Legislator
Legislator > Brian Stack
State Senator
Brian Stack
(D) - New Jersey
New Jersey Senate District 33
In Office - Started: 01/08/2008
contact info
West New York Office
323 60th St.
West New York, NJ 07093
West New York, NJ 07093
Phone: 201-721-5263
Fax: 201-721-5986
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2051 | Requires law enforcement officer to conduct risk assessment of and provide assistance to domestic violence victims. | Requires law enforcement officer to conduct risk assessment of and provide assistance to domestic violence victims. | Crossed Over |
| 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 |
| S1067 | Directs DHS to conduct landscape analysis of available mental health services. | Directs DHS to conduct landscape analysis of available mental health services. | Vetoed |
| A2390 | Requires municipalities in compliance with affordable housing obligations be provided priority consideration for certain State grants and assistance. | Requires municipalities in compliance with affordable housing obligations be provided priority consideration for certain State grants and assistance. | Passed |
| S2335 | Requires school districts to provide instruction on history of Latinos and Hispanics as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards. | Requires school districts to provide instruction on history of Latinos and Hispanics as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards. | Passed |
| S3933 | Establishes School Supervisor Mentorship Pilot Program; appropriates $500,000. | Establishes School Supervisor Mentorship Pilot Program; appropriates $500,000. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| 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. | P.L.2023, c.74, the Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations Act, appropriated $6 million to the Department of Community Affairs for distribution to the Town of West New York to support the construction of an overpass project. However, $3 million of this appropriation lapsed to the Property Tax Relief Fund at the end of Fiscal Year 2024. As of December 2024, the $3 million balance of this appropriation remains unexpended. In order to restore and reauthorize the full amount appropriated in FY 2024 for the Town of West New York, the bill provides a FY 2025 supplemental appropriation of $3 million and adds budget language re-appropriating the balance of the FY 2024 appropriation to support the construction of the recreation center by the municipality. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3991 | 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. | P.L.2023, c.74, the Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations Act, appropriated $6 million to the Department of Community Affairs for distribution to the Town of West New York to support the construction of an overpass project. However, $3 million of this appropriation lapsed to the Property Tax Relief Fund at the end of Fiscal Year 2024. As of December 2024, the $3 million balance of this appropriation remains unexpended. In order to restore and reauthorize the full amount appropriated in FY 2024 for the Town of West New York, the bill provides a FY 2025 supplemental appropriation of $3 million and adds budget language re-appropriating the balance of the FY 2024 appropriation to support the construction of the recreation center by the municipality. | In Committee |
| S4376 | Establishes Department of Veterans Affairs. | Establishes Department of Veterans Affairs. | Passed |
| SR133 | Respectfully urges Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to reject results of PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.'s 2025/2026 Base Residual Auction and require rebid. | Respectfully urges Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to reject results of PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.'s 2025/2026 Base Residual Auction and require rebid. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S4492 | Directs Dept. of Agriculture to consult with US Dept. of Agriculture to determine methods and implementation of geese control. | This bill directs the Department of Agriculture and the Division of Fish and Wildlife in the Department of Environmental Protection (DFW) to work with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) concerning the implementation of nonlethal and lethal methods of geese control to minimize the use of lethal methods of geese control, and whenever lethal methods are required, to implement humane lethal methods other than gassing whenever possible. Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Agriculture to: 1) consult with the USDA to identify nonlethal methods of geese population control, the circumstances under which such methods may be implemented, and, when lethal methods are necessary, the humane lethal methods other than gassing that may be implemented; and 2) propose the adoption of a memorandum of understanding with the United States Department of Agriculture providing for the implementation of these methods and the circumstances under which specific methods would be used as enumerated in section 1 of the bill. Within 90 days after the execution of a memorandum of understanding between the Department of Agriculture and the USDA, the bill requires the DFW to consult with the Department of Agriculture concerning nonlethal and lethal methods of geese population control and the provisions of the memorandum of understanding, and determine the methods of geese control to be used by the DFW and the circumstances under which it finds the use of lethal methods necessary. Furthermore, if appropriate and necessary, the bill directs the DFW to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the USDA providing for the DFW's findings and the coordination with the USDA of implementation of necessary lethal methods of geese control as determined by the DFW. The bill requires the DFW and the Department of Agriculture to each post on its website a fact sheet describing the nonlethal and lethal methods of geese control and the circumstances for their implementation thereof, and a copy of any executed memorandum of understanding between the Department of Agriculture and the USDA and between the DFW and the USDA, as applicable. The bill requires the Department of Health to: 1) notify the Department of Agriculture, the DFW, and the USDA of any public health emergency requiring the use of lethal methods of population control on geese populations in the State; and 2) implement, to the greatest extent possible, humane lethal methods other than gassing identified by the Department of Agriculture and the USDA in their consultation pursuant to section 1 of the bill. Finally, the bill requires the Division of Fish and Wildlife in the Department of Environmental Protection to adopt best management practices for the development and management of properties that are designed to discourage the development of resident Canada geese populations and to establish habitats that are inhospitable to geese. The standards in the best management practices are required to minimize the use of natural turf grass and encourage the establishment of native plants, riparian buffers, and other plantings that do not provide food sources for geese. | Dead |
| S3896 | Concerns pretrial detention for firearms offenses. | Concerns pretrial detention for firearms offenses. | In Committee |
| S2376 | Requires boards of education to ensure that all staff are trained in care of students with epilepsy and seizure disorders every five years. | Requires boards of education to ensure that all staff are trained in care of students with epilepsy and seizure disorders every five years. | Crossed Over |
| S265 | Requires owners of certain multiple dwellings of three or more floors to provide priority status to senior citizens and disabled residents moving to lower floors. | Requires owners of certain multiple dwellings of three or more floors to provide priority status to senior citizens and disabled residents moving to lower floors. | Crossed Over |
| S1953 | Establishes "Mission Critical Long-Term Care Teams"; provides for identification of and intervention at long-term care facilities at risk of operational and financial distress. | This bill provides for the establishment of Mission Critical Long-Term Care Teams, which will be responsible for identifying long-term care facilities for which progressive levels of oversight and direct intervention may be necessary to prevent the decline of health and safety at the facility or the disruption of necessary health care services at the facility. Each Mission Critical Long-Term Care Team will work collaboratively with long-term care facilities to improve the financial and operating results of the facility with a focus on resident health and safety. Each Mission Critical Long-Term Care Team established by the Commissioner of Health is to comprise four individuals with relevant expertise in long-term care administration and management, financial management, nursing care, infection prevention, social work, quality improvement, safety, and continuing professional education. The commissioner will establish specific indicators by which a long-term care facility may be evaluated for: operational and financial soundness, and the thresholds at which it may be considered to be in operational or financial distress or at risk of operational or financial distress; and the facility's capacity to ensure the rights afforded by State law to residents and to deliver the quality of care required by applicable licensing standards for the facility. When a survey or inspection conducted, or complaint received, by the Division of Health Facility Survey and Field Operations in the Department of Health (DOH), or by any other individual in the DOH, identifies a facility at risk based on any of the indicators established by the commissioner, the commissioner may dispatch a Mission Critical Long-Term Care Team to evaluate the facility and advise the facility as to any corrective measures it should take to resolve any identified issues. The commissioner may also dispatch a Mission Critical Long-Term Care Team at the request of facility management. The bill requires that any facility to which a Mission Critical Long-Term Care Team is dispatched cooperate with the team, and that the facility grant both the Mission Critical Long-Term Care Team and the DOH access to all physical plant operations and locations and to all financial, operational, and programmatic information requested thereby. | 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 |
| A4535 | Concerns State regulation of cooperative sober living residences and boarding houses generally; appropriates $100,000. | An Act concerning State regulation of cooperative sober living residences and boarding houses generally, amending and supplementing P.L.1979, c.496, and making an appropriation. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S4562 | Permits payment of unused sick leave earned by certain local government officers and employees under certain circumstances. | Under current law, officers and employees of a board of education, or an agency or instrumentality thereof, a political subdivision of the State, or an agency, authority or instrumentality thereof, or of an independent State authority, or public institution of higher education eligible for payment for unused sick leave, may receive a maximum payment of $15,000 as supplemental compensation for accumulated unused sick. The amount is payable only at the time of retirement from a State-administered or locally-administered retirement system based on the leave credited on the date of retirement. This bill allows a political subdivision of the State, or an agency, authority, or instrumentality thereof, regardless of whether or not it has adopted the provisions of Title 11A Civil Service of the New Jersey Statutes, may pay to an officer or employee the accumulated unused sick leave earned by that officer or employee on an annual basis, beyond the $15,000 permitted at retirement by current law. The payment of sick leave will be at the sole discretion of the political subdivision, or an agency, authority, or instrumentality thereof, as appropriate, and it will not be subject to collective negotiation agreements or individual contracts. If a political subdivision, or an agency, authority, or instrumentality thereof, as appropriate, decides to pay unused sick leave, the bill specifies that: the number of sick leave hours eligible for payment cannot exceed the equivalent of three weeks sick leave; the number of sick leave hours eligible for payment cannot cause the employee to have less than 100 working days of sick leave per year; and the payment of supplemental compensation cannot occur more than once per calendar year. Under current law, the supplemental compensation is computed at the rate of one-half of the eligible employee's daily rate of pay for each day of accumulated sick leave based upon the compensation received during the last year of employment. Under the bill, the supplemental compensation for accumulated unused sick leave after the effective date of the bill, or after the expiration of a collective negotiations agreement or individual contract of employment in effect on that date, will be computed at a rate not to exceed 60 percent of the eligible officer's or employee's daily rate of pay for each day of accumulated sick leave based upon the salary or wage received during the year the leave was earned. An officer or employee who uses sick leave that is earned after that effective date or expiration date may be required to use their leave in a certain order based on when the leave was earned, and such a requirement will not be subject to collective negotiations agreements or individual contracts. Under current law, a political subdivision, or an agency, authority, or instrumentality thereof, as appropriate, may, when necessary, request a special emergency appropriation to provide funds for supplemental compensation of unused sick leave. Under the bill, at no time may the political subdivision, or an agency, authority, or instrumentality thereof, as appropriate, authorize or accept a special emergency appropriation to provide funds to buyback unused earned sick leave. This bill does not apply to local boards of education. | In Committee |
| S276 | Requires limited liability company to disclose ownership information when submitting deed for recording. | Requires limited liability company to disclose ownership information when submitting deed for recording. | In Committee |
| S2527 | Subjects certain rooming and boarding houses to municipal land use regulations; requires owners and operators of cooperative sober living residences to submit certain approvals with license applications. | Subjects certain rooming and boarding houses to municipal land use regulations; requires owners and operators of cooperative sober living residences to submit certain approvals with license applications. | In Committee |
| S421 | The "Uniform Electronic Wills Act"; authorizes electronic wills. | This bill authorizes electronic wills. Section 1. This section provides that the bill shall be known and may be cited as the "Uniform Electronic Wills Act." Section 2. This section includes definitions applicable to the bill. An "electronic will" is a will executed electronically in accordance with the provisions of the bill. "Electronic" is defined as relating to technology having electrical, digital, magnetic, wireless, optical, electromagnetic, or similar capabilities. "Sign" means, with present intent to authenticate or adopt a record, (1) to execute or adopt a tangible symbol; or (2) to affix to or logically associate with the record an electronic symbol or process. "Will" includes a codicil and any testamentary instrument that merely appoints an executor, revokes or revises another will, nominates a guardian, or expressly excludes or limits the right of an individual or class to succeed to property of the decedent passing by intestate succession. Section 3. The section provides that an electronic will is a will for all purposes of the law of this State, and that the law of this State applicable to wills and principles of equity apply to an electronic will, except as modified by the bill. Section 4. A will executed electronically but not in compliance with the provisions of subsection a. of section 5 of the bill (summarized below) is deemed an electronic will if executed in compliance with the law of the jurisdiction where the testator is physically located when the will is signed, or where the testator is domiciled or resides when the will is signed or when the testator dies. Subsection a. of section 5. Subject to the signature requirements in section 7 of the bill, an electronic will is required to be a record that is readable as text at the time of signing. The electronic will is to be signed by the testator, or signed by another individual in the testator's name, in the physical or electronic presence of the testator and by the testator's direction. In addition, the electronic will is to either be: (1) signed by at least two individuals, each of whom signed within a reasonable time after witnessing the signing of the will, or witnessing the testator's acknowledgment of the signature or acknowledgment of the will; or (2) acknowledged by the testator before a notary public or other individual authorized by law to take acknowledgments. The bill does not allow remote witnesses to the execution of an electronic will; the witnesses are required to be in the physical presence of the testator. Subsection b. of section 5. The intent of a testator that a record be the testator's electronic will may be established by extrinsic evidence. Section 6. An electronic will may revoke all or part of a previous will. All or part of an electronic will is revoked by: (1) a subsequent will that revokes all or part of the electronic will expressly or by inconsistency; or (2) a physical act, if it is established by a preponderance of the evidence that the testator, with the intent of revoking all or part of the will, performed the act or directed another individual who performed the act in the testator's physical presence. Section 7: This section provides that an electronic will may be simultaneously executed, attested, and made self-proving by acknowledgment of the testator and affidavits of the witnesses. The acknowledgment and affidavits are to be: (1) made before an officer authorized to administer oaths under law of the state in which execution occurs; and (2) evidenced by the officer's certificate under official seal affixed to or logically associated with the electronic will. Section 7 also sets out forms for the acknowledgment and affidavits. In addition, section 7 provides that a signature physically or electronically affixed to an affidavit that is affixed to or logically associated with an electronic will is deemed a signature of the electronic will. Section 8. This section provides that an individual may create a certified paper copy of an electronic will by affirming under penalty of law that a paper copy is a complete, true, and accurate copy. If the electronic will is made self-proving, the certified paper copy of the will is to include the self-proving affidavits. Section 9. This section provides that a self-proving electronic will also shall contain the electronic signature and electronic seal of a notary public placed on the will in accordance with applicable law; designate a custodian to maintain custody of the electronic will; and be under the exclusive control of a custodian at all times prior to being offered for probate or being reduced to a certified paper copy pursuant to the bill. The term "custodian" is defined as any person designated by the testator to maintain custody of the electronic will. Section 10. The bill would take effect immediately and be applicable to the will of a decedent who dies on or after the effective date. Background. The Uniform Electronic Wills Act was issued by the Uniform Law Commission in 2019. The commission also is known as the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws. | In Committee |
| S4254 | Eliminates five-year residency requirement for employees of NJ Racing Commission. | Current law provides that employees of the New Jersey Racing Commission must have been residents of the State for a minimum of five years prior to employment. This bill eliminates this requirement for New Jersey Racing Commission employees. | In Committee |
| S4522 | Provides for State agency reviews and increases of income thresholds for residential customers to participate in certain utility bill payment assistance and energy efficiency programs. | This bill requires the Department of Community Affairs, Department of Human Services, Board of Public Utilities (BPU), and any other State agency that administers a utility bill payment assistance program or energy efficiency program to, within one year of the bill's effective date, complete a review of the program, as provided for in the bill, and increase the income threshold if the department, board, or agency determines an increase to be appropriate. The bill requires that a State agency request public comment, in a form and manner determined by that State agency, or seek assistance from other State agencies, to determine an appropriate increase to the program's income threshold. The bill further specifies that if an increase in income thresholds for the State's low-income energy efficiency programs is ordered, the BPU is required to assess if further guidance is necessary to change income thresholds in the utilities' triennium energy efficiency and peak demand reduction programs for moderate-income energy efficiency programs to ensure that low- and moderate-income customers are eligible for only one energy efficiency assistance program and to expand access to moderate-income programs, if appropriate. | In Committee |
| S4523 | Requires State agencies that administer utility bill payment assistance or energy efficiency programs to review, and potentially increase, income thresholds for residential customers to participate in programs. | This bill requires the Department of Community Affairs, Department of Human Services, Board of Public Utilities (BPU), and any other State agency that administers a utility bill payment assistance program or energy efficiency program to, within one year of when the BPU issues a final order in the proceeding entitled "In the Matter of Addressing New Jersey Energy Affordability for Low- and Moderate-Income Households" (Docket No. QO24110853), complete a review of the program, as provided for in the bill, and increase the income threshold if the department, board, or agency determines an increase to be appropriate. The bill requires that a State agency request public comment, in a form and manner determined by that State agency, or seek assistance from other State agencies, to determine an appropriate increase to the program's income threshold. The bill further specifies that if an increase in income thresholds for the State's low-income energy efficiency programs is ordered, the BPU is required to assess if further guidance is necessary to change income thresholds in the utilities' triennium energy efficiency and peak demand reduction programs for moderate-income energy efficiency programs to ensure that low- and moderate-income customers are eligible for only one energy efficiency assistance program and to expand access to moderate-income programs, if appropriate. | In Committee |
| S4483 | Imposes 10 percent electric public utility windfall surtax on taxpayers with allocated taxable net income in excess of $10 million under CBT. | This bill imposes a 10 percent surtax, to be called the electric public utility windfall surtax, on electric public utilities with allocated taxable net income in excess of $10 million to fund vital utility assistance programs that annually serve hundreds of thousands of people in this State. The bill defines "allocated taxable net income" to mean the same as the term "taxable net income" is defined in the "Corporation Business Tax Act," N.J.S.A.54:10A-1 et seq. for purposes of calculating a taxpayer's corporation business tax liability. The electric public utility windfall surtax is to be imposed in addition to the taxpayer's regular corporation business tax liability. No credits are to be allowed against the electric public utility windfall surtax, except for credits for installment payments, estimated payments made with a request for an extension of time for filing a return, or overpayments from prior privilege periods. All revenues collected from the electric public utility windfall surtax, except for amounts constitutionally dedicated for open space, farmland, and historic preservation, are to be annually appropriated to the Board of Public Utilities (board) for the funding of utility assistance programs. The bill prohibits the board from approving any rate increase or charge to ratepayers that includes the cost of compliance with its provisions. The board approved an increase in electricity rates, which will become effective in June 2025. According to the board, this increase will raise electricity bills by approximately 17 to 20 percent, depending on a ratepayer's electric public utility. Electricity and gas are not luxuries; they are essential services powering homes, schools, medical devices, and transportation. As the cost of living continues to rise and many wages stagnate, New Jersey residents need protection from utility rate increases, which exacerbate the effects of inflation on consumers. This bill aims to safeguard ratepayers by implementing regulatory measures that promote fairness and transparency in pricing. This bill is designed to ensure that excessive profits of electric public utilities are taxed and that the resulting revenues benefit utility assistance programs, without passing through the costs of compliance with the bill to ratepayers. This measure is a crucial step in addressing economic hardships and promoting fair electric public utility and gas public utility pricing. New Jersey families, individuals, and businesses deserve reliable, affordable energy without facing undue financial strain. | In Committee |
