | In Committee |
| S3243 | Makes supplemental appropriation of $500,000 to DOH for Huntington's Disease Grant Program. | This bill makes a supplemental appropriation of $500,000 to Division of Community Health in the Department of Health (DOH) for the Huntington's Disease Grant Program. The amount appropriated under the bill, in addition to any other State or federal funds allocated for the same purposes, is to be allocated to support grants to institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, or New Jersey based and operated research organizations for the provision of pre-symptomatic testing, neurology and psychiatry services, neurophysiological evaluations, treatment, disease management, and counseling for people living with or at risk for Huntington's disease. According to the department's Notice of Fund Availability, the Huntington's Disease Grant Program is currently estimated to distribute $200,437 in FY 2023. This supplemental appropriation would increase that amount to $700,437. Huntington's disease is a fatal rare, inherited disease that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. It deteriorates a person's physical and mental abilities during their prime working years and has no cure. Huntington's disease has a wide impact on a person's functional abilities and usually results in movement, cognitive, and psychiatric disorders. Many describe the symptoms as having amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease), Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease simultaneously. According to the DOH, there are approximately 900 to 1,200 New Jersey residents who are living with Huntington's disease. The incidence of the disease is estimated between 1 in 8,000 and 1 in 10,000 State residents. There are also about 7,000 at-risk individuals in New Jersey. But since this is a fatal disease, this number may be low since the majority of people who go through genetic counseling decide to not get tested. | In Committee |
| S3209 | Prohibits flags of designated terrorist organizations from being displayed or flown on State property. | This bill prohibits the flag of a United States Department of State-designated terrorist organization from being displayed or flown on State property. Any State entity occupying State property that permits such a flag to be displayed or flown will be penalized by the immediate loss of State or other funding in such amount as the Secretary of State and the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting in the Department of the Treasury determine is necessary and appropriate. All such penalties will be deposited in the General Fund for reallocation by the State Treasurer as may be permissible. Under the bill, "State property" means land and improvements owned or leased by the State and includes, but is not limited to, State offices, hospitals, parks and recreational areas, institutions, and schools, including colleges and universities, together with abutting vacant land held for future use for the same purposes. The bill does not prohibit the displaying or flying of such flags for news, theatrical, historical, or educational purposes. | In Committee |
| S3212 | Prohibits public institution of higher education from entering into certain partnerships with institutions of higher education located in Palestinian territories. | This bill prohibits a public institution of higher education from:· entering into a contract, partnership, joint venture, memorandum of understanding, collaborative arrangement, or association of any kind with an institution of higher education located in Palestinian-controlled West Bank or Gaza territories; or· engaging in the transfer, license, or sublicense of intellectual property owned by the institution with an institution of higher education located in Palestinian-controlled West Bank or Gaza territories. Under the bill, any institution of higher education determined by the Secretary of Higher Education to not be in compliance with the bill's provisions is to become ineligible for any State support for the operational and capital costs of the institution. | In Committee |
| S3210 | Requires institution of higher education to adopt policy on use of campus facilities and grounds for camping. | This bill directs the governing board of each institution of higher education to develop and adopt a policy on the use of campus facilities and grounds for camping. Under the bill, the policy is to require any person or group seeking to camp at the institution to obtain prior approval from the institution. The bill defines "camping" to mean the pitching of tents or the overnight use of sleeping bags, blankets, makeshift shelters, motor homes, campers, or camp trailers for any purpose. | In Committee |
| S3208 | Prohibits institution of higher education which boycotts or divests from Israel-supporting or Israeli businesses from receiving State funds. | This bill prohibits an institution of higher education which boycotts or divests from Israel-supporting businesses or Israeli businesses from receiving State funds. Under the bill, an institution of higher education is prohibited from receiving State operating aid; the proceeds State-supported revenue bonds that are issued by the New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority; the proceeds of State general obligation bonds; or funds awarded to a student enrolled in the institution distributed through any State student assistance or scholarship program administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority if the institution, including all endowment funds, subdivisions, departments, and sections of the institution: boycotts the goods, products, or businesses of Israel; boycotts entities doing business with Israel; boycotts companies operating in Israel or Israeli-controlled territory; divests from any investment due to a company's support, either through in-kind or for-profit, of Israel; or supports or participates in the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement. | In Committee |
| SR101 | Condemns Rutgers University's acquiescence to anti-Semitic protests. | This resolution condemns Rutgers, The State University's acquiescence to anti-Semitic protests. In response to the escalating Israel-Hamas conflict, students at institutions of higher education across the country established protests and encampments to protest the conflict, including Rutgers University-New Brunswick. On April 29, 2024 student protestors at Rutgers established an encampment on the lawns of Voorhees mall, disturbing the operations of the institution, glorifying the violence Hamas has inflicted on the Israeli people, and utilizing anti-Semitic rhetoric. The student protestors demanded 10 actions from Rutgers, including: a divestment of funds from any corporation materially participating in, benefitting from, or otherwise supporting the State of Israel; the termination of the institution's partnership with Tel Aviv University; the establishment of a memorandum of understanding with Birzeit University; the acceptance of, and scholarships for, 10 Gazan students; a statement from President Jonathan Holloway referring to the conflict as a genocide and advocating for a ceasefire; hiring based on cultural competency; and full amnesty for those participating in the encampment. Rutgers accepted eight out of 10 of the demands in return for an end to the encampment. In acquiescing to eight of the 10 demands, the administration of Rutgers displayed a blatant disregard for its Jewish and pro-Israel students. The glorification of violence and use of anti-Semitic rhetoric, a form of hate speech, and the acceptance of this hate speech by the administration, creates a hostile learning and working environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff. Therefore, due to the anti-Semitic practices of the administration of the institution, it is altogether fitting and proper for the Legislature to condemn the institution's acquiescence to the demands of the anti-Semitic protestors. | In Committee |
| S3213 | Prohibits institution of higher education from establishing scholarship fund or student assistance program limited to students who are citizens or permanent residents of country or territory controlled by terrorist organization. | This bill prohibits an institution of higher education from establishing a scholarship fund or student assistance program that is only available to students enrolled in the institution who are citizens or permanent residents of a country or territory that is controlled by a foreign terrorist organization, as designated by the United States Secretary of State. An institution that violates the provisions of the bill is prohibited from receiving: State operating aid; the proceeds of State-supported revenue bonds that are issued by the New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority; the proceeds of State general obligation bonds; or funds awarded to a student enrolled in the institution and distributed through any State student assistance or scholarship program administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. The bill is in response to encampments on the lawns of Voorhees Mall at Rutgers University-New Brunswick by students demanding various actions from the institution in response to the Israel-Hamas conflict. One of the demands requested by the students was, "the acceptance of at least 10 displaced Gazan students to study at Rutgers University on scholarship." The institution reached an agreement with the student group, agreeing to meet 8 out of 10 of the demands, including the acceptance of the Gazan students, in return for an end to the encampment. | In Committee |
| S3211 | Prohibits institution of higher education from using cultural competency as criteria for consideration in making certain personnel determinations. | This bill prohibits an institution of higher education from including among the criteria used to review a candidate for employment or promotion the following criteria: (1) the candidate's cultural competency skills; or (2) the candidate's knowledge of any particular ethnic or religious group. The bill further provides that, in the event an institution of higher education is determined by the Secretary of Higher Education to not be in compliance with the bill's provisions, the institution becomes ineligible for any State support for its operational and capital costs. The bill includes an exemption to the bill's provisions for positions in which cultural competency skills or knowledge of a particular ethnic or religious group is essential to the position, as determined by the Secretary of Higher Education. | In Committee |
| S691 | Concerns licensure of persons rendering barbering services in another state or foreign country. | Concerns licensure of persons rendering barbering services in another state or foreign country. | In Committee |
| SJR27 | Designates third full week in May as "Roxie's Wish: Drowning Prevention Week for Children." | This joint resolution designates the third full week in May of each year as "Roxie's Wish: Drowning Prevention Week for Children" to promote public awareness of strategies and best practices for the prevention of drowning among children. The resolution requests the Governor to annually issue a proclamation recognizing the week and calling on public officials and the residents of New Jersey to observe the week with appropriate programs and activities. Drowning is one of the leading causes of death among children in this country, especially those under age five. Thousands of people in the United States, many of them being children, die each year from drowning under circumstances that are preventable. Additionally, nonfatal drownings can cause a number of long-term, significant cognitive and motor skill impairments. It is critical that public awareness is increased so that residents can take proactive measures to prevent children from drowning. By utilizing simple safety strategies to mitigate risk, such as ensuring pools are properly enclosed, providing close adult supervision whenever children are in the water, teaching children how to swim, and providing life jackets to children who cannot swim, unintentional drowning deaths among children can be prevented. | Crossed Over |
| S3175 | Removes registered apprenticeship program requisites of public work contractors; sets apprenticeship standards for prevailing wage projects. | This bill amends the "New Jersey Prevailing Wage Act" by setting a standard for apprenticeship programs if a contractor or subcontractor chooses to participate in an apprenticeship program. The bill revises "The Public Works Contractor Registration Act" by removing the requirement that a contractor participate in a registered apprenticeship program in order to be eligible for public works projects. | In Committee |
| SCR104 | Condemns Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu bigotry and intolerance. | This resolution condemns Hinduphobia, anti-Hindu bigotry and intolerance, and declares the State of New Jersey as a place that welcomes the diversity brought by Hindu Americans. This resolution recognizes that Hinduism is one of the world's largest and oldest religions with over 1.2 billion adherents in over 100 countries and which encompasses an array of diverse traditions and belief systems with values of acceptance, mutual respect, and peace. The United States has always been a beacon of hope, progress, and innovation, attracting people from around the world to create and live a better and fulfilling life, and has welcomed more than four million Hindus from all corners of the world and given them better opportunities and the freedom to practice Hinduism, also known as "Sanatana Dharma". The American Hindu community has been a major contributor to diverse sectors such as medicine, science and engineering, information technology, hospitality, finance, academia, manufacturing, energy, retail trade, and so much more. Hindu contributions of Yoga, Ayurveda, meditation, food, music, arts, and more have enriched the cultural fabric and have been widely adopted in American society and enriched the lives of millions. Hinduphobia, as described by the Understanding Hinduphobia Initiative, is "a set of antagonistic, destructive, and derogatory attitudes and behaviors towards Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) and Hindus that may manifest as prejudice, fear, or hatred". There have been documented instances of hate crimes against Hindu Americans over the last few decades in many parts of the country. | In Committee |
| S3142 | Requires AG to repeal law enforcement directive restricting law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. | This bill requires the Attorney General to repeal Attorney General Law Enforcement Directive No. 2018-6, which restricts law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Under the directive, among other provisions, State, county, and local law enforcement are prohibited from providing certain assistance to federal immigration authorities when the sole purpose is to enforce federal civil immigration law. In addition to other restrictions, the directive prohibits law enforcement from providing notice of a detained individual's upcoming release from custody or continuing the detention of a person past the time the person would be released from custody based solely on a civil immigration detainer request, with certain exceptions. The restrictions set forth in this directive pose a danger to the citizens of this State and are a substantial threat to public safety. Therefore, it is imperative that this directive be repealed. | In Committee |
| S3143 | Requires hospitals and nursing homes to provide access to certain interpreter services for deaf and hard of hearing. | This bill requires each hospital and nursing home licensed pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.) to make interpreter services for the deaf and hard of hearing available to patients 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Interpreter services will include, at minimum, interpreter services provided through electronic means including, but not limited to, video remote interpreting services and artificial intelligence-assisted interpreting services, as approved by the Commissioner of Health. | In Committee |
| S3076 | Amends appropriations act to provide funding for restoration of State school aid reductions for certain school districts; shifts $64,920,000 from certain appropriations for purposes of restoring aid; provides supplemental appropriation of $145,215,047. | This bill amends the FY 2024 appropriations act to provide funding for the restoration of State school aid reductions for certain school districts. The bill ensures that: 1) school districts that previously received an allotment of Supplemental Stabilization Aid under P.L.2023, c.32 receive such aid in the same amount allocated to the district under that law; and 2) that a school district proposed to experience a State school aid reduction in the 2024-2025 school year receive an additional amount of State school aid equal to the difference between the amount of aid received in the 2023-2024 school year and the amount of aid proposed for the 2024-2025 school year. The total funds that would be appropriated under the bill to effectuate these purposes is $210,135,047. The bill would shift a total of approximately $64.9 million in funds from current FY 2024 appropriations, as well as certain unexpended balances from appropriations made in prior fiscal years, to provide for a portion of the total funding needed to effectuate the purposes of the bill. In order to provide for the remaining need, the bill appropriates an additional $145.2 million from the General Fund for the bill's purposes. | In Committee |
| S3032 | Establishes "College Child Care Advisory Commission" to examine issues and develop recommendations on providing programs and services for college students who require child care services. | Establishes "College Child Care Advisory Commission" to examine issues and develop recommendations on providing programs and services for college students who require child care services. | In Committee |
| S3026 | Requires MVC to provide customers with certain documents in-person, same day. | This bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (commission) to provide all customers who have an in-person appointment to receive certain documents at any commission agency location within the State with the option to receive the new or renewed document on the same day as the appointment and prior to leaving the the commission agency location, provided that the customer has completed the proper application and provided any necessary payment. Upon request from the applicant, the commission is required to issue the following documents on the same day as the appointment: (1) a standard basic driver's license; (2) a standard motorcycle license; (3) a standard special learner's permit; (4) a standard examination permit; (5) a standard probationary driver's license; (6) a standard non-driver identification card; (7) a REAL ID basic driver's license; (8) a REAL ID motorcycle license; (9) a REAL ID probationary driver's license; (10) a REAL ID identification card; (11) a commercial driver license; and (12) a motor vehicle registration certificate. The bill also requires the commission to ensure that one or more cameras and license printers are available at each commission agency location for the same-day issuance of the documents. | In Committee |
| S3040 | Prohibits use of fireworks on property adjacent to animal shelter, pound, or kennel. | This bill provides enhanced penalties for the use of fireworks near an animal shelter, pound, or kennel. Current law prohibits the sale, possession, or use of fireworks, excluding sparkling devices and novelties, other than by an authorized purchaser with a valid permit to purchase fireworks for public display as approved by a municipality. This bill makes it unlawful for any person to use fireworks on a property, public highway, street, road, or alley that is directly adjacent to a property on which is located an animal shelter, pound, or kennel. The bill provides that any person who violates its provisions is guilty of a disorderly persons offense, which is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to six months or a fine of up to $1,000, or both. | In Committee |
| S3034 | Extends eligibility for tuition benefit to dependents of members of United States Armed Forces who died while on active duty. | Under current law, the child or surviving spouse of a member of the New Jersey National Guard who was killed in the performance of his duties may attend regularly-scheduled courses at any public institution of higher education in this State and receive up to 16 credits per semester tuition-free provided that certain conditions are met. This bill extends the tuition waiver benefit to the dependents of members of the Armed Forces of the United States who died while on active duty. The bill further provides to dependents of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States or the New Jersey National Guard who died while on active duty a monetary award equal to 10 percent of the cost of tuition at the public institution of higher education at which the student is enrolled. This award will be made available to the student for use on non-tuition education costs, including but not limited to housing, dining, fees, or supplies. | In Committee |
| S3022 | Requires DMVA provide central website registry of unclaimed veteran cremains for veteran organization locating services; Requires funeral director report possession of unclaimed veteran cremains. | According to qualified veterans organizations, cremains of veterans have been abandoned on average 28 years, some as long as 50 years and others as long as 66 years. Currently, funeral directors make a diligent effort to identify, locate and notify a relative or friend of the deceased, but sometimes the remains go unclaimed. Oftentimes this causes funeral directors to continuously store remains until they are claimed and given a proper burial. Under a 2009 law, funeral directors were given permission to grant veteran organizations and Veteran Service Organizations the right to receive cremains of veterans that have been unclaimed for a year. Under this bill, funeral directors will continue to make diligent efforts to find a relative or loved one of the deceased. Any cremains that remain one year after the date of cremation and the funeral directors diligent efforts, will be recorded and the funeral directors will notify the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs by written or electronic communication that they are in possession of unclaimed cremains of veterans. The bill also requires the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to create and maintain an Internet-based central reporting system of the location and identity of unclaimed cremains of veterans. Some veteran organizations and Veterans Service Organizations currently spend an inordinate about of volunteer time attempting to locate the cremains of veterans. The central reporting system at the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will assist and facilitate these organizations to locate unclaimed cremains of veterans. This legislation will provide for the veterans to be laid to rest in a more timely manner with the honor and respect that they deserve. | In Committee |
| S1423 | Establishes minimum Medicaid reimbursement rates for certain ambulance transportation services. | This bill establishes a minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate of $200 for basic life support emergency ambulance transportation services, an increase of $142 from the State's existing rate of $58 per transport. In doing so, the sponsor aims to ensure that emergency ambulance transportation providers, which deliver integral medical services for those with unplanned urgent and life-threatening health conditions, are given the financial support necessary to serve the community. Currently, New Jersey has the lowest Medicaid reimbursement rate for basic life support emergency ambulance transportation services in the region. Surrounding states' rates range from $65.27 in Delaware to $293.90 in Connecticut. Moreover, pending legislation in Pennsylvania would increase that state's rate to $325 per transport, which would be the highest rate in the region. | In Committee |
| SCR43 | Proposes constitutional amendment to make State trustee of public natural resources and guarantee to the people other environmental rights. | Proposes constitutional amendment to make State trustee of public natural resources and guarantee to the people other environmental rights. | In Committee |
| S2839 | "Energy Security and Affordability Act"; requires BPU to consider energy security, diversity, and affordability when preparing Energy Master Plan and perform economic and ratepayer impact analysis of energy generation projects and Energy Master Plan. | This bill would amend P.L.1977, c.146 (C.52:27F-14), which establishes the State's Energy Master Plan Committee, to require the Board of Public Utilities (BPU), when preparing the Energy Master Plan or any portion thereof or amendment thereto, to consider the following: (1) the energy needs, supplies, and reliability in all geographic areas of the State; (2) the use and development of diverse energy generation sources including, but not limited to, solar, wind, nuclear, hydrogen, natural gas, and renewable natural gas to assure a reliable and sufficient energy supply; (3) the affordability of energy generation, transmission, and distribution to ratepayers; (4) the prioritization of in-State energy generation, to the extent practicable and feasible to minimize subsidies for out-of-State energy generation; and (5) the use of incentives, rather than mandates, when feasible, to increase consumer transparency and choice. The bill would also require the Energy Master Plan to provide that intermittent energy sources are not to exceed 50 percent of the State's energy generation portfolio. The bill updates membership of the Energy Master Plan Committee in accordance with Governor Murphy's Executive Order No. 28. The bill also adds the heads of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of the Rate Counsel, and New Jersey Infrastructure Bank, or their designees, as members of the Energy Master Plan Committee. In addition, the bill would require the BPU to perform an analysis of any energy generation facility project prior to issuing final approval, and of the State's Energy Master Plan no later than six months after publishing an update thereto. Specifically, the analysis would: (1) detail the cost, financial impact to the State and any applicable local government unit, effect on ratepayers, and economic impact of the energy policy or project, as applicable; (2) provide a breakdown of all associated costs including, but not limited to, the capital cost of energy generation, transmission, and distribution as well as the capital cost of any infrastructure upgrades needed; (3) use only open source modeling software, and provide details about the software used and all parameters entered into the model; (4) provide an opportunity for public comment at least 30 days prior to the publication of the analysis, and include all pertinent written comments received as part of the analysis; and (5) be published and maintained for at least 10 years on the board's Internet website. The bill would also require the BPU, upon invitation, to present testimony each year to the Senate Environment and Energy Committee and the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee on the analyses it performed during the previous year. | In Committee |
| S675 | Requires adult day care centers to provide reasonable accommodations for certain persons. | This bill requires adult day care centers to provide reasonable accommodations for certain persons. Under the bill, to the extent that it is within its capacity, an adult day care center is to make reasonable efforts to accommodate the religious dietary needs of individuals who are in the care of the adult day care center. The bill defines "adult day care center" to mean an adult day health care services facility licensed pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.), or any center that provides a community-based group program designed to meet the needs of functionally or cognitively impaired adults through an individual plan of care structured to provide a variety of health, social, and related support services in a protective setting during any part of a day but less than 24 hours. | In Committee |
| S2781 | Revises high school student financial aid application requirements. | This bill revises certain high school student financial aid application requirements. Under current law, beginning with the 2023-2024 grade 11 class, and for two years after, a board of education is to require a student, and the student's parent or guardian, as applicable, to complete and submit a financial aid application as a prerequisite to the student receiving a high school diploma unless a waiver is submitted. This bill makes permanent the requirement that students complete a financial aid application after the 2023-2024 school year. | In Committee |
| S2775 | Requires public institution of higher education post bias intimidation statistics; requires governing board to adopt bias intimidation policy. | This bill requires a public institution of higher education to post bias intimidation and crime statistics on the institution's Internet website. The bill also requires a public institution of higher education to adopt a bias intimidation policy. The "Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act" (Clery Act) requires institutions of higher education that participate in Title IV student financial assistance programs to disclose information about crime on and around the institution's campuses to students and the public. Specifically, the Clery Act requires institutions of higher education to release statistics, for the previous three years, related to bias intimidation and hate crimes for the following offenses: murder; sex offenses; robbery; aggravated assault; burglary; motor vehicle theft; manslaughter; arson; arrests or persons referred for campus disciplinary action for liquor law violations, drug-related violations, and weapons possession; larceny-theft; simple assault; intimidation; and destruction, damage, or vandalism of property, and any other crimes that involve bodily injury to any person. These statistics are currently publicly available on the United States Department of Education's Campus Safety and Security Internet website. Additionally, New Jersey law criminalizes acts of bias intimidation, defined as certain offenses committed with the purpose to intimidate or with the knowledge that the offense would intimidate an individual or group of individuals because of, protected characteristics, such as race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, or ethnicity. This bill requires public institutions of higher education to post the statistics required under the Clery Act at a publicly accessible location on the institution's Internet website. Specifically, the bill requires an institution to post: (1) the institution's policy prohibiting bias intimidation; (2) a link to the United States Department of Education's Internet website for campus safety and security; (3) a link to the institution's crime statistics for each campus; and (4) statistics related to bias intimidation incidents at each of the institution's campuses. The bill requires the institution to inform every student and incoming student of the institution's Internet website. Additionally, the bill requires a public institution of higher education to incorporate a course module on bias intimidation into the institution's first-year student programming. Finally, the bill requires the governing board of each public institution of higher education to adopt a policy prohibiting bias intimidation. Under the bill, the policy is required to include: (1) a statement prohibiting bias intimidation and affirming the institution's values to diversity and inclusion; (2) disciplinary actions if a person commits an act of bias intimidation; (3) a definition of bias intimidation; (4) a description of the institution's programs to combat bias intimidation; (5) a procedure for a student to internally report an incident; (6) a procedure that the institution is to follow once an incident has been reported; (7) the identification of a designated employee or office at the institution that is to be responsible for receiving and tracking each report; and (8) a description of existing counseling options available to victims and perpetrators. | In Committee |
| S2696 | Requires public institution of higher education to award academic credit to certain volunteer emergency responders. | This bill requires public institutions of higher education to award academic credit to certain volunteer emergency responders. Under the bill, a public institution of higher education is to award academic credit to a volunteer emergency responder enrolled in the institution, provided that: (1) the student is enrolled in an undergraduate degree-granting program; (2) the volunteer service was performed within five years before the student's initial enrollment in the institution or is being performed concurrently with the student's enrollment in the institution; (3) the student provides proof to the institution of the number of volunteer hours performed; (4) the student volunteered with a volunteer fire company, duly incorporated first aid, rescue, or ambulance squad, or a county or municipal volunteer Office of Emergency Management, provided the student's official duties include responding to a fire or emergency call; and (5) the student held the appropriate certificate while performing the volunteer service, as applicable. Pursuant to the bill, academic credit is to be awarded commensurate with the number of hours the student served as a volunteer emergency responder and the credits are to be applied toward relevant coursework offered by the institution. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of Higher Education to develop credit recommendations for a public institution of higher education to award academic credit as required under the bill. | In Committee |
| S2651 | Regulates smoking in casinos and casino simulcasting facilities. | This bill amends the "New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act" (act) with respect to smoking in casinos and casino simulcasting facilities. Under the bill, the act's prohibition on smoking is not to apply to the area within the perimeter of any casino simulcasting facility approved by the Casino Control Commission pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1992, c.19 (C.5:12-194) and any casino approved by the Casino Control Commission pursuant to section 6 of P.L.1977, c.110 (C.5:12-6), provided that: (1) smoking is to be permitted in not more than 25 percent of the area of any casino floor and casino simulcasting facility; (2) smoking is to only be permitted in areas of the casino floor and casino simulcasting facility designated by signage by the operators for smoking; (3) smoking is to only be permitted under the following circumstances: in unenclosed interior designated smoking areas which contain slot machines or other electronic games, but is not to include areas of the casino floor and casino simulcasting facility that are fifteen feet or less from any casino pits offering table games with live dealers; and in enclosed interior designated smoking areas equipped with a ventilation system that is separately exhausted from other interior areas of the casino, casino simulcasting facility, and hotel facility, as applicable, so that air from the smoking area is not recirculated or backstreamed into interior areas that are not interior designated smoking areas; (4) all enclosed interior designated smoking areas are to be separated from other interior areas of the casino, casino simulcasting facility, and hotel facility, as applicable, by solid walls or windows, a ceiling, and a solid door; and (5) no stationary employee is to be assigned to work in an enclosed interior designated smoking area unless the employee voluntarily chooses to work in the designated enclosed interior smoking area. | In Committee |