| S4490 | Prohibits persons from installing, planting, or placing nonfunctional turf or invasive plant species on certain types of property during certain construction projects. | This bill would prohibit, beginning on January 1, 2026, persons from installing, planting, or placing, or allowing another person to install, plant, or place, any nonfunctional turf or invasive plant species on certain types of property during certain types of construction projects. Specifically, the bill would apply to the following types of property: any commercial, institutional, or industrial property, including schools and businesses; a street, right-of-way, parking lot, median, or transportation corridor; or any property owned by the State or any county, municipal, or local government unit. The projects covered under the bill would be: (1) a new construction project that requires a building or landscaping permit; or (2) a redevelopment project that requires a building or landscaping permit and involves the disturbance of at least 50 percent of the landscaped area of the property on which the project occurs. "Non-functional turf" is defined by the bill to exclude, among other things, turf that is used for recreational purposes, including playgrounds, sports fields, picnic grounds, amphitheaters, parks, and the playing areas of golf courses, such as driving ranges, chipping and putting greens, tee boxes, greens, fairways, and roughs. The bill would establish a list of the invasive species that would be covered by the bill's provisions. The bill would also direct the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Agriculture to develop a list, which may be more expansive from the list in the bill. | In Committee |
| S4489 | Establishes New Jersey Forensic Science Planning Commission. | This bill establishes the New Jersey Forensic Science Planning Commission to make recommendations to establish a permanent New Jersey Forensic Science Commission. The bill establishes the following 23 members of the planning commission: the Director of the Division of Criminal Justice in the Department of Law and Public Safety; the Chief State Medical Examiner; the Director of the Division of State Police Crime Laboratory; the Public Defender of the State of New Jersey; one member of the General Assembly; one member of the Senate; one New Jersey Supreme Court Justice; one New Jersey Superior Court judge; lab directors of two county crime laboratories; a statistician; an expert in cognitive bias; four members of faculty, each from a different four-year institution of higher education in the State, with expertise representing the various fields of forensic science; a representative of an organization serving the wrongfully convicted; a representative of a private forensic science laboratory; a county prosecutor; a defense attorney; an individual exonerated of wrongful conviction; and two representatives of forensic science professional organizations or societies. The bill requires the planning commission to study and make recommendations to establish a permanent New Jersey Forensic Science Commission that will have Statewide oversight of persons, laboratories, facilities, and other entities related to the field of forensic science as determined by the planning commission. Under the bill, the planning commission is required to determine elements necessary to establish the permanent commission including, but not limited to, staff and funding allocations, membership, policies, and procedures. The purpose of the permanent commission will be to improve the field of forensic science through oversight and coordination of forensic science in the State. The bill provides that within 22 months of organizing the planning commission is required to produce final recommendations for the establishment of the permanent commission. The recommendations are to include, but not be limited to the: (1) jurisdiction, scope of responsibility, duties, and authority of the commission; (2) commission membership structure and staffing needs; (3) appropriate level of funding and operational costs for the commission; and (4) frequency of the commission's meetings and its communication structure. The recommendations are required to be submitted for a public comment period of 30 days. A report containing the final recommendations is required to be submitted to the Governor and the Legislature not later than 30 days following the conclusion of the public comment period. The planning commission will expire upon submission of the report. | In Committee |
| S4480 | Requires electric and gas public utilities de-privatization study; appropriates $100,000. | This bill requires the Division of the Rate Counsel (division) to engage a third party to conduct a feasibility and cost savings study on the de-privatization of electric public utilities and gas public utilities in the State. The third party is authorized to request information and reasonable assistance from any electric public utility, gas public utility, or public entity in order to conduct the study, which is to examine the feasibility of and cost savings associated with de-privatization options, including, but not limited to: (1) acquisition or operation of existing electric public utilities and gas public utilities, in part or in whole, by a public entity; and (2) joint ownership or operation of existing electric public utilities and gas public utilities, in part or in whole, between a public entity and existing electric public utilities and gas public utilities. The study is to include: (1) the short- and long-term challenges and benefits of each option examined, including, but not limited to, any anticipated environmental effect, impact on service, and cost to ratepayers; (2) the strengths and weaknesses of selecting each public entity considered for potential acquisition, ownership, or operation, in whole or in part, of electric public utilities and gas public utilities, as well as potential organizational structures; (3) an estimation of costs, including, but not limited to, financial costs, as well as the long-term financial impact on the State and any public entity involved in each option; (4) an estimation of the cost savings associated with each option examined; (5) an estimation of the amount of revenue generated by clean energy programs; and (6) any other analysis as the division directs. Any electric public utility, gas public utility, or public entity is required to promptly respond to, cooperate fully with, and provide any requested information to the third party. Within a year of the bill's effective date, the division is required to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature summarizing the findings from the study and providing recommendations as to the feasibility of, need for, cost savings associated with, and plan for the de-privatization of electric public utilities and gas public utilities in this State. The report is to include recommendations for legislative, executive, and other actions. The bill appropriates $100,000 from the General Fund to the division to implement the provisions of the bill. The board approved an increase in electricity rates, which will become effective in June 2025. According to the board, this increase will raise electricity bills by approximately 17 to 20 percent, depending on a ratepayer's electric public utility. Electricity and gas are not luxuries; they are essential services powering homes, schools, medical devices, and transportation. As the cost of living continues to rise and many wages stagnate, New Jersey residents need protection from utility rate increases, which exacerbate the effects of inflation on consumers. With this bill, the sponsor intends to encourage the State to explore opportunities to provide electric public utility and gas public utility services as a public good for electric public utility and gas public utility customers across New Jersey. This measure is a crucial step in addressing economic hardships and promoting fair electric public utility and gas public utility pricing. New Jersey families, individuals, and businesses deserve reliable, affordable energy without facing undue financial strain. | In Committee |
| S4491 | Requires election by certain public employees of certain health care benefit plans; prohibits payments by public employers for waiver of such plans. | Under this bill, if an employee of the State, a local government, or a local board of education, or agency or authority thereof, and the employee's spouse are both public employees and eligible for health care benefits coverage provided by each public employer, the employee with the highest annual compensation will be required to select coverage with the employer and the employee's spouse will not be eligible for health care benefits coverage provided by the public employer of the spouse This bill also prohibits public employers from making payments in any form or manner to an employee who waives coverage under the public employer's health care benefits plan or program to which the employee is entitled by virtue of employment with the public employer. The decision of a public employer to allow its employees to waive coverage will not be subject to the collective bargaining process. | In Committee |
| S4404 | Reinstates automatic COLAs for retirement benefits of certain PFRS members. | This bill reinstates automatic cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for annual pension, ordinary disability pension, or accidental disability pension retirement benefits for certain members of the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). Provisions contained in P.L.2011, c.78 (C.43:3C-16 et al.), signed into law on June 28, 2011, had suspended the automatic annual adjustment for current and future retirees and beneficiaries of PFRS and other State-administered retirement systems until those systems reach a target funded ratio. Decades of underfunding those systems by the State had placed the systems in precarious financial conditions. Although this bill does not reinstate COLAs for other retirees, it serves as the first step in reinstating COLAs for all retirees of the State-administered retirement systems. Through the prioritization of PFRS, the State will begin this process with retired first responders, police and firefighters, to provide them greater financial security and stability at a time when inflation has significantly eroded the value of their retirement benefit payments, which are already based on the lower salaries of years ago. To that end, the bill includes restrictions intended to limit costs and focus on segments among PFRS retirees expected to be most in need of an immediate benefit. Under the bill, members of PFRS will receive automatic COLAs for annual pension, ordinary disability pension, and accidental disability pension benefits if the member has been retired and receiving retirement benefits for a minimum of ten years. Longer-term retirees generally will have lower pension benefits and be less able to obtain employment to offset the erosion of their benefits. Members of PFRS who are hired more than 30 days following the effective date of this act will not be considered eligible to receive these automatic COLAs. Additionally, members who are enrolled in deferred retirement will not be considered eligible for these automatic COLAs, nor will members who retired with 20 or more years of service but less than 25 years of service. The COLAs will only apply to future pension benefit payments. The bill does not provide for retroactive COLAs. The adjustment in eligible members' pension benefits will be calculated based on an amount up to $75,000 of a retiree's benefit for the first year following the enactment of this bill. Eligible members receiving up to $75,000 of pension benefits will receive a COLA tied to the CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers. This will ensure that greater initial benefits will be provided to those likely to be most in need. The adjustment in eligible member's pension benefits will be limited to one percent if the member receives more than $75,000 in benefits for the first year following the enactment of the bill. After the first calendar year following the enactment of the bill, the $75,000 threshold will be adjusted annually according to the CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, except that the adjustment will be calculated at a rate not to exceed three percent. The bill also grants the cost-of-living adjustment to the monthly pension or survivorship benefit of a surviving spouse, child, or beneficiary that is provided by PFRS. Under the bill, if the Board of Trustees of PFRS fails to comply with the provisions of this bill within six months following the effective date, then the State Treasurer will be responsible for implementing the cost-of-living adjustments. The bill requires the Legislature to appropriate monies from the General Fund as necessary to effectuate the cost-of-living adjustments established under the bill that are sufficient to cover both State and local expenses, and to reimburse each PFRS local employer for the full cost incurred. The bill further provides that this appropriation will take precedence over any additional funding added to the annual State budget by the Legislature through non-emergency supplemental appropriations, resolutions or other changes to the Governor's budget message. | 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 |
| S275 | Reduces helicopter operations at certain aviation facilities licensed by State. | Reduces helicopter operations at certain aviation facilities licensed by State. | In Committee |
| S1895 | Permits municipalities to charge reduced or no beach fee for children ages 12 to 17; revises law concerning beach fees for veterans. | This bill would allow a municipality, by ordinance, to charge no fee or a reduced beach fee to children between the ages of 12 and 17. This bill would also provide that a municipality, by ordinance, may charge no fee or a reduced beach fee to honorably discharged veterans, regardless of length of active duty or disability. Under current law, a municipality, by ordinance, may charge no fee or a reduced fee to: (1) persons 65 or more years of age; (2) persons who meet the disability criteria for disability benefits under Title II of the federal Social Security Act; (3) persons in active military service in any of the Armed Forces of the United States and their spouse and dependent children over the age of 12 years; (4) persons who are active members of the New Jersey National Guard who have completed Initial Active Duty Training and their spouse and dependent children over the age of 12 years; (5) persons who have served in any of the Armed Forces of the United States and who were discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable and who either have served at least 90 days in active duty or have been discharged or released from active duty by reason of a service-incurred injury or disability; and (6) persons holding a driver's license or identification card with a Gold Star Family designation. This bill would expand the list of individuals who could receive no fee or a reduced beach fee to children between the ages of 12 and 17. In addition, the bill would delete language in current law limiting the exemption and reduced fee to veterans who have either served at least 90 days in active duty or have been discharged or released from active duty by reason of a service-incurred injury or disability. | In Committee |
| S268 | Revises "Homelessness Prevention Program"; requires new charge for filing of eviction action. | Revises "Homelessness Prevention Program"; requires new charge for filing of eviction action. | In Committee |
| S4371 | Requires public utilities de-privatization study; appropriates $100,000. | This bill requires the Board of Public Utilities (board) to engage a third party to conduct a feasibility and cost savings study on the de-privatization of public utilities in this State. The third party is authorized to request information and reasonable assistance from any public utility or public entity in order to conduct the study, which is to examine the feasibility of and cost savings associated with de-privatization options, including, but not limited to: (1) acquisition or operation of existing public utilities, in part or in whole, by a public entity; and (2) joint ownership or operation of existing public utilities, in part or in whole, between a public entity and existing public utilities. The study is to include: (1) the short- and long-term challenges and benefits of each option examined, including, but not limited to, any anticipated environmental effect, impact on service, and cost to ratepayers; (2) the strengths and weaknesses of selecting each public entity considered for potential acquisition, ownership, or operation, in whole or in part, of public utilities, as well as potential organizational structures; (3) an estimation of costs, including, but not limited to, financial costs, as well as long-term financial impact on the State and any public entity involved in each option; (4) an estimation of the cost savings associated with each option examined; (5) an estimation of the amount of revenue generated by clean energy programs; and (6) any other analysis as the board directs. Any public utility or public entity is required to promptly respond to, cooperate fully with, and provide any requested information to the third party. Within a year of the bill's effective date, the board is required to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature summarizing the findings from the study and providing recommendations as to the feasibility of, need for, cost savings associated with, and plan for the de-privatization of public utilities in this State. The report is to include recommendations for legislative, executive, and other actions. The bill appropriates $100,000 from the General Fund to the board to implement the provisions of the bill. With this legislation, the sponsor intends to encourage the State to explore opportunities to provide utility services as a public good for utility customers across New Jersey. | In Committee |
| S4372 | Prohibits BPU approval of electric or gas public utility rate increase resulting in total increase to average residential customer bill in excess of two percent within five-year period. | This bill prohibits the Board of Public Utilities from approving electric or gas public utility rate increases that are projected to result in a total increase to an average residential customer bill in excess of two percent during any five-year period. | In Committee |
| S4188 | Allows certain senior citizens to apply for rent increase limit. | This bill is intended to assure affordable rental housing for a significant portion of New Jersey's senior citizen population. The bill would permit a tenant to apply to the Commissioner of Community Affairs for protected senior citizen tenant status so long as the tenant:· is 55 or more years old;· is not in the federal section 8 voucher program or the State rental assistance program, or a participant in another rental assistance program that disqualifies the resident pursuant to rules and regulations adopted by the commissioner; · has lived in a dwelling unit in a particular building or structure that is not public housing for at least the previous 10 years as their principal residence; and · has an annual household income of $80,000 or less during the calendar year prior to the year the bill takes effect, to be adjusted annually. The bill provides that the annual income limitation for eligibility for protected senior citizen tenant status will be the same as the income limitation for eligibility under the homestead property tax reimbursement program, P.L.1997, c.348 (C.54:4-8.67 et al.). A person meeting those requirements would be granted protected senior citizen status and their landlord would be so notified. A landlord would be required to limit any rent increase to the annual index rate factor promulgated by the commissioner for that particular county. The annual index rate factor would be 75 percent of the increase in the average consumer price index, determined on an annual basis. For each county the commissioner would use the consumer price index applicable either to the New York metropolitan area or the Philadelphia metropolitan area, as appropriate to the location and economic conditions of the county, as determined by the commissioner. A landlord who increases the rent of a protected senior citizen tenant above the allowable amount would be liable for damages in an amount equal to the greater of $500 or three times the rent difference, plus reasonable attorney fees in a summary proceeding. A landlord facing undue hardship as a result of a tenant with protected senior citizen tenant status would be entitled to apply to the commissioner for a hardship waiver of the annual index rate factor. The commissioner could then set the rent at a level to ensure that the landlord does not suffer undue hardship. However, a waiver would have no effect on restrictions established by a municipal rent control or rent leveling ordinance. If a person who has been granted protected senior citizen tenant status resides in a municipality with a rent control or rent leveling ordinance, then this bill only allows the landlord to raise rent on that tenant by the amount permitted under the ordinance, or by the amount permitted by this bill, whichever amount is less. | In Committee |
| S4069 | Requires cost-benefit analyses for long term tax exemption, and requires DCA to create database of exemptions; requires five-year tax exemption and abatement agreements to be filed with certain county officials. | Requires cost-benefit analyses for long term tax exemption, and requires DCA to create database of exemptions; requires five-year tax exemption and abatement agreements be filed with certain county officials. | In Committee |
| S3844 | Requires county prosecutor to initiate municipal, county, and higher education law enforcement internal affairs investigations. | This bill requires the county prosecutor to initiate all internal affairs investigations for municipal and county law enforcement agencies, and for higher education law enforcement agencies established pursuant to P.L.1970, c.211 (C.18A:6-4.2). The bill also requires that upon receipt of a complaint of officer misconduct by any person, a municipal, county, or higher education law enforcement agency is required to transfer the filed complaint to the county prosecutor to initiate an investigation. The bill also requires a petition for an extreme risk protection order filed against a law enforcement officer to be transferred from the officer's agency to the county prosecutor immediately upon receipt. The county prosecutor is then required to initiate an internal affairs investigation. The prosecutor retains the power to decide if the matter will be referred to the courts. | Dead |
| S3905 | Requires DCA to establish online, Statewide database of local government unit legal notices. | This bill requires the Department of Community Affairs (department) to establish and maintain a database for the purpose of providing the general public with a single, Statewide, access point for locating and viewing local government unit legal notices. Under the bill, whenever a local government unit is required by law to publish a legal notice in one or more newspapers, the local government unit may satisfy that requirement by transmitting the legal notice to the department for inclusion, without charge or fee, on the department's centralized database of local government unit legal notices. The bill affords discretion to the department to determine the manner in which it may require a local government unit to submit legal notices to the department for inclusion in the database. The bill requires the department to prominently post the database on the department's Internet website. | In Committee |