| S789 | Extends affordable housing preference to certain allied South Korean veterans. | This bill extends the existing affordable housing preference for United States veterans to South Korean veterans who, as determined by the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, served in the Vietnam conflict as allies to the United States; and are a citizens and residents of this State. The bill also extends certain existing affordable housing preferences to surviving spouses and caretakers of South Korean veterans who served in the Vietnam conflict as allies to the United States. The bill's provisions apply to affordable housing in housing projects that are financed by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, public housing authorities, county improvement authorities, redevelopment agencies, and the Department of Community Affairs, when acting as a public housing authority. This bill would take effect on the first day of the third month next following enactment, except that the Commissioner of Community Affairs, in consultation with the Adjutant General of Military and Veterans' Affairs, would be permitted to take anticipatory action necessary to effectuate the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| S2558 | Included self-insured entities and plans under certain provisions of "New Jersey Insurance Fraud Prevention Act." | This bill includes self-insured entities and plans under certain provisions of the "New Jersey Insurance Fraud Prevention Act." Specifically, the bill provides that persons or practitioners violate that act if they: (1) Present or cause to be presented any written or oral statement as part of, or in support of or opposition to, a claim for payment or other benefit pursuant to a self-insured plan, knowing that the statement contains any false or misleading information concerning any fact or thing material to the claim; (2) Prepare or make any written or oral statement that is intended to be presented to a self-insured entity, or in support of or opposition to any claim for payment or other benefit to a self-insured plan, knowing that the statement contains false or misleading information concerning anything material to the claim; or (3) Conceal or knowingly fail to disclose the occurrence of an event which affects any person's initial or continued right or entitlement to any benefit or payment under a self-insured plan. Under the bill, a "self-insured entity" is a public or private entity that retains the risk and responsibility for paying for losses from contingent events for beneficiaries of its self-insured plan, in accordance with the terms of its self-insured plan, from its own funds or from its own funds together with funds contributed by or on behalf of the beneficiaries of the self-insured plan. A "self-insured plan" is any plan of benefits for losses incurred from contingent events, which may include health, bodily injury, property damage, liability, disability, life, workers' compensation or other benefits not prohibited by law, offered by a self-insured entity to its employees, members, officers, owners or other persons entitled to benefits under the terms of the self-insured plan. The bill provides that self-insured entities damaged as the result of a violation of any provision of the "New Jersey Insurance Fraud Prevention Act" may bring suit in a court of competent jurisdiction to recover compensatory damages. The bill provides that the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance may make relevant papers, documents, reports, or evidence available to a self-insured entity injured by a violation of the "New Jersey Insurance Fraud Prevention Act" consistent with the purposes of that act and under such conditions as the commissioner deems appropriate. | In Committee |
| S2383 | Establishes "Volunteer Fire Company Assistance Program" in DCA to support operations and sustainability of volunteer fire companies; appropriates $10 million. | This bill establishes the "Volunteer Fire Company Assistance Program" in the Division of Fire Safety in the Department of Community Affairs to support the ongoing operations and sustainability of volunteer fire companies. The bill establishes a special, non-lapsing fund to be known as the "Volunteer Fire Company Assistance Program Fund" (fund), which is required to be annually credited with money appropriated by the Legislature. Under the bill, the Director of the Division of Fire Safety (division) is required to develop and administer a grant program to annually distribute monies in the fund to volunteer fire companies in the form of grants to support the ongoing operations and sustainability of volunteer fire companies, including the purchasing of emergency equipment. Under the bill, to participate in the grant program, a volunteer fire company is to be required to submit an application to the division. An application is required to include certain information detailing the volunteer fire company's proposed plans for the grant funding. The Director of the division (director) is required to establish an annual maximum grant award amount to ensure that the maximum number of program applicants receive a grant award, given available funding. Under the bill, within one year of receiving a grant, each participating volunteer fire company is required to submit a report to the division detailing the use and impact of the funds. The bill requires the director to compile the reports for inclusion in a comparative profile of the participating volunteer fire companies and post the profile for public inspection on the division's Internet website. The bill also provides that, within one year of posting the comparative profile, the director is to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature that contains information on the implementation of the grant program. The bill appropriates $10 million, as specified in the bill, from the General Fund for the purpose of supporting the ongoing operations and sustainability of volunteer fire departments. | In Committee |
| S1885 | Broadens eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations. | This bill broadens the eligibility for various veterans benefits by eliminating the requirement that to be considered a veteran a person must have served during periods of war, in specific war zones, or during periods of emergency. Instead, the bill provides that a person will be considered a veteran if he or she served for at least 90 days, exclusive of certain types of initial training, in order to be eligible for veterans benefits. The bill specifies that to be considered a veteran and eligible for veterans benefits, a member of a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces (including the National Guard) must serve the entire period to which he or she is called to federal active service, exclusive of active duty for training. A person who is discharged as the result of a service-connected disability will be classed as a veteran even if he or she did not meet the 90-day service requirement. The veterans benefits include: (1) civil service preference under Title 11A of the New Jersey Statutes; (2) veteran's retirement allowance under the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) or the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS); (3) the purchase of additional military service credit in the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS), TPAF and PERS; (4) the annual property tax deduction provided under Article VIII of the New Jersey Constitution ($250 each tax year) or the property tax exemption provided under N.J.S.A.54:4-3.30 for a veteran who is certified permanently 100% disabled by the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs; and (5) surviving spouse benefits for veterans killed in active service, including civil service preference and the property tax deduction or exemption. The bill provides that an active service member of the United States Armed Forces or a current member of a military reserve component (including the National Guard) who has not been discharged from service is eligible for the civil service preference and the property tax deduction provided that he or she qualifies as a veteran. Eligibility for the property tax benefits and civil service preference is contingent upon voter approval of authorizing amendments to the State Constitution. Article VIII, Section I, paragraph 3 (concerning property tax benefits) and Article VII, Section I, paragraph 2 (concerning civil service preference) of the State Constitution currently refer to service in time of war. The bill repeals a section of existing civil service, pension and tax law regarding wartime service which is no longer necessary because of the elimination of the wartime service requirement. | In Committee |
| S1469 | Authorizes use of school bus monitoring systems. | This bill authorizes the use of a school bus monitoring system to enforce section 1 of P.L.1942, c.192 (C.39:4-128.1), the State law governing passing a school bus. A school bus monitoring system is defined as a system meeting certain requirements set forth in the bill and having at least one camera and computer that captures and records a digital video or image of any motor vehicle operating near a school bus. Under current law, school buses are required to exhibit flashing red lights when the bus has stopped for the purpose of receiving or discharging any person with a developmental disability or a child. Drivers of vehicles approaching or overtaking the school bus are required to stop at least 25 feet from a school bus that has activated its flashing lights. The penalty for violating this law, for a first offense, is: 1) a fine of no less than $100; 2) imprisonment for no more than 15 days or community service; or 3) both. For subsequent offenses, the penalty is: 1) a fine of no less than $250; 2) imprisonment for no less than 15 days; or 3) both. This bill provides that the penalty for violating the law, when the violation is not evidenced by the recorded images captured by a school bus monitoring system, would be: 1) a fine of $250; 2) 15 days of community service; or 3) both, in the case of a first offense. For each subsequent offense, the penalty would be a fine of $500 and no less than 15 days of community service. Under the bill, a civil penalty of $250 would be imposed on a person who passes a school bus in violation of current law if the violation is evidenced by the recorded images captured by a school bus monitoring system. Under these circumstances, any civil penalty imposed and collected for this violation is to be forwarded to the financial officer of the municipality in which the violation occurred and used for general municipal and school district purposes, including efforts to improve the monitoring and enforcement of this law through the utilization of a school bus monitoring system and other public education safety programs. A violation that is evidenced by the recorded images captured by a school bus monitoring system would not result in penalty points or automobile insurance eligibility points being assessed on the violator. The bill authorizes a municipality or school district operating or providing Type I or Type II school buses that transport students to contract with a private vendor to provide for the installation, operation, and maintenance of a school bus monitoring system for enforcement purposes. The bill provides that a school bus monitoring system must be capable of capturing and producing a record of any occurrence that may be considered illegal passing of a school bus, and include in that recorded image: -- if the school bus is exhibiting its flashing light; -- if a motor vehicle passes a school bus; -- the license plate, make, and model of the violating vehicle; and -- the date, time, and location of the violation. The bill requires any suspected violation captured in a recorded image produced by a school bus monitoring system to be made available to the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality in which the violation occurred. A law enforcement officer is to issue a summons within 90 days of determining that a suspected violation occurred. A summons may not be issued for a violation occurring more than 90 days from date of the violation. The bill provides that any recorded image or information produced in connection with a school bus monitoring system is not a public record under New Jersey's "Open Public Records Act," is not discoverable as a public record except upon a subpoena issued by a grand jury or a court order in a criminal matter, and is not to be offered into evidence in any civil or administrative proceeding unless directly related to illegally passing a school bus. The bill provides that recorded images or information produced in connection with a school bus monitoring system pertaining to a specific violation are not to be retained for more than 60 days after the collection of any civil penalty imposed, and are then to be purged. All recorded images and information collected but not resulting in the issuance of a summons are to be purged within 95 days of the recording. The bill provides that the owner of a motor vehicle is liable for a summons for illegally passing a school bus as evidenced by a recorded image captured by a school bus monitoring system. However, a lessor or owner of a motor vehicle is not liable for a summons if: -- the lessor demonstrates that the vehicle was used without the lessor's express or implied consent, and provides the name and address of the vehicle operator or registrant; -- the lessee was operating or in possession of the vehicle at the time of the violation and the lessor provides the name and address of the lessee; or -- the owner, lessor, or lessee demonstrates that the vehicle was stolen at the time the violation occurred and provides a copy of the police report regarding the vehicle theft. The bill permits the Commissioner of Education, the Superintendent of State Police, and the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to adopt rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of the bill, including specifications and certification procedures for the school bus monitoring systems and devices that may be installed. The bill also permits the Supreme Court of New Jersey to adopt Rules of Court as appropriate or necessary to effectuate the purposes of the substitute. The bill will take effect on the first day of the seventh month next following enactment, but permits the Commissioner of Education, the Superintendent of State Police, and the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to take anticipatory administrative actions in advance of the bill's effective date. | In Committee |
| S2159 | Prohibits internet sale of lottery tickets by State Lottery Commission. | On September 19, 2022, a rule proposal was published by the State Lottery Commission to allow the Division of State Lottery to directly sell tickets to consumers in New Jersey through its Internet website and mobile applications. This proposal has been adopted and internet sales by the State Lottery Commission are scheduled to begin in the fall of 2024. This bill prohibits the State Lottery Commission, any entity of the State Lottery Commission, or any entity contracted by the State Lottery Commission from directly selling lottery tickets via the Internet. This bill does not affect the rights of registered courier services from selling lottery tickets via the internet. | In Committee |
| S1274 | Requires redaction and nondisclosure of home address of elected officials and candidates for elected office. | This bill prohibits the disclosure of the home address of a person seeking election to a public office, a current elected official, a former elected official, and any person seeking election to a public office. Under the bill, as amended, "elected official" means any person holding a State or local government office which, under the State Constitution or by law, is filled by the registered voters of a jurisdiction at an election, including a person appointed, selected or otherwise designated to fill a vacancy in such office, but does not mean an official of a political party. Elected official also includes any person seeking election to a public office. A amended, the bill makes the redaction requirements and process for elected officials and their immediate family members consistent with that process being implemented under current law for other covered persons and their immediate family members. | In Committee |
| S1703 | Credits $2.35 billion to "New Jersey Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund"; appropriates $4.32 billion to Department of Treasury to provide funds to municipalities and counties for debt retirement and avoidance. | This bill adds $2.35 billion from the General Fund to the "New Jersey Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund," and appropriates a total of $4.32 billion from the fund to the Department of the Treasury for the purpose of providing funds to each municipality and county in the State to be used by the municipality or county to retire and defease local debt or to fund capital projects on a pay-as-you-go basis rather than issuing additional local debt. The total amount of funds appropriated by the bill includes $1.97 billion in currently unallocated balances in the New Jersey Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund. Under the bill, $3.0 billion would be allocated to each municipality on an equal per capita basis wherein each municipality receives the same dollar amount per resident. The remaining $1.32 billion appropriated by the bill would be allocated to each county on an equal per capita basis. The bill requires that all funds appropriated by the bill be distributed to each municipality and each county within 30 days of enactment. The State budget has recently benefited from debt reduction and avoidance from prior appropriations to the New Jersey Debt Defeasance and Prevention account, though typically only after funds have remained in the account for inordinately long periods of time while inflation destroys its value. Local governments can frequently have significant debt which can be equally or more expensive for taxpayers than State debt. Local governments have compelling infrastructure and capital needs that include, but are not limited to: water, sewer, parks, flooding, storm water, public safety, emergency medical services, community development, and traffic improvements. The State's budgeting process has frequently provided only small and symbolic amounts of assistance towards local infrastructure and capital improvements and only after burdensome, inefficient, and politicized processes that chose winners and losers based on favoritism. The sponsor believes it is sound public policy to quickly and efficiently direct remaining balances in the New Jersey Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund towards debt reduction and avoidance that benefits property taxpayers and all residents of the State through a fair and reasonable allocation process. | In Committee |
| S2161 | "New Jersey Ticket Consumer Choice Act." | This bill, the "New Jersey Ticket Consumer Choice Act," guarantees the right of New Jersey ticket purchasers to opt-out of ticket restrictions that limit their ability to use, sell, or give away the tickets they have purchased. Specifically, this bill allows ticket issuers to sell tickets through a ticketing system that restricts the rights of consumers to resell their tickets only if, at the time of the initial sale, the consumer is offered the option to purchase the same ticket in a form not subject to restrictions by the issuer. Issuers would be permitted, however, to sell or give away tickets in a non-transferable form in the context of targeted promotions or private events. The bill prohibits any penalty or discrimination against a ticket holder solely because the ticket was resold or because of the specific ticket platform on which the ticket was resold. The bill provides for the recognition of the rights of issuers and venue owners and operators to institute policies governing overall operation of entertainment events and ticket sales. The bill exempts from the provisions of the bill issuers of tickets for an entertainment event held in a venue owned or operated by an entity which is subject to a hotel and motel occupancy fee pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2003, c.114 (C.54:32D-1) and located in a city the governing body of which has levied a retail sales tax pursuant to the provisions of section 1 of P.L.1947, c.71 (C.40:48-8.15). The consumer choice provisions of this bill protecting the right of ticket purchasers to resell their tickets have been in effect in New York State for six years. | In Committee |
| S689 | Allows persons diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or Crohn's disease to receive parking privileges reserved for persons with disability. | This bill permits a person who has been diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or Crohn's Disease, as certified by a physician with a plenary license to practice medicine and surgery in this State or a bordering State; a physician stationed at a military or naval installation located in this State who is licensed to practice in any state; a physician assistant licensed to practice in this State or a bordering state; or a nurse practitioner licensed to practice in this State or a bordering state, to park a motor vehicle in parking spaces reserved for persons with a disability. Under the bill, persons diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or Crohn's Disease are eligible to receive from the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission a person with a disability identification card, a vehicle identification placard, and license plates that display the national wheelchair symbol. People living with Irritable Bowel Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or Crohn's Disease often suffer from the debilitating urgency to use a restroom immediately. In addition, the chronic nature of these conditions can result in certain mobility issues, such as difficulty walking, standing, or traveling for long periods of time. This bill would help to alleviate some of the obstacles facing people who have been diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or Crohn's Disease. | In Committee |
| S708 | Modifies municipal Tourist Development Commission advertising disbursement requirement for advertising outside municipality. | This bill modifies the requirement for a portion of the revenues allocated to a municipality's Tourist Development Commission (commission) to be disbursed for advertising outside the municipality from 50 percent to a percentage to be determined by the commission. This modification accounts for the change in advertising as a result of the technological advancement which has occurred since the passage of this law. This bill permits the commission to determine what percentage of the appropriated revenue is adequate for advertising outside of the municipality. This would make funds available for tourist development which would otherwise be mandated for use in advertising under current law. | In Committee |
| S698 | Expands Community College Opportunity Grant Program to include career and technical education programs at county colleges and county vocational schools. | This bill expands eligibility for the Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG) Program to include career and technical education programs offered at county colleges and county vocational schools. Under current law, the CCOG Program provides last-dollar grants to eligible county college students to pay for the remaining costs of tuition and approved educational fees that are not covered by any other need-based grants and merit scholarships. Grants provided by the program cover up to 18 credits in any semester for courses towards an associate's degree, certificate, or a three plus one degree program. The bill expands the CCOG Program to students enrolled in at least six credits of a career and technical education course or program at a county college for a maximum of six semesters of eligibility. The bill also expands the CCOG Program to adult students enrolled in a career and technical education course or program longer than four months in duration at a county vocational school for a maximum of two years of eligibility. Programs and courses permitted under the bill are to prepare a student to earn a license or industry-recognized certification or to take a nationally-recognized exam. Under the bill, grants provided by the program cover up to the recognized equivalent of 18 academic credits in a postsecondary career and technical education course or program as determined by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. | In Committee |
| SCR54 | Condemns all forms of anti-Semitism and rejects attempts to justify anti-Jewish hatred. | This resolution condemns all forms of anti-Semitism and rejects attempts to justify anti-Jewish hatred. Throughout the last decade, there has been clear evidence of increasing incidents and expressions of anti-Semitism throughout the world. More recently, in a 2018 report, the Anti-Defamation League noted that in 2018 there were 1,879 anti-Semitic incidents against Jews and Jewish institutions, which included the deadliest attack on Jewish persons in American history on October 27, 2018 at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where 11 worshippers were killed. In 2018, a report showed New Jersey ranked third in the nation in anti-Semitic incidents with 200 anti-Semitic incidents reported. In 2019, the Federal Bureau of Investigation reported an increase in hate crimes against Jews or Jewish institutions and found that attacks against Jews or Jewish institutions made up 60.3 percent of all religious-based hate crimes. There is an urgent need to ensure the safety and security of Jewish communities, and synagogues, schools, cemeteries, and other institutions. Anti-Semitism is the centuries-old bigotry and form of racism faced by Jewish people simply because they are Jews. Anti-Semitism is a challenge to the basic principles of tolerance, pluralism, and democracy and the shared values that bind Americans together. The First Amendment to the Constitution established the United States as a country committed to the principles of tolerance and religious freedom, and the Fourteenth Amendment established equal protection of the laws as the heart of justice in the United States. Adherence to these principles is vital to the progress of the American people and the diverse communities and religious groups of the State of New Jersey. The New Jersey Legislature unequivocally condemns all forms of anti-Semitism and rejects attempts in this State, the United States, and throughout the world to justify anti-Jewish hatred. In 2021, anti-Semitic incidents were the highest in the past 10 years, reaching an all-time high of 2,717 incidents in the United States. In New Jersey, anti-Semitic incidents in 2021 were the second highest in the nation for the third straight year, and comprised 14 percent of the total number of incidents in the United States. There were 370 anti-Semitic incidents in New Jersey in 2021, representing an increase from 345 in 2019 and 295 in 2020. Of these incidents in New Jersey, 123 took place in public areas, 82 took place in non-Jewish K-12 schools, 44 took place at Jewish institutions, 40 occurred at private residences, 35 took place at business establishments, and 29 took place online. The 44 incidents that took place at Jewish institutions in New Jersey in 2021 occurred across 13 different counties, represented a significant 76 percent increase compared to the 25 such incidents recorded in 2020, and included 39 incidents of harassment, four incidents of vandalism, and one incident of assault. Incidents related to Israel or Zionism in New Jersey increased by 35 percent in 2021, reaching a total of 27 incidents. The Anti-Defamation League recorded the highest number of anti-Semitic incidents of 2021 during the month of May, which directly coincided with the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. There were 56 incidents documented in New Jersey in May 2021, which is 86 percent higher than the State's average monthly total of 30 incidents. In New Jersey's schools, there were 82 anti-Semitic incidents in 2021, representing a 110 percent increase relative to 2020, of which 40 were incidents of harassment and 42 were incidents of vandalism. In New Jersey's institutions of higher education, there were 16 anti-Semitic incidents recorded in 2021, which represents a 45 percent increase relative to the 11 incidents recorded in 2020. | In Committee |
| S927 | Allows certain volunteer firefighters, rescue and first aid squad members to claim $5,000 income tax deduction. | This bill permits volunteer firefighters and first aid or rescue squad members to claim an additional exemption of $5,000 to be taken as a deduction from their gross income if they meet certain qualifications. Under the bill, firefighters may claim the $5,000 deduction if they: 1) volunteered during the entire tax year; 2) performed 60% of fire duty; and 3) had, by January 1st of the tax year, attained the rank of Firefighter I Certified according to approved standards. To satisfy the "60% of fire duty" requirement, volunteer firefighters without duty hours must have responded to 60% of the regular alarms and drills in which the department or force participated and volunteer firefighters with duty hours must have at least 400 duty hours during a calendar year of which not more than 50% was for drills. First aid or rescue squad members may claim the deduction if they: 1) volunteered during the entire tax year; 2) performed 10% of rescue duty; and 3) had, by January 1st of the tax year, either passed an approved training program or qualified as an emergency medical technician. To satisfy the "10% of rescue duty" requirement, first aid or rescue squad members who volunteer with duty hours must complete at least 400 hours of duty during the year, of which not more than 50% is for drills. If they volunteer without duty hours, the squad members must attend and render first aid at not less than 10% of the regular alarms and participate in 60% of the drills. The bill defines duty hours as those during which volunteers committed themselves to respond to alarms. The bill requires eligible volunteers to submit proof with their tax claim that they are entitled to the deduction. The Director of the Division of Taxation is responsible for establishing the manner of this proof. An official of each fire department or force is responsible for providing a list of firefighters who are eligible for the deduction for the previous tax year to the Department of Community Affairs by March 31st. Similarly, an official of the rescue or first aid squad is responsible for providing a list of squad members who are eligible for the deduction for the previous tax year to the Department of Health and Senior Services by March 31st. The lists are to be made available to the Director of the Division of Taxation for verification purposes. An official who files a false list is subject to prosecution under section 29 of P.L.1987, c.76 (C.54:52-19), which makes it a crime of the fourth degree to knowingly certify a false statement with the intent to evade a tax. Fourth-degree crimes are punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. | In Committee |
| S160 | Requires MVC to issue one license plate instead of two. | This bill amends current law to require the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to issue one license plate for each automobile and motorcycle registered in the State. The bill requires that the single license plate be displayed on the rear of the vehicle. The bill specifies that any person who was issued two license plates prior to the effective date of the bill may return one of those plates to the commission. | In Committee |
| S2128 | Exempts local utilities from certain reporting requirements. | This bill excludes local utilities and local utility authorities from certain reporting requirements. Under N.J.S.A.48:2-29.57 et seq., both public utilities and local utilities are required to report information on the effects of the coronavirus 2019 pandemic on utilities and certain other information, including utility supply, demand, revenues, and expenses, the average amount billed to customers' accounts, infrastructure projects the utilities' planned to undertake that were canceled or for which the start date was delayed for certain reasons, and other additional information. Under this bill, only public utilities would be required to submit this information. Because these reporting requirements would no longer apply to local utilities and local utility authorities, the bill also provides that the BPU would no longer be required to consult with the Department of Community Affairs when implementing the provisions of N.J.S.A.48:2-29.57 et seq. | In Committee |
| S725 | Criminalizes unlawful occupancy of dwellings. | This bill would criminalize unlawful occupancy of a dwelling, also known as "squatting." Currently, squatting is not a criminal act. In order to lawfully evict a squatter, the owner of the property must apply to the court for a writ of possession. This bill would create three criminal offenses: housebreaking, unlawful occupancy, and unlawful reentry. They would be crimes of the fourth degree. Housebreaking. Under the bill, a person who forcibly enters an uninhabited or vacant dwelling knowing or having reason to believe that such entry is without permission of the owner of the dwelling or an authorized representative of the owner, with the intent to take up residence or provide a residency to another therein, would be guilty of housebreaking. The bill provides that a person is presumed to know that an entry is without the permission of the owner of the dwelling or an authorized representative of the owner unless the person provides a written rental agreement that is notarized or signed by an authorized agent of the owner and includes the current address and telephone number of the owner or the owner's authorized representative. Unlawful Occupancy. The bill provides that a person who takes up residence in an uninhabited or vacant dwelling and knows or has reason to believe that such residency is without permission of the owner of the dwelling or an authorized representative of the owner is guilty of unlawful occupancy. A person is presumed to know that the residency is without the permission of the owner or an authorized representative unless the person provides a written rental agreement that is notarized or signed by an authorized agent of the owner, and includes the current address and telephone number of the owner or the owner's authorized representative. Unlawful Reentry. The bill provides that a person commits unlawful reentry if an owner of real property has recovered possession of the property from the person pursuant to a court order and, without the authority of the court or permission of the owner, the person reenters the property. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. | In Committee |
| SCR61 | Constitutes special committee of Senate and General Assembly entitled "New Jersey Public Employee Health Care Program Costs Investigation Committee." | This concurrent resolution constitutes a special committee of the Legislature entitled the "New Jersey Public Employee Health Care Program Costs Investigation Committee." The creation of this committee is in response to several news articles highlighting the recommended increase in premiums and periodic charges for the State health care programs and allegations the Governor's Office may have intervened during contract disputes with the State's contractor, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield. The committee will review and investigate the recommended increases in the premiums of the State Health Benefits Program and School Employees' Health Benefits Program. The committee will also investigate allegations that the Governor's Office may have pressured staff at the Department of the Treasury to halt the contract dispute with Horizon and the effort by the department to recoup the $34 million from the contract. Additionally, the committee will review the implementation, if any, of P.L.2019, c.143, which created subaccounts in the State Health Benefits Program Fund and the School Employees' Health Benefits Program Fund and also required the State to procure a professional services contract for a third-party medical claims reviewer for the State Health Benefits Program and School Employees' Health Benefits Program. The committee will make recommendations that address this subject. | In Committee |
| S648 | Requires under certain circumstances development by certified school nurse of individualized health care plan and individualized emergency health care plan for student with life-threatening allergies or anaphylaxis. | This bill provides that if the parent or guardian of a student with a life-threatening allergy or anaphylaxis seeks care for that student while at school, the parent or guardian must inform the certified school nurse who will develop an individualized health care plan and an individualized emergency health care plan for the student. This bill provides that the individualized plans will be updated by the school nurse at least annually in accordance with the annually submitted order of a student's health care provider and as necessary in the event of a change in the student's health status. Each individualized health care plan is required to include, and each individualized emergency health care plan may include, the following information:· the symptoms of an allergic reaction or anaphylaxis and the recommended treatment;· accommodations for school trips, after-school activities, class parties, and other school-related activities;· education of all school personnel who may come in contact with the student about allergies, how to recognize and treat allergic reactions or anaphylaxis, how to recognize allergic reactions or anaphylaxis, and when to call for assistance; and · how to maintain communications with the student, the student's parent or guardian and health care team, the school nurse, and the educational staff. Under the provisions of the bill, in addition to coordinating the care at school for a particular student with life-threatening allergies or anaphylaxis, the certified school nurse will also be responsible for ensuring that appropriate staff are trained in the care of students with life-threatening allergies or anaphylaxis, including staff working with school-sponsored programs outside of the regular school day, as provided in the individualized plans. | In Committee |
| S679 | Requires school districts to provide instruction on water safety as part of New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education. | This bill requires each school district to incorporate instruction on water safety into the health education curriculum for students in grades K through 12 as part of the district's implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education, beginning with the 2023-2024 school year. The instruction must provide information on: the proper use of flotation devices; how to become aware of water conditions; the danger of rip currents and how to respond if caught in one; and the importance of swimming in areas monitored by a lifeguard. Drownings are the fifth leading cause of accidental death in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control. While New Jersey students participate in drills for fire and active shooter crises, they do not receive instruction on what to do if you are drowning or see someone drowning. | In Committee |