| S4347 | The "Safeguarding Livable Units through Municipal Landlord Oversight and Regulation by DCA" or "SLUMLORD Act"; strengthens habitability protections for residential tenants; appropriates $5 million. | This bill, known as the "Safeguarding Livable Units through Municipal Landlord Oversight and Regulation by DCA" or "SLUMLORD Act," strengthens protections for residential tenants for violations of the implied warranty of habitability and other code violations that severely affect the habitability of the tenant's rental unit. The bill requires the Commissioner of Community Affairs (commissioner) to establish a Habitability Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Program (program) in the Department of Community Affairs (department). The bill also: codifies the implied warranty of habitability; authorizes a private cause of action for residential tenants (tenants) for habitability violations and provides certain remedies; imposes personal liability and criminal penalties on certain landlords and their agents for severe habitability violations; extends a tenant's ability to recover attorney's fees and certain costs to actions arising from habitability violations; and establishes a habitability database to enhance the efficacy of the program. Specifically, the bill requires the establishment of the program to: provide information to tenants regarding habitability violations, as defined in the bill; and engage in litigation, through public-private partnerships, on behalf of tenants to enforce habitability violations. The program would consist of a Tenant Advocate Service and Affirmative Litigation Initiative, which are not to expend resources representing residential tenants in defense of an eviction action, unless for certain cases involving reprisal. The bill codifies certain elements of the implied warranty of habitability and provides that the bill would not hinder or limit case law and the development of the common law doctrine of the implied warranty of habitability. The bill requires a landlord to designate at least one principal agent, as defined in the bill, who is to be the primary agent of the landlord for the purposes of complying with the bill, receiving habitability violation complaints from tenants, directing the property management company to abate violations, and, who is to be authorized to accept service of process from the registered agent or process server, receive confidential communications, and be personally and criminally liable for severe habitability violations, as defined in the bill. The bill requires the principal agent to be, in addition to other criteria specified in the bill, a beneficial owner, which the bill defines in a manner similar to the federal "Corporate Transparency Act," pursuant to 31 U.S.C. s.5336(a)(3). The bill requires a written lease to clearly provide certain contact information of the principal agent, and the principal agent to continuously update this information as necessary. The bill provides a private cause of action and permits a tenant to bring an action alleging a habitability violation, which remains unabated following written notice to the landlord and a reasonable opportunity to cure. A tenant is not to bring an action pursuant to the bill if: (1) the tenant is in arrears on rent lawfully due and owing, unless the rent was directly withheld as a result of a habitability violation or a tenant's exercise of lawful statutory claims or defenses; (2) a landlord authorizes a tenant to withhold rent monies necessary and sufficient to repair a habitability violation; or (3) the landlord and tenant agree that rent monies withheld and used by the tenant to repair a habitability violation are sufficient to remedy the violation and in satisfaction of the rent. The bill authorizes the court to award all damages appropriate within the context of the violation, taking into account the duration and severity of the violation, and other factors the court deems relevant. The bill specifies that for habitability violations, the landlord would be subject to the penalties set forth in the bill for each violation against each tenant. The bill further provides that a habitability violation is to constitute an unlawful practice pursuant to the New Jersey consumer fraud act, P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.), and prescribes certain penalties depending on whether there exists a habitability violation or a severe habitability violation. If a court determines that a severe habitability violation exists, the bill requires a court to order the landlord to abate the violation in a specified time period, which, if not timely abated, would enable the program, or the municipality in which the landlord's unit is located, including a municipal enforcing agency or other similar agency of the municipality (municipality), to abate the condition giving rise to the violation, at the landlord's expense, which expense would constitute a lien against the premises. If the lien is held by the municipality, the lien is to be held and enforced in the same manner, time, and proceedings as taxes owed to the municipality pursuant to Title 54 of the Revised Statutes. The bill provides that a court may hold a principal agent personally liable for a severe habitability violation, as specified in the bill, and that such a violation is to be a crime of the fourth degree. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by imprisonment for up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. To facilitate the efficacy of the program, the bill requires the commissioner, in coordination with the Administrative Director of the Courts, to establish and maintain a habitability database, which is required to contain certain information pertaining to habitability violations, as described in the bill. The information and violations would be classified by number, duration, and hazard level. The bill requires the information to be electronically displayed or printed; made available for the court and all litigants for litigation concerning an alleged habitability violation, subject to the redaction of identifying information for those individuals and properties not subject to the pending litigation; and that the contents are to constitute prima facie evidence of any matter stated therein. The bill amends section 2 of P.L.1974, c.50 (C.46:8-28) of the "Landlord Identity Law," to expand the information and individuals required to provide information for purposes of the certificate of registration, to include the principal agent, certain corporate officers and directors, and to facilitate the identification of a beneficial owner, as defined in the bill. Further, the bill amends P.L.2013, c.206 (C.2A:18-61.66), which permits a tenant to recover attorney's fees to the same extent as the landlord, if the residential lease permits the landlord to recover attorney's fees for actions arising out of the lease. The bill extends and modifies the tenant's ability to recover attorney's fees and certain costs to actions arising from habitability violations. The bill appropriates $5 million from the General Fund to the Habitability Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Program to effectuate the provisions of the bill. The bill authorizes the commissioner to promulgate rules and regulations that are necessary to effectuate and administer the provisions of the bill. The bill would take effect on the first day of the fourth month next following enactment, except that the commissioner and the Administrative Director of the Courts would be permitted to take anticipatory action necessary to implement the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| S3159 | Establishes consumer-facing portal for elevator maintenance for owners of certain buildings to provide information on elevator servicer; requires certain signage; requires DCA to establish senior housing elevator maintenance loan program. | This bill would require the Department of Community Affairs to establish and maintain a database of elevators and elevator inspections, including elevator identification numbers. It would also require owners of R-2 occupancies, including apartment buildings, to post signage at each door to and inside of an elevator with the information of the elevator servicer. An R-2 occupancy building owner who fails to post such signage would be subject to a fine of $100 for the first offense, $500 for the second offense, and $1,000 for any subsequent offense. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Community Affairs to establish and maintain a loan program for owners of senior housing to perform maintenance on elevators. The bill would take effect on the first day of the seventh month next following enactment. | In Committee |
| S3620 | Requires electric and gas public utilities to establish "Energy Bill Watch" program and include certain information in bills and notices to customers. | An Act concerning electric and gas public utilities and supplementing Title 48 of the Revised Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S2236 | Exempts nursing mothers from jury duty. | An Act concerning exemption from jury service and amending N.J.S.2B:20-10. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3587 | Upgrades, and in some circumstances provides for extended terms of imprisonment for, certain retail theft crimes, addresses gift card fraud, and authorizes new Attorney General initiatives to address organized retail theft. | An Act concerning retail theft, amending and supplementing various parts of the statutory law, and making an appropriation. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A3881 | Requires State Police to establish online portal allowing persons to obtain status of expungement orders. | An Act concerning criminal history background information and expungements and supplementing chapter 52 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S2952 | Concerns State regulation of cooperative sober living residences and boarding houses generally; appropriates $100,000. | Concerns State regulation of cooperative sober living residences and boarding houses generally; appropriates $100,000. | In Committee |
| S4299 | Creates Health Care Cost Containment and Price Transparency Commission, Office of Healthcare Affordability and Transparency, and hospital price transparency regulations; appropriates $5 million. | This bill creates the Health Care Cost Containment and Price Transparency Commission (commission), the Office of Healthcare Affordability and Transparency (office), and hospital price transparency regulations. Under the bill, the purpose of the office is to provide support, staffing, infrastructure, and expertise to the commission, and to comprehensively address health care cost growth while also establishing data analytics and public reporting mechanisms to ensure healthcare affordability, informed policymaking, and access for future generations. The office is to establish guidelines for health care entities to submit necessary data for the yearly evaluation of total health care expenditures, their incremental growth, pricing information, pricing incremental growth, the formulation of the healthcare cost growth benchmark and the hospital price benchmark, and for publishing relevant data publicly. Under the bill, the purpose of the 18 member commission is to: monitor, analyze, and contain health care prices by identifying drivers of health care cost growth including hospital price growth; establishing and adopting a health care cost growth benchmark and a hospital price growth benchmark; identifying health care entities that exceed the benchmark or benchmarks; and addressing increases in excess of the benchmark or benchmarks through public transparency, opportunities for remediation, and other actions, including civil penalties. The commission is to set a cost growth benchmark for health care entities. The commission is to impose civil penalties, pursuant to the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.), on health care entities that either fail to respond to the commission's request to submit a corrective action plan or comply with the requirements of a corrective action plan. The bill provides that the Department of Health is to require hospitals to be in compliance with federal hospital price transparency requirements and provide a written warning notice to or request a corrective action plan from any hospital that is not in compliance with these federal requirements. A hospital is to be prohibited from attempting to collect a medical debt from a patient if the hospital is not, at the time of providing medical services to the patient, in compliance with the provisions of this bill. A hospital that fails to act in accordance with the provisions of this bill is to be liable to a civil penalty of $10 per day per hospital bed for each offense, pursuant to the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.). The bill appropriates to the office such sums as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this bill, as determined by the Commissioner of Health, but in no case is this amount to exceed $5,000,000. | In Committee |
| S2911 | Authorizes special plate for holders of "Combat Action Ribbon." | This bill amends the law authorizing a "Combat Infantryman Badge" plate so individuals who have been awarded a Combat Action Ribbon are eligible to receive the plate. Under current law, this plate is only available to the holder of a Combat Infantryman Badge. This requirement prevents Marines from obtaining the special plate, as they are awarded a Combat Action Ribbon and not a Combat Infantryman Badge. This bill amends the law so Marines are eligible to possess the plates. | In Committee |
| S3990 | Extends early voting period for primary elections and extends challenger appointment deadline; appropriates $6 million. | An Act extending the early voting period for primary elections and extending the challenger appointment deadline, amending P.L.2021, c.40 and R.S.19:7-3, and making an appropriation. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S2948 | Provides that only registered design professionals or employees with certified fire escape contractors are authorized to install, service, repair, inspect, and maintain fire escapes. | Provides that only registered design professionals or employees with certified fire escape contractors are authorized to install, service, repair, inspect, and maintain fire escapes. | Crossed Over |
| S3694 | Prohibits cryptocurrency automatic teller machines. | This bill prohibits any business entity from owning, controlling, installing, or managing a cryptocurrency automatic teller machine (ATM) in this State. Under the bill, cryptocurrency is defined as any digital form of currency that functions as a medium of exchange through a decentralized computer network without reliance on any central authority such as a government or financial institution. In addition, a cryptocurrency ATM means a physical, internet-connected kiosk allowing users to buy, sell, send, or receive cryptocurrency by depositing money using a debit card, credit card, or cash. Under the provisions of the bill, owning, controlling, installing, managing, selling, or offering for sale a cryptocurrency ATM in this State is an unlawful practice under the consumer fraud act, 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 may 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. While cryptocurrency ATMs offer a convenient way for individuals to buy, sell, send, or receive digital currencies, there has been a significant rise in scams associated with their use. According to the United States Federal Trade Commission's Consumer Sentinel Network, fraud losses linked to these cryptocurrency automatic teller machines have surged nearly tenfold since 2020 to more than $110 million in 2023 and exceeded $65 million in just the first half of 2024. Since many incidents of fraud go unreported, these figures likely represent only a portion of the overall impact. It is the sponsor's intent to protect consumers from falling victim to financial losses associated with the use of cryptocurrency automatic teller machines. | In Committee |
| S2873 | Requires DHS and DOH, respectively, to provide information on SNAP, WFNJ, and WIC recipients regarding card skimming, cloning, and similar fraudulent activities and to replace stolen benefits; makes appropriation. | This bill directs the Commissioners of Human Services and Health, respectively, to provide information to certain benefit recipients regarding card skimming and cloning and to replace stolen benefits under fraudulent circumstances. Specifically, the Commissioner of Human Services is responsible for implementing these provisions for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Work First New Jersey Program (WFNJ), while the Commissioner of Health is responsible for implementing the provisions for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The bill also appropriates the necessary funds to the departments to support the provisions of the bill. As used under the bill, "skimming" means the illegal installation of devices on point-of-sale or automatic teller machine terminals to capture a cardholder's personal identification number and other data stored on the magnetic strip of the electronic benefits transfer card; and "card cloning" means making an unauthorized copy of an electronic benefits transfer card. Under the bill, each commissioner is to provide information to program recipients regarding the: risks of card skimming, card cloning, and similar fraudulent methods; precautions a recipient can take to avoid falling victim to fraudulent methods; claims process, established under the bill, through which a recipient can have stolen benefits replaced; and process by which a recipient can report stolen to the appropriate department or to local law enforcement agencies. This information is to be distributed to recipients, at a minimum, at the point of enrollment and recertification in the program and with the issuance of the recipient's electronic benefits transfer card. Each commissioner is also required to post the information on the department's website and at eligibility determining offices. The bill mandates the commissioners to establish a claims process, that mirrors the provisions of federal law regarding the replacement of stolen SNAP benefits, by which a recipient's stolen program benefits can be replaced by either federal or State funds, subject to availability. The bill also directs the commissioners to coordinate with vendors to implement available precautions to reduce the vulnerability of electronic benefits transfer cards to theft, such as the inclusion of an embedded microchip in all electronic benefits transfer cards Finally, the commissioners are required to report to the Governor and the Legislature, 18 months following the effective date of the bill, and annually thereafter, data regarding stolen and replaced program benefits, as collected under the bill, as well as any other information that demonstrates the departments' efforts to protect recipients from fraud. | In Committee |
| S290 | Extends protected tenancy period for certain tenants who are senior citizens and certain tenants with disabilities. | This bill extends the protected tenancy period for certain tenants who are senior citizens and certain tenants with a disability pursuant to the "Senior Citizens and Disabled Protected Tenancy Act," N.J.S.A.2A:18-61.22 et al. ("act"). The bill extends the protected tenancy period to the lifetime of those tenants who are senior citizens and those tenants with a disability. The extension of the protections provided pursuant to the bill are necessary in the service of the public interest, as life expectancies have continued to increase in the United States since the initial enactment of the act, in order to protect senior citizen tenants and tenants with a disability from harmful disruptions in their living conditions later in life. These protections are especially imperative during a time when economic dislocations have sharply increased as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and as recent evidence has proven that relocation at older age has been related to declines of both physical and cognitive functions. | Crossed Over |
| S2506 | Requires municipalities in compliance with affordable housing obligations be provided priority consideration for certain State grants and assistance. | This bill requires the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to give priority consideration to municipalities that are in compliance with their affordable housing obligations in awarding grants or other financial assistance through the Main Street New Jersey Program, Neighborhood Preservation Program, or any other program administered by the DCA or the EDA through which monies are provided to a municipality via a competitive process. The bill's provisions would not apply to grants or financial assistance intended to help a municipality fulfill its affordable housing obligation. For the purposes of the bill, the Department of Community Affairs would consider, at a minimum, the following in determining a municipality's compliance in the first five years after a new round of affordable housing obligations begin: prior round builder's remedy lawsuits, prior round fair share settlements, the percentage of fulfilled obligation, and any other factor deemed relevant by the department. | In Committee |
| S2513 | Prohibits dissemination of certain criminal history background information. | Prohibits dissemination of certain criminal history background information. | 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 |
| 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 |
| S2295 | Concerns pretrail and post-trial considerations for certain crimes involving operation of vehicles, including rebuttable presumption for pretrial detention, pretial recommendation of no release from detention, suspension or revocation of license, and vehicle forfeiture. | Concerns pretrial and post-trial considerations for certain crimes involving operation of vehicles, including rebuttable presumption for pretrial detention, pretrial recommendation of no release from detention, suspension or revocation of license, and vehicle forfeiture. | In Committee |
| S305 | Requires Administrative Law Judges to be enrolled in Workers Compensation Judges Part of PERS. | This bill requires the enrollment in the Workers Compensation Judges Part of the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) of Administrative Law Judges of the Office of Administrative Law, as a condition of employment for service as an administrative law judge for each judge enrolled after the effective date of the bill. Currently, administrative law judges are enrolled in the Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP). Administrative law judges will be subject to and governed by the laws and regulations of the Workers' Compensation Judges Part which was established in 2001 and reopened in 2021. An administrative law judge who is currently a participant in the DCRP will be transferred out of the program to the Workers' Compensation and Administrative Law Judges Part of PERS within 90 days following the bill's effective date. An administrative law judge who is currently a participant in PERS will be transferred into the Workers' Compensation and Administrative Law Judges Part of PERS within 90 days following the bill's effective date. The account in the DCRP for each judge will be transferred and each judge will be given service credit for service during participation in the program of administrative law judges. The unfunded liability for the benefits provided by the transfer will be paid by appropriations from the State General Fund. | In Committee |
| S286 | Permits certain local units and authorities to reduce water, sewer, and stormwater fees and other charges for low-income persons. | Permits certain local units and authorities to reduce water, sewer, and stormwater fees and other charges for low-income persons. | Crossed Over |
| A3446 | "Freedom to Read Act"; establishes requirements for library material in public school libraries and public libraries; protects school library staff members and librarians. | An Act concerning public school libraries and public libraries and supplementing Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| AJR46 | Designates October of each year as "Hindu Heritage Month" in New Jersey. | This joint resolution designates January of each year as "Hindu Heritage Month" in the State of New Jersey in recognition of the many Hindu residents of this State and their rich and noteworthy history and cultural contributions to this State. Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world, dating back to a time between 3000-8000 BCE. Sacred texts have been passed on through generations for thousands of years, creating a strong following of 1.1 billion Hindus in the 21st century. Hindus believe in a variety of deities, each representing different concepts and values within Hinduism. Different sects of Hindus emphasize particular deities and practices over others, depending on their beliefs. Various Hindu gods and goddesses can be traced to origin points spanning several thousand years, making the traditions surrounding Hinduism and the Hindu deities rich and storied. Some deities have holidays celebrated in their honor, such as Diwali, the Festival of Lights, which celebrates Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and fortune. Another well-known Hindu holiday is Holi, the Festival of Colors. It is a holiday celebrating the coming of spring, famous for colorful paste and water thrown on those celebrating. Hindus have made enormous contributions to cultural development throughout history across the globe. Significant achievements in math, science, and medicine used in the modern world can be traced to Hindus. New Jersey is lucky enough to be the state with the highest percentage of Hindu residents in the United States. The Hindu community has shown others the beauty of their beliefs, including though the establishment of the largest Hindu temple in the world, now located in Robbinsville, New Jersey. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| SJR12 | Designates October of each year as "Hindu Heritage Month" in New Jersey. | Designates October of each year as "Hindu Heritage Month" in New Jersey. | In Committee |
| S1887 | Creates offense of financial exploitation of the elderly. | Creates offense of financial exploitation of the elderly. | Crossed Over |
| S2421 | "Freedom to Read Act"; establishes requirements for library material in public school libraries and public libraries; protects school library staff members and librarians. | "Freedom to Read Act"; establishes requirements for library material in public school libraries and public libraries; protects school library staff members and librarians. | In Committee |
| S3845 | Requires BPU to consider affordability to ratepayers before approving base rate cases for electric public utilities. | This bill requires the Board of Public Utilities (board) to consider affordability to ratepayers as a factor in determining whether an electric utility rate increase proposed as part of a base rate case is found to be just and reasonable. Under current law, the board may approve a petition by an electric public utility to increase, change, or alter any existing utility rates upon determination that the increase, change, or alteration is just and reasonable. Currently, the primary factors considered by the board in the determination of justness and reasonableness include the public utility's property valuation (i.e., the rate base), the public utility's expenses, and the public utility's rate of return. | In Committee |