| S454 | Prohibits discrimination against individuals who have not received COVID-19 vaccine. | This bill prohibits discrimination against individuals who have not received a COVID-19 vaccine. Under the bill, it is to be unlawful to ask any individual if the individual has received a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine, to require any individual to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, or to require any individual to show proof of having received a COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of or as a prerequisite to: (1) the exercise of any privilege or right granted under State or federal law; (2) conducting any business or commerce; (3) travelling to, outside, or within the State; (4) obtaining or maintaining an internship, obtaining or maintaining employment, or receiving a promotion from an employer; (5) participation in any governmental or political activity; (6) admission or enrollment into any child or adult day care program; (7) admission in, enrollment in, or graduation from a preschool program, elementary or secondary school, college, university, or any other institution of education; (8) participation in any activity, internship, opportunity, program, or sport offered by a preschool program, elementary or secondary school, college, university, or any other institution of education; (9) receiving adequate dental care or health care; (10) maintaining, receiving, or renewing a professional certification or license; (11) obtaining or renewing membership in any professional organization; (12) entrance into or service from any place of business, including, but not limited to, any market, restaurant, or store; (13) entrance into and service from any public building, office, or structure; (14) entrance into and use of any public park or beach; or (15) admission into or service from any amusement park, concert venue, theater, or sporting event. The bill provides that it is to be unlawful to discriminate against or to take any adverse action against any individual who has not received a COVID-19 vaccine or who does not disclose whether the individual has received a COVID-19 vaccine. An individual who violates the provisions of this bill is to, in addition to any other relief authorized by law, be liable for civil damages to the victim in the amount of $25,000 in an action brought in the Superior Court in the county where the offense occurred. In addition to an award of civil damages, the court is to order the defendant to pay such attorney's fees or expenses, or both, that are actually and reasonably incurred by the victim who is the successful party in the action. | In Committee |
| S690 | Permits certain adult day care centers and group homes to restrict access to certain persons who violate food restriction policies. | This bill permits certain adult day care centers and group homes to restrict access to certain persons who violate food restriction policies. Under the bill, an adult day care center or a group home that provides services to individuals with disabilities is to be permitted to suspend or temporarily or permanently restrict physical access to the facility with respect to an individual, who is a caretaker, a guardian, or an employee of the facility, if the individual violates the facility's food restriction policy. The bill defines "adult day care center" to mean an adult day health care services facility licensed pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.), which provides preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitative services under medical and nursing supervision to meet the needs of functionally impaired adult participants for a period of time that does not exceed 12 hours during any calendar day. "Adult day care center" is to include any center that provides a community-based group program designed to meet the needs of functionally or cognitively impaired adults through an individual plan of care structured to provide a variety of health, social, and related support services in a protective setting during any part of a day but less than 24 hours. "Group home" means a living arrangement that is operated in a residence or residences leased or owned by a licensee; which provides the opportunity for individuals with developmental disabilities to live together in a home, sharing in chores and the overall management of the residence; and in which staff provide supervision, training, or assistance in a variety of forms and intensity as required to assist the individuals as they move toward independence. | In Committee |
| SR32 | Recognizes Israel's right to use decisive force in defense of attacks and reaffirms State's strong support of Israel. | This resolution recognizes Israel's right to use decisive force in defense from attacks from terrorist organizations Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad and reaffirms New Jersey's strong support for Israel. Throughout the month of May, the State of Israel and its citizens were under intense and consistent rocket and mortar attacks from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The attacks endangered the lives of hundreds of thousands of innocent Israelis. To defend itself, Israel commenced a defensive operation with the goal of disabling the infrastructure and armaments of the terrorist organizations. There can be no question that Israel has the right to defend itself from all terrorist threats and that Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad represent a continual threat to the people of Israel. Hamas and other terrorist organizations continue to neglect the task of building a lasting, peaceful, and democratic Palestinian-Arab nation, instead taking action to inflict pain and suffering on others. For example, to prevent counter attacks and to generate an anti-Israel narrative around Israeli counter attacks, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad intentionally locate elements of their terrorist infrastructure in civilian population centers, including hospitals, schools, and houses of worship, thus using innocent civilians as human shields and tools for propaganda. The spread of terrorism in the region threatens the life of every person living in the Middle East. This resolution: (1) expresses strong and unwavering commitment to supporting the welfare, security, and survival of the State of Israel, and recognizes its right to act decisively in self-defense; (2) reiterates that Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organizations must end the rocket and mortar attacks against Israel, and verifiably dismantle their terrorist infrastructure; (3) expresses condolences to innocent Israeli and Palestinian-Arab victims and their families; and (4) calls on other American states to condemn Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organizations and recognize Israel's right to act decisively in self-defense to protect its citizens. | In Committee |
| S661 | Requires DOH to create best practices manual for maternity care; appropriates $950,000. | This bill requires the Department of Health (DOH) to create a best practices manual for maternity care. Under the bill, the DOH, in consultation with interested stakeholders, is to develop a best practices manual for prenatal and postpartum maternal care, which is to be designed to improve medical treatment for maternity patients. Each hospital and ambulatory care facility that provides care to maternity patients is to be required to adopt and ensure compliance with the best practices manual as a condition of licensure. The best practices manual is to include, but is not to be limited to, requirements concerning: simulation drills; obstetric response teams; screenings; treatment guidelines; the review and update of facility policies to facilitate implementation of these best practices; and the reporting of adverse events. The DOH is to establish a system to revise and update the best practices manual as may be appropriate. The bill provides that the DOH is to apply for and accept any grant of money from the State or federal government or other sources, which may be available to carry out the purposes of the bill. Further, the bill provides for a $950,000 appropriation from New Jersey's General Fund to carry out the purposes of this bill. | In Committee |
| S666 | "Virtual Currency and Blockchain Regulation Act." | This bill, the "Virtual Currency and Blockchain Regulation Act," establishes a regulatory framework for virtual currency businesses to operate in New Jersey, creates provisions governing the use of blockchain with certain business entities, and creates certain incentives for virtual currency businesses to locate in the State. Provisions on open blockchain tokens This bill provides that certain open blockchain tokens are intangible personal property rather than securities. An open blockchain token is to be considered intangible personal property under the bill if it meets the following characteristics: (1) the predominant purpose of the token is consumptive; (2) the developer or seller did not market the token to the initial buyer as a financial investment; and (3) at least one of the following subparagraphs is satisfied: (a) the developer or seller reasonably believed that it sold the token to the initial buyer for a consumptive purpose; (b) the token has a consumptive purpose that is available at or near the time of sale and can be used at or near the time of sale for a consumptive purpose; (c) the initial buyer of the token is prohibited by the developer or seller of the token from reselling the token until the token is available to be used for a consumptive purpose; or (d) the developer or seller takes other reasonable precautions to prevent an initial buyer from purchasing the token as a financial investment. The bill requires that, before making an open blockchain token available for sale, the developer or seller of a token, or the registered agent of the developer or seller, is to electronically file a notice of intent with the Department of Banking and Insurance and pay a filing fee of $1,000. The notice of intent is to contain the name of the person acting as a developer or seller, the contact information of the person, or the registered agent of the person and comprehensive details, to be determined by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance, on the open blockchain token made available for sale. A form is to be made available by the department for this purpose, and is to include a secure electronic form conspicuously posted on the department's Internet website. A developer, seller and the registered agent of these persons, if applicable, is to have a continuing duty to update the contact information provided on a notice of intent as long as the open blockchain token associated with the notice is actively being sold. The bill makes a willful failure by a developer, seller or facilitator to comply with the duties imposed by the bill an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud Act. An unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud Act is punishable by a monetary penalty of not more than $10,000 for a first offense and not more than $20,000 for any subsequent offense. In addition, violations can result in cease and desist orders issued by the Attorney General, the assessment of punitive damages and the awarding of treble damages and costs to the injured party. Provisions on digital assets as property This bill establishes digital assets as property and allows banks to provide custodial services for digital assets. A digital asset is a representation of an economic, proprietary, or access right that is stored in a computer readable format, and includes digital consumer assets, digital securities, and virtual currency. Under the bill, all digital assets will be classified as property, with digital consumer assets classified as a general intangible property, digital securities classified as a security, and virtual currency classified as money. A digital asset will also be treated as a financial asset under the bill, if a written agreement is entered with the owner of the digital asset classifying the asset as such. If the digital asset is treated as a financial asset, then the digital asset will remain as intangible personal property. Under the bill, a secured party or an agent, custodian, fiduciary or trustee of the party with a security interest in a digital asset will be able to perfect their security interest through control. A secured party holding a security interest in a digital asset through control will have priority over a secured party that has a security interest in the asset but does not have control. Perfection by control will create a possessory security interest in a digital asset and will not require physical possession. Additionally, the bill will allow a bank to provide custodial services of digital assets upon providing 60 days written notice to the Commissioner of the Department of Banking and Insurance. A bank that elects serve as a qualified custodian must follow federal Securities and Exchange Commission rules regarding custodial services and must ensure the following: (1) the implementation of all accounting, account statement, internal control, notice and other standards specified by applicable State or federal laws and regulations for custodial services; (2) maintenance of information technology best practices relating to digital assets held in custody; (3) full compliance with applicable federal anti-money laundering, customer identification and beneficial ownership requirements; and (4) other actions necessary to carry out the aforementioned requirements, which may include exercising fiduciary powers similar to those permitted to national banks and ensuring compliance with federal law governing digital assets classified as commodities. Apart from the requirements above, a bank providing custodial services will also be required to enter into an agreement with an independent public accountant to conduct an examination that conforms to federal regulations concerning custodial services, at the cost of the bank, pursuant to certain rules and requirements. The bill also provides that digital assets held in custody are not depository liabilities or assets of the bank. A bank, or its subsidiary, that holds digital assets in custody will be able to register as an investment adviser, investment company or broker dealer as necessary. Banks holding digital assets in custody must maintain control over a digital asset, with the customer electing, pursuant to a written agreement with the bank, one of the following relationships for each digital asset held in custody: (1) custody under a bailment as a nonfungible or fungible asset. Assets held under this bill will be strictly segregated from other assets; or (2) custody under a bailment that allows the bank, based on the customer's instructions, to undertake transactions with the digital asset. A bank that holds a digital asset in custody under a bailment that allows the bank to undertake transactions with the digital asset will not be liable for any loss suffered with respect to any transactions made, except for liability consistent with fiduciary and trust powers as a custodian. The bill provides that a bank and a customer must agree in writing with regard to the source code that the bank will use for each digital asset, and the treatment of each asset. Any ambiguity within the agreement will be resolved in favor of the customer. A bank will be required to provide clear, written notice to each customer, and require written acknowledgement, of the following: (1) prior to the implementation of any updates, material source code updates relating to digital assets held in custody, except in emergencies which may include security vulnerabilities; (2) the heightened risk of loss from transactions with the digital asset, if the bank is given the instruction from the customer to undertake transactions with the digital asset; (3) that some risk of loss as a pro rata creditor exists as the result of custody as a fungible asset; (4) that custody may not result in the digital assets of the customer being strictly segregated from other customer assets if the bank is allowed to undertake transactions with the asset; and (5) that the bank is not liable for any losses suffered if the bank does transact with the asset, with exception for liability consistent with fiduciary and trust powers as a custodian. A bank and a customer must agree in writing to a time period within which the bank must return a digital asset held in custody. If a customer elects to allow the bank to make transactions with the asset, then the bank and the customer may also agree in writing to the form in which the digital asset will be returned. The bill provides that all ancillary or subsidiary proceeds relating to digital assets held in custody will accrue to the benefit of the customer, except as specified by a written agreement with the customer. The bank may elect not to collect certain ancillary or subsidiary proceeds, as long as the election is disclosed in writing. A customer who elects to custody under a bailment that treats a digital asset as either fungible or nonfungible may withdraw the digital asset in a form that permits the collection of ancillary or subsidiary proceeds. Finally, the bill provides that a bank will be prohibited from authorizing rehypothecation of digital assets. The bank will not engage in any activity to use or exercise discretionary authority relating to a digital asset unless it has the customer's instructions to do so. A bank will also be prohibited from taking any action which would likely impair the solvency or the safety and soundness of the bank, as determined by the commissioner after considering the nature of custodial services customary in the banking industry. Provisions on decentralized autonomous organizations This bill allows the formation of decentralized autonomous organizations (DAO) under the State's limited liability company law. A DAO is an organization controlled by its members with no central authority. Instead, the organization is governed by a set of smart contracts built on distributed ledger technology or blockchain. The smart contracts automate many of the decision-making processes typically reserved for upper-tier management in a traditional company. The bill permits DAOs to incorporate as limited liability companies, and affords DAOs similar protections as are afforded to limited liability companies under current law. The bill provides a DAO is a limited liability company whose articles of organization contain a statement that the company is a decentralized autonomous organization. The bill requires DAOs to maintain a presence in the State through a registered agent and to include in its name a designation such as "DAO", "DAO LLC" or "LAO". The bill permits limited liability companies in the State currently to convert to DAOs by amending their articles of organization. Under the bill, a DAO may be member managed or algorithmically managed, as set forth in its articles of organization. If algorithmically managed, the underlying smart contract must be able to be updated, modified or otherwise upgraded. The bill provides that the articles of organization or the smart contracts of the DAO will govern aspects or the organization such as relations among the members, rights and duties of each member, voting rights, transferability, distributions and amendments. In addition, unless provided for in the articles of organization or operating agreement, no member has any fiduciary duty to the DAO or any member other than the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing. Provisions on blockchain filing system This bill gives the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services in the New Jersey Department of the Treasury the authority to develop filing system using blockchain through which all required filings may be submitted. The division is to try to use blockchain technology and include an application programming interface as components of the filing system, as well as robust security measures and other components determined by the division to be best practices or which are likely to increase the effective and efficient administration of the laws of this State. The division may create a blockchain or contract for the use of a privately created blockchain. The division may consult with all interested parties, including businesses, registered agents, attorneys, law enforcement and other interested persons, before developing the filing system and if possible, partner with technology innovators and private companies to develop necessary components of the system. The division may also promulgate rules and regulations to effectuate the provisions of the bill. Exemption for virtual currency from money transmitter law This bill also exempts virtual currency from current law governing money transmitters. "Virtual currency" is added to the law to mean any type of digital representation that: (1) is used as a medium of exchange, unit of account or store of value; and (2) is not recognized as legal tender by the United States government. Authorization for business entity to issue stock as certificate token This bill authorizes a business entity, such as a corporation or limited liability company, to issue stock certificates in the form of electronic certificate tokens. "Certificate token" is defined as an electronic representation of a share of stock which contains certain information required under existing law for stock certificates and which is entered into a blockchain or other secure, auditable database. Business incentives for virtual currency businesses The bill also provides certain incentives for virtual currency businesses to locate in New Jersey. The bill exempts receipts from retail sales of energy and utility service to a virtual currency servicer or registrant for use or consumption directly and primarily in the creation of virtual currency, including mining, from the tax imposed under New Jersey's "Sales and Use Tax Act." The bill provides that a virtual currency servicer or registrant may file an application for a sales and use tax exemption with the Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury. The "Grow New Jersey Assistance Act," N.J.S.A.34:1B-242, provides certain business and insurance premiums tax credits for job creation and retention in New Jersey. For the purposes of the "Grow New Jersey Assistance Act," the bill designates virtual currency servicers and registrants registered pursuant to this bill's provisions to be in a "targeted industry" and a "technology startup company." Therefore, in order for a virtual currency servicer to be eligible for that program, the minimum number of new or retained full-time jobs would be a minimum of 10 new or 25 retained full-time jobs, which is less than is required for certain other types of business. Virtual currency servicers and registrants would also be eligible for, in addition to the base amount of the tax credit, an additional $5,000 for each new or retained full-time job each year. Allowance for virtual currency in payment of State taxes Current law, N.J.S.A.54:48-4.3, allows the Director of the Division of Taxation to establish an electronic funds transfer system for payments of State taxes. The bill amends the definition of "electronic funds transfer" to include any transfer of virtual currency. This change would allow the director to accept virtual currency in the payment of State taxes. | In Committee |
| SCR36 | Proposes constitutional amendment to provide registered voters with right to cast ballot in person at polling place on election day; requires mail-in ballot request before voter receives mail-in ballot. | This constitutional amendment would ensure that registered voters in this State, who are qualified to vote, have the right to cast a ballot in person on the day of any election in this State, and would permit mail-in ballots to be distributed only to voters who submit a written request for a mail-in ballot. This amendment would bar the Legislature from passing laws, and the Governor from issuing executive orders, that would: (1) limit or deny in-person voting for a registered voter who wishes to vote in person, or (2) automatically distribute mail-in ballots to all voters. | In Committee |
| SR31 | Urges Congress designate "The Most Beautiful Lady in the World: Statue of Liberty Anthem" as official anthem of Statue of Liberty. | This resolution urges Congress to pass legislation designating the song, "The Most Beautiful Lady in the World: Statue of Liberty Anthem," as the official anthem of the Statue of Liberty, written and composed by Helmut C. Calabrese and Paul L. Calabrese. | In Committee |
| S657 | Establishes Children's Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. | This bill requires the establishment of a Children's Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System in the Department of Health to receive and maintain reports of adverse events experienced by a child under 19 years of age, in the eight weeks following the administration of a vaccine. The bill requires that health care providers report any adverse event experienced by a child in the provider's care or to whom the health care provider administered a vaccine(s), regardless of whether the vaccine(s) is deemed, in the professional opinion of the health care provider, to be the cause of the adverse event. The reporting requirements would apply to a physician, physician assistant, advanced practice nurse, registered nurse, pharmacist, or other professional licensed pursuant to Title 45 of the Revised Statutes and authorized to administer vaccines, including those who provide care to a child in the emergency department of a hospital or an urgent care center in the State. The bill provides that the Commissioner of Health is to determine the form and manner of reports made to the system and that such reports include the name and address of the health care provider submitting the report, the name, age, and address of the child, the adverse event or events experienced by the child, the date of administration of the child's most recent vaccine, the vaccine or vaccines that were administered, any product inserts that were packaged with the vaccine, and any other pertinent information as may be required by the commissioner. The bill authorizes the commissioner to share the adverse event reports only with: (1) recognized public health entities that analyze data on vaccines and adverse events, except that the identity of any child or health care provider shall not be disclosed or made public; and, (2) with the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) operated by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the United States Food and Drug Administration, in the event that the healthcare provider was not required to report the particular adverse event to VAERS under the provisions of federal law. The bill would take effect on the first day of the sixth month next following enactment. | In Committee |
| S58 | Authorizes proportional property tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans having a service-connected disability and proclaims that the State shall reimburse municipalities for cost of exemptions. | The bill grants a property tax exemption to honorably discharged veterans having a service-connected disability in proportion to their disability percentage rating. The exemption is only granted to those with a disability percentage rating of at least 30 percent, and the exemption is capped at $10,000. Those with a 100 percent disability percentage rating would still be allowed a 100 percent property tax exemption without a cap, as is the case under current law. In addition, the bill grants those honorably discharged veterans having less than a 100 percent service-connected disability, but who are unemployable, a 100 percent property tax exemption, which matches the current 100 percent property tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans having a 100 percent disability percentage rating. As under current law, the bill allows the 100 percent property tax exemption to extend to the surviving spouse of a veteran. However, the newly allowed property tax exemption for a veteran with a less than 100 percent property tax exemption would not extend to the surviving spouse. The bill also eliminates all references to medical conditions so that any service-connected disability, as determined by the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs, will make a veteran eligible for the property tax exemption. Finally, the bill proclaims that the State shall annually reimburse taxing districts, including for administrative costs, for the property tax exemptions granted to disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. The bill includes reporting provisions so proper reimbursement can be made. | In Committee |
| S285 | Permits application for PERS accidental disability benefit for injury sustained after January 2003 while employed at State psychiatric institution or correctional facility immediately prior to PERS membership. | This bill allows a member of the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to apply for accidental disability benefits based upon an injury sustained while employed temporarily at Trenton Psychiatric Hospital, any other State psychiatric institution or any State correctional facility, which injury continues to be disabling after the person becomes a PERS member. Temporary public employees are not eligible for PERS membership until the employment becomes permanent or the passage of one year, whichever occurs first. Currently, persons employed temporarily at any State psychiatric institution or any State correctional facility who are injured while ineligible for PERS membership are eligible for workers compensation benefits only. They are not eligible for PERS accidental disability benefits even after attaining PERS member status because the injury occurred when not a PERS member. The bill provides that, for purposes of application for a PERS accidental disability benefit, a traumatic event (1) occurring during and as a result of the performance of a State employee's regular or assigned duties as, but not limited to, a doctor, nurse, healthcare worker, social worker, or correction officer caring for or guarding individuals who are permanently or temporarily incarcerated for any reason at Trenton Psychiatric Hospital, any other State psychiatric institution or any State correctional facility and (2) occurring when the employee is employed temporarily and not yet eligible for membership in the retirement system will be deemed as occurring during membership, if the employee becomes a member of the retirement system without interruption in that employment. The bill's provisions would apply retroactively to January 1, 2003. In addition, the bill also adds to the duties of the Civil Service Commission a personnel orientation program that informs new employees of State psychiatric institutions and State correctional facilities of the risk of injury occurring during and as a result of the performance of their regular or assigned duties. | In Committee |
| S663 | Establishes certification card for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. | This bill establishes a certification card, which is to be issued upon the request of a person who has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, or upon the request of the guardian or caregiver of the person, denoting that the person has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. The certification card is to be issued by the Division of Developmental Disabilities within the Department of Human Services (division). Under the bill, the certification card, along with the person's basic license or State-issued non-driver identification card as necessary, may be presented to a law enforcement officer or emergency medical service provider for the purposes of assisting the law enforcement officer or emergency medical service provider in identifying and effectively communicating with the person. The certification card is to explain that the person has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, may have difficulty communicating or understanding directions, and may become agitated when touched or in stressful situations. The certification card is also to provide the emergency contact information of a person who can confirm the cardholder's diagnosis and a person who can communicate on behalf of the cardholder. The bill requires the division to establish the documentation required to be produced by a person who has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, or the guardian or caregiver of the person, in order to receive the certification card and permits the division to collect a reasonable fee that is not greater than the cost to issue the certification card. | In Committee |
| S635 | Requires State Board of Education meetings to be accessible virtually and in person. | This bill requires all public meetings of the State Board of Education to be accessible to the public both in person and virtually. The bill also requires that a link providing virtual access to meetings be publicly available on the State Board of Education's website. Finally, for any meeting in which the State Board of Education accepts public comment, the bill stipulates that members of the public will be able to provide comments by means of remote communication. | In Committee |
| S654 | Clarifies court's discretion in imposing monetary conditions of bail; establishes rebuttable presumption that person charged with violent crime be detained prior to trial. | This bill clarifies the court's discretion in imposing monetary conditions of bail and establishes a rebuttable presumption that persons charged with certain violent crimes be detained prior to trial.Monetary Conditions of Bail The bill provides that, notwithstanding any provision of law, court rule, or directive to the contrary, when a prosecutor does not seek pretrial detention for a defendant pursuant to N.J.S.A.2A:162-19, the court may impose any combination of monetary bail and non-monetary conditions which would reasonably assure the defendant's appearance in court when required, protect the safety of any other person or the community, or prevent the person from obstructing or attempting to obstruct the criminal justice process. The bill also provides that the defendant or prosecutor shall have the right to request that a monetary condition of bail be set and shall receive the court's due consideration of such request.Pretrial Detention Under current law, upon motion by the prosecutor the court may order a defendant detained before trial under certain circumstances. In addition, if the court finds probable cause that the defendant committed murder or committed any crime for which the defendant would be subject to life imprisonment, there is a rebuttable presumption that the defendant be detained pending trial. This bill provides that the rebuttable presumption of pretrial detention would also apply to a defendant charged with any crime of the first or second degree enumerated under subsection d. of N.J.S.A.2C:43-7.2. These crimes include murder; aggravated manslaughter or manslaughter; vehicular homicide; aggravated assault; disarming a law enforcement officer; kidnapping; aggravated sexual assault; certain sexual assaults; robbery; carjacking; aggravated arson; burglary; extortion; booby traps in CDS manufacturing or distribution facilities; strict liability for drug induced deaths; terrorism; producing or possessing chemical weapons, biological agents or nuclear or radiological devices; racketeering, when it is a crime of the first degree; firearms trafficking; and causing or permitting a child to engage in a prohibited sexual act, knowing that the act may be reproduced or reconstructed or be part of an exhibition or performance. | In Committee |
| SCR37 | Commemorates 127th anniversary of Jewish War Veterans of United States of America. | Commemorates 127th anniversary of Jewish War Veterans of United States of America. | In Committee |
| S650 | Requires mandatory minimum term of imprisonment for leaving scene of accident resulting in serious bodily injury. | This bill requires the court to impose a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment for the crime of knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident resulting in serious bodily injury. The minimum term of imprisonment for this third degree crime would be fixed at three years, during which the defendant would not be eligible for parole. | In Committee |
| S671 | Requires students to complete free application for federal student aid as part of high school graduation requirements or request an exemption. | This bill requires that local graduation requirements adopted by boards of education will include a requirement that students complete and submit the free application for federal student aid, generally referred to as the FAFSA, beginning with the grade eleven class of the first full school year following the date of enactment of the bill. Students will be exempted from the requirement if a parent or guardian, or the student if the student is at least 18 years of age, signs and submits a form requesting the exemption. The bill also requires that the Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Executive Director of the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, publish a list of resources for school districts, parents and students, including instructions on how to complete and submit the FAFSA. | In Committee |