| S3846 | Makes certain amendments to expungement statutes to reduce filing burdens and expand eligibility. | This bill makes certain procedural and substantive reforms concerning expungements of criminal records. First, the bill amends the special probation statute (also known as Recovery Court) to allow a person who successfully completes the Recovery Court program to have their entire record expunged, including convictions for indictable crimes, disorderly persons offenses, municipal ordinance violations, and juvenile offenses. The bill also removes the requirement that a person not be convicted of any new crimes while in Recovery Court in order to be eligible for an expungement, but any new convictions will not be expunged. Under current law, Recovery Court expungements only cover indictable crimes, and a person is eligible for a Recovery Court expungement only if they have not been convicted of any new crimes during their participation in the program. Second, the bill allows an expungement petitioner to include all municipal ordinance violations and juvenile delinquency adjudications that may also be eligible to be expunged on a single petition, along with their other expungeable convictions. Under current law, a person must file up to three separate petitions for expungement to cover indictable crimes and disorderly persons offenses, ordinance violations, and juvenile records. Third, the bill amends the list of crimes for which convictions may not be expunged. Under the bill, robbery in the second degree becomes expungeable, but robbery in the first degree remains non-expungeable. Also under the bill, endangering the welfare of a child, where the offense did not involve sexual conduct, becomes expungeable, but convictions involving sexual conduct or child pornography remain non-expungeable. Additionally under the bill, a conviction for possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a public housing facility, public park, or public building, which would otherwise be a non-expungeable second degree crime, becomes expungeable. Fourth, the bill eliminates a barrier to expungement posed by out-of-state or federal convictions. Under current law, when calculating a person's eligibility for an expungement, out-of-state and federal convictions are counted against the total number of convictions a person may have on their record. However, at present, there is no expungement available for federal convictions, and expungement laws vary from state to state. Therefore, the bill amends the statutes so that eligibility is determined only under the laws of this State. Fifth, the bill amends the electronic filing and review process by which a person seeks an expungement through the courts. Under current law, the e-filing system automatically sends a copy of the petition to the State Police, the Attorney General, and county prosecutors so that they can review the petition for accuracy and completeness and, if appropriate, file objections to the expungement. However, although these agencies are required to notify the court of any inaccurate or missing information, they are presently not required to provide copies of the correct or missing documentation to the petitioner. The bill requires these agencies to make copies of these documents available to the petitioner and the court. Sixth, the bill harmonizes the provisions concerning court-ordered financial assessments across all types of expungements. Under current law, a person becomes eligible for an expungement after a statutory waiting period, which begins to run from the date of release from incarceration, probation, or parole, or the date that a court-ordered financial assessment is satisfied, whichever is later. In 2023, the statutes concerning expungements for indictable crimes, disorderly persons offenses, and "Clean Slate" expungements were amended to allow a person to become eligible for an expungement so long as the statutory waiting period is met, even if the court-ordered financial assessment is satisfied at a later time. Alternatively, the 2023 statute revisions also allow a person to become eligible for an expungement by demonstrating compelling circumstances for non-payment. Under the bill, these court-ordered financial assessment provisions are extended to expungements for municipal ordinance violations and juvenile delinquency adjudications. Seventh, the bill expands the eligibility of persons with juvenile delinquency records to receive an expungement. Under current law, a juvenile who is adjudicated delinquent for an offense which, if committed by an adult, would constitute a crime that cannot be expunged would also not be eligible for an expungement. However, the New Jersey Supreme Court has recognized, in cases such as State v. Zuber, 227 N.J. 422 (2017), and State v. Comer, 249 N.J. 359 (2022), that juvenile offenders should not be subject to the same lifetime bars to post-conviction relief as adult offenders. Therefore, the bill eliminates this barrier to expungement for juveniles. Eighth, the bill expands the availability of "Clean Slate" expungements. The "Clean Slate" expungement law passed in 2019 called for the eventual adoption of a system to automatically expunge convictions after ten years. Under the bill, the "Clean Slate" law is extended to include automatic expungement of juvenile adjudications. Additionally, under the bill, the waiting period for a "Clean Slate" expungement is reduced from ten to seven years. The 2019 "Clean Slate" law also established a task force to make recommendations concerning how an automatic expungement system could be implemented. Because the automatic system is not yet operational, and in light of revisions to the expungement laws since 2019, the bill calls for the re-establishment of the task force, with an expanded membership, to provide the Governor and the Legislature with updated recommendations. | In Committee |
| S3006 | Establishes crimes of home invasion burglary and residential burglary. | An Act concerning burglary of residential dwellings, supplementing Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes, and amending various parts of the statutory law. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S2237 | Establishes Department of Early Childhood. | This bill establishes as a new principal department within the Executive Branch, the Department of Early Childhood. The bill transfers the functions of the current Division of Early Childhood Education in the Department of Education to the Department of Early Childhood. In addition, the bill transfers to the new department:· all responsibilities of the Department of Education relating to students in grades preschool through three including, but not limited to, those parts of the following programs relating to this age group: teacher licensing; IDEA part B; Title I services; regional achievement centers; migrant and homeless education services; bilingual education services; parent training and information centers; and the New Jersey Council for Young Children;· all responsibilities of the Department of Human Services relating to children from pregnancy to age eight, including but not limited to, those parts of the following programs relating to this age group: subsidized child care programs and services; child care development block grants; wraparound care; New Jersey First Steps Infant Toddler Initiative; child care resource and referral agencies; childcare workforce registry; New Jersey School-Age child care; and New Jersey Inclusive Child Care; · all responsibilities of the Department of Children and Families relating to children from pregnancy to age eight including, but not limited to, those parts of the following programs relating to this age group: New Jersey Home Visitation Program; Help Me Grow Initiative; Project LAUNCH; New Jersey Strengthening Families Initiative; Project TEACH (Teen Education and Child Health); Parent Linking Program; and Family Success Centers; and· all responsibilities of the Department of Health relating to children from pregnancy to age eight, including but not limited to, those parts of the following programs relating to this age group: Improving Pregnancy Outcomes Program; New Jersey WIC Breastfeeding Services; services for perinatal mood disorders; home visitation programs; early intervention system under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); and NJ Early Care and Education Learning Collaborative Project (NJ ECELC). The bill transfers all the functions of the Department of Children and Families regarding the licensing of child care centers and the registration of family child care providers to the new Department of Early Childhood. The bill requires the Commissioner of Early Childhood, in consultation with the Commissioners of Education, Human Services, Children and Families, and Health, to develop a schedule for the orderly transfer of programs relating to early childhood and child nutrition to the new department. | In Committee |
| S3698 | Permits surviving spouse of retired member of PFRS to be enrolled in SHBP and to continue to receive pension benefit after remarriage in certain circumstances. | Under this bill, certain surviving spouses of retired members of the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) will receive State-paid health care benefits through the State Health Benefits Program and a continuation of pension benefits after remarriage. The surviving spouse of a retired member of the PFRS who died prior to, on, or after the effective date of this bill and who was receiving an accidental disability retirement allowance at the time of death will be eligible to enroll for health care benefits coverage in the State Health Benefits Program after the effective date of this bill and the annual premiums for such coverage for the surviving spouse and any dependent children will be paid in full by the State. Such a surviving spouse will also be eligible to continue to receive upon remarriage the pension benefit provided by current law to surviving spouses of deceased retired members. The State will be responsible for any increase in contributions to the retirement system required of employers other than the State due to the continuation of the payment of the pension benefit after remarriage. This bill will only apply if the surviving spouse provides documentation, approved by the Board of Trustees of the PFRS, demonstrating that the injury that caused the disability, the complications from that disability, or the aggravation or acceleration of a preexisting condition caused by the disability was a significant contributing factor in the retired member's death. An eligible surviving spouse whose pension was terminated due to remarriage prior to the effective date of this bill may apply to the board to have the pension benefit reinstated and payable again commencing from the date of application. | In Committee |
| S3697 | Prohibits seller from charging credit card surcharges; establishes notice requirements for credit card minimums and cash discounts. | This bill prohibits a seller from imposing a credit card surcharge on a customer using a credit card for a transaction occurring in the State. Under current law, a seller may impose a credit card surcharge that is no greater than the actual cost to the seller to process the credit card payment. The bill also establishes certain notice requirements for sellers that condition the acceptance of a credit card on a minimum transaction amount and for sellers that offer a discount on transactions to induce payment by cash, check, or debit card rather than by credit card. The bill does not apply to the existing notice requirements for motor fuel retail dealers that sell similar fuels at different prices to customers that use cash and customers that use credit cards. | In Committee |
| S3672 | Establishes protections for immigrants interacting with government agencies; designates "New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act." | This bill creates a uniform code for State and local government entities, as well as health care facilities, regarding the use of resources to aid federal immigration law enforcement, and designates the "New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act." Under the bill, the definition of government entities includes any of the principal departments of the executive branch of State government and any parts or creations thereof, any independent State authority, commission, instrumentality or agency, including any public institution of higher education. The bill's definition also includes political subdivisions of the State and combinations of political subdivisions, independent authorities, commissions, instrumentalities and agencies created by a political subdivision or combination of political subdivisions. Under the bill, government entities and healthcare facilities are prohibited from collecting certain personal and identifying information unless it is strictly necessary for program or service administration. Any record resulting from that collection, whether written or oral, would not be a government record under the "Open Public Records Act" unless an election agency requires it to ascertain the eligibility of a candidate when citizenship is required for an elected office. Any record also shall not be disclosed except as required to administer benefits or services pursuant to State or federal law, or valid court order or warrant, issued by a federal Article III judge or magistrate or the State equivalent. The bill provides that the prohibition on sharing information may be waived if the subject of the record or information provides written consent in that person's preferred language. The written consent shall include the following: (1) the exact record or information to be shared; (2) the purpose for sharing the record or information; (3) a statement clarifying that consent is voluntary and declining to consent shall not result in discrimination or retaliation by the government entity; (4) a statement clarifying that consent may be revoked, but that revocation does not impact a record or information already shared via prior written consent provided pursuant to this section; and (5) the person or agency to receive the record or information. The bill requires government entities to review their confidentiality policies, guidance and recommendations to identify any changes necessary to ensure compliance with the provisions of the bill and make any changes as expeditiously as possible, but no later than one year after the bill becomes effective. The bill also requires these entities to share their policies prominently on their Internet websites. This bill also requires the Attorney General, in consultation with the Public Defender, to prepare a written notice explaining in plain language the provisions of section 6 of the bill. Section 6 of the bill details the prohibition of certain actions by law enforcement. The bill requires the notice and all translations to be posted to the Internet website of the Department of Law and Public Safety and to be considered vital documents pursuant to P.L.2023, c.263 (C.52:14-40 et seq.). The Attorney General is also required to consult with stakeholders serving or representing immigrant communities in the development of standardized training and guidance for law enforcement to comply with the bill's provisions. The AG also shall provide mandatory training to all State, county and local law enforcement agencies within one year of the bill's effective date. Any newly sworn officer is required to complete this training within a year of the officer's appointment. The Department of Human Services is required to consult with stakeholders serving or representing immigrant communities to develop and lead a multilingual campaign to promote public awareness of the bill's requirements for law enforcement agencies. As part of the awareness campaign, DHS is required to publish the text of section 6 of the bill's provisions and a plain language summary and explanation of those requirements on its Internet website within 180 days of the bill's enactment. . Under the bill, the Attorney General is also required to consult with other government entities and stakeholders in the development of model policies for sensitive locations. These locations include health care facilities, public schools, public libraries, shelters, and any other locations deemed appropriate by the Attorney General to ensure that eligible individuals are not deterred from seeking services or engaging with government entities. The model policies prohibit the request or collection of certain information regarding a person's immigration status, place of birth or taxpayer identification except to determine eligibility for services or program benefits. The model policies prohibit assistance or participation of immigration enforcement, and prohibit the permission of immigration enforcement on entity premises that are not open without restriction to the general public. The Attorney General is required to publish the model policies on the Internet website of the Department of Law and Public Safety. The bill requires government entities with authority to regulate sensitive places to adopt the model policies within 180 days of issuance by the Attorney General's office and encourages facilities not regulated by government entities to adopt the policies. The bill prohibits certain actions by law enforcement. Specifically, State, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies and officials shall not: (1) stop, question, arrest, search, or detain any individual based on actual or suspected citizenship or immigration status, or actual or suspected violations of federal civil immigration law; (2) inquire about an individual's immigration status, citizenship, place of birth, or eligibility for a social security number; (3) make an arrest, detain, or prolong the detention of an individual based on civil immigration warrants; (4) use agency or department moneys, facilities, property, equipment, or personnel to investigate, enforce, or assist in the investigation or enforcement of any federal program requiring registration of individuals on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, immigration status, citizenship, or national or ethnic origin; or (5) make agency or department databases available to anyone or any entity for the purpose of immigration enforcement or investigation or enforcement of any federal program requiring registration of individuals on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, immigration status, citizenship, or national or ethnic origin. The bill nullifies any agreement, policy or practice in place that permits in conflict with this clause. Law enforcement agencies in the State are also prohibited from: (1) participating in civil immigration enforcement operations; (2) providing to federal immigration authorities any information that identifies, relates to, describes, is reasonably capable of being associated with, or could reasonably be linked, directly or indirectly, with a particular person; (3) providing access to any State, county, or municipal law enforcement equipment, office space, database, or property; (4) providing access to a detained individual for an interview; (5) facilitating or complying with immigration detainers, notification requests, and transfer requests from federal immigration authorities; (6) continuing to detain a person past the time the person would otherwise be eligible for release from custody based solely on an immigration detainer or civil immigration warrant; (7) entering into, modifying, renewing, or extending any agreement to exercise federal immigration authority or conduct immigration enforcement pursuant to section 287(g) of Title 8 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. §1357(g), or otherwise exercising federal civil immigration authority or conducting immigration enforcement outside of the purview of 287(g) of Title 8 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. §1357(g); or (8) providing or sharing funds, property, equipment, personnel, or access to facilities or real property not open to the general public for purposes of engaging in, assisting, supporting, or facilitating immigration enforcement. The bill provides that violations of the prohibitions on police conduct in the bill would be enforceable under the "New Jersey Civil Rights Act," P.L.2004, c.143. If an agency or law enforcement official intends to comply with an immigration detainer, notification request, civil immigration warrant, or transfer request concerning a person in custody, a written explanation specifying the legal basis for that action is required to be given to the person is custody. Lastly, the bill requires each State, county, and municipal law enforcement agency to submit to the Attorney General a report that includes: (1) the number of detainer requests, transfer requests, and notification requests made by immigration authorities, and the responses of the State, county, or municipal law enforcement agency. For any request that was granted, the report shall specify any legal basis for granting that request; (2) the number of interviews requested and the number of interviews conducted, either in person or telephonically, by immigration authorities of people in State, county, or municipal law enforcement custody. For each interview conducted, the report shall specify any legal basis for granting the interview; (3) any other requests made by immigration authorities for the agency's participation in immigration enforcement, the responses of the State, county, or municipal law enforcement agency, and the legal basis for granting the request; and (4) to the extent the law enforcement agency has knowledge, any information about State, county, and municipal databases to which immigration authorities have had access to at any time in the course of the year, including: the name of the database; an overview of information available on the database; the purpose for which immigration authorities have access to this database; the process through which immigration authorities requested access and agencies reviewed this request, if applicable; any legal basis for providing immigration authorities access to the database; and the frequency with which immigration authorities accessed the database over the course of the year. Law enforcement agencies have 180 days after the effective date of the bill to produce the first report and must then annually submit a report within 30 days of the end of the State's fiscal year. The Attorney General is initially required to publish the report on the office's website within 90 days of receipt, and then within 90 days of the end of the fiscal year thereafter. The Attorney General is also required to annually submit to the Governor and Legislature a report on each law enforcement agency's compliance with the provisions of this act. | In Committee |
| S3692 | Requires certain consumer disclosures relating to rabies testing and establishes optional training for veterinarians. | The bill provides that it is a violation of the consumer fraud act for a veterinarian to intentionally misrepresent, including through the use of euphemisms, code words, or otherwise, the information required under current law to be provided to the owner of a dead domestic companion animal undergoing testing for rabies. An unlawful practice 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, a violation 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. In addition, the bill requires the Division of Consumer Affairs to develop a poster and pamphlet with information relating to rabies vaccines and quarantine and testing protocols. Veterinarians are required to display the poster in office reception areas and to distribute the pamphlets to certain customers. Lastly, the bill requires the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services to develop a trauma-informed mental health protection training certification program for veterinarians and staff. The program is optional, and those who complete it are to receive a certification from the division. | In Committee |
| S3659 | Limits amount of residential rental property application fee; establishes penalty. | Limits amount of residential rental property application fee; establishes penalty. | In Committee |
| S3657 | Makes use of algorithmic systems to influence price and supply of residential rental units unlawful. | This bill makes it unlawful to use algorithmic systems to influence the price and supply of residential rental units. Under the bill, it is unlawful and a violation of the "New Jersey Antitrust Act" for a rental property owner, or any agent, representative, or subcontractor thereof, to subscribe to, contract with, or otherwise exchange any form of consideration in return for the use of services of a coordinator and for a coordinator to facilitate an agreement among rental property owners that restricts competition with respect to residential dwelling units, including by performing a coordinating function. A "coordinator" is defined in the bill to mean any person who operates a software or data analytics service that performs a coordinating function for any rental property owner, including a rental property owner performing a coordinating function for their own benefit. "Coordinating function" is defined to mean (1) collecting historical or contemporaneous prices, supply levels, or lease or rental contract termination and renewal dates of residential dwelling units from two or more rental property owners; (2) analyzing or processing of the information described in paragraph (1) through use of a system, software, or process that uses computation, including by using the information to train an algorithm; and (3) recommending rental prices, lease renewal terms, or ideal occupancy levels to a rental property owner. | In Committee |
| S3658 | Establishes Statewide limitation on rent increases. | This bill would establish a Statewide limitation on rent increases. Specifically, the bill would prohibit a residential landlord from increasing rent a dwelling unit by more than 5 percent plus inflation, or 10 percent, whichever is lower, of the lowest rental rate charged for that dwelling unit at any time during the 12 months prior to the date when the increase takes effect. The rent increase limitation established by this bill would not apply to the following: (1) Non-residential real property.(2) A dwelling unit restricted by deed, regulatory restriction contained in an agreement with a government agency, or other recorded document as affordable housing for persons and families of very low, low, or moderate income.(3) A dormitory constructed and maintained in connection with an institution of higher education for the use and occupancy of students in attendance at the institution.(4) A dwelling unit subject to a "Notice of Rent Protection Emergency," established pursuant to P.L.2002, c.133 (C.2A:18-61.62 et seq.), the application of which results in a lower permitted rent increase for the specified year than that permitted by this bill.(5) A dwelling unit that has been newly constructed, and issued a certificate of occupancy as a result of its completion, within the previous 15 years.(6) A single family dwelling unit, provided that (a) the landlord is not a real estate investment trust, as defined in the federal Internal Revenue Code, a corporation, or a limited liability company in which at least one member is a corporation; and (b) the tenant has been provided written notice that the residential real property is exempt from the requirements of this bill, if the tenancy has been established on or after the first day of the third month next following enactment.(7) A duplex in which the landlord occupies one of the units as the landlord's principal place of residence at the beginning of the tenancy. Additionally, the rent increase limitation established by this bill would not apply to a dwelling located in a municipality that enforces a local rent control, rent leveling, or rent stabilization ordinance, the application of which results in a lower permitted rent increase for a 12-month period than this bill would. Furthermore, the rent increase limitation established by this bill would not apply to a new tenancy in which no tenant from the prior tenancy remains in lawful possession of the dwelling unit. This bill would function in addition to, and not in place of, the existing statutory prohibition on unconscionable rent increases. A violation of this bill would constitute an unlawful practice pursuant to the New Jersey consumer fraud act, P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.) and would subject the offending landlord to all remedies and penalties available to an aggrieved consumer, in this case the tenant, under that statute. Additionally, the bill permits a tenant to petition a court of competent jurisdiction to terminate a lease containing a provision in violation of this bill. Finally, in accordance with the Anti-Eviction Act, P.L.1974, c.49 (C.2A:18-61.1), a tenant would be authorized to assert a violation of this bill as a defense to an eviction action. The bill authorizes the Commissioner of Community Affairs to adopt the rules and regulations necessary to effectuate its purposes. In order to avoid the creation of an incentive for landlords to increase rents substantially prior to this bill's enactment, the bill would apply retroactively to rent increases established on or after September 1, 2024. | In Committee |
| S3532 | Includes Sikhs as protected class in bias intimidation law; appropriates $100,000. | This bill amends N.J.S.A.2C:16-1, the crime of bias intimidation,to specifically include Sikhism in the protected classes set forth in the statute. Sikhism is the monotheistic religion founded in India in the 15th century by Guru Nanak. New Jersey is home to approximately 100,000 Sikhs, which is one of the largest Sikh populations in the United States. On October 16, 2023, the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI") released its annual report of hate crime statistics, which recorded 198 anti-Sikh hate crime incidents. According to the FBI report, Sikhs remain the second-most targeted group in the nation for religiously-motivated hate crime incidents. Current law enumerates the protected classes of race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, and ethnicity in the bias intimidation statute. Under the provisions of the bill, a person is guilty of the crime of bias intimidation if he commits, attempts, conspires, or threatens the immediate commission of certain specified offenses with a purpose to intimidate an individual or group because of their membership within a protected class, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ethnicity, or Sikhism, or knowing that the conduct would cause an individual or group to be intimidated on that basis or under circumstances in which the victim believes he was targeted on that basis. Pursuant to this bill, all local, county, and State law enforcement entities in New Jersey are to report all violations under the statute to the State and federal law enforcement agencies responsible for preparing bias crime reports. Further, this bill sets forth that the Office of Attorney General, in consultation with the Department of Education, is to: (1) develop training, for the dissemination to county and local law enforcement agencies, on Sihkism, which shall include, but not limited to, visible Sikh identity features, including turbans, bracelets, moustaches, beard, and physical attire, and the classification of bias intimidation cases as anti-sikh, to prevent the misclassification of hate and bias incidents. (2) coordinate with other State agencies and departments in the creation of a public awareness campaign and educational initiatives on Sikhism; and (3) annually report to the Governor and the Legislature on the public awareness campaign,educational initiatives on Sikhism executed through the public awareness campaign across different public platforms, and on the steps taken to include Sikhism education across curriculum standards in different grades across township boards of education within this State. Pursuant to this bill, the New Jersey Office of Attorney General, in consultation with the New Jersey field office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, shall develop a transnational repression recognition and response training program that is to include how to identify different tactics of transnational repression and best practices for appropriate county, local and state law enforcement prevention, reporting, and response tactics. Current law establishes within the Division of Purchase and Property in the State Department of the Treasury, the position of Chief Diversity Officer. This bill expands the Chief Diversity Officer's responsibilities to include: ensuring that each public entity of this State incorporate the definition for anti-Sikh hate into the bias intimidation policy of the public entity; and ensuring that the definition of anti-Sikh hate is incorporated into the diversity, equity, and inclusivity promotion policies in any program offered by the State or any political subdivision of the State. This bill appropriates $100,000, for three consecutive years following enactment, from the General Fund to the Office of the Attorney General to fund Sikh awareness educational initiatives and outreach efforts to the Sikh community. | In Committee |
| S3531 | Establishes rebuttable presumption of pretrial detention for child sexual abuse and child endangerment. | This bill establishes a rebuttable presumption of pretrial detention for a defendant charged with sexual assault or criminal sexual contact when the victim is a minor, or endangering the welfare of a child. Under P.L.2014, c.31, also known as the "Bail Reform Law," criminal courts are authorized to order the pretrial release of a defendant pending further proceedings, or order pretrial detention of a defendant who is found to be a flight risk, a danger to another or the community, or likely to obstruct further criminal proceedings. Currently, there is a rebuttable presumption that a defendant who is charged with murder or a crime that subjects the defendant to an ordinary or extended term of life imprisonment is to be detained pending trial. This rebuttable presumption applies when a prosecutor makes a motion for pretrial detention, but may be rebutted upon a showing of proof, by a preponderance of the evidence, in favor of the defendant. If the presumption is not rebutted, the court may order pretrial detention of the defendant. If the presumption is rebutted, the prosecutor still has the opportunity to establish other grounds for pretrial detention. This bill provides that the rebuttable presumption of pretrial detention also applies to defendants charged with the crime of sexual assault pursuant to N.J.S.2C:14-2 when the victim is a minor, the crime of criminal sexual contact pursuant to N.J.S.2C:14-3 when the victim is a minor, and the crime of endangering the welfare of a child under N.J.S.2C:24-4. | In Committee |
| S3567 | Provides access to periodic cancer screening examinations for volunteer firefighters through SHBP physicians and other providers. | This bill requires access to periodic cancer screening examinations for volunteer firefighters serving in fire district of this State, or a fire department, unit, or company of or in this State or a political subdivision of this State, without cost-sharing. Under the bill, physicians who participate in the State Health Benefits Program network will be required to offer these periodic examinations to volunteer firefighters and then a physician or other provider may request payment from the State for the provision of services not to exceed $1,250 in the aggregate per three-year period for each firefighter. According to the bill, fire district of this State, or a fire department, unit or company of or in this State or a political subdivision of this State, which relies on services from volunteer firefighters must maintain adequate records to facilitate the payment. Current law entitles paid firefighters enrolled in the State Health Benefits Program and paid firefighters eligible for enrollment in the State Health Benefits Program to periodic cancer screening examinations every three years without cost-sharing. By law, the State will reimburse public employers in an amount not to exceed $1,250 per three-year period for each firefighter. This bill extends the reimbursement provisions available to paid firefighters under current law to unpaid firefighters serving in any fire district with a volunteer fire department or wherein there exists one or more incorporated volunteer fire companies affording fire protection to the fire district, or any fire department, unit, or company of or in the State or a political subdivision of this State. | In Committee |
| S721 | Exempts sales of investment metal bullion and certain investment coins from sales and use tax. | An Act exempting the sale of certain investment metal bullion and coins from the sales and use tax and amending P.L.1980, c.105. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S2470 | Permits service credit in Prosecutors Part of PERS for judicial clerk service; increases salary of Presiding Judge of Appellate Division and county prosecutor; permits retired judges to collect pension while serving as county prosecutor. | An Act concerning certain service credit for certain members of the Prosecutors Part of the Public Employees' Retirement System, salaries and retirement benefits of certain prosecutors and judges, and amending various parts of the statutory law. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A3772 | Revises process for property tax lien holder to foreclose right to redeem a property tax lien; allows property owner to protect remaining equity. | An Act revising the process for a property tax lien holder to foreclose the right to redeem a property tax lien, amending various parts of the statutory law, and supplementing chapter 5 of Title 54 of the Revised Statutes and P.L.1948, c.96 (C.54:5-104.29 et seq.). | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S2334 | Revises process for property tax lien holder to foreclose right to redeem a property tax lien; allows property owner to protect remaining equity. | Revises process for property tax lien holder to foreclose right to redeem property tax lien; allows property owner to protect remaining equity. | In Committee |
| S3528 | Establishes Governor's Survivor Leader Advisory Council in DOH; requires council to create report on human trafficking and 2026 FIFA World Cup; appropriates $1 million. | This bill creates the Governor's Survivor Leader Advisory Council (GSLAC) in the Department of Health, and appropriates $1 million. The GSLAC will be responsible for issuing a report to the Governor and Legislature related to anti-trafficking efforts the State may undertake as a host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The council is required to hold at least eight meetings per year until the issuance of the report, the dates for which are to be determined by the chair of the council. The council consists of nine members, appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, and upon the recommendation of the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking. Each member of the council is required to: (1) be a survivor of human trafficking; (2) have experience with developing or enforcing anti-trafficking policies; and (3) have experience with providing assistance and services to victims of human trafficking. The bill requires the council to: (1) evaluate existing law concerning human trafficking, and make recommendations for legislation to be introduced, and guidelines and directives to be issued by the Attorney General, to address the potential increase in human trafficking related crimes prior to and during the 2026 FIFA World Cup; (2) review existing assistance programs and analyze whether there is a need to expand current programs or initiate new programs in order to respond to the increased risk of human trafficking crimes prior to and during the 2026 FIFA World Cup; (3) promote a coordinated response to the increased risk in human trafficking crimes related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup by public and private resources prior to and during the event; and (4) prior to and during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, develop mechanisms to increase the public awareness of human trafficking, victim remedies and services, and trafficking prevention including the creation of public awareness signs to inform the State that persons may be trafficked into the State and United States. Under the bill, the report is required to include, but not be limited to, recommendations on: (1) best practices the State may take in order to raise awareness of human trafficking and how to identify trafficking victims; (2) information campaigns that raise awareness of the risk of human trafficking at large events; (3) the State issuing public service announcements prior to and during the World Cup to inform soccer fans that persons may be trafficked into the State and United States during the event; (4) the State establishing additional human trafficking hotlines for a period of time leading up to and during the World Cup; (5) changes that may be made to State laws related to human trafficking; (6) guidelines and directives to be issued by the Attorney General concerning the identification of and response by law enforcement and prosecuting agencies to the potential increase in human trafficking related crimes prior to and during the 2026 FIFA World Cup; (7) engaging State and local organizations to aid with assessing the risk of human trafficking crimes and adopting necessary mitigation strategies; and (8) any other issues the council deems relevant for the prevention of human trafficking during the World Cup. The Department of Health is appropriated one million dollars for the establishment of the GSLAC and the implementation of the requirements established in the bill. The bill also requires the council to develop for distribution a public awareness campaign and signage related to the risk of human trafficking prior to and during the World Cup and requires any entity or business which is currently required to post human trafficking signs to also post the public awareness sign related to the World Cup. The bill requires the Attorney General to issue directives to any or all law enforcement and prosecuting agencies in the State related to the identification of and response to the increased risk of human trafficking crimes prior to and during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Finally, the bill requires the Commission on Human Trafficking to meet to ensure the implementation of the councils legislative recommendations before, during, and after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. | In Committee |
| S3529 | Criminalizes the use of "signal jammers." | This bill would criminalize the use of "signal jammers" under State law. Such devices are already illegal under federal law. "Signal jammers," which are also known as signal blockers, GPS jammers, cell phone jammers, and text blockers, are radio frequency transmitters that are designed to block, jam, or otherwise interfere with authorized radio communications. These devices can prevent cell phones from making or receiving calls, texts, and emails; block Wi-Fi devices from connecting to the Internet; prevent a GPS from receiving correct positioning signals; and prevent a first responder from locating a person in an emergency. Under current New Jersey law, it is a crime of the fourth degree to: (1) make, or cause to be made, a radio transmission of energy in this State unless the person obtains a license, or an exemption from licensure, from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) pursuant to applicable federal law or regulation, or (2) do any act to cause an unlicensed radio transmission of energy or interference with a public or commercial radio station licensed by the FCC or to enable the radio transmission of energy or interference to occur. This bill provides that it would also be a crime of the fourth degree to interfere with or cause interference to any radio communications of any station licensed or authorized by or under any federal law or regulation or operated by the United States government; or, in violation of federal law or regulation, to use any scanning receiver that is capable of: (1) receiving transmissions in the frequencies allocated to the domestic cellular radio telecommunications service, (2) readily being altered by the user to receive transmissions in such frequencies, or (3) being equipped with decoders that convert digital cellular transmissions to analog voice audio. The provisions of this bill are also set out in federal law, specifically in 47 U.S.C. s.301 and 47 U.S.C. s.333. | In Committee |
| S3491 | Secures protections for patients and providers accessing and providing legally protected health care activities; establishes right of residents to legally protected health care services, which are restricted in other states. | This bill establishes certain protections for individuals seeking abortion or gender-affirming health care services, as well as certain protections for professionals who provided abortion-related health care services. Crime: Interference with Reproductive or Gender-Affirming Health Services This bill creates the new crime of "interference with reproductive or gender-affirming health services." A person is guilty of the crime if the person purposely or knowingly, with the purpose to unlawfully restrict another's access to or receipt or provision of reproductive or gender-affirming health care services or to intimidate the person from becoming or remaining a reproductive or gender-affirming health care services patient, provider, volunteer or assistant: (1) inflicts or attempts to inflict bodily injury; (2) obstructs any person seeking to enter into or exit from a reproductive or gender-affirming health care services facility; (3) intimidates, threatens, or coerces, or attempts to intimidate, threaten, or coerce, any person or entity because that person or entity is a reproductive or gender-affirming health care services patient, provider, volunteer, or assistant; (4) damages, defaces, or destroys the property of a person, entity, or facility, or attempts to do so, because the person, entity, or facility is a reproductive or gender-affirming health care service patient, provider, assistant, volunteer, or facility; (5) videotapes, films, photographs, or records by electronic means, within 100 feet of the entrance to a reproductive or gender-affirming health care services facility, a patient, provider, volunteer, or assistant without that person's consent; or (6) discloses or distributes a videotape, film, photograph, or recording of the person. Interference with reproductive or gender-affirming health care services is a crime of the fourth degree, but is a crime of the second degree if the victim suffers significant or serious bodily injury. Further, interference with reproductive or gender-affirming health care services is a disorderly persons offense if the act would cause a reasonable person to suffer: (1) damage to the victim's business or personal reputation; (2) financial harm; or (3) pain and suffering, mental anguish, or emotional harm. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. A crime of the second degree is punishable by five to ten years imprisonment, a fine of up to $150,000, or both. A disorderly persons offense is a punishable by up to six months imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. Civil Action: Interference with Reproductive or gender-affirming Health Services The bill also authorizes a person to bring a civil action against a person who unlawfully interferes with another person's reproductive or gender-affirming health care services. Under the bill, a court may award: (1) injunctive relief; (2) compensatory damages in an amount not less than liquidated damages computed at the rate of $1,000 for each violation; (3) punitive damages upon proof of willful or reckless disregard of the law; (4) reasonable attorney's fees and other litigation costs; and (5) any other preliminary and equitable relief as the court determines to be appropriate. Under the bill, the Attorney General may bring a civil action to enjoin a violation of the law, for compensatory damages, and for the assessment of a civil penalty against each person who violates the law. The civil penalty imposed on each actor will be up to, but not exceed, $10,000 for a first violation, and $25,000 for any subsequent violation. Dispersal of Gatherings The bill authorized any law enforcement officer to order the immediate dispersal of a gathering that substantially impedes access to or departure from an entrance or driveway to a reproductive or gender-affirming health care facility during the business hours of the facility. Failure to comply with an order to disperse issued by the Attorney General or a law enforcement officer is a disorderly persons offense. A disorderly persons offense is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. Licensing Boards The bill prohibits a board from imposing any additional or alternative penalties, in accordance with N.J.S.A.34:1-22, on the holder of a certificate, registration, or license based solely on the holder providing, authorizing, participating, referring to, or assisting with any health care, medical service, or procedure related to an abortion for a person who resides in a jurisdiction where the provision, authorization, participation, referral, or assistance is illegal. Applicability of Laws of Other States The bill establishes that a law of another state that authorized a person or government entity to bring a prosecution, civil action, or any other legal action to deter, prevent, sanction, or punish any person engaging, aiding, or assisting in providing or prescribing any legally protected health care activity is against the public policy of this State. Further, such laws of another state are prohibited from being applied to any matter, case, or controversy heard in a State court or in an administrative tribunal of this State. The prohibition does not apply to an action founded in tort, contract, or statute under the laws of this State, or an action founded in tort, contract, or statute under the similar laws of another state. This includes, but is not limited to, an alleged act of malpractice or negligence by a person in the person's profession or occupation. Protection of Patient Information This bill updates P.L.2022, c.51 to provide a definition of "legally protected health care activity" and "gender-affirming health care services." P.L.2022, c.51 provides certain protections with respect to the disclosure of patient information relating to reproductive health care services, as well as protecting access to health care, medical services, and procedures related to an abortion for persons who come to this State from jurisdictions in which these actions are illegal. The bill provides that in any civil action or other proceeding preliminary thereto, a medical provider or other covered entity, as described under federal law concerning medical privacy and security, is barred from disclosing the following communications or information, unless the patient or patient's conservator, guardian, or other authorized legal representative explicitly consented in writing to the disclosure: (1) any communication made to the covered entity, or any information obtained by the covered entity from, a patient or the conservator, guardian, or other authorized legal representative of a patient relating to legally protected health care activity; or (2) any information obtained by personal examination of a patient relating to legally protected health care activity that is permitted under the laws of this State. Additionally, under the bill, a public entity of this State or employee, appointee, officer or official or any other person acting on behalf of a public entity would be prohibited from providing any information, or expending or using time, money, facilities, property, equipment, personnel or other resources in furtherance of any interstate investigation or proceeding seeking to impose civil or criminal liability upon a person or entity for: (1) the provision, receipt, or seeking of, or inquiring or responding to an inquiry about legally protected health care activity that is legal in this State; or (2) assisting, advising, aiding, abetting, facilitating, soliciting, or conspiring with any person or entity providing, receiving, seeking, or inquiring or responding to an inquiry about legally protected health care activity that is legal in this State. Extradition This bill updates N.J.S.A.2A:160-14.1 to prevent a person from being extradited to another state under certain circumstances related to "legally protected health care activity." Under current law, N.J.S.A.2A:160-14.1 prevents extradition as it relates to "reproductive health care services." Under the bill, "Legally protected health care activity" is defined as activity providing, seeking, receiving, assisting with, or inquiring about reproductive health care services or gender-affirming health care services that are lawful in this State, regardless of the patient's location. Relatedly, the bill also defines "gender-affirming health care services" to mean all supplies, care, and services of a medical, behavioral health, mental health, surgical, psychiatric, therapeutic, diagnostic, preventative, rehabilitative, or supportive nature, including medication, relating to the treatment of gender dysphoria and gender incongruence. "Gender-affirming health care services" does not include sexual orientation change efforts as defined by N.J.S.A.45:1-55. In Vitro Fertilization Protections This bill strengthens reproductive health care freedom in New Jersey by specifying that: every individual present in this State, including, but not limited to, an individual who is under State control or supervision, shall have the fundamental right to choose whether to use assisted reproductive technology (ART), including, but not limited to in vitro fertilization (IVF); and a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus shall not have independent rights under any of the laws of the State. Medicolegal Investigations This bill removes the requirement that a medical examiner conduct a medicolegal investigation of a death in the State related to a fetal death occurring without medical attendance. This provisions seeks to ensure that a woman who has a miscarriage or fetal complications is not investigated or the fetal death criminalized. Repealers The bill repeals the following statutes, which have either been obviated by court decision or would be obviated by this bill: (1) N.J.S.A.2A:65A-5 through N.J.S.A.2A:65A-7 (banned partial birth abortions); (2) N.J.S.A.9:17A-1.1 through N.J.S.A.9:17A-1.12 (required parental notification for minors' abortion); (3) N.J.S.A.30:4D-6.1 (barred Medicaid payment for abortion except where necessary to save the woman's life). | In Committee |