| S702 | Adopts Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact. | This bill would adopt the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact in New Jersey, which is an interstate compact that will authorize dentists and dental hygienists licensed in a compact state to practice in any other compact state without being individually licensed in that other state. Licensees in a compact state seeking to practice dentistry or dental hygiene in another compact state will be required to apply for a compact privilege to practice in the other state, including paying any applicable fees. States participating in the compact are required to meet certain requirements related to the licensure of dentists and dental hygienists, require criminal background checks of licensees and applicants for licensure, and participate in a data system that is used to track adverse actions taken against licensees in states participating in the compact. An adverse action against a licensee in a compact state will suspend the licensee's authorization to practice in all other compact states. Licensees are subject to the practice laws and jurisdiction of the state in which the licensee is practicing. The compact will be overseen by a commission comprising one commissioner appointed from each member state. An executive board made up of the chair, vice chair, secretary, and treasurer of the commission, as well as up to three additional commissioners, will be charged with the day-to-day administration of the compact. The bill sets forth specific requirements concerning the operations and authorities of the commission and the executive board, as well as procedures for enforcing compliance with the compact. The compact takes effect when it is adopted in at least seven states. As of May 2023, Iowa and Washington have enacted legislation adopting the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact. | In Committee |
| S686 | Prohibits common interest communities from penalizing members who place unit into living, revocable trust fund or classifying placement as title transfer. | This bill would provide that the placement of the unit, or in the case of a cooperative, shares or proprietary lease, and assets, of an association member of a homeowners' association, condominium association, cooperative, or other planned real estate development (association), into a living, revocable trust fund would not constitute a title transfer for the associations' purposes. Under current State law, the governing documents of some associations could enable the association to derive a financial benefit when an association member sells or transfers a unit, assets, or shares or proprietary lease, including placing their unit into a living, revocable trust. This bill would protect association members and senior citizens living in an association by prohibiting the association from charging any fees due on transfer of ownership by placing the property in a living, revocable trust fund. The bill would permit an association to charge a fee that is reasonably related to the costs incurred by the association in connection with a transfer of ownership. | In Committee |
| S1350 | Repeals $100,000 cap on sales and use tax exemption for certain capital improvements made by businesses participating in Urban Enterprise Zone program. | This bill retroactively repeals the $100,000 cap on the sales tax exemption for retail sales of materials, supplies, and services for the exclusive use of erecting structures or buildings on, or improving, altering or repairing the real property of a qualified business, or a contractor hired by the qualified business to make such improvements, alterations, or repairs. This sales tax exemption is currently available to qualified businesses participating in the State Urban Enterprise Zone program. The sales tax exemption was enacted in August of 2021 with a cap of $100,000, and applies to sales and uses on or after January 1, 2022. This bill keeps the exemption in place but eliminates the cap retroactively to January 1, 2022. | In Committee |
| S687 | Designates portion of State Highway Route 71 as "John Tarantino Highway." | This bill designates a portion of State Highway Route 71 in the Borough of Spring Lake Heights as the "John Tarantino Highway" to honor patriotism of World War II veteran Angelo John Tarantino. The Legislature honors Mr. Tarantino for his service to the people of the United States and the State of New Jersey both during World War II and in the years after. Consistent with Department of Transportation policy and other road designations, the bill provides that State or other public funds are not to be used for producing, purchasing, or erecting signs bearing the designation for the "John Tarantino Highway." The Commissioner of Transportation is authorized to receive financial assistance from private sources for the costs associated with producing, purchasing, erecting, and maintaining signs bearing the designation. | Dead |
| S382 | "Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act"; bans abortion 20 weeks or more after fertilization. | This bill, designated as the "Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act," provides that an abortion is not to be performed or attempted if the probable post-fertilization age of the unborn child is 20 weeks or greater, with certain exceptions noted below. It is to be unlawful for a person to perform an abortion or attempt to do so, unless the person is a physician who has first made a determination of the probable post-fertilization age of the unborn child or has reasonably relied upon this determination made by another physician. In making the determination, a physician is to make inquiries of the pregnant woman and perform any medical examinations or tests necessary to accurately determine post-fertilization age. The bill provides an exception to the above provisions if: (1) the abortion is necessary to save the life of a pregnant women whose life is endangered by a physical disorder, illness, or injury, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by, or arising from, the pregnancy itself; (2) the pregnancy is the result of rape, if reported to a law enforcement agency prior to the abortion; or (3) the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest against a minor, if reported to a law enforcement agency or to the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP) in the Department of Children and Families prior to the abortion. In terminating or attempting to terminate a pregnancy under these circumstances, the physician may do so only in a manner which, in reasonable medical judgment, provides the best opportunity for the unborn child to survive, unless the termination of the pregnancy in that manner would pose a greater risk of death of the pregnant woman or substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function. The bill also: outlines the procedures that a physician who performs or attempts an abortion must follow, consistent with the federal "Born Alive Infant Protection Act", if an exception provided in the bill exists and the pain-capable unborn child survives the abortion or attempted abortion; outlines the documentation from a law enforcement agency, Department of Defense victim assistance personnel, or DCCP, that a physician is required to file proving a pregnant woman or minor seeking an abortion has been raped or is a victim of incest; requires the woman seeking the abortion, the physician performing or attempting to perform the abortion, and a witness to sign an informed consent authorization form; and requires any physician who performs or attempts an abortion pursuant to the bill to annually submit a summary of all such abortions to the National Center for Health Statistics as provided by the conditions outlined in the bill. A person who performs or attempts to perform an abortion in violation of the bill's requirements is to be guilty of a crime of the third degree (punishable by three to five years imprisonment or a fine of up to $15,000, or both); however, a woman upon whom an abortion is to be performed is to be immune from civil or criminal liability. A woman or the parent of a minor upon whom an abortion is performed in violation of the provisions of the the bill may, in a civil action against any person who committed the violation, obtain appropriate relief the conditions delineated in the bill. The bill, which is modeled on H.R.36 of the 114th Congress, is intended to address the concern that an unborn child is capable of experiencing pain by 20 weeks after fertilization, if not earlier. Surgeons in the field of maternal and fetal medicine have found it necessary to sedate an unborn child to prevent the unborn child from engaging in vigorous movement in reaction to invasive surgery. It is the purpose of this Legislature to assert a compelling governmental interest in protecting the lives of unborn children from the stage at which substantial medical evidence indicates they are capable of feeling pain. | In Committee |
| S683 | Requires court to impose monetary bail for carjacking; requires juvenile alleged to have committed carjacking be tried as adult. | This bill would enact several provisions concerning the crime of carjacking. The bill would require the court to set monetary bail for a person charged with carjacking. Bail would be in an amount at least equal to the value of the motor vehicle involved in the alleged crime. The bill also requires that if a person is charged with both carjacking and eluding a law enforcement officer, the court would be required to set bail in an amount at least equal to twice the value of the motor vehicle involved in the alleged crimes. Finally, the bill requires that in a case where there is probable cause that a juvenile committed a delinquent act which if committed by an adult would constitute carjacking, and the juvenile is at least 15 years old, on motion of the prosecutor the court would waive jurisdiction by the Family Part to an appropriate court for adult criminal proceedings. | In Committee |
| S694 | Establishes one-year pilot program for certain persons with disabilities; appropriates up to $85,000. | This bill establishes a one-year pilot program for certain persons with disabilities in the Department of Human Services. Under the bill, the purpose of the pilot program is to: (1) create a vocational program for individuals with disabilities; (2) provide individuals with disabilities opportunities to learn recreational, social, and vocational skills; (3) provide individuals with disabilities the ability to engage in recreational, social, and vocational activities in order to develop relationships within the community; and (4) provide individuals with disabilities the opportunity to explore their interests and build confidence in their abilities. The bill provides that the pilot program is to: (1) select one or more direct support professionals, as this term is defined in the bill, who possess training tailored to the specific needs of program participants, to assist these individuals with social, vocational, and recreational activities and skills; (2) select at least three individuals who meet certain qualification criteria to participate in the program; (3) provide program participants a minimum of six hours of weekly recreational, social, and vocational development activities as provided for in the bill; (4) collect data on a regular basis regarding the development of the program participants; and (5) provide quarterly progress reports, as well as a final, year-end report to participants' parents or guardians, as appropriate. Under the bill, no later than three months following the completion of the pilot program, the Commissioner of Human Services is to prepare and submit a report to the Governor and Legislature containing information necessary to assess the success and budgetary needs of the pilot program. Any information included in the report concerning program participants will be de-identified. In order to effectuate the purposes of the pilot program, the bill appropriates up to, but not more than, $85,000, to be determined by the Commissioner of Human Services and subject to the approval of the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting in the Department of the Treasury. | In Committee |
| SJR26 | Designates July 9 of each year as "Creatine Day" in New Jersey. | This resolution designates July 9 of each year as "Creatine Day" in New Jersey. Creatine is one of the most popular and fastest-growing sports nutrition supplements. Creatine is a combination of three amino acids: glycine, arginine, and methionine. A naturally occurring compound, creatine is produced by the body and is also found in high-protein foods such as beef and fish. A broad body of clinical research has shown that creatine can enhance muscle growth, sports performance, strength, training, post-exercise recovery, and injury prevention and rehabilitation. A typical healthy diet consists of roughly one to two grams of naturally occurring creatine per day. This amount of creatine would saturate between 60 percent to 80 percent of the body's muscles. The use of a creatine supplement can help the body achieve an additional 20 percent to 40 percent of muscle saturation to allow for optimal athletic performance. While creatine is primarily known to benefit strength and muscle health, additional research has shown that creatine may have benefits beyond the gym, such as healthy aging, combatting muscle loss in older individuals, supporting brain function and memory, aiding glucose metabolism, and providing for a healthy blood sugar balance. In recognition of the many proven benefits of creatine with regard to aging, health, strength, and athletic performance, it is altogether fitting and proper to designate July 9 of each year as "Creatine Day" in this State. | In Committee |
| S658 | Requires State Health Benefits Commission advertise and annually review NJWELL program. | The State of New Jersey cares about employee wellness because an employee's health and wellbeing impact morale, safety, productivity, absenteeism, recruitment, and retention, as well as health care costs. Wellness programs use health risk appraisals, biometric screenings, email notifications, text messages, Internet sites, educational lunches, special speakers, and many other forms of communication to create wellness awareness. The NJWELL wellness program rewards actively employed members of the State Health Benefits Program and their covered spouses for completing an online health assessment, a biometric health screening, and other wellness activities. The program promotes and provides the skills that public employees need to have healthy behaviors. To encourage the participation, the NJWELL program should be more widely advertised to reach all public employees, and streamlined so that it is more user-friendly. A well-advertised and easy to use website will encourage more people to take advantage of the program, and to participate on an annual basis. In addition, this bill requires the State Health Benefits Commission to conduct an annual review of the NJWELL program. The report of the annual review, at a minimum, will include the number of persons utilizing the program, ease of use and access to the website, and ease of reporting completion of the program's required tasks. The report will be submitted to the Governor and the Legislature. | In Committee |
| S678 | Establishes "New Jersey No Patient Left Alone Act"; requires certain facilities to establish policies guaranteeing visitation rights for facility residents. | This bill establishes the "New Jersey No Patient Left Alone Act." The bill provides that, within 30 days of the bill's effective date, each facility is to establish visitation policies and procedures, as a condition of licensure. Under the bill, "facility" means a community residence for the developmentally disabled, hospice, long-term care facility, or veterans' home, as each of those terms are defined in the bill. The policies and procedures are to: (1) establish infection control and education policies for facility visitors, including screening, personal protective equipment, and other infection control protocols for facility visitors; (2) establish rules for the length of visits and the number of visitors, which rules are to meet or exceed the visitation standards established in the bill; (3) designate a person to ensure that staff adheres to the policies and procedures; (4) not be more stringent than the policies and procedures that apply to facility staff; (5) forbid staff from asking visitors to disclose vaccination status or requiring visitors to submit proof of any vaccination or immunization; and (6) allow consensual physical contact between visitors and residents, clients, or patients. Under the bill, a facility resident, client, or patient is to be permitted to receive visitors who are domestic partners, essential caregivers, family members, friends, guardians, persons licensed to provide financial, legal, or tax services, or religious or spiritual advisors. A facility resident, client, or patient is to be permitted in-person visitation for at least two hours on a daily basis. In addition, a resident, client, or patient of a health care facility licensed by the Department of Health, who is terminally ill or otherwise near death, is to be permitted to receive visitors who are domestic partners, essential caregivers, family members, friends, guardians, persons licensed to provide financial, legal, or tax services, or religious or spiritual advisors. The resident, client, or patient is to be permitted unlimited in-person visitation on a daily basis. The provisions outlined in this paragraph are to apply irrespective of any declared public health emergency or state of emergency, law, rule, regulation, or order to the contrary. A facility may require a visitor to agree in writing to the facility's policies and procedures as a condition of visitation. A facility may suspend the in-person visitation privileges of a visitor if the visitor violates the facility's policies and procedures. Within 24 hours of establishing the policies and procedures, a facility is to make the policies and procedures easily accessible on the homepage of the facility's Internet website. The Departments of Health and Human Services are to dedicate a stand-alone page on the Internet website of each department that explains the visitation requirements provided for in this bill. Finally, the bill amends N.J.S.A.26:2H-12.22, which pertains to the visitation of a domestic partner who is a patient in a health care facility licensed pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.), to ensure that the provisions of this statute do not affect the provisions of this bill. | In Committee |
| S697 | Allows production of certain religious wine and sale on premises of religious institutions. | This bill establishes a limited religious wine license that would allow the license holder to manufacture up to 5,000 gallons of wine that has been certified or represented to be kosher, Kosher for Passover, or as having been prepared or sanctioned as sacramental wine under the requirements of a religious institution. Under the bill, the holder of the license would be entitled to sell and distribute the wine on the premises of religious institutions for consumption off the institution's premises. The fee for this license would be $250. | In Committee |
| S2011 | Increases amount annually credited to Shore Protection Fund to $50 million. | This bill increases from $25 million to $50 million the amount that is annually credited to the Shore Protection Fund from the collection of realty transfer fees. The realty transfer fee is imposed on the recording of deeds transferring real property and is calculated on the basis of the amount paid in the deed. The basic rate is $1.75 for each $500 of consideration, of which $0.50 is retained by the county and $1.25 is the State share. Currently, the first $25 million of the State share collected annually is credited to the Shore Protection Fund. | In Committee |
| S665 | Concerns professional licensing and application fees for spouse or dependent of active duty member of United States Armed Forces. | This bill provides that no professional or occupational board shall charge a license application fee to an applicant who is the spouse or dependent of an active-duty service member. The bill also removes the provision requiring the payment of a fee for the issuance of a temporary courtesy license. In addition, the bill provides that a professional or occupational licensing board shall include on any application for professional or occupational licensure a box for the applicant to indicate the applicant's status as the spouse or dependent of an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces. | In Committee |
| S2162 | Authorizes certain large food waste generators to send food waste to sanitary landfill facilities for purpose of generating Class I renewable energy. | This bill would authorize certain large food waste generators to send their food waste to sanitary landfill facilities for the purpose of generating Class I renewable energy. Under current law, beginning in October 2021, large food waste generators were required to source separate their food waste and send the food waste to an authorized food waste recycling facility, with certain exceptions. This bill provides that a large food waste generator is deemed to be in compliance with the provisions of P.L.2020, c.24 if, as of the effective date of that law, April 14, 2020, the large food waste generator sent its food waste for final disposal to a sanitary landfill facility that collects and delivers landfill gas to a gas-to-energy facility as fuel for the generation of Class I renewable energy. The exemption would apply only so long as the large food waste generator continues to dispose of its food waste in this manner. Under section 3 of P.L.1999, c.23 (C.48:3-51), "Class I renewable energy" is defined to include electric energy produced from methane gas from landfills. | In Committee |
| SJR25 | Establishes temporary Commission on Opioid Antidote Administration and Aftercare to study and report on procedures concerning administration of opioid antidotes to hospital patients. | This joint resolution would establish a Commission on Opioid Antidote Administration and Aftercare. The commission would be required to: (1) study and evaluate the various procedures that are used by hospitals in this and other states when a patient is released from hospital-based care following the administration of naloxone or another opioid antidote to the patient; and (2) determine and recommend appropriate procedures and protocols to be uniformly applied by hospitals in the State upon the release of a patient under such circumstances. The resolution would require, to the maximum extent practicable, that the recommended procedures and protocols promote the health, and facilitate the recovery, of the patients involved. The commission would consist of 15 members, including the Commissioner of Human Services; the Commissioner of Health; the Director of the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services in the Department of Human Services; the Director of the Division of Children's System of Care in the Department of Children and Families; the Superintendent of State Police; the President of the New Jersey Hospital Association; the President of the New Jersey Chapter of the American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM); and the President of the Health Care Association of New Jersey, or the designees of these persons; and seven public members, with two each appointed by the Senate President and the Speaker of the General Assembly, and one each appointed by the Governor, the Senate Minority Leader, and the Assembly Minority Leader. The resolution would require the commission's public members to include persons who have expertise or extensive experience in hospital-based care, emergency medical services, or treatment for substance use disorders, or persons who have successfully completed a substance use disorder treatment program, or who are the parents of persons who have a substance use disorder. The commission members would be appointed within 60 days after the enactment of the resolution, and the commission would be required to issue a report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within one year after the commission's organization. The resolution and the commission would expire on the 31st day following the submission of the commission's report. | In Committee |
| S1491 | Reinstates automatic COLA for retirement benefits of members of the State-administered retirement systems. | This bill reinstates automatic cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits under the "Pension Adjustment Act," P.L.1958, c.143 (C.43:3B-1 et seq.), for members of the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund, the Judicial Retirement System, the Public Employees' Retirement System, the Police and Firemen's Retirement System, and the State Police Retirement System. Provisions contained in P.L.2011, c.78 (C.43:3C-16 et al), signed into law on June 28, 2011, cancelled the automatic, annual adjustment for current and future retirees and beneficiaries of these State-administered retirement systems. COLAs protect retirement benefits against erosion by inflation, the ills of which were addressed by the Legislature, both for the individual and the State, with the enactment of the "Pension Adjustment Act" in 1958. Without the annual adjustment, retirees and beneficiaries will gradually see significant reductions in their purchasing power. The loss of COLAs will impact their everyday lives, and, over time, make it harder to afford more necessary elements of living, such as out-of-pocket medical costs, groceries, and utility bills. Retirees and beneficiaries will find it more prudent, or perhaps necessary, to leave this State for other states with a comparably lower cost of living. For the State, such outbound migration will result in the loss of the economic activity of those retirees and beneficiaries, and any tax revenues concomitant with such activity. In addition, New Jersey's fiscal outlook may be further strained by the retirees and beneficiaries who remain. These persons will continue to slip further downward on the socioeconomic scale. In some cases, they will require, or at the least become eligible and utilize, greater levels of public assistance under the many taxpayer funded social programs administered by the State, counties, and municipalities, requiring more revenues to meet this increased demand. In the interests of the retirees and beneficiaries of the State-administered retirement systems, and the State, this bill reinstates the automatic COLAs for retirement benefits under the "Pension Adjustment Act." | In Committee |
| S2144 | Eliminates immunity for State, county, and municipal prosecutors who fail to disclose exculpatory evidence in criminal cases. | This bill eliminates qualified immunity for State, county, and municipal prosecutors who fail to disclose exculpatory evidence in criminal cases. Under current law, as articulated in the United States Supreme Court's holdings in Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963) and Giglio v. United States, 405 U.S. 150 (1972), prosecutors are required to disclose exculpatory and impeachment evidence to defense counsel in criminal matters. In order to ensure uniformity in compliance with these requirements, the Attorney General has issued guidelines and directives outlining the responsibilities of prosecutors in this State to disclose exculpatory and impeachment evidence. The bill defines these guidelines and directives, and any successor guidelines and directives promulgated by the Attorney General related to the disclosure of exculpatory and impeachment evidence in criminal cases, as "Brady-Giglio guidelines." Prosecutors are granted qualified immunity under the State's Tort Claims Act (TCA) and absolute immunity under the State's Civil Rights Act (CRA). Under the TCA, public employees, including prosecutors, are granted immunity unless the employee's conduct is outside the scope of employment or constituted a crime, actual fraud or malice, or willful misconduct. Under the CRA, prosecutors are entitled to absolute immunity if the prosecutor failed to disclose this evidence while functioning in the prosecutor's official capacity. This bill amends current law to eliminate prosecutorial immunity under both the CRA and TCA if the prosecutor fails to disclose exculpatory or impeachment evidence to a defendant or defendant's counsel in violation of Brady-Giglio guidelines promulgated by the Attorney General. The Office of Attorney Ethics (OAE) acts as the investigative and prosecutorial arm of the New Jersey Supreme Court in discharging the court's constitutional responsibility to supervise and discipline attorneys in this State. The provisions of the bill require a court to notify the OAE upon a finding, by a preponderance of the evidence, that a State, county, or municipal prosecutor has failed to provide exculpatory or impeachment evidence to a defendant or defendant's counsel in violation of Brady-Giglio guidelines. The court is required to provide this notice to the OAE and to defendant or defendant's counsel within 24 hours of its finding that a violation has occurred. | In Committee |
| S580 | Appropriates $5 million to Cranford Township for flood control projects. | This bill makes a supplemental appropriation to the Department of Environmental Protection to provide Cranford Township in Union County with a grant of $5,000,000 to finance the Cranford Northeast Quadrant Flood Control Project, which includes the following projects: 1) construction of a pumping station to convey storm water into the main channel of the Rahway river; 2) improvements to express and local storm sewers; 3) development of wetland delineation data; and 4) elevation of existing earthen dikes along the Rahway river. While similar legislation appropriating $3,250,000 was enacted in December, 2000 (P.L.2000, c.170), these funds were never utilized, having been subsequently lapsed to the General Fund to help alleviate a State Budget deficit. | In Committee |
| S2085 | Authorizes municipal challenge to non-redevelopment housing projects ordered by COAH unless order is based on exclusionary zoning; excludes flood-prone land from affordable housing vacant land analysis; provides housing obligation cap. | This bill allows a municipality to challenge an order by the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) to construct, or allow to be constructed, a non-redevelopment housing project on undeveloped land. The municipal challenge would be successful, unless the order by COAH is based on exclusionary zoning practices occurring in the municipality at the time the order is made. Additionally, this bill caps the number of units a municipality may have allocated as its fair share affordable housing obligation with regard to the size of the municipal population. Current law provides that no municipality shall be required to address a fair share of affordable housing units beyond 1,000 low and moderate income units within 10 years from the grant of substantive certification; except that a municipality may be allocated more than 1,000 units if, based upon an evidentiary hearing, it is found likely that the municipality, through its zoning powers, could create a realistic opportunity for more than 1,000 low and moderate income units within that 10-year period. For some municipalities in the State, this many additional units may increase the overall municipal population dramatically. In order to prevent the disparate impact this can create for municipalities with small populations, this bill provides that an allocation of units to a municipality as its fair share shall not exceed an amount that would result in an increase of the municipal population by more than five percent. Finally, this bill requires the exclusion of flood-prone land when computing a municipal adjustment of available land resources as part of the determination of a municipality's fair share affordable housing obligation. Currently, land may not be considered in determining a municipality's available land resources for affordable housing purposes if it contains any one of various special features, consisting of: (a) land owned by a government entity, and intended for a public purpose, (b) certain park land, open space and other land dedicated for conservation, (c) certain very small land parcels held in private ownership, (d) historic and architecturally important sites, (e) agricultural land with restricted development rights, (f) sites designated for active recreation, and (g) environmentally sensitive land where development is prohibited by law. This bill would also exclude from determinations of available land resources for affordable housing purposes any land that is (1) lower than the most recent "flood elevation determination," measured under federal standards, (2) lower than the applicable flood elevation standard required under regulations adopted pursuant to the "Flood Hazard Area Control Act," P.L.1962, c.19 (C.58:16A-50 et seq.), or (3) within 100 feet of category one waters, as designated by the Department of Environmental Protection. As defined under 44 C.F.R.59.1, a "flood elevation determination" refers to a determination by the Federal Insurance Administrator of the water surface elevations of a "base flood," also understood as a flood level that has a one percent or greater chance of occurrence in any given year. This bill directs the Department of Environmental Protection to adopt rules and regulations to guide determinations of flood-prone lands by the first day of the seventh month next following enactment. This bill remains inoperative until the first day of the seventh month next following enactment. | In Committee |
| S2086 | Establishes additional factors for municipal adjustment used in calculating fair share affordable housing obligations; provides population-based cap for these obligations. | This bill would establish additional specific factors to be used in calculating the municipal adjustment for a municipality's fair share affordable housing obligation. The bill also caps the number of units a municipality may have allocated as its affordable housing obligation with regard to the size of the municipal population. The additional factors to be used in calculating the municipal adjustment are as follows: (a) population of the municipality; (b) water supply and sewerage capacity in the municipality; (c) school class sizes and school services in the municipality; (d) public safety services in the municipality; and (e) public transportation and traffic in the municipality. The bill requires a municipal adjustment if maintaining approximately the same school class sizes would be a significant cost or if adequate school, public safety, and public transportation resources are not available or would be a significant cost to provide. A municipal adjustment would also have to be made if present traffic conditions would be substantially disrupted. The additional municipal adjustment factors required by the bill would require a more holistic examination of the actual state of affairs in a municipality, as well as of the potential impacts of additional development, in calculating its fair share affordable housing obligation. This will help ensure that reasonable numbers are arrived at that will not be disruptive to the quality of life and provision of local government services in a municipality. The bill's population cap would protect those municipalities that may face dramatic municipal population increases if mandated to add a large amount of additional affordable housing. Current law provides that no municipality shall be required to address a fair share of affordable housing units beyond 1,000 low and moderate income units within 10 years from the grant of substantive certification; except that a municipality may be allocated more than 1,000 units, if based upon an evidentiary hearing, it is found likely that the municipality through its zoning powers could create a realistic opportunity for more than 1,000 low and moderate income units within that 10-year period. In order to prevent the disparate impact such a potentially large affordable housing mandate can create for municipalities with small populations, this bill provides that an allocation of units to a municipality as its fair share shall not exceed an amount that would result in an increase of the municipal population by more than five percent. | In Committee |
| S672 | Establishes State definition of anti-Semitism. | This bill establishes a State definition of anti-Semitism. Under the bill, the term "definition of anti-Semitism" refers to the definition adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance on May 26, 2016, including the "contemporary examples of antisemitism," while noting that criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country is not antisemitic. The bill provides that in reviewing, investigating, or deciding whether there has been a violation of any policy, law, or regulation prohibiting discriminatory acts, the State must take into consideration this definition of anti-Semitism for purposes of determining whether the alleged act was motivated by anti-Semitic intent. Under the bill, nothing contained in the bill would be construed to diminish or infringe upon any right protected under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, or paragraph 6 of Article I of the New Jersey State Constitution. The bill also provides that nothing in the bill would be construed to conflict with local, State, or federal anti-discrimination laws or regulations. | In Committee |
| S695 | Permits eligible high school students to take certain courses at county college. | This bill permits eligible high school students to take certain courses at a county college. Under the bill, a county college is required to permit a high school student to enroll in courses through a career certificate program if there is available space and the student is 16 years of age or older and enrolled in grade 12, maintains good academic standing, and obtains written permission from the principal of the student's high school. Additionally, the bill specifies that a high school student enrolling in credit courses towards a career certification or license is not required to have a State-endorsed diploma or have completed the General Educational Development Test prior to enrolling in the courses. Finally, the bill stipulates that the provisions of the bill do not require a county college to waive its prerequisite course requirements or application procedures. | In Committee |