| S3470 | Upgrades to third degree crime for cyber-harassment of public servant or family member of public servant; establishes Office of Cyber-Harassment Support in DLPS; appropriates funds. | This bill would upgrade the penalty for cyber-harassment of a public servant or a public servant's family member. The bill would also establish the Office of Cyber-Harassment Support in the Department of Law and Public Safety to implement educational, awareness, and victim support activities across the State. Under current law, cyber-harassment is a crime of the fourth degree, unless the person is 21 years of age or older at the time of the offense and impersonates a minor for the purpose of cyber-harassing a minor, in which case it is a crime of the third degree. This bill amends current law to also make cyber-harassment a third degree crime if a person commits an offense against a public servant or any member of a public servant's family. The bill defines "public servant" as any person elected to public office, appointed to, or employed by any public entity in this State, or any subdivision thereof, and shall include any person serving as a judicial officer, as defined in section 1 of P.L.1995, c.23 (C.47:1A-1.1), juror, advisor, or consultant, performing a governmental function, but the term does not include witnesses. Under current law, the trier of fact may infer that a person acted with a purpose to harass another if the person knows or should have known that any of the person's actions constituting an offense under this section are knowingly directed to or are about a judicial officer and there is a nexus between the offense and relates to the performance of the judge's public duties. Under current law, "judicial officer" has the same meaning as defined in section 1 of P.L.1995, c.23 (C.47:1A-1.1). This bill amends the law to permit the trier of fact to make this inference with respect to all public servants, as that term is defined in the bill. This bill also requires the Attorney General to establish an Office of Cyber-Harassment Support in the Division of Violence Intervention and Victim Assistance in the Department of Law and Public Safety. The purpose of the office shall be to promote education and awareness of cyber-harassment, provide assistance to victims of cyber-harassment crimes, and promote initiatives and training throughout the State to prevent cyber-harassment, specifically against public servants and their family members. The office's responsibilities shall include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) regularly engage with law enforcement, legal professionals, and technology professionals to clearly and comprehensively define cyber-harassment within the context of cyber-harassment crime, as it evolves due to emerging technologies; (2) establish user-friendly and accessible reporting systems to enable cyber-harassment victims to easily report cyber-harassment offenses and seek assistance from relevant authorities; (3) implement educational programs, directed towards both potential cyber-harassment offenders and victims, in order to raise awareness about cyber-harassment and its consequences; (4) collaborate with social media platforms to develop stricter policies to identify and remove harassing content; (5) encourage social media platforms to implement reporting features and provide support to victims to help create a safer online environment; (6) provide support services, counseling, and legal aid to victims of cyber-harassment to help them cope with the emotional and psychological impact of such harassment; (7) coordinate with the Department of Education to offer cyber ethics classes in New Jersey schools that help to promote responsible online behavior and create a culture of respect and empathy online; (8) coordinate with State and local law enforcement agencies to establish or expand specialized units within law enforcement agencies that are dedicated to handling cyber-harassment crimes; and (9) coordinate with State and local law enforcement agencies to enhance comprehensive training programs for law enforcement personnel on cyber-harassment investigation techniques, digital evidence collection, and law enforcement procedures specific to cyber-harassment cases. This bill appropriates from the General Fund to the Department of Law and Public Safety such funds as are necessary for the implementation of the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| S2050 | "Stephanie's Law"; Requires AOC to establish publicly-accessible domestic violence registry; requires law enforcement officer to search State's domestic violence registries when conducting arrest. | This bill establishes "Stephanie's Law," to require the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), in conjunction with the Attorney General, to develop and maintain a publicly-accessible domestic violence Internet registry, and require law enforcement officers to search the State's domestic violence registries upon arresting a person. This registry established under the bill is to be separate from the domestic violence central registry maintained by the AOC pursuant to N.J.S.A.2C:25-34, which is not accessible to the public. Under the bill, the public is to be able to access the registry to obtain all available information concerning any person who has been convicted of a crime or offense involving domestic violence; has had a final domestic violence restraining order issued against them; or has committed contempt of a temporary or final domestic violence restraining order. The Internet registry is to contain the following information for any person to be included in the registry: (1) the person's name and any aliases the person has used or under which the person may be or may have been known; (2) a brief description of any crime or offense involving domestic violence for which the person was convicted; the date and location of each disposition; and a general description of the person's modus operandi, if applicable; (3) the person's age, race, gender, date of birth, height, weight, hair, eye color, and any distinguishing scars or tattoos; (4) a photograph of the person and the date on which the photograph was entered into the registry; (5) the make, model, color, year, and license plate number of any vehicle operated by the person; (6) and the person's last known address. A person whose name is erroneously included in the registry established under the bill may petition the AOC for removal of the person's name. The AOC is required to remove the person's name from the registry if the person has not had a final domestic violence restraining order entered against them, has not been found guilty of contempt of a temporary or final domestic violence restraining order, or has not been found guilty of a crime or offense involving domestic violence. Within five days of a change of address, a person whose name is included in the registry is required provide the AOC with the new address. On the website through which a person may search the registry established under the bill, the AOC is required to include information regarding: the manner in which a person may petition the AOC to remove their name; the circumstances under which the AOC would grant a petition to remove their name; and the manner in which a person may provide an updated address to the AOC. In addition, the provisions of the bill require a law enforcement officer to determine, upon an arrest, if there is a domestic violence restraining order entered against the person. This determination is to include a search of the central domestic violence registry maintained by the AOC established pursuant to N.J.S.A.2C:25-34, as well as the publicly-accessible central registry established under the bill. This bill, designated "Stephanie's Law," is named after a domestic violence victim, Stephanie Nicole Parze, who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend. The Stephanie Nicole Parze Foundation was created in her memory to provide support to victims of domestic violence. This bill, which is intended to provide additional protections for victims of domestic violence, is named in her honor. | In Committee |
| S301 | Establishes "Pretrial Partnership for Community Support and Services Pilot Program" for certain defendants. | Establishes "Pretrial Partnership for Community Support and Services Pilot Program" for certain defendants. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| S3351 | Establishes rebuttable presumption of pretrial detention of defendant charged with aggravated assault of law enforcement officer. | This bill establishes a rebuttable presumption of pretrial detention of a defendant charged with aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer. Under P.L.2014, c.31, also known as the "Criminal Justice Reform Law" (CJR), courts are authorized to order: the pretrial release of a defendant pending further proceedings, or the pretrial detention of a defendant who is found to be a flight risk, a danger to another or the community, or likely to obstruct further criminal proceedings. For certain crimes, the CJR establishes a rebuttable presumption that a defendant is to be detained pending trial because no amount of monetary bail, non-monetary conditions of release, or combination thereof would reasonably assure the defendant's appearance in court, the safety of any other person or the community, and that the eligible defendant will not obstruct or attempt to obstruct the criminal justice process. This presumption may be rebutted by the defendant upon a showing of a preponderance of the evidence in support of the defendant. Under current law, the rebuttable presumption of pretrial detention applies when a prosecutor files a motion for the pretrial detention of a defendant charged with murder or any crime for which the defendant would be subject to an ordinary or extended term of life imprisonment. Under the bill, the rebuttable presumption also would apply when a prosecutor files a motion for pretrial detention of a defendant charged aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer. | In Committee |
| S3338 | Establishes veterinary medicine loan redemption program for certain veterinarians who work in underserved areas for five years; annually appropriates $500,000. | This bill establishes a Veterinary Medicine Loan Redemption Program to address the current large animal veterinarian shortage in this State. The program will be administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA). Specifically, the bill provides for redemption of eligible qualifying loan expenses for veterinarians who work for no less than five years at an approved site. An approved site is a site located within a State designated veterinary underserved area or within five miles of a State designated veterinary underserved area. The bill defines a State designated veterinary underserved area as a geographic area designated in this State by the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the New Jersey Horse Council, the New Jersey Association of Equine Practitioners, the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association, and the New Jersey Farm Bureau, on the basis of a large animal veterinarian shortage affecting the area. The secretary is required to annually establish a list of State designated veterinary underserved areas and transmit that list to HESAA. Program participants are required to be State residents and be a veterinarian licensed, or eligible to be licensed, to practice in this State, agree to practice at an approved site, and agree that the practice is full-time and that at least 75 percent of the participant's work is dedicated to large animal veterinary care. In return for this commitment, the program participant's eligible qualifying loan expenses will be reimbursed. Maximum loan redemption under the bill will equal 100 percent of the eligible qualifying loan expenses for full-time service in return for five years of service, except that the amount of qualifying loans which may be redeemed for a participant under the program is not to exceed $30,000 in any year. Under the bill, no amount of loan redemption is to be provided for service performed by a program participant that is less than full-time and for service in which less than 75 percent of the participant's work at an approved site is dedicated to large animal veterinary care. No amount of eligible qualifying loan expenses is to be redeemed for services performed for less than a full year. The bill provides that in the case of a program participant's death or total and permanent disability, HESAA will nullify the service obligation of the program participant. The nullification will also terminate HESAA's obligations under the loan redemption contract. In the event of a program participant's death or total and permanent disability, HESAA will not require repayment of the prior redeemed portion of indebtedness. The bill provides that $500,000 will be annually appropriated from the General Fund to HESAA for the Veterinary Medicine Loan Redemption Program. Since New Jersey currently does not have its own veterinary medicine school, the provisions of this bill are intended to establish a cost-effective path to addressing the large animal veterinarian shortage by incentivizing veterinary school graduates to reside in the State and practice in areas of the State experiencing large animal veterinarian shortages. From 1990 to 2007, the State provided for a "contract" program with veterinary schools in other states to "buy" seats reserved exclusively for New Jersey students. This program allowed New Jersey residents vying for seats at out-of-State veterinary schools to only compete against each other for those seats, not the entire population of applicants at large. The program also provided funding that permitted those students to attend the out-of-State veterinary schools at in-State tuition rates. However, this program resulted in residents leaving the State for veterinary school, with no promise that they would return to practice in New Jersey. Several other states have implemented veterinary loan redemption programs similar to the program established by this bill, including Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Texas, and Wyoming. The program established by this bill will incentivize residents of this State, who attend out-of-State veterinary schools, to return to New Jersey to perform services in a veterinary practice that is dedicated to large animal veterinary care, in exchange for a redemption of their veterinary school loans over a relatively short period of time. This program will provide enormous benefits for large animal owners living in areas of this State with a shortage of adequate veterinary medicine services. Additionally, this program will not penalize program participants with respect to tax liability. Under current federal and State law, amounts of student loan redemption, loan forgiveness, or loan cancellation are not considered income for purposes of taxation. | In Committee |
| S3339 | Establishes loan redemption program for certified veterinarians employed as large animal veterinarians in New Jersey. | This bill establishes the Large Animal Veterinarian Loan Redemption Program in the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. Under the program, a participant would redeem 20 percent of eligible student loan expenses for each year of service as a large animal veterinarian in a State-designated underserved area. Eligible student loan expenses is defined as the cumulative total of the principal and interest due on student loans used to cover the cost of attendance while enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at an institution of higher education. Program participants are matched to State-designated underserved areas by the Executive Director of the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture. Under the bill, each program participant must be a resident of the State, be a graduate of a veterinary school approved by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, have completed a professional residency program and received a recommendation from the director of the training program concerning participation in the loan redemption program, and agree to practice large animal veterinary medicine in a State-designated underserved area. The contract would be for five one-year periods and would specify the total amount of debt to be redeemed by the State in return for the service. Eligible loans will not be redeemed for service of less than one full year annually. | In Committee |
| S3301 | Establishes Council for Community Recovery and Family Success; appropriates $4.0 million. | This bill establishes the Council for Community Recovery and Family Success in, but not of, the Department of Community Affairs, which will develop strategies to promote the well-being of infants, children, youth, and families, and encourage family success. The council will consist of 25 members, including the Commissioners of Children and Families, Community Affairs, Corrections, Education, Health, Human Services, and Labor and Workforce Development, and the Executive Director of the Juvenile Justice Commission in the Department of Law and Public Safety, or their designees, who will serve ex officio, and 17 public members, who will be representatives of certain entities that provide services to children and families, or have certain experience with receiving family services in New Jersey. The council will manage the development and implementation of a Statewide initiative concerning the social and economic well-being of infants, children, youth, and families, and the provision of holistic, age and developmentally appropriate services that support a child's development from birth to young adulthood. In order to implement the Statewide initiative, the council will: (1) advocate for a State Bill of Rights for Infants, Children, Youth, and Families, which will provide a framework for the initiative; (2) identify and develop policies, strategies, and financial priorities that promote family success; (3) recommend policies to improve the efficacy of existing State and community-based services and programs; (4) explore strategies to leverage public and private funding to provide preventive services; and (5) establish community recovery and family success councils in each county. The goal of the Statewide initiative will be to: promote positive family relationships, community connections, and preventive services to ensure financial security, quality education, health, safety, and permanency for infants, children, youth, and families through an integrated service planning and delivery system. The bill defines "distress services" to mean services to remediate circumstances that endanger the safety, permanency, health, and well-being of infants, children, and youth; and "preventative services" as those services that promote the safety, permanency, health, and well-being of the target populations and divert the need for distress services. The council will submit an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature that will include recommendations for legislative and administrative actions on the use of public and private resources to support family success initiatives and preventive services for all families. The bill appropriates $4.0 million from the General Fund to the council to implement the provisions of the bill, and provides that the council may use any unexpended appropriations in the succeeding fiscal year. | In Committee |
| S3297 | Promotes trauma-informed care in State to mitigate negative effects of adverse childhood experiences and toxic stress. | This bill requires the Department of Children and Families (department) to develop and implement a program to promote trauma-informed care in order to mitigate the negative effects of adverse childhood experiences and toxic stress in this State. In implementing the program, the department will, at a minimum: a. develop a trauma-informed care toolkit of resources that provide trauma awareness and self-care education for State employees, increase recognition of signs of adverse child experience exposure, and offer effective interventions to mitigate trauma and build resilience, which toolkit is to be shared across all State agencies and organizations for use at service delivery access points; b. promote a Trauma Awareness Month in New Jersey with appropriate events to be held across the State; c. share information with State employees and community partners on educational and professional development opportunities related to adverse childhood experiences and building resilience; d. create a recognition program for individuals who work in the prevention and early intervention-treatment continuum, which may include individuals, divisions within an agency, and community partners, such as schools and school districts; e. identify gaps in available services or service capacity along the prevention and early intervention-treatment continuum for children and their caregivers Statewide; f. develop a comprehensive plan focused on early intervention for children and their caregivers exposed to adverse childhood experiences in order to help prevent, and remedy the impact of, abuse and neglect; and g. coordinate the collection, evaluation, and reporting of adverse childhood experience data in the State. The bill requires each State agency that provides services for children and adults to implement best practices for providing trauma-informed care, which will include, but not be limited to: offering regularly scheduled training to staff to increase their knowledge about the impact of adverse childhood experiences and toxic stress on short-term and long-term health outcomes; promoting strategies to enhance staff resilience and self-care; using trauma-specific language in requests for proposals and in service contracts with providers, when appropriate; and implementing evidence-informed services to prevent and respond to toxic stress and build resilience in children, adults, and communities. | In Committee |
| S3254 | Prohibits substance use disorder treatment providers from using deceptive marketing practices. | This bill prohibits the use of deceptive marketing practices by substance use disorder treatment providers. The bill defines a "treatment provider" as a facility licensed in accordance with section 8 of P.L.1975, c.305 (C.26:2B-14) for substance use disorder treatment or services, a substance use disorder treatment facility issued a certificate of approval pursuant to P.L.1970, c.334 (C.26:2G-21 et seq.), or a recovery residence located within the State. The bill requires each treatment provider in the State to provide accurate and complete information, in plain language, on the types and methods of services provided, the location in which services are provided, and the treatment provider's name and brand name when publishing or disseminating any marketing or advertising materials. Under the bill, it will be an unlawful practice for a treatment provider to: (1) make a false or misleading statement about the treatment provider's status as an in-network or out-of-network provider; (2) provide, or direct any other person or entity to provide, false or misleading information about the identity of, or contact information for, any treatment provider; (3) include false or misleading information about the Internet address of any treatment provider's website, or to surreptitiously direct or redirect a person to another website; (4) suggest or imply that a relationship with another treatment provider exists, unless the other treatment provider has provided express, written consent to indicate that relationship; (5) make a false or misleading statement about the substance use disorder treatment services the treatment provider provides; or (6) make a false or misleading statement about the geographic location of the treatment provider or the geographic location in which the treatment provider provides substance use disorder treatment services. Any treatment provider who violates the provisions of the bill will be liable to a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 for each violation. Any person who suffers any injury or damages as a result of the use or employment by a treatment provider of any method, act, or practice declared unlawful under the bill may bring an action or assert a counterclaim therefor in any court of competent jurisdiction. The court will, in addition to any appropriate legal or equitable relief, award threefold the damages sustained by any person in interest and award reasonable attorney's fees, filing fees, and reasonable costs of suit. The Office of Licensing in the Department of Health may investigate alleged violations of this bill. Upon finding a violation, the division may suspend or revoke the treatment provider's license or certification, if applicable, or may impose a civil penalty against the treatment provider. If the department imposes a civil penalty, the civil penalty will be not more than $1,000 for each violation. | In Committee |