| S764 | Updates regulation home improvement and home elevation contractors and contractors' businesses. | This bill establishes a board to govern licensed contractors in the home improvement and home elevation industries. The bill also updates current law to oversee the registration of home improvement and home elevation contractors' businesses. Additionally, under the bill, a new level of licensure is created to allow an individual to provide services in a limited specialty of home improvement. The board is to establish specific requirements, which may include passage of an exam, for the specialty services licensees. Moreover, with board membership, the Governor has until the first day of the sixth month after enactment of the bill to appoint members. The board is to meet within 60 days after the appointment of the members. Rules and regulations are to be promulgated for specific provisions of the substitute prior to it being fully operative but a set time in which to promulgate the rules and regulations is updated to align with the effective date of the substitute, which is to be fully operative on the first day of the twenty-fifth month after the date of enactment. Added as part of the board's responsibilities is the requirement that if a license of a contractor at any level - principal, limited, or regular home improvement or home elevation - is not renewed or is suspended or revoked, the board is to notify the Division of Consumer Affairs so that the division is aware and ensures that the individual with the encumbered license does not impact the registration of the business that employs the individual. Moreover, the board is to establish standards for the scopes of practice for each type of licensee it oversees and for the supervision of licensees, except for those at the principal level. Additionally, the board is to develop curriculum for or to identify courses in which an applicant can enroll to prepare for examinations. Under the bill, licensure as either a home improvement or home elevation contractor can be achieved through completion of an apprenticeship or through experience. If applying through the experience option, an individual is to perform services subject to the direct oversight of a contractor, include the name of the home improvement or home elevations business for whom the individual worked on the application, and is to attest, as part of the application, that, when performing contracting services, industry best practices where adhered to and standard procedures were followed in a safe and healthy manner. This bill stipulates that individuals, including limited specialty services licensees, are subject to fines if it is determined that an individual made false statements in connection with the process to obtain licensure. It is also prohibited in the bill to falsely advertise, including through electronic media, regarding qualifications of an individual to provide contracting services. Additionally, the bill specifies individuals exempt from licensure. The exemption includes individuals who provide home improvement services but earn a maximum of $1,500 per contract and $25,000 annually. An individual exempted under these maximum amounts is to still subject to the requirement to maintain annual registration, to be handled by the Division of Consumer Affairs rather than the board. However, a party exempted pursuant to these maximum dollar amounts will be required to obtain licensure by the board if, at the time of annual registration renewal, the earnings of the individual demonstrate that the dollar amounts increased in the previous calendar year. The bill also requires the board to establish the process by which a limited specialty services licensee can obtain full licensure as a home improvement or home elevation contractor. This bill preserves and updates most provisions in current law that govern the registration requirements and process for contractors' businesses. It also stipulates that a contractor business is to employ at least one licensed contractor. This bill updates language on the oversight of home improvement and home elevation businesses by the Division of Consumer Affairs. Language is added throughout the current law to ensure that its provisions apply to the contractors' businesses. This includes incorporating the provisions requiring general liability insurance, workers' compensation insurance, and either a bond, letter of credit, or other type of security. Language is also added to require certain contracts for home improvement services to include the name and license number of the contractor providing the services and the registration number of the business for which the contractor provides services. Additionally, the division is to notify the board when a contractor business has its registration suspended, revoked or not renewed. | Dead |
| S1961 | Provides for presumptive eligibility for home and community-based services and services provided through program of all-inclusive care for the elderly under Medicaid. | This bill requires the Department of Human Services (department) to provide for the presumptive eligibility for home and community-based services, nursing home services, and the program of all-inclusive care for the elderly (PACE) under Medicaid for an individual who is: seeking home and community-based services, nursing home care or PACE enrollment; awaiting an eligibility determination for Medicaid and any applicable Medicaid waiver program offering home and community-based services, nursing home services, or services provided through PACE; and likely to be financially and clinically eligible for Medicaid and any applicable Medicaid waiver program offering home and community-based services, nursing home services, or services provided through PACE as determined by the department. The department will provide Medicaid coverage for eligible home and community-based services, nursing home services, services provided through PACE to an individual who is granted presumptive eligibility. Coverage will begin upon the receipt of an individual's request for services and will end if the individual is determined clinically or financially ineligible for home and community-based services, nursing home services, or services provided through PACE under Medicaid during the eligibility determination process. An individual seeking presumptive eligibility for home and community-based services, nursing home services, or services provided through PACE under Medicaid will be required to submit a request to the department in a manner and form as determined by the Commissioner of Human Services (commissioner). An individual granted presumptive eligibility will be required to submit a completed application for Medicaid and any applicable Medicaid waiver program offering home and community-based services, nursing home services, or services provided through PACE no later than the end of the month following the month in which presumptive eligibility is granted. The department will provide each individual granted presumptive eligibility pursuant to this bill a written notice explaining the terms and conditions of presumptive eligibility and the home and community-based services, nursing home services, or services provided through PACE that the individual will be eligible to receive. A home and community-based services provider, nursing home facility, or PACE center is to be reimbursed for all Medicaid-eligible services rendered to an individual who has been granted presumptive eligibility, regardless of whether the individual granted presumptive eligibility is determined clinically or financially ineligible for home and community-based services, nursing home services, or services provided through PACE under Medicaid during the eligibility determination process. The commissioner will apply for such State plan amendments or waivers as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill and to secure federal financial participation for State Medicaid expenditures under the federal Medicaid program. | Dead |
| S655 | Prohibits certain third-party property tax appeals. | This bill would prohibit property taxpayers from filing property tax appeals with respect to the property of others. Under current law, property taxpayers may challenge the assessment or exempt status of their own property as well as that of any other property in their county. Property tax appeals, however, can be costly and create uncertainty in local government finances. This bill would reduce property tax appeals by limiting property taxpayers to filing property tax appeals concerning their own property. The bill would not disturb the ability of local governments to appeal the assessment or exempt status of any property in the county. The bill also prohibits a taxpayer or taxing district from appealing an assessment or exemption granted to another taxpayer arising from a financial agreement between the taxpayer and the taxing district in which the taxpayer's property is located. Consistent with judicial precedent, this bill would also clarify that the process for challenging the exempt status of property is the same process for challenging the assessed valuation of property. | In Committee |
| S677 | Permits employers to prohibit use of cannabis by certain employees. | This bill amends the Cannabis Regulatory Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act, P.L.2021, c.16 (C.24:6I-31 et seq.) to prohibit certain categories of employees from the personal use of recreational cannabis. Specifically, this bill permits an employer to prohibit any use of cannabis if the person operates heavy machinery or weapons, or whose use of cannabis would put the public at risk. Further, this bill permits employers of law enforcement officers to prohibit use of cannabis. This bill defines "heavy machinery" as heavy-duty vehicles, designed for executing construction, industrial, or forestry tasks. "Heavy machinery" may include backhoes, tractors, dump trucks, front-end loaders, excavators, cranes, and bulldozes. This bill also defines "weapons" as anything readily capable of lethal use or of inflicting serious bodily injury and includes, but is not limited to, firearms, tasers, and knives. Finally, the bill defines a "law enforcement officer" as a person whose public duties include the power to act as an officer for the detention, arrest, and conviction of offenders against the laws of this State All employees prohibited from recreational cannabis use pursuant to the bill's provisions are subject to employer policies as it relates to employee drug testing. | In Committee |
| SR30 | Recognizes strong relationship between New Jersey and Israel; recognizes contributions of Israeli-American Community. | The State of Israel is a sovereign country and Israeli-Americans have enriched the quality of life of New Jerseyans as well as Americans in general. The special relationship between the United States and Israel is rooted in shared national security interests and shared values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. The strong bond between the State of New Jersey and Israel is represented by cultural, economic, academic, and research and development exchanges that contribute materially to all New Jerseyans. This special bond was recognized in 1989 with the creation of the New Jersey-Israel Commission, whose mission it is to further and foster economic, scientific, educational, and cultural ties with Israel. New Jersey is a leading destination for Israeli companies seeking to establish operations in the United States, leading to local investment in manufacturing facilities that create jobs for New Jerseyans and helping to drive the technological advancement of our State. The United States is a nation of immigrants, and Israeli-Americans contribute invaluable innovations and skills that enhance our quality of life and promote the economic prosperity of our State and country. | In Committee |
| S667 | Requires school districts to provide information on free application for federal student aid to students in grades 11 and 12. | This bill requires each school district to incorporate information in grades 11 and 12 on the free application for federal student aid as part of the district's implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Career Readiness, Life Literacies, and Key Skills, and shall encourage students and their parent or guardian to complete the application. The bill also requires the Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Executive Director of the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, to publish a list of resources for school districts, parents, and students that include instructions on how to complete a free application for federal student aid. | In Committee |
| S656 | Provides for identification and study of infant fatalities and near fatalities resulting from vaccination; requires inclusion of vaccination information in sudden infant death reports; and requires use of federal infant death reporting form. | This bill would provide for the identification and study of infant fatalities and near fatalities resulting from vaccination. It would further require the inclusion of vaccination information in reports of sudden or unexpected infant death. The bill would require the State's Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review Board, in particular, to identify fatalities and near fatalities occurring among infant children, which may have resulted, in whole or in part, from the prior vaccination of the infant. The bill would require the board to ensure that at least one of the local or regional community-based review teams operating under its authority is designated to review the cases of infant fatality and near fatality that are identified by the board pursuant to the bill's provisions. The board would also be required to engage in an ongoing study of the effects of vaccination on infant mortality and near mortality. The purpose of the study would be to identify: instances in which an infant death is determined to have resulted, in whole or in part, from vaccination of the infant; instances in which a near fatal event involving an infant is determined to have resulted, in whole or in part, from vaccination of the infant; instances in which the definitive cause of a death or near fatal event is unclear after investigation, but in which there is reason to believe that vaccination was a contributing factor in the death or near fatal event; the percentage of total infant fatalities and near fatalities occurring in the State that have definitively resulted, in whole or in part, from vaccination, and the percentage of total infant fatalities and near fatalities occurring in the State wherein vaccination is a suspected, but not a proven, factor contributing to the death or near fatal event; patterns and trends in infant fatalities and near fatalities resulting from vaccination; and ways to reduce or eliminate infant fatalities and near fatalities resulting from vaccination. In conducting the study, the board would be authorized to seek the advice of persons specializing in the fields of neonatal, post neonatal, or pediatric pathology, infant health, immunology, and epidemiology. Within one year after the bill's enactment, the board would be required to submit a report to the Governor and Legislature. The report would include the board's findings on the rate of infant fatalities and near fatalities resulting from vaccination, a description of patterns and trends that are evident from the collected data, and recommendations for legislative or other actions that can be undertaken to reduce or eliminate infant fatalities and near fatalities resulting from vaccination, while continuing to ensure the protection of the public against communicable disease. The board would additionally be required to provide supplemental reports to the Governor and Legislature, at intervals deemed by the board to be appropriate, but not less often than every five years after the first report is submitted. Any supplemental report would include the same information that is to be included in the first report, and would additionally identify: the extent to which any prior recommendations of the board have been successfully implemented in practice; and the apparent impact that those changes have had on vaccination-related infant mortality and near mortality during the reporting period. In order to facilitate the board's work, the bill would provide that, in any case of sudden or unexpected infant death (i.e., in any case where the cause of death of a child under three years of age is not obvious before investigation), the infant's physician of record, in cooperation with the emergency medical responders who responded to the scene of death, the medical examiner who is tasked with performing the autopsy, the medicolegal death investigator who is tasked with investigating the scene of death, and any other appropriate parties, will be required to complete a Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Investigation Reporting Form (SUIDI form), which is made available by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Reproductive Health. In completing the form, the infant's physician of record would be required to attach, as an addendum to the form's Infant Medical History section, a record of all vaccines that have been administered to the infant in the six-month period preceding the infant's death. A completed SUIDI form would need to be submitted, within 10 days after completion, to the Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review Board, which would then use the forms to facilitate its identification and study of vaccination-related infant fatalities and near fatalities, as provided by the bill. The board would also be authorized to use these SUIDI forms for any other purpose that is related to its duties, as deemed by the board to be appropriate. | In Committee |
| S1345 | Creates "New Jersey Anti-Semitism Task Force". | This bill establishes the New Jersey Anti-Semitism Task Force to conduct research, develop recommendations to address the harms caused by anti-Semitism, and annually issue a report to the Governor and Legislature regarding the state of anti-Semitism in New Jersey. The task force will be permanent and consist of 18 persons, at least five of whom will be members of the public. The bill requires the task force to conduct research, develop recommendations to address the harms caused by anti-Semitism, and annually issue a report to the Governor and Legislature regarding the state of anti-Semitism in New Jersey. In performing this duty, the task force will: (1) Identify, compile, and synthesize the relevant corpus of evidentiary documentation relative to the history and current status of anti-Semitism at college campuses and state universities and the world, with a focus on New Jersey-specific information. The task force's documentation and examination will include, but not be limited to, facts related to: (a) The definition and ideology of anti-Semitism; (b) Misconceptions and stereotyping relative to the Jewish people; and (c) Discrimination and systemic failings relative to the fair treatment of the Jewish people; (2) Recommend appropriate ways to educate the New Jersey public of the task force's findings; and (3) Recommend appropriate remedies in consideration of the task force's findings. The task force will hold at least four public meetings each year, with at least one of those meetings being held in-person. The other meetings may be conducted virtually, via videoconferencing. Meetings via conference call will not be permitted. The task force will issue a report each year to the Governor and the Legislature and will provide its first annual report no later than 12 months following its initial meeting. | In Committee |
| S662 | Eliminates requirement to submit sales tax exemption form for textbook purchases. | This bill eliminates the requirement that, for a purchase to be eligible for the sales tax exemption for textbooks, purchasers must provide the seller with a tax exemption form. In addition, the school will no longer need to declare the textbooks required for school, and the school will not need to be a school approved by the Department of Education or Secretary of Higher Education. Currently, sales and rentals of textbooks for use by students are exempt from sales tax. However, the purchaser must provide the seller with a form stating that the purchaser is a student and the particular book is required for school. When purchasing textbooks at a school bookstore, the process is usually streamlined as the bookstore has access to enrollment data and syllabi. In contrast, when purchasing from online sellers the requirement to supply the seller with a form can be particularly onerous. Pursuant to this bill, school textbooks will not need to be accompanied by a form for the purchase to be exempt from sales tax. In addition, the bill clarifies that rentals are included in the exemption, and regardless of what condition or form the book is in, the exemption will apply. | In Committee |
| S2126 | Requires State Board of Education to provide five days' notice of public meeting and permit public comment on agenda items of public meeting. | This bill requires the State Board of Education to provide a minimum of five days' notice of a public meeting of the board. The bill also requires that members of the public be permitted to provide public comment on all agenda items of a public meeting that are not addressed in executive session. Under current law, adequate notice of 48 hours is required before a public meeting of the State Board of Education. This bill extends that required notice to a minimum of five days. | In Committee |
| S1952 | Requires procurement of management support and other services for certain nursing homes. | This bill requires the procurement of management support and other services for certain nursing homes. Under the bill, if the Department of Health identifies a nursing home in substantial violation, or with a pattern and practice of habitual violations, of the standards of health, safety, and resident care established under federal or State law, the department may, with adequate notice and as appropriate, provide or appoint at the expense of the nursing home, or direct the nursing home to employ, contract with, or otherwise provide, a monitor or other vendor for management support services and resources, consultative services, staffing services, or any other support that may be necessary to: (1) remedy the violations or deficient conditions; (2) transition the nursing home to new ownership; (3) facilitate the safe and orderly closure of the nursing home if ordered by the department; or (4) avoid the cessation of operations of the nursing home. A monitor or vendor selected pursuant to the bill's provisions may: (1) attend any meetings of the nursing home's: owners or board, executive committee, finance committee, steering committee, infection control committee, or any other meeting of the nursing home, including meetings held with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services if permitted under federal law; (2) hire consultants; (3) undertake studies of the nursing home; (4) access records of the nursing home in a manner that is consistent with federal and State privacy laws; (5) convene meetings with the owners of a nursing home; and (6) take actions that are necessary and appropriate to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the nursing home. | In Committee |
| S1666 | Removes criminal liability for law enforcement officers who have investigative encounter with underage person for possession of alcohol or cannabis unless civil rights are violated. | This bill provides that a law enforcement officer is not criminally liable for deprivation of civil rights for certain interactions with an underage person who possesses or consumes alcohol, marijuana, or certain cannabis items unless the officer acted with the purpose to intimidate or discriminate against a person or group of persons because of race, color, religion, gender, handicap, sexual orientation or ethnicity. Under current law, a law enforcement officer, when responding to a call for service or upon the initiation of any other law enforcement or investigative encounter related to a violation concerning the unlawful possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages, marijuana, hashish, or any cannabis item by a person under the legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages or cannabis items, may be guilty of a crime of official deprivation of civil rights under certain circumstances. Current law imposes criminal liability regardless of whether the officer's act was done with the purpose to intimidate or discriminate against a person or group of persons because of race, color, religion, gender, handicap, sexual orientation or ethnicity, which motivation is required to be proven for other acts of criminal deprivation of civil rights under section 2 of P.L.2003, c.31 (C.2C:30-6). Under this bill, a law enforcement officer who purposely intimidates or discriminates against an underage person because of the person's race, color, religion, gender, handicap, sexual orientation or ethnicity by engaging in a law enforcement or investigative encounter related to a violation concerning the underage possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages, marijuana, hashish, or any cannabis would be guilty of deprivation of civil rights. | In Committee |
| S2088 | Requires COAH to calculate affordable housing obligations on Statewide basis. | This bill would change the calculation of affordable housing obligations to a Statewide perspective rather than a local level. In addition, under the bill, the Council on Affordable Housing would submit a report every five years on housing affordability. The report would calculate the ratio of the median cost, including property taxes, mortgage rates and payments, insurance, cost of utilities, and other necessary factors in the discretion of the council, to maintain the home to the median income for the State. This report would be used to update the growth-share calculation each time the council issues a report. | In Committee |
| S676 | Provides State recognition of Sandhill Indian Tribe for certain limited purposes. | This bill provides that the State of New Jersey officially recognizes the Sandhill Indian Tribe as an American Indian Tribe for the limited purpose of assisting the tribe in: establishing eligibility for federal education, job training, and housing benefits and federal protection for the sale of artwork; qualifying for public and private grants for which Indian tribes or groups, or members thereof, may be eligible; protecting the ability to engage in traditional religious practices and ceremonies and to preserve and protect burial sites and artifacts; and ensuring that handicrafts made by tribal members may be sold as "Indian made." Under the bill, its provisions would not be construed as conferring recognition for any other purpose or used as evidence that a tribe has a State compact or State approval for the purposes of the federal "Indian Gaming Regulatory Act," or to engage in the sale of motor fuels or tobacco. The limited State recognition accorded to the tribe would not be construed to affect in any way a tribe or group's case for federal recognition, confer the right upon any tribe, group, or individual to conduct gambling of any kind, or constitute an acknowledgement of any claim by any tribe, group, or individual to any ancestral, tribal or other public or private lands. | In Committee |
| S399 | Broadens riot; enhances penalties for certain crimes committed during riot; creates new crimes of mob intimidation and cyber-intimidation by publication; establishes duty in municipality to permit law enforcement to respond appropriately. | This omnibus bill addresses riot and certain violent crime committed during the course of riot. Presently, a person is guilty of riot if he participates with four or more others in a course of disorderly conduct with an unlawful purpose, enumerated in the statute. This bill amends subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:33-1, riot, and expands the categories of riot to include aggravated riot, inciting a riot and aggravated inciting a riot. Under the bill, a person commits riot if the he participates in a violent public disturbance involving an assembly of three or more persons, acting with a common intent to assist each other in violent and disorderly conduct, resulting in (1) Injury to another person; (2) Damage to property; or (3) Imminent danger of injury to another person or damage to property. A person who commits a riot when he or any other participant, known to him, uses or plans to use a firearm or other deadly weapon is guilty of a crime of the third degree. A crime of the third degree is punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. Otherwise riot is a crime of the fourth degree. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. New subsection b. is added to N.J.S.2C:33-1 to provide a person commits aggravated riot if, in the course of committing a riot, he: (1) Participates with 25 or more other persons; (2) Causes serious bodily injury to a person not participating in the riot; (3) Causes property damage in excess of $5,000; (4) Displays, uses, threatens to use, or attempts to use a deadly weapon; or (5) By force, or threat of force, endangers the safe movement of a vehicle traveling on a public street, highway, or road. A person who commits aggravating riot commits a crime of the second degree. A crime of the second degree is punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $150,000, or both. New subsection c. is added to N.J.S.2C:33-1 to provide a person commits inciting a riot if he willfully incites another person to participate in a riot, resulting in a riot or imminent danger of a riot. A person who commits inciting a riot commits a crime of the third degree. New subsection d. is added to N.J.S.2C:33-1 to provide a person commits aggravated inciting a riot if he (1) Incites a riot resulting in serious bodily harm to another person not participating in the riot; (2) Incites a riot resulting in property damage in excess of $5,000; or (3) Supplies a deadly weapon to another person or teaches another person to prepare a deadly weapon with intent that the deadly weapon be used in a riot for an unlawful purpose. A person who commits aggravated inciting a riot commits a crime of the second degree. Under the bill, a person arrested for a violation of N.J.S.2C:33-1 shall be held in custody until brought before the court for a pretrial detention hearing. The bill does not prohibit constitutionally protected activity such as a peaceful protest. The bill amends N.J.S.2C:33-7, obstructing highways or other passages, to provide that it shall be unlawful for a person, having no legal privilege to do so, to purposely or recklessly obstruct any highway or other public passage whether alone or with others. No person shall be deemed in violation of this subsection solely because of a gathering of persons to hear him speak or otherwise communicate, or solely because of being a member of such a gathering. The amendment leaves intact subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:33-7, which concerns refusal to obey a reasonable official request or order to move. The bill amends N.J.S.2C:12-1, Assault. Currently, paragraph (5) of subsection b. enumerates specific circumstances when aggravated assault occurs. This bill adds that a person is guilty of aggravated assault if he attempts to cause or purposely, knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury to another in the course of a riot. Aggravated assault under this circumstance is a crime of the third degree, punishable by up to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. Paragraph (5) of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:12-1 further elevates simple assault to aggravated assault when committed against certain categories of persons, including when committed against a law enforcement officer acting in the performance of the officer's duties while in uniform or exhibiting evidence of authority or because of the officer's status as a law enforcement officer, and is graded as a crime of the third degree. Under the bill, if, in the course of a riot, an object is thrown at certain emergency personnel including law enforcement officers, or if the emergency personnel is struck, whether or not with an object, the presumption of non-imprisonment for a first offense of a crime of the third degree shall not apply, and a mandatory period of six months imprisonment shall apply. The bill amends N.J.S.2C:17-3, criminal mischief, to add an additional category to the offense. Under the new provision, a person is guilty of criminal mischief if he without the consent of the owner thereof, willfully and maliciously defaces, injures, or otherwise damages by any means a memorial or historic property, and the value of the damage to the memorial or historic property is greater than $200. The bill grades this offense as a crime of the third degree where the damage is to a memorial or historic property. The bill provides that "historic property" means any building, structure, site, or object that has been officially designated or approved for inclusion, or which meets the criteria for inclusion, in the New Jersey Register of Historic Places pursuant to P.L.1970, c.268 (C.13:1B-15.128 et seq.) as a historic building, historic structure, historic site, or historic object through a federal, state, or local designation program. "Memorial" means a plaque, statue, marker, flag, banner, cenotaph, religious symbol, painting, seal, tombstone, structure name, or display that is constructed and located with the intent of being permanently displayed or perpetually maintained; is dedicated to a historical person, an entity, an event, or a series of events; and honors or recounts the military service of any past or present United States Armed Forces military personnel, or the past or present public service of a resident of the geographical area comprising the state or the United States. A court shall order any person convicted of violating this provision to pay restitution, which shall include the full cost of repair or replacement of such memorial or historic property. The bill amends N.J.S.A.2C:18-2, burglary, to add an additional circumstance to the grading scheme. Under the bill, burglary is a crime of the second degree if it occurs during a riot or an aggravated riot and the perpetration of the burglary is facilitated by conditions arising from the riot. The section is further amended to provide that "conditions arising from the riot," means civil unrest, power outages, curfews, or a reduction in the presence of or response time for first responders or homeland security personnel. A person arrested for committing a burglary during a riot or aggravated riot may not be released until the person appears before a judge at a pretrial detention hearing. The bill amends N.J.S.A.2C:20-2, theft, to add an additional circumstances to the grading scheme. Under the bill, theft is a crime of the second degree if the property stolen is law enforcement equipment, valued at $300 or more, that is taken from an authorized emergency vehicle, as defined in R.S.39:1-1. "Emergency medical equipment" means mechanical or electronic apparatus used to provide emergency services and care or to treat medical emergencies. "Law enforcement equipment" means any property, device, or apparatus used by any law enforcement officer as defined in section 3 of P.L.1993, c.220, (C.52:17B-161) in the officer's official business. If the property is stolen during a riot or an aggravated riot prohibited under section N.J.S.2C:33-1 and the perpetration of the theft is facilitated by conditions arising from the riot; the theft is committed after the declaration of emergency is made, and the perpetration of the theft is facilitated by conditions arising from the emergency, the theft is a crime of the second degree. Under the bill, the term "conditions arising from the riot" means civil unrest, power outages, curfews, or a reduction in the presence of or response time for first responders or homeland security personnel and the term "conditions arising from the emergency" means civil unrest, power outages, curfews, voluntary or mandatory evacuations, or a reduction in the presence of or response time for first responders or homeland security personnel. Third degree theft is elevated to a crime of the second degree if the property is stolen during a riot or an aggravated riot prohibited under N.J.S.2C:33-1 and the perpetration of the theft is facilitated by conditions arising from the riot; the property is stolen after the declaration of emergency is made, and the perpetration of the theft is facilitated by conditions arising from the emergency. A person arrested for committing a theft during a riot crime, or other crime amended by the bill, may not be released until the person appears before a judge at a pretrial detention hearing. The bill amends N.J.S.59:2-2, concerning public entity liability to provide that a municipality has a duty to allow the municipal law enforcement agency to respond appropriately to protect persons and property during a riot or an unlawful assembly based on the availability of adequate equipment to its municipal law enforcement officers and relevant State and federal laws. The bill creates the new offenses of mob intimidation and cyber-intimidation by publication. Under the bill, mob intimidation occurs when a person, assembled with two or more other persons and acting with a common intent, to use force or threaten to use imminent force, to compel or induce, or attempt to compel or induce, another person to do or refrain from doing any act or to assume, abandon, or maintain a particular viewpoint against his or her will. A person who violates this section commits a disorderly persons offense. A disorderly persons offense is punishable by up to 6 months imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. A person arrested for a violation of this section shall be held in custody until brought before the court for a pretrial detention hearing. Under the bill, cyber-intimidation by publication occurs when a person electronically publishes another person's personal identification information with the intent to, or with the intent that a third party will use the information to (a) Incite violence or commit a crime against the person; or (b) Threaten or harass the person, placing such person in reasonable fear of bodily harm. A person who violates this subsection commits a crime of the fourth degree. The bill establishes an affirmative defense in action for personal injury, wrongful death, or property damage that action arose from an injury or damage sustained by a participant acting in furtherance of a riot. The bill establishes a procedure to appeal law enforcement funding reduction proposal in local budgets. This bill is modeled closely on Florida Laws ch.6; 2021 Fla. HB 1. | In Committee |
| SJR24 | Establishes "Autism and Mental Disorders Study Commission." | This joint resolution establishes the "Autism and Mental Disorders Study Commission," to consist of seven members, including the Commissioner of Health, or the commissioner's designee; the Commissioner of Human Services, or the commissioner's designee; one member to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one member to be appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate; one member to be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly; one member to be appointed by the Minority Leader of the General Assembly; and one member to be appointed by the Governor. Under the resolution, the commission would study how certain organizations, including hospitals, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors' offices, and courts, train their employees to identify and interact with people with autism, Down syndrome, and other mental disorders. The members of the commission are to be appointed within 60 days following the effective date of this resolution, and the commission is to issue a report one year after the date of its organization. The commission would submit the report, together with any recommendations it may have for legislative or regulatory action, to the Governor and the Legislature, and would dissolve 30 days after the issuance of its final report. | In Committee |
| SCR13 | Proposes constitutional amendment to limit effective period of certain emergency orders, rules, or regulations issued by Governor to 14 days. | This constitutional amendment provides that certain emergency orders, rules, or regulations issued by the Governor during a period of a state of emergency will terminate on the 15th day following the date of issuance, unless the Legislature approves a greater period of time by way of a concurrent resolution. The constitutional amendment prohibits the Governor from issuing an order, rule, or regulation to the same or substantially the same effect as the one terminated pursuant to the amendment for the same emergency. The constitutional amendment does not apply to orders, rules, or regulations: (1) rescinding an order, rule, or regulation issued pursuant to the "Civil Defense and Disaster Control Act," or a successor State statute; (2) issued pursuant to direction by or agreement with the federal government, in compliance with federal law, or to the extent that application of the bill would jeopardize the receipt of federal funds by the State; (3) applying exclusively to the executive branch; (4) issued under the Governor's authority as the Commander-in-Chief of the military and naval forces of the State; or (5) issued pursuant to a provision of law providing for a greater period, notwithstanding that the order, rule, or regulation may also cite to an authority provided under the "Civil Defense and Disaster Control Act," or a successor State statute. | In Committee |
| S432 | Requires Division of Developmental Disabilities to develop guidelines for tiered group home placements and transfers. | This bill requires the Assistant Commissioner for the Division of Developmental Disabilities in the Department of Human Services to establish guidelines for placing individuals with developmental disabilities in Level 1 and Level 2 group homes, as well as guidelines for transferring individuals with developmental disabilities between Level 1 and Level 2 group homes. Level 1 group homes are group homes for individuals with developmental disabilities who may have some minimal or challenging behavioral issues, but who are generally able to be safely placed with other individuals with developmental disabilities in a less-restrictive setting. Level 2 group homes are group homes designed for individuals with developmental disabilities who present with persistent challenging behaviors that risk serious harm to self or others. Under the bill, Level 2 group homes will be required to provide services designed to support the reintegration of residents into a less-restrictive treatment setting, such as a Level 1 group home. The bill outlines certain criteria to be included in the guidelines developed by the assistant commissioner, and additionally directs the assistant commissioner, to the extent appropriate, to seek to align the guidelines developed under the bill with existing guidelines for group home placements and transfers for individuals with developmental disabilities that have been developed by the Division of the Children's System of Care in the Department of Children and Families. This bill was inspired by Aidan Burke, a young man with developmental disabilities who resides in a group home in New Jersey. Aidan was assaulted by another resident with a history of challenging behaviors. It is the sponsor's intent to protect Aidan and all group home residents so they can be safe in their own homes. | In Committee |
| S649 | Creates the "Mold Safe Housing Act." | Entitled the "Mold-Safe Housing Act," this bill would create mechanisms for tenants living in mold-contaminated rental housing to have the mold effectively removed, or be relocated to safer rental housing. In addition, the bill provides a system of inspection of all rental housing for the presence of mold. Single family and two-family rental housing will be required to be inspected upon a change in occupancy, as well as every five years as part of the multiple dwelling inspection. Multiple dwellings will be inspected every five years for mold under the "Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law," which is enforced currently by the Bureau of Housing Inspection in the Department of Community Affairs. The bill provides that a prospective home purchaser can specify that an inspection for presence of mold be performed by a licensed home inspector, should they retain such an inspector prior to purchase. The bill permits tenants whose landlords fail to abate a mold hazard, upon written request to do so, to notify the Department of Community Affairs, who shall investigate each claim and determine whether to relocate the tenant. Current relocation assistance laws would apply in such circumstances. In addition, the bill requires the court to notify the department whenever a tenant is constructively evicted due to mold or some other issue of habitability in the rental property. | In Committee |
| S696 | Requires hospital urine drug screenings to include test for fentanyl. | This bill requires that, whenever a general acute care hospital conducts a urine drug screening to assist in diagnosing a patient's condition, the urine drug screening is to include a test for the presence of fentanyl. Fentanyl is a highly potent synthetic opioid that, even in very small amounts, can result in overdose and death. Fentanyl use has significantly increased during the opioid epidemic, in part because, with growing frequency, fentanyl is used to cut other drugs, including heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. This practice has resulted in increasing overdose deaths, even among people who do not ordinarily use opioid drugs. Currently, urine drug screenings typically include tests for cocaine, certain opioids, and phencyclidine, but not fentanyl. It is the sponsor's belief that mandatory testing for the presence of fentanyl can help prevent overdose deaths by ensuring that patients who have ingested fentanyl, either intentionally or unintentionally, receive proper treatment for a fentanyl overdose. This bill will take effect immediately and expire on January 1, 2028. | In Committee |
| S647 | Establishes commission to study impact of certain Medicaid reimbursement rate change on nursing homes. | The bill establishes the "Impact of Medicaid Personal Care Services Reimbursement Change on Nursing Homes Study Commission," to analyze the effects of the adjustment to the Medicaid hourly reimbursement rate for personal care services within the Medicaid program, resulting from the enactment of P.L.2017, c.239 (C.30:4D-7n and 30:4D-7o), as well as the revisions to that law adopted pursuant to P.L.2019, c.275 and any corresponding appropriations, on nursing homes in the State. Specifically, the commission is to analyze the effects of the increase in the hourly reimbursement rate on the operations, ability to comply with any minimum staffing requirements, employee retention, financial health, resident costs, and related issues on nursing homes in the State, including whether any nursing homes closed following the effective date of P.L.2017, c.239 or the enactment of P.L.2019, c.275 and the reasons for any closures. The bill requires that the commission solicit data or information from nursing homes in the State or other entities, as is necessary to carry out its duties. The study commission is to consist of nine members as follows: the Commissioners of Human Services and Health, or their commissioner's designee; one member of the public with expertise in State Medicaid policy and healthcare finance, who will be appointed by the Minority Leader of the General Assembly; one member of the public with expertise in State fiscal and budgetary matters, who will be appointed by the President of the Senate; and five members of the public with significant operational, financial, or managerial expertise in the nursing home industry, three of whom are to be representatives of entities currently operating one or more nursing homes in the State, two of whom will be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, two of whom will be appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate, and one of whom will be appointed by the Governor. The bill requires that the study commission prepare and submit a written report to the Governor and the Legislature not later than 12 months after its initial meeting. The report is to present the commission's analysis of the effect of the enactment of P.L.2017, c.239 (C.30:4D-7n through 30:4D-7o), as amended by P.L.2019, c.275, on nursing homes in the State, as well as any recommendations for legislation or other action the commissioner deems appropriate. The bill provides that the study commission is to expire on the first day of the third month following submission of its written report to the Governor and the Legislature. | In Committee |
| SCR15 | Applies to Congress for an Article V Convention of States to limit certain powers of the federal government and terms of office. | This Senate concurrent resolution applies to Congress for the calling of an Article V Convention of the States limited to proposing amendments to the United States Constitution that impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government and limit the terms of office for its officials. | In Committee |
| S902 | Establishes Office of Inspector General for Veterans' Facilities. | This bill would create the Office of Inspector General for Veterans' Facilities. The inspector general will be appointed to a five-year term by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The inspector general must have experience as either a prosecutor or investigator, or in the operation of veterans' facilities, nursing homes, or long-term care facilities. The inspector general will be independent of supervision or control by any other State officer or employee. The role of the Inspector General for Veterans' Facilities will be to receive and investigate complaints concerning policies and procedures at State veterans' facilities. In exercising investigatory powers, the inspector general would also be empowered to conduct evaluations, inspections, and other such reviews as deemed necessary to ensure the safety and quality of care provided at State veterans' facilities. The inspector general would also be empowered to initiate investigations independent of any complaints received. Upon the appointment of the inspector general, the inspector general will immediately begin an investigation into the policies and practices that may have caused or contributed to the high number of deaths in the veterans' facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The inspector general may refer possible criminal conduct or activity to the appropriate prosecutorial authority. In light of the uncontrolled outbreak of COVID-19 at veterans' facilities in Paramus and Menlo Park, there is need for additional State oversight of the policies and procedures at all State veterans' facilities. By establishing the position of Inspector General for Veterans' Facilities, the State can ensure that the health and well-being of New Jersey's veterans are protected and that tragedies like those that occurred in Paramus and Menlo Park never happen again. | In Committee |
| SCR35 | Applies to Congress for Article V Convention of States to require balanced federal budget, impose term limits, and revise method of awarding electoral votes. | This resolution applies to the United States Congress for the calling of an Article V Convention of States to consider potential amendments to the United States Constitution. These amendments would require a balanced federal budget, impose term limits on members of Congress and the Justices of the Supreme Court, and change the distribution of electoral college votes for presidential candidates to the Congressional District Method currently used in Maine and Nebraska. Such amendments would not only guard against potential abuses of governmental power, but would also serve to strengthen and reaffirm the people's confidence in our federal government and its processes. A constitutional requirement for a balanced budget would curb wasteful spending by the federal government. Congressional term limits would provide new perspectives and greater accountability in federal governance. Term limits for Supreme Court Justices would provide greater opportunity for elected officials to make appointments to the Judiciary. Instituting a new method for distributing electoral votes would provide greater assurances that the voice of the American people is heard. The founders of this nation provided the state legislatures with an important mechanism for ensuring that the power of the federal government can be limited to avoid abuse of power. This resolution seeks to use that mechanism now. | In Committee |
| S668 | Increases Medicaid reimbursement for in-person partial care and intensive outpatient behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment services, and associated transportation services, for adults. | this bill increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for partial care and intensive outpatient services by 35 percent. Rates increased under the bill include, but are not limited to: per diem and hourly reimbursement rates for partial care and intensive outpatient services, as well as services provided during partial care and intensive outpatient treatment, such as intake evaluation, psychiatric evaluation, family counseling, individual counseling, and group counseling. The bill also provides that the aggregate Medicaid reimbursement rate for transportation services and mileage to or from a partial care or intensive outpatient services provider is to be no less than $10 for each one-way trip. As defined under the bill, "partial care services" means comprehensive, individualized, structured, non-residential intensive treatment services, including access to psychiatric, medical, and laboratory services, for an adult with severe mental illness or substance use disorder provided at a licensed outpatient facility for a minimum of 20 hours per week. "Intensive Outpatient Services" means comprehensive, individualized, structured, non-residential treatment sessions for an adult with severe mental illness or substance use disorder provided at a licensed outpatient facility for a minimum of nine hours per week. | In Committee |
| S704 | Requires municipality to provide free beach access to certain veterans. | This bill prohibits a shore municipality from charging and collecting any fees for access to beaches and bathing and recreational grounds, and for use of bathing and recreational facilities, by veterans who have served in any of the Armed Forces of the United States and received an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions. Current law permits shore municipalities, by ordinance, to provide free or reduced fee beach access to qualifying veterans. This bill would require shore municipalities to provide free beach access to these qualifying veterans. | In Committee |
| S706 | Authorizes veterinarians to transfer ownership of animals rather than euthanizing them, under certain circumstances. | This bill would supplement and amend the "New Jersey Unretrieved Animal Act," P.L.1979 c.354 (C.45:16-13 et seq.) to authorize veterinarians, when an animal is brought to a veterinarian in order to be euthanized, to instead transfer the animal to a suitable home or animal shelter, under certain circumstances. Specifically, the authorization would only apply if: (1) the animal is physically healthy and the request for euthanasia is being made for behavioral reasons; (2) the veterinarian determines that the behavior of the animal does not pose a permanent threat to the public safety and that the animal can be rehabilitated; and (3) the veterinarian informs the animal's owner prior to its placement in a suitable home or shelter that the animal is capable of being rehabilitated. The bill would specify that the owner's transfer of control of the animal for the purposes of euthanasia and the veterinarian's subsequent placement of the animal in a suitable home or animal shelter constitutes a permanent transfer of ownership of the animal. The bill would also relieve veterinarians of any further liability regarding an animal placed in a suitable home or animal shelter in conformance with the bill's provisions. | In Committee |
| S688 | Allows teaching experience to be considered for out-of-State individuals seeking licensure from New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling. | This bill amends current law to allow teaching experience to be considered when an out-of-State individual applies for a license from the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling. The teaching experience would have to be acquired in a school licensed or otherwise approved by an agency in the other jurisdiction in order to apply in New Jersey. | In Committee |
| S670 | Authorizes schools to administer commercial driver license exam and other motor vehicle services for school bus drivers. | This bill authorizes the administration of all motor vehicle services associated with becoming a school bus driver, except for the road test, by school districts, subject to rules and regulations promulgated by the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). The bill requires the MVC to implement a program that promotes the administration of these motor vehicle services at school facilities and requires the MVC to coordinate with school districts for the administration of the these services for prospective school bus drivers. | In Committee |
| S2035 | Prohibits DHS from deeming certain teachers and school employees ineligible for child care subsidies due to number of hours worked when school is not in session for students. | This bill prohibits the Department of Human Services (DHS) from deeming certain teachers and school employees ineligible for child care subsidies due to number of hours worked when school is not in session for students. The Division of Family Development in the DHS administers the State's child care subsidy program, which provides low-and moderate-income working parents with subsidies for child care, including preschool instruction, after-school programs for children up to age 13, and care for children and teens with special needs. In order to be eligible for the program, a parent must be a New Jersey resident, work a minimum of 30 hours per week or be enrolled in a school or training program for a minimum of 20 hours, and meet certain income requirements. This eligibility criteria regarding number of weekly hours worked is challenging for teachers and school employees, who are otherwise eligible for subsidies, but who are not employed 30 hours or more a week during certain times of the year when schools are not in session for students. Currently, a teacher or other school employee, deemed eligible for subsidies initially, may be determined ineligible during the redetermination process due to non-compliance with the weekly work requirement. This bill mandates that an applicant or participant in the State' s child care subsidy program who is a teacher or other school employee is not to be determined ineligible for subsidies due to number of hours worked during weeks that fall outside of the school year. As used in the bill, "school year" means the part of the year in which a school or school district is in session for students. Moreover, a teacher or other school employee who qualifies for subsidies under the bill are not required to report to the DHS changes in the number of hours worked during weeks that fall outside of the school year, but are required to participate in any redetermination process required by the commissioner of all participants. | In Committee |
| S659 | Establishes task force to study the impact of and response to COVID-19 pandemic in New Jersey. | This bill establishes a 16 member task force, to be known as the "New Jersey COVID-19 Review Task Force," to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to New Jersey, and New Jersey response to the COVID-19 pandemic. At a minimum, the task force will: review the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the State's healthcare system; review the screening, assessment, testing, and restriction requirements utilized during the pandemic; analyze the financial impact of the pandemic on the State and its residents; review complaints of price gouging; assess the actions taken to reduce the risk of exposure and spread; assess the actions taken related to the education of students in k-12 schools in the State, especially students with a disability; and consider such other matters as the members of the task force may deem appropriate. The task force may make recommendations for legislation or such other action as it deems appropriate with regard to improving, expanding, and facilitating a response to a Statewide or national medical emergency. The task force will report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature and the Governor within eighteen months of its initial organizational meeting. The task force will expire after the submission of its report. | In Committee |
| SCR33 | Proposes constitutional amendment to exclude military disability income from the $10,000 income limit for eligibility for the senior citizens and disabled persons property tax deduction. | If approved by the voters of the State, this proposed constitutional amendment would exclude from the calculation of income for eligibility for the senior citizens and disabled persons property tax deduction, disability income from the United States Veterans Administration (USVA). This type of income is provided by the USVA to veterans who have a service-connected disability. Senior citizens and disabled persons who earn over $10,000 annually, exclusive of Social Security benefits or any State or federal program that provides benefits in lieu of Social Security benefits, are not eligible to receive the senior and disabled property tax deduction. This amendment would exclude these disability payments from the calculation of income to qualify for that deduction. | In Committee |
| S673 | Transfers administration of programs for certain individuals with developmental disabilities from DHS to DCF. | This bill would transfer the responsibility for providing services to individuals aged 21-29 with developmental disabilities from the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) in the Department of Human Services to the Children's System of Care (CSOC) in the Department of Children and Families. Current law provides for individuals with developmental disabilities who are eligible to receive functional services to receive services through the CSOC until age 21, at which time they transition to receiving services from DDD. The bill would delay the transition until age 30. | In Committee |
| S1278 | Requires certain information to be included in SHBP and SEHBP claims experience data provided to certain public employers. | This bill requires certain information to be included in the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) and the School Employees' Health Benefits Program (SEHBP) claims experience data to be provided to certain public employers. Under current law, the SHBP provides upon request and not more than once in a 24-month period complete claims experience data to a public employer other than the State that participates in the SHBP. This bill changes the 24-month period to not more than once per calendar year, and adds language to allow the majority representative of the employees of that public employer to request and receive the claims experience data if the public employer requested the data. Under the bill, the same requirements would apply to the SEHBP. This bill requires certain information to be included in the claims experience data for SHBP and SEHBP. The information specified in the bill includes, but is not limited to, medical claims summary report by classification; top 50 drugs or medicines that require a doctor's prescription by total number dispensed; top 50 drugs or medicines that require a doctor's prescription by total dollars paid; number and type of ongoing maintenance prescriptions by mail order and retail; prescription utilization summary; prescription executive summary report; prescription trend performance summary for each plan design; and a prescription key performance indicator report. Current law requires the SHBP to issue claims experience data only in a manner that complies with the privacy requirements of the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and related regulations. The bill further specifies that no information will be released in such form as to result in the identification of an individual or in such form as to adversely affect personal privacy rights. Under the bill, the same requirements would apply to the SEHBP. | In Committee |
| S693 | Requires Medicaid coverage for ovulation enhancing drugs and medical services related to administering such drugs for certain beneficiaries experiencing infertility. | This bill requires Medicaid coverage for ovulation enhancing drugs and the medical services related to administering such drugs for certain beneficiaries who are experiencing infertility. In doing so, this bill mirrors the existing infertility benefit provided under Medicaid in New York. Specifically, the bill mandates that Medicaid is to provide coverage for expenses incurred in the provision of medically necessary ovulation enhancing drugs and the medical services related to prescribing and monitoring the use of such drugs for individuals 21 through 44 years of age who are experiencing infertility, provided that there is federal financial participation available. As defined under the bill, "infertility" means a condition characterized by the incapacity to conceive, as defined by either: the failure to establish a clinical pregnancy after 12 months of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse for individuals 21 through 34 years of age; or the failure to establish a clinical pregnancy after six months of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse for individuals 35 through 44 years of age. Medical services covered under the bill are limited to office visits, hysterosalpingograms, pelvic ultrasounds, and blood testing. A hysterosalpingogram is an x-ray procedure used to see whether the patient's fallopian tubes are open and if the inside of the uterus is normal. Moreover, coverage of ovulation enhancing drugs and medical services under the bill is limited to three cycles of treatment per lifetime of the beneficiary. | In Committee |
| SR45 | Urges Governor and Attorney General to provide assistance to municipalities in response to unpermitted mass gatherings and "pop-up parties" in New Jersey. | This resolution urges the Governor and the Attorney General to take necessary measures to bolster municipalities' responses to unpermitted mass gatherings and "pop-up parties" across the State. Municipalities require special event permits for activities such as block parties, festivals, flea markets, carnivals, concerts, and non-spontaneous public demonstrations. The permitting process may require up to several months' notice to municipalities so they can effectively predict and adequately prepare the resources and personnel necessary to manage large crowds at particular events. Additionally, the permitting process allows municipalities to deny the permit application if such an event does not seem practical. Local communities in New Jersey, primarily near beaches and other hubs of community activity, have experienced a major increase in spontaneous, unpermitted mass gatherings that bring along disorderly and dangerous conduct. So called "pop-up parties" present a great risk of destructive, crowd-driven behavior and dangers that cannot be foreseen. Local law enforcement and municipal officials have worked together to prevent these unpermitted mass gatherings from taking place with varying degrees of success. The New Jersey State League of Municipalities passed a resolution at its 2022 Conference calling for State assistance and solutions to the myriad issues posed by unpermitted mass gatherings. State assistance may allow municipalities to better anticipate potential unpermitted mass gatherings, hold organizers and attendees who incite hazards accountable for their misdeeds, and dissuade future pop-up gatherings. | In Committee |
| S1393 | Authorizes home cultivation of medical cannabis. | This bill authorizes the home cultivation of medical cannabis for a registered qualifying patient's personal medical use. Specifically, the bill provides that a registered qualifying patient who is 21 years of age or older who provides notice to the Cannabis Regulatory Commission of the intent to home cultivate medical cannabis will be allowed to either home cultivate medical cannabis himself or herself, or authorize a designated caregiver to home cultivate medical cannabis on the patient's behalf. A home cultivator will be allowed to cultivate and possess up to four mature cannabis plants and up to four immature cannabis plants. Medical cannabis may only be home cultivated at the residence of the authorized home cultivator that is on file with the commission. The notice of intent to home cultivate medical cannabis provided to the commission is to specify which individual will home cultivate the medical cannabis. In no case may more than one individual home cultivate medical cannabis for a registered qualifying patient at one time. A patient may change the designated home cultivator upon providing 10 days' notice to the commission. At least 10 days after providing the notice of change, but no more than 30 days after providing notice, any medical cannabis plants in the former home cultivator's possession may be transferred to the new designated home cultivator. Any plants that are not transferred to the new home cultivator are to be promptly surrendered to law enforcement for destruction. The failure to provide notice of a change in designated home cultivator will result in the patient's registration with the commission being deemed null and void. The commission will be required to promptly update the registry information for the patient and any affected designated caregiver upon receiving notice of the patient's intent to home cultivate medical cannabis or of a change in who is authorized to home cultivate medical cannabis for the patient. Any designated caregiver of a patient who elects to home cultivate medical cannabis will be authorized to possess, transport, and assist the patient with the administration of home-cultivated medical cannabis in dried form or in any other consumable form, regardless of whether the designated caregiver is designated as the patient's home cultivator. In addition to any other civil or criminal penalties as may apply, any individual in possession of home-cultivated medical cannabis in the form of a mature or immature plant or in any consumable form, who sells, donates, or furnishes the home-cultivated medical cannabis to any individual who is not authorized to be in possession of the home-cultivated medical cannabis under the bill, will be liable to a civil penalty of up to $1,000. In addition, the individual's registration with the commission will be deemed null and void, and the individual will be permanently ineligible for re-registration with the commission as a qualifying patient, a designated caregiver, or an institutional caregiver. It is the sponsor's intent to expand access to medical cannabis for registered qualifying patients who may find the medical cannabis that is available through a medical cannabis dispensary unaffordable, or who may otherwise benefit from the convenience of home cultivation or the ability to readily access medical cannabis in the strain and form appropriate to the patient's individual treatment needs. Of the 36 states that have approved a comprehensive medical cannabis program, 17, or nearly half, currently allow for home cultivation of medical cannabis: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. | In Committee |