| S3244 | Revises law concerning substance use disorder treatment facility patient referrals. | This bill would revise the current law that criminalizes certain payments for the referral of patients to substance use disorder treatment facilities. The bill makes it a crime of the third degree for a person to make or receive a payment or otherwise furnish or receive any fee, commission, or rebate to any person in connection with the referral of patients to a facility licensed in accordance with section 8 of P.L.1975, c.305 (C.26:2B-14) for substance use disorder treatment or services or to a substance use disorder treatment facility issued a certificate of approval pursuant to P.L.1970, c.334 (C.26:2G-21 et seq.). The bill makes it a crime of the third degree for a person to knowingly assist, conspire with, or urge any person to make, furnish, or receive a payment, fee, commission, or rebate in violation of P.L.2021, c.31 (C.2C:40A-6). Under current law, these offenses are crimes of the fourth degree. The bill would also establish a fine of $50,000 that would automatically be applied to any person who violates these patient referral laws. The bill expressly includes health care providers, health care facilities, non-profit organizations, and recovery residences under the scope of these patient referral laws. | In Committee |
| S3253 | Revises licensure and regulatory requirements for residential substance use disorders treatment facilities or programs. | This bill revises licensure and regulatory requirements for residential substance use disorders treatment facilities or programs. Under the bill, the Department of Health (department) is to require an applicant for licensure to operate as a residential substance use disorders treatment facility or program to submit to the department a financial audit of business and personal finances that is conducted by an independent, certified public accountant, who is chosen by the department. The applicant is to bear the cost of the audit. The department is to deny an application for licensure if the financial audit reveals business practices or financial activities that are deemed improper or questionable by the department. The bill provides that the department is to require an applicant for licensure to operate as a residential substance use disorders treatment facility or program to complete a criminal history record background check and submit to being fingerprinted. The department is to deny an application for licensure if the results of the criminal background check reveal a conviction involving dishonesty or fraud. The bill requires the department to periodically conduct unannounced inspections of residential substance use disorders treatment facilities or programs, with each facility or program receiving at least one unannounced inspection annually. Under the bill, the operator of a residential substance use disorders treatment facility or program is to file an annual report with the department detailing all events that jeopardized the health, safety, or welfare of residents or staff. The department is to require a residential substance use disorders treatment facility or program to disclose certain financial and administrative information to an entity that is reviewing the facility's or program's application for State or local funding, as provided in the bill. Finally, the department is to establish guidelines and standards to ensure best practices for peer recovery counselors who operate within a residential substance use disorders treatment facility or program. | In Committee |
| S2648 | Concerns provision of services to defendants on pretrial release. | This bill concerns the provision of services to defendants on pretrial release. While current law provides a variety of services for individuals upon reentering society following their release from incarceration, there are limited supports and services offered to defendants in this State who are charged with certain crimes and who are ordered to be released pending a final resolution of their matter. This bill authorizes counties to appoint a county pretrial release coordinator to evaluate the needs of defendants in the county for whom a complaint-warrant has been issued for an initial charge involving an indictable offense or a disorderly persons offense, and pretrial release has been ordered. The pretrial release coordinator is required to advise each eligible defendant that the services are offered on a voluntary basis and that the defendant is not required to receive the services offered. The pretrial release coordinator is responsible for offering the following assistance to the defendants in accessing services deemed necessary pursuant to the evaluation:· scheduling and otherwise accessing appropriate treatment, services, and programming during the defendant's period of pretrial release; · providing information concerning, and assistance in completing, applications for appropriate State and county public assistance program benefits; · providing information concerning available substance use disorder treatment and services including, but not limited to, medication-assisted treatment;· providing information concerning relevant social services and rehabilitative programs;· providing information concerning services provided by the State's One-Stop Career Centers; · providing information concerning insurance eligibility;· providing information concerning any other treatment, services, and programming deemed appropriate based on the evaluation required pursuant to the bill; and· if appropriate, providing assistance with obtaining a non-driver identification card. In addition, the county pretrial release coordinator is required to consult and coordinate with the county board of social services or welfare agency, as appropriate, when providing information or assistance with respect to a benefit or service administered by the board or welfare agency. The coordinator is required to collect and analyze data related to the services provided; develop peer counseling programs; meet with community stakeholders to establish best practices in providing services to defendants on pretrial release; identify available county services; and make recommendations for the provision of services to defendants during pretrial release. The amounts deemed necessary to support the county pretrial release coordinators are to be annually appropriated. This bill would implement recommendation number 15 of the report of the reconvened Joint Committee on Criminal Justice issued in June 2023. | In Committee |
| S2404 | Permits voluntary participation in treatment as condition of pretrial release under certain circumstances. | Currently, under N.J.S.A.2A:162-24, upon a motion of the prosecutor, a court can revoke the release of an eligible defendant who is released from custody pending trial upon a finding that the defendant, while on release, violated a restraining order or condition of release, or upon a finding of probable cause to believe that the eligible defendant has committed a new crime while on release. The court may not revoke the release unless the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that no monetary bail, non-monetary conditions of release or combination of monetary bail and conditions would reasonably assure the eligible defendant's appearance in court when required, the protection of the safety of any other person or the community, or that the eligible defendant will not obstruct or attempt to obstruct the criminal justice process. This bill provides that the court may, after a finding for detention, permit an eligible defendant whose pretrial release has been revoked to voluntarily agree to enter, participate and complete drug, alcohol, or mental health treatment at an approved program or facility. The bill further requires that, if the court permits the eligible defendant to enter treatment under these circumstances, the court require the approved program or facility to provide participation reports to the court, and the eligible defendant agree to provide the approved program or facility with any release or authorization necessary to comply with the court's reporting requirements. It is ordinarily within the discretion of the court to require, as a non-monetary condition of pretrial release, that an eligible defendant take a specific action, including undergoing available medical, psychological, or psychiatric treatment, including treatment for drug or alcohol dependency. In this instance an eligible defendant whose pretrial release has been revoked would voluntarily agree to participate in treatment in lieu of detention and provide the court with necessary documentation of compliance with the order. This bill complies with Recommendation #24 of the New Jersey Supreme Court Reconvened Joint Committee on Criminal Justice Reform. | In Committee |
| S274 | Requires electric, gas, and water public utilities to provide certain notifications to customers concerning certain service outages. | Requires electric, gas, and water public utilities to provide certain notifications to customers concerning certain service outages. | In Committee |
| S2079 | Clarifies procedures for revocation of pretrial release for certain defendants. | This bill concerns the temporary detention of a defendant who violates a condition of pretrial release, and clarifies the procedures for revocation of pretrial release for certain defendants. Under current law criminal courts are authorized to order the pretrial release of a defendant pending further proceedings, or order pretrial detention of a defendant who is found to be a flight risk, a danger to another or the community, or likely to obstruct further criminal proceedings. A court may revoke a defendant's pretrial release and order the defendant to be detained pending trial if the defendant violates a condition of release or commits a new crime while on release if it finds by clear and convincing evidence that no monetary bail or conditions of release would reasonably assure the defendant's appearance in court and the public's safety, or reasonably prevent the defendant from the obstruction or attempted obstruction of the criminal justice process. Under the bill, a court may, upon motion of a prosecutor, temporarily detain a defendant who has been arrested or otherwise taken into custody if the defendant violates a condition of pretrial release or commits a crime while on pretrial release. The bill further provides that the procedures under current law for determining whether an eligible defendant is to be detained pending trial would apply to defendants who are temporarily detained for violating a condition of pretrial release. This bill encompasses Recommendation #22 of the Report of Reconvened Joint Committee on Criminal Justice Reform, issued on June 7, 2023. | In Committee |
| S3240 | Permits 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in elections for local school board. | Under current law, any person who is at least 18 years of age, who is a citizen of the United States, and who is a resident of the district in which they wish to vote, is entitled to register and vote in elections in this State. This bill permits 16 and 17-year-olds, who are U.S. citizens and residents of New Jersey, to vote only in their local school elections for school board members. The bill does not allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in any other election. The bill directs the Secretary of State to promulgate rules that: (1) create a registration form and a process to register 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in school board elections, which conforms as nearly as possible to the equivalent form and process utilized for all other eligible voters; (2) establish a method of verifying the identity of registered 16 and 17-year-old voters which conforms as nearly as possible to the methods utilized for all other eligible voters; (3) provide for the design of paper ballots on which 16 and 17-year-olds may vote for school board members; and (4) ensure the provisions of this act are implemented effectively and in a manner compatible with all other elections held in this State. This bill does not require action on the part of any school board or municipality in order to implement its provisions. | In Committee |
| S3164 | Establishes "New Jersey Reparations Task Force." | This bill establishes the "New Jersey Reparations Task Force" to study and develop reparations proposals for African-Americans in this State. The task force would consist of 11 members, comprised of four legislators and seven public members. Three members would be appointed by the Governor and eight members would be appointed by the Legislative leadership. At a minimum, four of the public members would be appointed from persons recommended by organizations concerned with the issues of civil rights, human rights, racial, social and economic justice and equality, reparations and other issues concerning the African-American community. The members of the task force will appoint a chair and a vice chair of the task force. The members of the task force would not be compensated but may be reimbursed for expenses actually incurred in the performance of their duties. This bill, among other things, requires the task force to: (1) examine the institution of slavery within the State of New Jersey; (2) examine the extent to which the State of New Jersey and the federal government prevented, opposed, or restricted efforts of former enslaved persons and their descendants who are considered United States' citizens to economically thrive upon the ending of slavery; (3) examine the lingering negative effects of slavery on living African-Americans and on society in New Jersey and the United States; (4) research methods and materials for facilitating education, community dialogue, symbolic acknowledgement, and other formal actions leading toward transformation, reparations remedies, a sense of justice, and economic justice among the descendants of enslaved African people in this State; (5) make recommendations for what remedies should be awarded, through what instrumentalities, and to whom those remedies should be awarded; and (6) address how said recommendations comport with national and international standards of remedy for wrongs and injuries caused by the State. The task force will hold at least six public meetings in different parts of the State, including Camden, Paterson, Newark, New Brunswick, Atlantic City, and Trenton. The Governor will call the first meeting of the task force to occur on or before the first day of the third month after enactment. The task force will issue an interim report of its progress to the Governor and the Legislature no later than 12 months following the initial meeting. The task force will submit its final report and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature no later than 24 months following the initial meeting. The task force will expire upon issuance of its final report. | In Committee |
| S2702 | Requires annual salaries of certain county officers and employees be fixed by ordinance; ordinance not required for compensation excluded from pensionable salary. | This bill amends the "Optional County Charter Law," P.L. 1972, c.154 (C.40:41A-1 et seq.), to specify that county boards are to establish the annual salary of certain county employees by ordinance. The bill provides that adoption of an ordinance is not to be required for compensation that is excluded from an officer's or employee's pensionable salary. | In Committee |
| S3129 | Upgrades burglary of residence to crime of the second degree. | Presently, burglary is punishable under N.J.S.2C:18-2 as a crime of the second degree if the defendant either was armed or inflicted, attempted to inflict or threatened, bodily injury during the course of the offense. In all other circumstances, burglary is a crime of the third degree. A crime of the second degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment between five to 10 years, a fine not to exceed $150,000 or both. A crime of the third degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment between three to five years, a fine not to exceed $15,000 or both. This bill upgrades the crime of burglary of a residence to a crime of the second degree. Specifically, the bill makes it second degree burglary to unlawfully enter or surreptitiously remain in a dwelling or other structure adapted for overnight accommodation of persons, whether or not a person is actually present. This bill further provides that a person who commits second degree burglary of a residence under the bill would be subject to the provisions of the No Early Release Act (NERA). Under NERA, persons convicted of certain enumerated violent crimes of the first or second degree are required to serve a minimum term of at least 85% of the sentence imposed. | In Committee |
| S3128 | Requires health benefits plans to cover abuse-deterrent opioid analgesic drug products. | This bill requires health benefits plans to cover abuse-deterrent analgesic opioid drug products. Under the bill, a carrier will be required to provide coverage and benefits, on its prescription drug formulary list, for at least one abuse-deterrent opioid analgesic drug product per opioid analgesic active ingredient. The bill also provides that cost-sharing for a brand name or generic abuse-deterrent opioid analgesic drug product is not to exceed the lowest cost-sharing amount applied to a brand name or generic non-abuse deterrent opioid drug, respectively. Finally, the bill provides that any prior-authorization requirements or other utilization review requirements for an opioid analgesic, and any service denials made thereunder, are prohibited from requiring a covered person or enrollee to use an opioid analgesic drug product without abuse-deterrent properties before a covered person or enrollee can access an abuse-deterrent opioid analgesic drug product. | In Committee |
| S3124 | Establishes "Mass Violence Care Fund"; appropriates $10 million. | This bill establishes the "Mass Violence Care Fund" and appropriates $10 million. Under the provisions of this bill, a Mass Violence Care Fund is established in the Department of Law and Public Safety. The fund is to be administered by the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) and be used solely to provide a sustainable source of funds to provide coverage for physical and behavioral health care expenses related to a mass violence event that are not paid for by insurance or any other source. The moneys in the fund are to be invested and reinvested by the Director of the Division of Investment in the Department of the Treasury. All costs of administering the fund, including the necessary and proper expenses incurred by the VCCO in administering the fund, are to be paid from the fund. Under the bill, the VCCO is to make distributions from the fund in accordance with the following criteria and any rules or regulations adopted by the VCCO establishing eligibility criteria: 1) only gains, interest, dividends, and other revenue earned on the moneys in the fund and any amounts gifted to the fund may be expended; 2) payments from the fund may be made only for an eligible victim's eligible expense; 3) payments from the fund to a victim for an eligible expense may not be made sooner than three years after the applicable mass violence event; and 4) payments may not be made to satisfy a financial commitment for services or expenses that would otherwise have been paid from another public or private source, including but not limited to Medicaid or private insurance. Under the bill, the VCCO is to adopt rules and regulations establishing eligibility criteria for victims, mass violence events, and healthcare and other expenses and the VCCO is not to make any distributions from the fund prior to the adoption of the rules and regulations. Further, the bill requires the Attorney General to establish a Mass Violence Care Fund Working Group. The purpose of the working group is to identify specific options and eligibility criteria to help ensure that individuals adversely affected by a mass violence event are provided some financial relief from physical and behavioral health care costs not paid for by insurance or some other source. The bill requires the working group to consider and determine: 1) gaps in payments for physical and behavioral health care services for victims of mass violence events; 2) methods of investing the moneys in the Mass Violence Care Fund by the bill to ensure sustainable annual financial returns; 3) options for determining eligibility for distribution from the fund, including parameters for: a) who is considered a victim of a mass violence event; b) which healthcare costs are considered eligible expenses; and c) what constitutes a mass violence event; and 4) any other items the working group determines are necessary to carry out the purposes of the fund.The working group is to consist of the following members: 1) a member of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate; 2) a member of the General Assembly, appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly; 3) the Attorney General or a designee; 4) the Commissioner of Health or a designee; 5) the State Treasurer or a designee; 6) the Director of the Victims of Crime Compensation Office or a designee; and 7) a representative of the VTV Family Outreach Foundation. Under the bill, the working group is to issue a report containing its recommendations for eligibility requirements and rules and any recommendations for legislation to the VCCO no later than nine months after the bill's effective date. Finally, the bill appropriates from the General Fund to the Department of Law and Public Safety $10 million for the provision of that amount to the "Mass Violence Care Fund" to be used for the purposes set forth in the bill. | In Committee |
| S3093 | Establishes expedited ejectment proceeding to remove certain unauthorized real property occupants. | This bill establishes an expedited ejectment proceeding to remove certain unauthorized occupants of real property. In an action by a property owner in the Superior Court to obtain possession of real property from a person occupying the property without the consent of the owner, without color of title, and without making any prior payment for the occupancy, the bill requires the court to, within three business days of receiving a verified complaint, allow a hearing on the complaint to proceed. The court is required to notify the real property owner or the owner's agent of the court's determination. If the court allows a special expedited ejectment proceeding, the court is required to fix the date of the hearing, to occur on or before the fifth business day following the court's determination. In the complaint filed by the real property owner or the owner's agent, the real property owner or the owner's agent is required to certify the following:· that prior to the submission of the complaint to the court, the property occupant has been provided with written notice of the complaint or written notice has been posted prominently on the real property;· the person verifying the complaint is the property owner or the owner's agent;· the occupant of the property has never been a lawful tenant of the property, and does not lawfully own or possess the real property; · the occupant of the property has never paid rent to the property owner or the owner's agent; and · the occupant of the property has never had a written lease or other written permission from the property owner or the owner's agent, to reside on the property. In addition to any notice that the Administrative Director of the Courts may determine to be appropriate, a property occupant, who is the subject of a complaint submitted in accordance with the bill, would be provided with written notice of the date, time, and location of the special expedited ejectment proceeding within 24 hours of scheduling. If, in a special expedited ejectment proceeding, the court determines that the information certified by the owner or the owner's agent is accurate, the bill requires the court to issue a writ of possession. An officer of the court is required by the bill to remove the unauthorized occupant following the issuance of the writ of possession. The bill provides that the court would be authorized to extend the timeline requirements, if necessary in the interest of justice, in extraordinary circumstances. The bill provides that a person commits a crime of the third degree if the person knowingly forges a document for the purpose of availing oneself of, or circumventing, the special ejectment proceeding processes established in the bill. A crime of the third degree is punishable by imprisonment for three to five years, and a fine of up to $15,000. As a result of existing provisions of chapter 39 of Title 2A of the New Jersey Statutes, which this bill supplements, a property owner who prevails in an action initiated pursuant to the bill, would recover all damages proximately caused by the unlawful occupancy, including court costs and reasonable attorney's fees. Additionally, the bill provides that a prevailing property owner would be entitled to treble damages for all damages proximately caused by the unlawful entry and detainer. The bill would take effect on the first day of the third month following enactment, and would apply to an action for a writ of possession initiated on or after that date. | 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 |