| S682 | Enters New Jersey into Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact. | This bill enters New Jersey into the "Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact." The purpose of the Compact is to facilitate interstate practice of audiology and speech-language pathology with the goal of improving public access to audiology and speech-language pathology services. The privilege to practice under the compact derives from the license issued to the audiologist or speech-language pathologist in the licensee's state of resident, which is called the "home state." For the purposes of the compact, an audiologist or speech-language pathologist may only hold one home state license at a time. A home state license is recognized by each member state as authorizing the audiologist or speech-language pathologist to practice audiology or speech-language pathology, under a privilege to practice, in each member state. Member states are required to implement or utilize procedures for considering the criminal history records of applicants for initial licensure. Applicants to practice under the compact are required to maintain licensure in their home state. Upon application for a privilege to practice in a remote state, the licensing board in the remote state will be required to ascertain, through a data system established under the compact, whether the applicant has ever held, or is the holder of, a license issued by any other state, whether there are any encumbrances on any license or privilege to practice held by the applicant, and whether any adverse action has been taken against any license or privilege to practice held by the applicant. Member states may charge a fee for granting a compact privilege. In order for an audiologist to practice under the compact, the audiologist will be required to meet certain educational requirements; have completed a supervised clinical practicum experience and successfully passed a national examination approved by the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Compact Commission (commission); hold an active, unencumbered license; have not been convicted or found guilty of a felony related to the practice of audiology; and have a valid United States Social Security or National Practitioner Identification number. In order for a speech-language pathologist to practice under the compact, the speech-language pathologist will be required to meet certain educational requirements; have completed a supervised clinical practicum experience; have completed a supervised postgraduate professional experience; have successfully passed a national examination approved by the commission; hold an active, unencumbered license; have not been convicted or found guilty of a felony related to the practice of speech-language pathology; and have a valid United States Social Security or National Practitioner Identification number. An audiologist or speech-language pathologist practicing in a member state will be required to comply with the practice laws of the state in which the client is located at the time service is provided. The practice of audiology and speech-language pathology will include all audiology and speech-language pathology practice as defined by the state practice laws of the member state in which the client is located. The practice of audiology and speech-language pathology in a member state under a privilege to practice will subject an audiologist or speech-language pathologist to the jurisdiction of the licensing board, the courts, and the laws of the member state in which the client is located at the time service is provided. Individuals not residing in a member state will continue to be able to apply for a member state's single-state license as provided under the laws of that member state; provided that a single-state license granted to a non-resident will not be recognized as authorizing the licensee to practice in other remote states under the compact; an individual residing in a non-member state will only be authorized to practice in the specific states in which the individual is licensed. To exercise the compact privilege under the terms and provisions of the compact, an audiologist or speech-language pathologist will be required to: 1) hold an active license in the home state; 2) have no encumbrance on any state license; 3) be eligible for a compact privilege; 4) have not had any adverse action against any license or compact privilege within the previous two years from the date of the application; 5) notify the commission that the licensee is seeking the compact privilege within a remote state; 6) pay any applicable fees, including any state fee, for the compact privilege; and 7) report to the commission any adverse action taken against the licensee by any non-member state within 30 days from the date the adverse action is taken. Licensees who move from one member state to another member state will be required to obtain home-state licensure in the new member state in order to continue practicing under the compact. The licensee will also be required to terminate licensure in the former home state. Licensees moving to another member state will be permitted to initiate the licensure application process in the new member state before moving to the new member state. If a licensee moves from a member state to a non-member state, the licensee will no longer be able to participate in the compact, but may practice in member states by obtaining a single-state license to practice in the state, and may continue to practice in the former home state, if the licensee maintains licensure in that state. Licensees providing audiology or speech-language pathology services in a remote state under the compact privilege will be required to function within the laws and regulations of the remote state, and will be subject to that state's regulatory authority. A remote state may, in accordance with due process and that state's laws, remove a licensee's compact privilege in the remote state for a specific period of time, impose fines, and take any other necessary actions to protect the health and safety of its citizens. If a home state license is encumbered, the licensee will lose the compact privilege in any remote state until: 1) the home state license is no longer encumbered; 2) two years have elapsed from the date of the adverse action; and 3) the licensee otherwise meets the requirements to practice under the compact. Member states will be required to recognize the right of an audiologist or speech-language pathologist to practice audiology or speech-language pathology under the compact in any member state via telehealth. Active duty military personnel and their spouses will be permitted to practice under the compact by designating a home state where the individual has a current license in good standing. The individual may retain the home state designation during the period the service member is on active duty. Subsequent to designating a home state, the individual may only change the individual's home state through application for licensure in the new state. Only a home state may take adverse action against a licensee's license. However, remote states will have the authority to take adverse action against an audiologist's or speech-language pathologist's privilege to practice within that member state and issue subpoenas for both hearings and investigations. Home states will be required to give the same priority and effect to reported conduct received from a member state as they would if the conduct had occurred within the home state. In so doing, the home state is to apply its own state laws to determine appropriate action. A member state may take adverse action against an audiologist or speech-language pathologist based on the factual findings of a remote state, provided that the member state follows the member state's own procedures for taking the adverse action. Member states may participate in investigations and share information with other member states in furtherance of an investigation. Home states will be required to complete any pending investigations of an audiologist or speech-language pathologist who changes primary state of residence during the course of an investigation. The home state will also have the authority to take appropriate action against the licensee and will be required to promptly report the conclusions of the investigation to the data system established under the compact, which will then notify the new home state of any adverse actions against the licensee. Member states may recover from a licensee the costs of investigations and dispositions of cases resulting from any adverse action taken against the licensee. Nothing in the compact is to override a member state's decision that participation in an alternative program may be used in lieu of adverse action. The compact is administered by a joint public agency known as the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Compact Commission. Each member state appoints two delegates to the commission, including one audiologist and one speech-language pathologist, which members are selected by the member state's licensing board. The delegates are required to be current members of the member state's licensing board. The commission also includes five additional delegates, each of whom is either a public member or board administrator from a state licensing board, who are chosen by the commission's executive committee from a pool of nominees provided by the commission at large. The commission meets at least once during each calendar year. The commission is responsible for: establishing its fiscal year; establishing bylaws; establishing a code of ethics; maintaining financial records; meeting and taking actions consistent with the compact and the commission's bylaws; promulgating uniform rules to facilitate and coordinate the implementation and administration of the compact; bringing and prosecuting legal proceedings or actions; purchasing and maintaining insurance and bonds; engaging personnel services and establishing personnel policies and programs; accepting any and all appropriate donations and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials, services, and property, provided that at all times the commission avoids any appearance of impropriety or conflict of interest; establishing a budget and making expenditures; borrowing money; appointing committees; providing and receiving information from, and cooperating with, law enforcement agencies; establishing and electing an executive committee; and performing other functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of the compact. The commission's executive committee comprises 10 members, including seven voting members who are elected by the commission from its current membership and three nonvoting, ex-officio members, including one member from a recognized national audiology professional association, one member from a recognized national speech-language pathology association, and one member from the recognized membership organization of the audiology and speech-language pathology licensing boards. The ex-officio members will be selected by their respective organizations. The executive committee meets at least annually, and has the following duties and responsibilities: recommending to the entire commission changes to its rules or bylaws, changes to the compact, fees paid by compact member states, and fees charged to licensees; ensuring compact administration services are appropriately provided; preparing and recommending the commission's budget; maintaining financial records; monitoring compliance with the compact by member states; establishing additional committees as necessary; and any other duties as provided in the commission's rules or bylaws. All meetings of the commission are to be open to the public and are subject to public notice requirements. However, the commission, its executive committee, and other committees may convene in a closed, non-public meeting if the commission or executive committee or other committees of the commission are to discuss: non-compliance of a member state with the compact; personnel issues related to specific employees or other matters related to the commission's internal personnel practices and procedures; current, threatened, or reasonably anticipated litigation; negotiation of purchase contracts; criminal accusations and formal censures; disclosure of trade secrets or privileged or confidential information; disclosure of private, personal information; disclosure of investigative records compiled for law enforcement purposes; disclosure of information related to investigative reports; or other matters specifically exempted from disclosure by state or federal law. If a meeting, or portion of a meeting, is closed, the commission's legal counsel or designee is required to certify that the meeting may be closed and reference each relevant exempting provision. The commission is required to pay, or provide for the payment of, the reasonable expenses of its establishment, organization, and ongoing activities. The commission may accept any and all appropriate revenue sources, donations, and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials, and services. The commission may levy on and collect an annual assessment from each member state or impose fees on other parties to cover the cost of its operations and activities. The commission may not incur obligations of any kind prior to securing the funds adequate to meet the same; nor may it pledge the credit of any of the member states, except by and with the authority of the member state. The commission is required to keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the commission are subject to audit and accounting procedures, and all receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the commission are to be audited yearly, with the report of the audit included in the commission's annual report. The members, officers, executive director, employees, and representatives of the commission are immune from suit and liability, either personally or in their official capacity, for any claim for damage to or loss of property or personal injury or other civil liability caused by or arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities. The commission is required to defend its members, officers, executive director, employees, and representatives in any civil action arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that nothing in the compact prohibits any person from retaining the person's own counsel. The commission is required to indemnify and hold harmless any member, officer, executive director, employee, or representative of the commission for the amount of any settlement or judgment obtained against that person arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities. The immunity, requirement to defend, and requirement to indemnify under the compact do not apply to intentional or willful or wanton misconduct. The commission is required to provide for the development, maintenance, and utilization of a coordinated database and reporting system containing licensure, adverse action, and investigative information on all licensed individuals in member states. Member states are required to submit a uniform data set to the data system on all individuals to whom the compact is applicable, including: identifying information; licensure data; adverse actions against a license or compact privilege; non-confidential information related to alternative program participation; any denial of an application for licensure, and the reason for the denial; and other information that may facilitate the administration of the compact. Investigative information pertaining to a licensee is only available to other member states. The commission is required to promptly notify all member states of any adverse action taken against a licensee or an individual applying for a license. Adverse action information pertaining to a licensee in any member state is available to any other member state. Member states contributing information to the data system may designate information that may not be shared with the public without that state's express permission. Any information submitted to the data system that is subsequently required to be expunged by the laws of the member state contributing the information is to be removed from the data system. The commission is required to promulgate rules to administer the compact, which rules are binding on all member states. If a majority of the legislatures of the member states rejects a rule, by enactment of a statute or resolution in the same manner used to adopt the compact within four years of the date of adoption of the rule, the rule will have no further force and effect in any member state. Rules may be adopted at a regular or special meeting of the commission. Proposed rulemakings are subject to a 30-day public notice requirement. The rulemaking process includes a process for the public to submit written data, facts, opinions, and arguments, which are made available to the public. The commission may also be required to hold a public hearing on the proposed rulemaking upon request by at least 25 individuals, by a governmental entity, or by an organization that has at least 25 members. All public hearings are recorded and made available on request. More than one proposed rule may be considered at a single hearing. In adopting final rules, the commission is required to consider all written and oral comments received. The commission additionally has the authority to adopt emergency rules under certain circumstances, which emergency rules are valid for no more than 90 days. Upon request by a member state, the commission is to attempt to resolve disputes related to the compact that arise among member states and between member and non-member states, which may include mediation or binding dispute resolution. Member states may withdraw from the compact by enacting a repealer statute. A member state's withdrawal will not take effect until six months after enactment of the repealing statute. Withdrawal does not affect the requirement for the withdrawing state to continue to assist with investigative and adverse action reporting requirements incurred prior to withdrawal. Nothing in the compact is to be construed to invalidate or prevent any audiology or speech-language pathology licensure agreement or other cooperative arrangement between a member state and a non-member state that does not conflict with the provisions of the compact. The compact may be amended by the member states, through the adoption of amendatory legislation in each member state. The compact is to be liberally construed so as to effectuate its purposes. The provisions of the compact are severable. Nothing in the compact is to be construed to prevent the enforcement of any other law of a member state that is not inconsistent with the compact. All laws in a member state in conflict with the compact are superseded to the extent of the conflict. All lawful actions of the commission, including all rules and bylaws promulgated by the commission, are binding upon the member states. All agreements between the commission and the member states are binding in accordance with their terms. In the event any provision of the compact exceeds the constitutional limits imposed on the legislature of any member state, the provision is ineffective to the extent of the conflict. The compact took effect upon adoption by 10 states, and is currently in effect in 23 states, including Alabama, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming. | In Committee |
| S681 | Requires certain disclosures when single-family homes with solar panels installed are sold. | This bill requires that a seller's property condition disclosure statement or contract, or rider or addendum to a contract, for sale of a single-family home with solar panels purchased by the owner installed on the home or its property is to include the name and contact information of the business that installed the solar panels. If solar panels installed on a single-family home or its property are leased, a seller's property condition disclosure statement or contract, or rider or addendum to a contract, for the sale of the home is to contain clear and precise language regarding if the owner selling the home is transferring the lease of the panels to a new residence or to the buyer of the home contracted for sale. If a lease is transferred to the buyer of the home, the name and contact information of the business that installed the solar panels are to be included in the seller's property condition disclosure statement or contract for sale, or a rider or addendum to the contract. Misrepresentation or false claims made by an owner of a single-family home who is a party to a contract for the sale of the home regarding the business that installed the solar panels purchased by the owner or leased by the owner, or who misrepresents that information in the seller's property condition disclosure statement, who then transfers the lease to the buyer of the home is liable to, in addition to any other penalty provided by law, a penalty of up to $1,000. To highlight the requirements of this bill for consumers, the New Jersey Real Estate Commission (commission) in the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance is to work in conjunction with the Clean Energy Program in the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to develop and undertake a public education program. A component of the public education program is to include the posting on the Internet websites of the commission and the Clean Energy Program information about this new requirement and related penalties for noncompliance. | Dead |
| S685 | "Consumer Freedom From Unwanted Expense in Health Insurance Coverage Act." | This bill, the "Consumer Freedom From Unwanted Expense in Health Insurance Coverage Act," provides a New Jersey resident with the right to purchase a health insurance policy legally sold in any other state in the United States. A foreign health insurer means an insurer licensed to sell individual health benefits plans in any other state. The bill provides that, notwithstanding any other law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, a resident shall have the right to purchase a health insurance policy legally sold in any other state in the United States. The bill further specifies that an employer shall have the right to reimburse its employees for the costs of health insurance coverage purchased pursuant to the bill. The bill also stipulates that the purchase of health insurance coverage pursuant to the bill shall satisfy any legal obligation for an individual to maintain health insurance coverage imposed by any entity having the right to require that coverage be maintained. | In Committee |
| S1671 | Permits Legislature to terminate certain declarations by Governor for state of emergency or public health emergency and limits duration of such declarations unless Legislature approves extension. | This bill provides for the termination of a state of emergency declaration issued by the Governor pursuant to P.L.1942, c.251 (C.App.A:9-33 et seq.) or a public health emergency declaration issued pursuant to P.L.2005, c.222 (C.26:13-1 et seq.) by the Legislature by concurrent resolution if the resolution receives a two-thirds affirmative vote of the authorized membership of each House of the Legislature. Also, the bill limits the duration of a state of emergency to 60 days after the date of issuance unless an extension is authorized by the Legislature, and limits a public health emergency declaration to a total of 60 days (the initial 30 day duration and one 30-day renewal by the Governor as provided by current law). The bill permits the Legislature to authorize, after a notice required in this bill is received, an extension of the state of emergency declaration or public health emergency declaration, with as many extensions of not less than 30 days, but not more than 90 days, by concurrent resolution that receives a majority vote of the authorized membership of each House of the Legislature. The bill prohibits the Governor from issuing for the same emergency a declaration to the same or substantially same effect as one terminated pursuant to this bill, except in accordance with a law that permits the issuance of another declaration specifically for that emergency. The bill permits the Legislature to conduct the vote on any concurrent resolution specified in the bill by any means it deems necessary and appropriate, including, but not limited to, in-person, teleconference, and remotely by electronic means. For the purpose of this bill, "same emergency" means the initial event or events that gave rise to the emergency declaration that has been terminated, and any event that occurs subsequent to the initial event or events as a direct result, continuation, or consequence of the initial event or events or the origin of which can be traced directly to the initial event or events. The bill requires the Governor to notify the Legislature in writing of the need for an extension of any state of emergency declaration or public health emergency declaration at least seven business days before an extension is authorized by the Legislature pursuant to this bill. The notice will provide information on the need for the extension of such declaration and the threat to the public health or safety that requires the extension. When notice cannot be given at least seven business days before an extension is authorized by the Legislature, the notice has to be given by the Governor as soon as possible, but not later than at least 24 hours before the extension is authorized, and the notice has to include an explanation of why the notice could not have been given at least seven days before the extension. Under the bill, the Governor will receive and publish in the New Jersey Register any comments from the chairs and ranking minority members of the relevant standing reference committees of the Legislature on any notice given in accordance with this bill. The publication is to include a response from the Executive Branch. If the Governor fails to provide the notice required by this bill for an extension, the state of emergency declaration or public health emergency declaration will be terminated unless an extension of the declaration is approved, after the notice required in the bill is received, by the Legislature by concurrent resolution that receives a majority vote of the authorized membership of each House of the Legislature. The provisions of the bill do not apply to any state of emergency declaration or public health emergency declaration: (1) rescinding an order, rule, or regulation issued pursuant to P.L.1942, c.251 (C.App.A:9-33 et seq.) or to P.L.2005, c.222 (C.26:13-1 et seq.); (2) applying exclusively to any or all of the executive and administrative offices, departments, and instrumentalities of the Executive Branch of State government; or (3) issued under the authority of the Governor as the Commander-in-Chief of all the military and naval forces of the State. The bill provides that any state of emergency declaration issued by the Governor and any public health emergency declaration issued by the Governor to address the COVID-19 pandemic or any other emergency that is in effect on the effective date of the bill, and (1) that has been in effect for more than 60 days as of that effective date, or (2) that has been in effect for 60 days or less but was issued for the same emergency as the term is defined in the bill and has the same or substantially the same effect as a declaration that was issued more than 60 days prior to the effective date, will terminate automatically on the effective date of this bill unless, on the day that this bill has passed both Houses of the Legislature, or has passed both Houses of the Legislature after amendments recommended by the Governor have been made to the act or after objections to the bill have been received from the Governor, whichever occurs later, a concurrent resolution to extend the state of emergency declaration or public health emergency declaration, or both, for not less than 30 days, but not more than 90 days, receives a majority vote of the authorized membership of each House of the Legislature. The termination and extension provisions of the bill will apply to any state of emergency declaration or public health emergency declaration issued pursuant to P.L.1942, c.251 (C.App.A:9-33 et seq.) or P.L.2005, c.222 (C.26:13-1 et seq.) after the effective date or within 60 days prior to the effective date of this bill. Any other emergency declaration issued pursuant to P.L.1942, c.251 (C.App.A:9-33 et seq.) or P.L.2005, c.222 (C.26:13-1 et seq.) that is in effect on the date of enactment will automatically terminate upon enactment unless the Legislature authorizes an extension by concurrent resolution. The bill provides that it is not to be construed as limiting the authority of the Governor to designate a state of emergency as may be authorized under the annual appropriations act, for the sole and limited purpose of establishing the eligibility of the State to receive federal funds. However, no such emergency declaration may under any circumstances serve as the basis for invoking any authority or powers set forth in P.L.1942, c.251 (C.App.A:9-33 et seq.) or P.L.2005, c.222 (C.26:13-1 et seq.). | In Committee |
| S680 | Allows planning and zoning board members to satisfy training requirements on Internet. | This bill would require the Commissioner of Community Affairs to ensure that the training course for members of planning boards and zoning boards of adjustment who are currently required to attend such training classes are delivered in both online and in-person formats. Other mandatory training programs, such as the training requirement imposed on campaign treasurers pursuant to N.J.S.19:44A-6, can be satisfied by completing an online training program. This bill will allow board members to become better trained without requiring them to take time out of a work day or a weekend. | In Committee |
| S1947 | Prohibits sale of flavored cigarettes, non-premium cigars, and oral nicotine pouches. | This bill extends the current State statutory ban on the sale of flavored cigarettes to include menthol and clove cigarettes. New Jersey generally banned flavored cigarettes in 2008, but included in that law exceptions for menthol and clove cigarettes. In 2009, the federal government adopted a law banning all flavored cigarettes, including clove, but also provided an exception for menthol cigarettes. Under the bill, the existing penalties for prohibited sales of flavored cigarettes will apply to sales of menthol and clove cigarettes. The substitute makes the prohibitions and penalties under the flavored cigarette ban applicable to retailers, rather than individuals. The revision to the flavor ban means that a retailer is not to, either directly or indirectly by an agent or employee, or by a vending machine owned by the retailer or located in the retailer's establishment, sell, offer for sale, distribute for commercial purpose at no cost or minimal cost or with coupons or rebate offers, give or furnish, to a person a cigarette, or any component part thereof, which contains a natural or artificial constituent or additive that causes the cigarette product or any smoke emanating from the cigarette or product to have a characterizing flavor other than tobacco. In no event is a cigarette or any component part thereof to be construed to have a characterizing flavor based solely on the use of additives or flavorings, or the provision of an ingredient list made available by any means. The existing penalties under the current law concerning flavored cigarettes will continue to apply, such that a retailer who makes a prohibited sale will be liable to a civil penalty of not less than $250 for the first violation, not less than $500 for the second violation, and $1,000 for the third and each subsequent violation. In addition, the retailer's tobacco retailer license may be suspended or revoked upon a second or subsequent violation, under certain circumstances. The licensee will also be subject to administrative charges, based on a schedule issued by the Director of the Division of Taxation, which may provide for a monetary penalty in lieu of a suspension. | In Committee |
| S705 | Establishes Israel Evacuation Reimbursement Fund; appropriates $2 million. | This bill would create an Israel Evacuation Reimbursement Fund within the Department of State. The monies in the Israel Evacuation Reimbursement Fund would be used by the Department of State to provide reimbursement to qualified New Jersey residents for travel costs incurred for the emergency evacuation from Israel due to the Israel-Hamas war. This bill also appropriates $2 million from the General Fund to the Department of State to implement the provisions of this bill. The Israel-Hamas conflict began on October 7, 2023 when Hamas terrorists launched a surprise multi-front attack against Israel. Following the attack, more than 1,400 civilians were killed and approximately 240 others, including Americans, were kidnapped and taken to Gaza as hostages. The current Israel-Hamas war is the deadliest Israeli-Palestinian conflict to date. Under certain circumstances, the U.S. government may assist American citizens in emergency evacuations which if not made available, New Jersey residents may seek recourse from the State. | In Committee |
| S455 | Prohibits requiring students to wear face masks in schools and on school buses. | This bill provides that a student attending a public or nonpublic elementary or secondary school would not be required to wear a face mask while in any indoor or outdoor area of any building of, or while on the grounds of, the school which the student is attending. A student would also not be required to wear a face mask while present on a school bus. The bill would not prohibit a student from voluntarily wearing a face mask while in any indoor or outdoor area of any building of, or while on the grounds of, the school which the student is attending or while the student is present on a school bus. | In Committee |
| S701 | Requires DOH to establish levels of maternity care at maternity care facilities. | This bill requires the Department of Health (DOH) to develop a formal, regionalized classification system that defines the roles of all State maternity care facilities based on the level of maternity care provided to the patients of such facilities, to ensure the provision of care to pregnant, antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum patients in the State along an integrated continuum of care, and to reduce the number of adverse maternity care experiences and outcomes and address obstetric inequities. The system, based on the specific needs and priorities of pregnant, antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum patients, would designate maternity care facilities as accredited birthing centers, Level I basic, Level II specialty, Level III subspecialty, or Level IV regional perinatal health care centers in accordance with criteria outlined in the bill. In developing the classification system, the DOH is to: (1) introduce uniform designations for levels of maternity care complimentary to, but distinct from, the levels of neonatal care; (2) designate a prospective service region for a regional perinatal health care center; (3) establish uniform criteria for the designation of maternity care facilities integrated with emergency response systems; (4) require that accredited birthing centers, Level I basic, Level II specialty, Level III subspecialty maternity care hospitals, and Level IV regional perinatal care centers maintain patient and newborn transfer criteria, transfer agreements, and admission protocols governing transfers between such birthing centers and hospitals; (5) require accredited birthing centers, Level I basic, Level II specialty, Level III subspecialty, and Level IV regional perinatal health care centers to participate in the Maternal Data Center; (6) establish an multi-disciplinary team to study actions that the DOH may take to adopt the levels of maternity care at all maternity care facilities; (7) establish a public awareness campaign to inform the public about the classification system; and (8) develop policies and procedures allowing patients receiving services at accredited birthing centers, Level I basic, Level II specialty, Level III subspecialty, and Level IV regional perinatal health care centers to pursue legal recourse against such birthing centers and hospitals based on acts of obstetric violence or obstetric racism. The DOH is to designate as many maternity care facilities as accredited birthing centers, Level I basic, Level II specialty, Level III subspecialty, and Level IV regional perinatal health care centers as apply for designation and demonstrate the ability to provide the level of care associated with the designation, and may revoke or suspend such designation if the requirements of the bill are not met. The DOH is also required to prepare, maintain, make available on its website, and update as necessary, a list of accredited birthing centers, Level I basic, Level II specialty, Level III subspecialty, and Level IV regional perinatal health care centers. | In Committee |
| S651 | Establishes pilot program in which certain selected school districts equip school buses with global positioning systems and DOE develops school bus tracking application. | This bill requires the Commissioner of Education to establish a four-year pilot program in which a selected school district will equip each of its school buses with a global positioning system (GPS) and in which the Department of Education will develop a school bus tracking application. To be eligible for selection under the pilot program, a school district is required to own and operate its own fleet of school buses. The commissioner will select at least one school district in each the northern, central, and southern regions of the State. Each school district selected for participation in the pilot program will equip each of its school buses with a GPS, which will provide information about the location and speed of the school bus in real time and will be operational at all times the school bus is in use to transport students. The GPS will transmit information to a mobile application that will allow an authorized parent or guardian of a student to track in real time the location and speed of the school bus on which the student is riding. The mobile application will be capable of being accessed by an authorized parent or guardian, through installation on the parent or guardian's cellular telephone or other mobile electronic devices. The bill requires the commissioner, in consultation with the Office of Information Technology and the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, to contract with a private or public entity to develop and maintain the mobile application to be used by each school district selected for participation in the pilot program. | In Committee |
| S707 | Requires campus police officers to wear body worn cameras. | Under current law, every uniformed State, county, and municipal patrol law enforcement officer, with certain exceptions, is required to wear a body worn camera that electronically records audio and video while acting in the performance of the officer's official duties. This bill specifically requires campus police officers to wear a body worn camera while acting in the performance of the officer's official duties. This bill also clarifies the definition of a law enforcement officer, as it relates to the regulations for using body worn cameras, to include campus police officers. | In Committee |
| S703 | Makes supplemental appropriation of $3.5 million to provide additional State school aid to Freehold Regional School District. | This bill provides a supplemental appropriation of $3.5 million to the Department of Education to provide additional State school aid to the Freehold Regional School District. The Freehold Regional School District has been subject to a series of State aid reductions over the past several school years pursuant to the provisions of P.L.2018, c.67 (C.18A:7F-67 et al.), commonly referred to as S2. Since FY 2019, the district has seen a State aid reduction of approximately $20 million. As a result of these continued State aid reductions, the school district has determined that it will no longer be able to provide courtesy busing transportation services beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, for a savings of approximately $3.5 million. The Freehold Regional School District operates six high schools that educate more than 10,000 students who reside in eight communities. The elimination of courtesy busing services will impact about 30 percent of the students who currently receive transportation services. Under State law, transportation is required to be provided to high school students who live more than 2.5 miles from their school of attendance. Transportation that is provided to students who live less than 2.5 miles is considered courtesy busing. Courtesy busing has been considered essential in the Freehold Regional School District due to the lack of sidewalks in the district and the hazardous conditions faced by students who walk to school. The purpose of the $3.5 million supplemental appropriation provided under this bill is to allow the district to continue to provide courtesy busing transportation. | In Committee |
| S660 | Upgrades offense of criminal mischief if person damages or impairs operation of school bus in the presence of child under age 16. | Under current law, purposely or knowingly damaging tangible property of another constitutes criminal mischief. This bill would upgrade the offense of criminal mischief if a person damages or impairs the operation of a school bus in the presence of a child under age 16. Pursuant to N.J.S.2C:17-3, criminal mischief is a crime of the third degree if the actor purposely or knowingly causes pecuniary loss of $2,000 or more. It is a crime of the fourth degree if the pecuniary loss is in excess of $500 but less than $2,000, and a disorderly persons offense if the pecuniary loss is $500 or less. In addition, the statute provides that certain types of criminal mischief constitute crimes of the third or fourth degree, regardless of pecuniary loss. A crime of the third degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of three to five years or a fine up to $15,000, or both; a crime of the fourth degree, by a term up to 18 months or a fine up to $10,000, or both; and a disorderly persons offense, by a term of imprisonment of up to six months or a fine of up to $1,000, or both. This bill provides that criminal mischief would be a crime of the fourth degree if the actor damages or impairs the operation of a school bus in the presence of a child under 16 years of age. It would be a crime of the third degree if the damage or impairment of operation of a school bus causes bodily injury to a child under 16 years of age. The bill provides that the term "school bus" has the meaning set forth in R.S.39:1-1: "every motor vehicle operated by, or under contract with, a public or governmental agency, or religious or other charitable organization or corporation, or privately operated for the transportation of children to or from school for secular or religious education, which complies with the regulations of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission affecting school buses." | In Committee |
| S2087 | Requires DCA to collect information about State residents seeking affordable housing in State and provide that information to COAH. | This bill would require the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to collect information about State residents seeking affordable housing in the State and provide that information to the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH). The bill requires DCA to establish a program to collect information about where these State residents currently live and work, and where they would want to live if provided an affordable housing option. On an annual basis, DCA would prepare a report compiling all the information collected under this program from the prior year and would provide a copy of the report to COAH or its successor. This would help the agency in charge of assigning affordable housing obligations across the State ensure that affordable housing is developed in locations where there is a demand for it, and in sufficient amounts, based on actual expressed interest from those in need of affordable housing. | In Committee |
| SCR34 | Amends State Constitution to dedicate portion of revenue from motor vehicle fees and surcharges to transit system. | This concurrent resolution proposes to amend the State Constitution to dedicate a portion of revenue from motor vehicle fees and surcharges to the State transit system. For each fiscal year commencing after the effective date of the amendment, the amendment requires the Legislature to appropriate to the operations of the New Jersey Transit Corporation, or to any other public corporation established by the Legislature for the purpose of providing efficient, coordinated, safe, and responsive public transportation and with the power to acquire and operate public transportation assets, at minimum, an amount equal to the revenue from motor vehicle fees and surcharges collected in that fiscal year that is in excess of the revenue remitted to the General Fund from those motor vehicle fees and surcharges for Fiscal Year 2018 and the amount to be retained by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission for its own operations in that fiscal year. | In Committee |
| S652 | Broadens offenses of riot and disorderly conduct; enhances penalties for public monument destruction; addresses riot victim assaults; creates crime of promotion of violent, disorderly assembly. | In light of the exponentially greater risk of injury and damage caused by crowd-based destructive behavior, this omnibus bill addresses certain crimes committed during the course of riot or crowd-based behavior. Presently, under N.J.S.A.2C:33-1, a person is guilty of riot if he participates with four or more others in a course of disorderly conduct with an unlawful purpose, enumerated in the statute. This bill amends N.J.S.A.2C:33-1 to expand the categories of unlawful purposes to include when the actor, with six or more others, causes damage to property or injury to another. Riot under these circumstances is a crime of the fourth degree punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. The bill amends N.J.S.A.2C:33-2, Disorderly Conduct, which currently provides that a person commits a petty disorderly persons offense if he commits certain prohibited acts. This bill creates a new subsection c. to provide that a person commits a crime of the fourth degree if, during a riot, he engages in disorderly conduct in a place of public accommodation, resort or amusement. Under the bill, "Place of public accommodation, resort or amusement" includes any inn, tavern, road house or hotel, whether for entertainment of transient guests or accommodation of those seeking health, recreation or rest; any restaurant, eating house, or place where food is sold for consumption on the premises; any place maintained for sale of ice cream, ice and fruit preparations or their derivatives, soda water or confections, or where any beverages of any kind are retailed for consumption on the premises; any garage, any public conveyance operated on land or water, and stations and terminals thereof; any public bathhouse, public boardwalk, public seashore accommodation; any theater, or other place of public amusement, motion-picture house, airdrome, music hall, roof garden, skating rink, amusement and recreation park, fair, bowling alley, gymnasium, shooting gallery, billiard and pool parlor; any dispensary, clinic, hospital, public library, kindergarten, primary and secondary school, high school, academy, college and university, or any educational institution under the supervision of the regents of the State of New Jersey. Under these circumstances, the offense is a crime of the fourth degree. The bill amends N.J.S.A.2C:33-7, Obstructing highways and other public passages, to elevate the offense to a crime of the fourth degree if a person, who, having no legal privilege to do so, purposely or recklessly obstructs any highway or other public passage in the course of committing riot or disorderly conduct. The bill amends N.J.S.2C:33-9, Desecration of venerated objects, to elevate the offense to a crime of the fourth degree if the desecration occurs during a riot. The term desecrate is clarified to include conduct such as actual destruction or the toppling of a monument. The bill amends N.J.S.2C:12-1, Assault. Currently, the statute enumerates the circumstances when aggravated assault occurs; this bill adds the additional circumstance. Under the bill, a person is guilty of aggravated assault if he attempts to cause or purposely, knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury to another in the course of a riot. Aggravated assault under this circumstance is a crime of the third degree, punishable by three to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. Additionally, paragraph (5) of subsection b. of N.J.S.A.2C:12-1 elevates simple assault to aggravated assault when committed against certain categories of persons, including when committed against a law enforcement officer acting in the performance of the officer's duties while in uniform or exhibiting evidence of authority or because of the officer's status as a law enforcement officer, and is graded as a crime of the third degree. Under the bill, if, in the course of a riot, an object is thrown at a law enforcement officer, or if the law enforcement officer is struck, whether or not with an object, the presumption of non-imprisonment for a first offense of a crime of the third degree shall not apply, and a mandatory period of six months imprisonment shall apply. The bill creates the new crime of promotion of violent, disorderly assembly. A person promotes violent, disorderly assembly if he conspires with others as an organizer, supervisor, financier or manager to commit any crime specified in chapters 11 through 18, 20, 33, 35, or 37 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes; N.J.S.2C:34-1; N.J.S.2C:39-3; N.J.S.2C:39-4; section 1 of P.L.1998, c.26 (C.2C:39-4.1); N.J.S.2C:39-5; or N.J.S.2C:39-9 in the course of a riot or at the site of a peaceable assembly. Promotion of violent, disorderly assembly is a crime of one degree higher than the most serious underlying crime referred to in subsection a. of this section, except that where the underlying offense is a crime of the first degree, promotion of violent, disorderly assembly is a first degree crime and the defendant, upon conviction, and notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of subsection a of N.J.S.2C:43-6, shall be sentenced to an ordinary term of imprisonment between 15 and 30 years. This bill is based upon a legislation concept entitled, "Combatting Violence, Disorder and Looting and Law Enforcement Protection Act," articulated in the media concerning an announcement made by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. | In Committee |
| SR33 | Recognizes 75th anniversary of establishment of State of Israel. | April 25, 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel. This House commends the people of Israel for their remarkable achievements in building a new state and a pluralistic democratic society in the Middle East and reaffirms the bonds of friendship and cooperation which have existed between New Jersey and Israel for seven decades. This House recommits to working with Israel in its quest for peace with its neighbors and the countries in the region. | In Committee |
| S674 | Exempts birthing facilities from certain health care practitioners referral restrictions. | This bill provides that health care services provided at a birthing facility are exempt from the prohibition against health care practitioners referring patients to health care services in which the practitioner, the practitioner's immediate family, or the practitioner in combination with the practitioner's immediate family, has a significant beneficial interest. Under current law, a health care practitioner generally is not to refer a patient, or direct an employee of the practitioner to refer, a patient to a health care service in which the practitioner, the practitioner's immediate family, or the practitioner in combination with the practitioner's immediate family, has a significant beneficial interest. However, there are exceptions to this general rule. This bill adds to the list of exceptions by permitting health care practitioners to refer patients to birthing facilities in which the practitioner has a significant beneficial interest. | In Committee |
| S2059 | Establishes nonpublic school transportation program to provide funding to consortiums of nonpublic schools that will assume responsibility for mandated nonpublic school busing. | This bill establishes a nonpublic school consortium transportation program to provide funding to consortiums of nonpublic schools that will assume responsibility for participating school districts' mandated nonpublic school busing for those students. Under the program, a participating school district will disburse to the consortium an amount equal to the aid in-lieu-of transportation amount (currently set at $1,022) for each nonpublic school pupil who is attending a nonpublic school which is a part of the consortium and who is required by law to be transported by a school district. The consortium is to assume the responsibilities of transporting the pupils for whom it receives the aid in-lieu-of transportation amount. The bill provides that if the per pupil cost of the lowest bid received exceeds the aid in-lieu-of transportation amount, the parent or guardian of the student will be eligible to receive the aid in-lieu-of transportation amount from the consortium for that school year. In addition to providing transportation for students who are mandated to be transported, the consortium may provide non-mandated busing to students attending the nonpublic schools that are a part of the consortium, provided that the parents or guardians of those students pay all of the costs of that transportation. At the end of the school year, the consortium will refund to individual participating school districts a portion of the aid-in-lieu-of amount the district provided to the consortium for a nonpublic school student who did not receive transportation for the entire school year. If any unexpended funds remain, the bill requires the consortium to allocate that amount among the school districts in proportion to the number of nonpublic school pupils for whom the school district distributed funds to the consortium. The bill requires the Commissioner of Education to establish a committee to oversee the operations of each consortium in implementing the program. The oversight committee will consist of five members appointed by the commissioner, one of whom must represent a nonpublic school that is part of the consortium, and one of whom must represent a school district that is participating in the program. Under the provisions of the bill, the consortium is required to annually enter into a contract with an independent entity to audit the implementation of the program and the audit is required to be submitted to the commissioner no later than December 1 of each year. The bill stipulates that nothing in the bill is to be construed as altering the amount paid by the State for nonpublic school transportation costs pursuant to N.J.A.A18A:39-1a for any school district that participates in the program. The bill takes effect immediately and provides that the program will first be applicable in the 2023-2024 school year. | Dead |
| S669 | Extends COVID-19 Medicaid per diem rate, and requires Medicaid coverage without prior authorization, for certain partial care behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment services. | This bill requires the extension of certain policies established by the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services in the Department of Human Services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic regarding the reimbursement and coverage of partial care behavioral health services provided to Medicaid beneficiaries. Under the bill, "partial care services" means comprehensive, individualized, structured, non-residential behavioral health care and support services for an adult with severe mental illness or substance use disorder in order to facilitate community integration and prevent hospitalization and relapse. Partial care services may include, but are not limited to: psychiatric care, individual and group counseling, case management, and prevocational services. First, the bill requires the division to reimburse partial care services providers under Medicaid at the per diem rate, established by the division for partial care services provided by telehealth during the COVID-19 emergency period, for 180 days following the expiration of the federal Medicaid waiver authorizing the per diem rate. Telehealth services reimbursed under the bill are required to be provided without the imposition of any prior authorization or other utilization management requirements and in accordance with the policy guidance issued by the division regarding the qualifications for the per diem rate, provided that a partial care services provider: is open for onsite services; and submits a status report to the division following day 90, day 150, and day 180 of the 180-day period. The status report is required to include data on the total number of patients served, the number of patients receiving in-person services, and the nature of the in-person services rendered as a means to demonstrate the provider's best efforts to expand in-person services over the course of the 180-day period. Furthermore, the bill directs the division to use the status reports to assess the need to continue the per diem rate beyond the 180-day period. The division is required to make a determination to extend the per diem rate no later than 20 days prior to the end of the 180-day period. During an extension of the 180-day period, partial care services providers are required to comply with the provisions set forth in the bill, except that providers are tosubmit a status report to the division every 60 days. The per diem rate was established at the onset of the pandemic to allow partial care providers to continue to support patients via telehealth, while the basis of most programs - in-person, group services intended to promote socialization - was contraindicated because of the virus. Currently, the per diem rate will remain in effect until the end of the federal waiver authorizing the rate, and is equal to $89.60 per diem for partial care behavioral health services provided via telemedicine, and $78.31 per diem for partial care substance use disorder services provided via telemedicine. By extending the per diem rate 180 days beyond the expiration of the federal waiver, this bill affords providers the necessary time to stabilize their operations and cash flow as they gradually transition their staff and patients from primarily telehealth services back to in-person services. Second, the bill permanently extends the division's policy to not require prior authorization requirements for partial care services under Medicaid during the COVID-19 emergency. Under the bill, the division is required to provide coverage of such services to an eligible individual on an hourly basis for up to five hours a day, five days a week, without the imposition of any prior authorization or other utilization management requirements. In doing so, this bill reduces the burden on providers to secure approval for services and allows them to focus, instead, on making the appropriate clinical decisions based on each patient's needs. | In Committee |
| S692 | Permits public and nonpublic schools to utilize security categorical aid to hire school security personnel. | This bill would permit a board of education to utilize security categorical aid to hire school security personnel. Under the bill, school security services that are provided to a nonpublic school under the provisions of the "Secure Schools for All Children Act" would include the hiring of school security personnel. Under the "School Funding Reform Act of 2008," school districts throughout the State receive a category of funding identified as security categorical aid. This bill would permit a board of education to utilize security categorical aid to hire school security personnel. Under the "Secure Schools for All Children Act," a board of education is required to adopt policies and procedures to provide students enrolled full-time in a nonpublic school within the district with security services, equipment, or technology to help ensure a safe and secure school environment. Current Department of Education Guidance concerning the "Secure Schools for All Children Act" includes the hiring of security guards as acceptable security service expenditures. This bill amends the "Secure Schools for all Children Act" to specify that school security services may include hiring of school security personnel. | In Committee |
| Bill | Bill Name | Motion | Vote Date | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1636 | Changes MVC voter registration procedures. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| S2167 | Requires public and certain nonpublic schools to comply with breakfast and lunch standards adopted by USDA. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S317 | Revises "Athletic Training Licensure Act." | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2019 | Authorizes pharmacists to dispense HIV prophylaxis without individual prescription under certain circumstances; mandates prescription benefits coverage. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S862 | Requires DOT to provide additional information in annual report on pavement condition; makes report available to public. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2051 | Requires law enforcement officer to conduct risk assessment of and provide assistance to domestic violence victims. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S1403 | Requires employer or contractor engaged in work for public body to submit payroll records to DOLWD. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S1320 | Requires certain information be included in certain contracts with licensed public adjusters. | Senate Floor: Concur Governor Recommendations | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S1067 | Directs DHS to conduct landscape analysis of available mental health services. | Senate Floor: Concur Governor Recommendations | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A2929 | Requires disclosure of lead drinking water hazards to tenants of residential units; prohibits landlords from obstructing replacement of lead service lines; concerns testing of certain property for lead drinking water hazards. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3323 | Requires pay for extracurricular activities to be included in compensation for TPAF purposes. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A3361 | Establishes limit on rent increase for certain dwelling sites for modular or industrialized buildings or manufactured homes. | Senate Floor: Concur Governor Recommendations | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A3128 | Authorizes HMFA to use certain tax credits; directs HMFA to conduct tax credit auctions to provide financial assistance for certain housing purposes. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A1948 | Requires VCCO to issue annual report to Governor and Legislature. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A1682 | Requires State Board of Education to adopt New Jersey Student Learning Standards pertaining to labor movement; requires school districts to provide instruction on labor movement. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2346 | Creates Code Red alert pilot program to shelter at-risk individuals during certain hot weather and air quality events; appropriates $5 million. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2373 | Provides employment protections for paid first responders diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder under certain conditions. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3424 | Establishes certain program requirements for school counselor certification; outlines role and duties of school counselor; requires professional development for school counselors; establishes position of School Counselor Liaison in DOE. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3518 | Requires MVC to create digital driver's licenses and digital non-driver identification cards. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2783 | "Travel Insurance Act." | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3802 | Differentiates certain legal services from traditional insurance products. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| SJR96 | Permanently designates August 17th as "Nonprofit Day" in NJ. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2951 | Authorizes provision of monetary awards to whistleblowers who report State tax law violations committed by employers in construction industry. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2961 | Establishes minimum qualifications for persons employed on public works contract. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2961 | Establishes minimum qualifications for persons employed on public works contract. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| SJR100 | Designates July of each year as "Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month" in NJ. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4085 | Allows for natural organic reduction and controlled supervised decomposition of human remains. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3041 | Prohibits cooperative from receiving public works contract when cooperative-approved vendor fails to pay prevailing wage; concerns cooperative purchasing agreements with other states; and permits contracting units to award certain indefinite contracts. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4178 | Authorizes State Treasurer to grant temporary deed of easement in Borough of Sea Girt in Monmouth County. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3132 | Imposes certain requirements on secondhand dealers of cellular telephones and wireless communication devices. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3189 | Makes various changes to "New Jersey Angel Investor Tax Credit Act" and Technology Business Tax Certificate Transfer Program; repeals "New Jersey Ignite Act." | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4331 | Establishes licensure for cosmetic retail services. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4429 | Expands prohibitions on employers concerning requirements for employees to attend or listen to communications related to political matters. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3287 | Provides gross income tax deduction for amounts paid to taxpayers for sale of certain real property interests for conservation purposes. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3309 | Establishes "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act"; revises motor vehicle franchise agreements. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3309 | Establishes "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act"; revises motor vehicle franchise agreements. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4455 | Allows exemption from New Jersey gross income of certain capital gains from sale or exchange of qualified small business stock. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3418 | Authorizes certain types of permanent structures, recently constructed or erected on preserved farmland, to be used, in certain cases, for purposes of holding special occasion events thereon. | Senate Floor: Concur Governor Recommendations | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4603 | Allows commercial farmer to be awarded reasonable costs and attorney fees for defending against bad faith complaints under "Right to Farm Act". | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4712 | Establishes Office of Veteran Advocate and ombudsman for DMVA; appropriates funds. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4765 | Requires driver education and testing on responsibilities when approaching and passing pedestrians and persons operating bicycles and personal conveyances; requires driver's manual to include information on sharing roadway with motorists for certain road users. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3618 | Directs DEP and DOT to establish "Wildlife Corridor Action Plan." | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4897 | Revises law requiring certain student identification cards to contain telephone number for suicide prevention hotline. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3711 | Makes annual allocation of $500,000 from Clean Communities Program Fund for public outreach concerning single-use plastics reduction program permanent. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3776 | Establishes Chronic Absenteeism Task Force. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4937 | Concerns satellite cannabis dispensaries, Cannabis Regulatory Commission membership, and post-employment restrictions on State employees. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4937 | Concerns satellite cannabis dispensaries, Cannabis Regulatory Commission membership, and post-employment restrictions on State employees. | Senate Floor: Amend | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4954 | Requires members of historic preservation commissions to complete historic preservation planning course. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4971 | Requires EDA to provide grants to certain small businesses affected by State infrastructure and construction projects. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4969 | Ensures boards of elections have discretion to make initial determination of validity of cast ballots; requires Secretary of State to establish uniform guidelines for assessing validity of ballots. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3858 | Requires school bus personnel members to call 911 emergency line in potential life-threatening emergencies; requires certain school buses transportating students with disabilities to be equipped with certain safety features; makes appropriation. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3887 | Requires DEP to provide public access for boats to certain State-and county-owned lakes and reservoirs. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5049 | Removes certain limitations on receipt of retirement or death benefits under PFRS under certain circumstances. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3910 | Makes various changes to provision of preschool aid and facilities requirements; establishes Universal Preschool Implementation Steering Committee; requires full-day kindergarten in all school districts. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3917 | Makes various changes to school funding law and Educational Adequacy Report; establishes Special Education Funding Review Task Force. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3931 | Updates requirements for licensure in occupational therapy. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3933 | Establishes School Supervisor Mentorship Pilot Program; appropriates $500,000. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3944 | Provides that certain non-profit corporation alcoholic beverage theater licensees include disregarded entities of such corporations; allows certain community theaters to sell alcoholic beverages. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5100 | Re-appropriates unexpended balance of FY2024 appropriation for Town of West New York to support recreation center; appropriates $3 million for Town of West New York - Recreation Center to restore lapsed FY2024 funding. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5130 | Requires enforcing agency to conduct inspection of construction in specified time window. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3982 | Requires certain information be provided to parent at least two business days prior to annual Individualized Education Program (IEP) team meeting; establishes IEP Improvement Working Group in DOE. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5170 | Requires State to purchase certain unused tax credits issued under New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| S4028 | Limits amount of payment that State agency as property owner may withhold from certain contractors on State construction contracts to two percent of amount due. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5199 | Requires resident and fellow physicians employed by Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, who are eligible for coverage in SHBP, to be eligible to enroll and receive health insurance on first day of employment. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5267 | Requires BPU to procure and incentivize transmission-scale energy storage. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5267 | Requires BPU to procure and incentivize transmission-scale energy storage. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5267 | Requires BPU to procure and incentivize transmission-scale energy storage. | Senate Floor: Reconsidered Vote | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5267 | Requires BPU to procure and incentivize transmission-scale energy storage. | Senate Floor: Amend | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5264 | Requires establishment of automated platform to expedite construction code approval of applications to install residential solar energy systems. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4122 | Revises apportionment of State lottery contributions. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4135 | Provides allowance for certain redevelopment projects undertaken by institutions of higher education under New Jersey Aspire program. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5309 | Permits up to three credits of continuing medical education on menopause to be used by advanced practice nurses and physicians for license renewal. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5378 | Modifies provisions of Cultural Arts Incentives Program, New Jersey Aspire Program, and Grow New Jersey Program; eliminates Community-Anchored Development Program. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5381 | Provides medical documentation requirement for certain members of PERS, PFRS, and SPRS to receive accidental disability retirement allowance for participation in 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations; removes filing deadline. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4263 | Revises certain provisions concerning, and establishes certain education and data reporting requirements related to, involuntary commitment. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5447 | Prohibits sweepstakes model of wagering; establishes new penalties for unlawful gambling operations and practices; directs Division of Consumer Affairs and Division of Gaming Enforcement to enforce penalties. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5463 | Requires electric public utilities to submit annual report on voting to BPU. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4293 | Requires owner or operator of data center to submit water and energy usage report to BPU. | Senate Floor: Reconsidered Vote | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4293 | Requires owner or operator of data center to submit water and energy usage report to BPU. | Senate Floor: Concur in House Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4293 | Requires owner or operator of data center to submit water and energy usage report to BPU. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5563 | Establishes "Summer Termination Program" for certain utility customers. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5563 | Establishes "Summer Termination Program" for certain utility customers. | Senate Floor: Amend | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5546 | Concerns financial powers and responsibilities of Capital City Redevelopment Corporation. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| S4376 | Establishes Department of Veterans Affairs. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5687 | Establishes Next New Jersey Manufacturing Program to incentivize in-State manufacturing investments and job creation. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5688 | Imposes surcharge on hotel occupancies in certain municipalities to fund fire services; provides for appropriation. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4426 | Appropriates funds to DEP for environmental infrastructure projects in FY2026. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4426 | Appropriates funds to DEP for environmental infrastructure projects in FY2026. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4467 | Authorizes NJ Infrastructure Bank to expend certain sums to make loans for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2026. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4467 | Authorizes NJ Infrastructure Bank to expend certain sums to make loans for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2026. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4451 | Clarifies requirements for land use plan element and housing plan element of municipal master plan. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| SCR131 | Approves FY2026 Financial Plan of NJ Infrastructure Bank. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4400 | Extends hours that minor employed by national sports association, league, or team may work under certain circumstances. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4387 | Requires establishment of tracking system in Division of Consumer Affairs to determine compliance with continuing education requirements. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4423 | Authorizes BPU to provide site approval for small modular reactors; authorizes operators of small modular reactors to store spent nuclear fuel on-site. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4476 | Permits awarding of contracts for certain preschool education services by resolution of board of education; extends maximum length of preschool education services contracts to three years. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4472 | Eliminates five percent down payment requirement for local bond ordinances involving hazard mitigation and resilience projects. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4506 | Exempts minor league baseball players from certain State wage laws under certain circumstances. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4530 | Requires BPU to revise community solar program targets. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| S4530 | Requires BPU to revise community solar program targets. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| Committee | Position | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detail | New Jersey Legislature Legislative Services Commission | 7 | |
| Detail | New Jersey Senate Commerce Committee | 5 | |
| Detail | New Jersey Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee | 7 | |
| Detail | New Jersey Senate Higher Education Committee | 5 | |
| Detail | New Jersey Senate Legislative Oversight Committee | 5 |
| State | District | Chamber | Party | Status | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NJ | District 30 | Senate | Republican | In Office | 10/14/1993 | |
| NJ | District 30 | House | Republican | Out of Office | 01/14/1992 | 01/23/2024 |
| NJ | District 30 | House | Republican | Out of Office | 01/14/1986 | 01/23/2024 |