| S3009 | Establishes "John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey." | This bill establishes the "John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey." Under the bill, all statutes, rules, and regulations, in this State including all local laws or ordinances related to the elective franchise must be construed liberally in favor of: (1) protecting the right of voters to have their ballot cast and counted; (2) ensuring that eligible voters are not impaired in registering to vote; and (3) ensuring voters of race, color, and language-minority groups have equitable access to fully participate in the electoral process in registering to vote and voting. The bill prohibits the authority to prescribe or maintain voting or elections policies and practices to be so exercised as to unnecessarily deny or abridge the right to vote. The bill also prohibits a local election office or political subdivision from using a method of election that has the effect of impairing the ability of members of a protected class to elect candidates of their choice or influence the outcome of elections, as a result of vote dilution. The bill requires that any policy and practice that burdens the right to vote must be narrowly tailored to promote a compelling policy justification that must be supported by substantial evidence. The bill provides factors for determining if a violation of the bill has occurred, including if a voter's right to vote has been violated or if the voter has experienced vote dilution. Under the bill, if a violation of the provisions of the bill occurs, the bill provides a remedy process, including for apportionment and redistricting maps. The bill provides that after a New Jersey Voter Empowerment Act (NJVEA) notification letter is mailed from a prospective plaintiff to a political subdivision, the political submission may pass an NJVEA resolution reaffirming: (1) the political subdivision's intention to enact and implement a remedy for a potential violation of the bill; (2) specific steps the political subdivision will undertake to facilitate approval and implementation of such a remedy; and (3) a schedule for enacting and implementing such a remedy. The bill provides that if the governing body of a political subdivision lacks the authority under this act or applicable State law or local laws to enact or implement a remedy identified in the resolution, or fails to enact or implement a remedy identified in the resolution, within 90 days after the passage of the resolution, or if the political subdivision is a covered entity as defined by the bill, the governing body of the political subdivision must coordinate with the Attorney General to resolve the violation, including reaffirming that any proposal is unlikely to violate the United States Constitution, New Jersey Constitution, or any federal or State law; and is feasible to implement. Under the bill, the Attorney General is provided with certain preclearance powers. The bill provides that if certain political subdivisions that have been the subject to court order or government enforcement action based on violations of the bill; the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended; the 15th amendment to the United States Constitution, or a voting-related violation of the 14th amendment to the United States Constitution, may be subject to preclearance, which is the process of obtaining prior approval from the Attorney General or a court of this State for any changes related to election procedures in that political subdivision. The bill provides assistance to language-minority groups. Under the bill, a local election office or a political subdivision that administers elections must provide language-related assistance in voting and elections to a language-minority group in a political subdivision if, based on data from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey, or data of comparable quality collected by a public office, that: (1) more than two percent, but in no instance fewer than 100 individuals, eligible voters of a political subdivision are members of a single language-minority group and are limited English proficient; or (2) more than 4,000 of eligible voters of such political subdivision are members of a single language-minority group and are limited English proficient. The bill further provides that a local election office or political subdivision required to provide language assistance to a particular language-minority group pursuant to this section must provide voting materials in the covered language of an equal quality of the corresponding English language materials, including registration or voting notices, forms, instructions, assistance, or other physical or online materials or information relating to the electoral process, including ballots. Under the bill, any aggrieved persons or organization whose membership includes aggrieved persons or members of a protected class, organization whose mission, in whole or in part, is to ensure voting access and such mission would be hindered by a violation of this bill, or the Attorney General may file an action pursuant to the bill in court. The bill provides that any action or investigation to enforce any provision of this bill, the Attorney General would have the authority to take proof and determine relevant facts and to issue subpoenas in accordance with the civil and criminal laws of this State. The bill also establishes the "New Jersey Voting and Elections Institute," at a public university in New Jersey, to maintain and administer a database and central repository of elections and voting data available to the public from all local election offices and political subdivisions in the State of New Jersey and to foster, pursue, and sponsor research on existing laws and best practices in voting and elections. The bill also contains a severability provision. If any section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, or other portion of the bill is for any reason held or declared by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional or preempted by federal law, or the applicability of that portion to any person or facility is held invalid, the remainder of the bill would not thereby be deemed to be unconstitutional, preempted, or invalid. The purpose of this bill is to: (1) encourage participation in the elective franchise by all eligible voters to the maximum extent; (2) ensure that eligible voters who are members of racial, ethnic, and language minority groups have an equal opportunity to participate in the political processes of this State and exercise the elective franchise; (3) improve the quality and availability of demographic and election data; and (4) protect eligible voters against intimidation and deceptive practices. This bill would take effect immediately. | In Committee |
| S3060 | Expands requirements for health insurance carriers concerning prostate cancer screening and requires coverage be provided without cost sharing. | As amended, this bill requires health, hospital, and medical service corporations, health maintenance organizations, and commercial group health insurers to provide coverage for an annual prostate cancer screening without cost sharing for men who are between 40 and 75 years of age. Under current law, these health insurance carriers are required only to provide coverage for an annual medically recognized diagnostic examination including, but not limited to, a digital rectal examination and a prostate-specific antigen test for men age 50 and over who are asymptomatic and for men age 40 and over with a family history of prostate cancer or other prostate cancer risk factors. The bill expands the definition of "prostate cancer screening" to mean medically viable methods for the detection and diagnosis of prostate cancer, which includes a digital rectal exam and the prostate-specific antigen test and associated laboratory work. "Prostate cancer screening" shall also include subsequent follow up testing as direct by a physician, including, but not limited to: (1) urinary analysis; (2) serum biomarkers; (3) medical imaging, including, but not limited to, magnetic resonance imaging. The bill also extends the prostate cancer screening requirements to commercial individual health insurers, health benefits plans issued pursuant to the New Jersey Individual Health Coverage and Small Employer Health Benefits Programs, the State Health Benefits Program, and the School Employees' Health Benefits Program, which are not required to provide this coverage under current law. | In Committee |
| A3337 | Allows projects supported by State or municipal affordable housing trust fund to be exempt from property tax and to instead contribute to municipal services by making payments in lieu of taxation. | An Act authorizing municipalities to grant tax exemptions and negotiate payments in lieu of taxation for housing projects and programs supported by the State or municipal affordable housing trust fund, and amending P.L.1985, c.222 and P.L.2008, c.46. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A2267 | Requires HMFA to establish affordable housing insurance pilot program; appropriates $5 million. | An Act concerning an insurance fund for certain for-profit affordable housing entities, supplementing Title 55 of the Revised Statutes, and making an appropriation. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A2296 | Permits municipality to authorize municipal clerk to submit certain written statements concerning affordable housing. | An Act concerning affordable housing administration, including municipal approval of certain affordable housing projects, supplementing and amending P.L.1985, c.222, and amending P.L.1983, c.530. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S2309 | Permits municipality to authorize municipal clerk to submit certain written statements concerning affordable housing. | This bill permits the governing body of a municipality to delegate to its municipal clerk, by ordinance, the authority to provide, on the governing body's behalf, a written statement in support of one or more affordable housing programs or projects, or reciting the need for one or more affordable housing programs or projects, in the municipality, in order to satisfy any other provision of statute or regulation, including but not limited to subsection a. of section 20 of P.L.1985, c.222 (C.52:27D-320) and section 6 of P.L.1983, c.530 (C.55:14K-6), provided that the proposed affordable housing program or project conforms to the provisions of an approved municipal fair share plan and housing element. The bill also enables affordable housing programs and projects in a municipality to: (1) receive funding from the State Affordable Housing Trust Fund by submitting a written statement in support of the program from the municipal clerk, instead of having to submit a written statement in support of the program or project from the municipal governing body; and (2) be processed by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) by submitting a written statement from the municipal clerk stating that there is a need for such a housing project in the municipality, instead of requiring a resolution stating such a need by the governing body of the municipality. Finally, the bill would make technical changes and would take effect immediately. | In Committee |
| S2312 | Allows projects supported by State or municipal affordable housing trust fund to be exempt from property tax and to instead contribute to municipal services by making payments in lieu of taxation. | Allows projects supported by State or municipal affordable housing trust fund to be exempt from property tax and to instead contribute to municipal services by making payments in lieu of taxation. | In Committee |
| S1415 | Requires HMFA to establish affordable housing insurance pilot program; appropriates $5 million. | Requires HMFA to establish affordable housing insurance pilot program; appropriates $5 million. | In Committee |
| SR82 | Urges United States Congress to renew funding for Affordable Connectivity Program. | This resolution urges the Congress of the United States to renew funding for the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Millions of Americans are without access to broadband Internet services. As a result, these individuals struggle to improve social outcomes through education, achieve upward economic mobility, gain digital literacy skills, and receive quality healthcare. In 2021, to close the digital divide, the FCC launched the ACP, which provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. In addition, the program offers a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers, under specific circumstances, for eligible households. Currently, over 20 million households receive broadband benefits through the ACP. In New Jersey, as of January 2024, 335,079 households are enrolled in the program. Specifically, New Jersey has received nearly $152 million in ACP funding, resulting in $8.3 million per month in collective cost savings on broadband Internet services for all New Jersey households enrolled in the program. However, the ACP is slated to expire in April 2024 when the program is scheduled to exhaust its $14.2 billion budget. To improve broadband access for millions of Americans, and thereby advance social, economic, and health outcomes for the underserved, Congress is respectfully urged to renew funding for the ACP. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S2865 | Establishes "The Voter Convenience Act" to allow voters to vote at any polling place in their municipality on election day. | Establishes "The Voter Convenience Act" to allow voters to vote at any polling place in their municipality on election day. | 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 |
| S2929 | Creates first degree crime of home invasion, makes crime subject to No Early Release Act, and upgrades burglary of residence to second degree crime under certain circumstances. | This bill creates the first degree crime of home invasion and makes this crime subject to the No Early Release Act. In addition, the bill upgrades burglary of a residence to a second degree crime under certain circumstances. Specifically, under the provisions of the bill, a person commits the crime of home invasion if he or she enters a person's residence with the intent to commit a robbery, a first or second degree crime, or certain kidnapping and sexual crimes or offenses when another person or persons are present and the actor: 1) uses force or inflicts bodily injury on a person in the residence; 2) threatens a person in the residence with, or purposely or knowingly, puts the person in fear of immediate bodily injury; 3) commits, attempts to commit, or threatens to commit any first or second degree crime or certain kidnapping and sexual crimes and offenses; or 4) is armed with or threatens the use of a deadly weapon or explosive. The bill requires a mandatory term of imprisonment of between 10 years and 30 years for the crime of home invasion. Additionally, the convicted offender would be required to serve 85 percent of the sentence imposed, without possibility of parole, since the bill includes the crime of home invasion under the No Early Release Act, P.L.1997, c.117 (C.2C:43-7.2 et al.). A convicted offender also could be subject to a fine of up to $200,000 (the ordinary fine amount applicable to first degree crimes). As to burglary, this crime is upgraded to a second degree crime if a person enters a residence when a resident or any other person, other than a person acting in concert with the actor, is present in the home. The bill provides that knowledge that another person was in the home would not be an element of this upgraded crime, and it would not be a defense that the offender was unaware that another person was present in the home when they entered the residence. The upgraded crime would be punishable by a term of imprisonment between five to 10 years, a fine up to $150,000, or both. Under current law, burglary is only a crime of the second degree if the defendant inflicted, attempted to inflict, or threatened bodily injury or was armed during the course of the offense. In all other circumstances, burglary is a crime of the third degree (ordinarily punishable by a term of imprisonment of between three to five years, a fine not up to $15,000, or both). | In Committee |
| S2866 | Provides corporation business tax credits and gross income tax credits for purchase of certain hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. | This bill provides corporation business tax credits and gross income tax credits for the purchase of certain hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The credits are available to both businesses and individuals. The credits are available for the taxpayer tax periods beginning in calendar years 2023, 2024 and 2025. For hydrogen fuel cell vehicles purchased in 2023 tax periods, a taxpayer will be allowed a credit in an amount of 25 percent of the cost, up to $15,000 per vehicle. For vehicles purchased and installed in 2024 tax periods, the credit is 15 percent of the cost, up to $9,000 per vehicle. For a vehicle purchased and installed in 2025 tax periods, the credit is eight percent of the cost, up to $5,000 per vehicle. To qualify for the bill's tax credits, the taxpayer must file an application for a certification with the Commissioner of Environmental Protection that the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle purchased by the taxpayer is a qualified hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are electrically powered and they produce only water vapor as an emission. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles typically have a longer range than battery-powered electric vehicles and they can be refueled in approximately the same time and manner as a gasoline-powered vehicle. This bill would encourage New Jersey businesses to purchase hydrogen fuel cell vehicles by defraying their purchase costs. | In Committee |
| S2900 | Prohibits disclosure of body worn camera recordings under certain circumstances. | This bill prohibits the disclosure of body worn camera recordings obtained pursuant to the State's open public records law under certain circumstances. It has come to the sponsor's attention that bad actors have been taking advantage of the State's open public records law in order to exploit on social media young women who have been recorded on body worn cameras during law enforcement encounters. It is the sponsor's intent to prevent such exploitation without limiting legitimate access to public records by the press or others. Under the provisions of this bill, a person who has obtained a body worn camera recording pursuant to the open public records act and who is not a subject of the body worn camera recording is prohibited from disclosing the recording without the prior written consent of each subject of the body worn camera recording, unless the disclosure is for a legitimate public health or safety purpose or a compelling public interest. A person who knowingly violates this provision is guilty of a disorderly persons offense. In addition to any other right of action or recovery available under the laws of this State, a person who knowingly violates this provision is also liable to a subject of the body worn camera recording, who may bring an action in Superior Court. The court may award: 1) actual damages, but not less than liquidated damages computed at the rate of $1,000 for each violation; 2) punitive damages upon proof of willful or reckless disregard of the law; 3) reasonable attorney's fees and other litigation costs reasonably incurred; and 4) any other preliminary and equitable relief as the court determines to be appropriate. Under the bill, "body worn camera" is defined as a mobile audio and video recording system worn by a law enforcement officer. The bill defines "subject of the body worn camera recording" as a suspect, victim, detainee, conversant, injured party, or other similarly situated person who appears on the body worn camera recording and does not include a person who only incidentally appears on the recording. | In Committee |
| S198 | Prohibits investment by State of pension and annuity funds in, and requires divestment from, 200 largest publicly traded fossil fuel companies. | This bill, would prohibit the Director of the Division of Investment (director) from investing any assets of the State retirement funds in any of the top 200 companies that hold the largest carbon content fossil fuel reserves. Under the bill, divestment from coal companies would be required to be completed within two years, and from all other fossil fuel companies within one year. The director would be authorized to cease divestment or reinvest in previously divested companies if the director demonstrates that, as a direct result of the divestment, the State retirement funds have or will become equal to or less than 99.5 percent of their hypothetical value had no divestment occurred. Finally, the bill would require the State Investment Council and the director to report on the divestment efforts required by the bill within 120 days of the bill's effective date, and annually thereafter. | In Committee |
| S2789 | Permits 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in elections for local school board. | Under current law, any person who is at least 18 years of age, who is a citizen of the United States, and who is a resident of the district in which they wish to vote, is entitled to register and vote in elections in this State. This bill permits 16 and 17-year-olds, who are U.S. citizens and residents of New Jersey, to vote only in their local school elections for school board members, if they reside in a school district that has adopted the provisions of this bill. The bill does not allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in any other election. This bill allows for voters in a school district to put the question of whether to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in school board elections on the next general election ballot as a public question, if they can collect supporting signatures of 15% of the voters who voted in the district at the preceding presidential election. The bill also will allow for 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in school board elections upon the adoption of a resolution by the board of education of the school district, or the governing body or bodies of the municipality or municipalities constituting the district. The bill directs the Division of Elections in the Department of State to establish rules that: (1) create a process to register 16 and 17-year-olds to vote; (2) establish a list of acceptable forms of identification for 16 and 17-year-olds, including their State ID, learner's permit, work permit, and school transcript; and (3) provide guidelines for a form of paper ballot for 16 and 17-year-olds to vote on. | Dead |
| S2700 | Establishes "Patient Protection and Safe Staffing Act." | This bill establishes the "Patient Protection and Safe Staffing Act," which provides certain staffing standards in State hospitals, ambulatory surgical facilities, developmental centers, and psychiatric hospitals. Specifically, the bill provides that, in addition to existing staffing requirements provided by law or regulation, the Commissioner of Health is to adopt regulations that provide minimum direct care registered professional nurse-to-patient staffing ratios and unlicensed assistive personnel-to-patient staffing ratios for all patient units in general and special hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities, in accordance with the minimum staffing requirements that are established by the bill. The regulations adopted by the Commissioner of Health are not to decrease any staffing ratios that are already in effect on the bill's effective date. The bill provides that the Commissioner of Health is to require all general and special hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities to employ an acuity and staffing system for the purpose of increasing staffing levels above the minimum levels established in the bill, or otherwise provided by law or regulation, in order to ensure adequate staffing of each unit, service, or department. The bill requires the Department of Health to enforce the bill's requirements by conducting periodic inspections and responding to complaints. A registered professional nurse or other staff member, a collective bargaining agent of a staff member, or a member of the public, who believes that the hospital or facility in which the nurse or staff member is employed is in violation of the requirements established by the bill, may file a complaint with the Commissioner of Health. In responding to a complaint, the commissioner will be required to conduct an investigation to determine whether or not a hospital or facility is in violation. Following the completion of an investigation, in which investigation the department determines a hospital or facility to be in violation of the requirements established by the bill, the hospital or facility may be issued a civil penalty in increasing amounts for repeat violations. Any money collected by the court in payment of a civil penalty imposed will be conveyed to the State Treasurer for deposit into the Patient Protection and Staffing Fund (fund) established by the bill. Moneys in the fund will be dedicated and used only for the purposes of increasing the number of inspectors employed by the Department of Health to enforce the provisions of the bill, advancing nursing recruitment and retentions programs, supporting student loan forgiveness for nursing students, and increasing pay for nursing teaching staff. Finally, in addition to the above-described requirements applicable to the Commissioner of Health, the bill requires the Commissioner of Human Services to conduct a review of Department of Human Services regulations concerning registered professional nurse staffing standards in developmental centers and State psychiatric hospitals, and to revise the regulations, as appropriate, to reflect safe staffing practices and assure adequate staffing at the facilities. | In Committee |
| S1431 | Establishes foreclosure protection and mortgage relief for certain homeowners impacted by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. | This bill would establish foreclosure protection and mortgage relief for certain homeowners impacted by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. Hurricane Ida initially approached the Gulf Coast as a category 4 hurricane, and caused severe damage to a large area of the south and northeast regions of the country. In New Jersey, thousands of families have been displaced and unable to return to their homes as a result of this storm. This bill would offer certain homeowners impacted by the remnants of Hurricane Ida temporary protections against foreclosure, and would require mortgage servicers to provide a temporary pause in the mortgage payment obligations of the storm-impacted homeowners. The bill defines a "storm-impacted homeowner" as a homeowner who, as of August 31, 2021, occupied a residential property as the homeowner's primary residence, and who obtained federal disaster assistance for disaster-related needs as a result of damage sustained to the home due to the remnants of Hurricane Ida. The bill directs a mortgage servicer to grant a mortgage forbearance to a storm-impacted homeowner if the homeowner submits a written request prior to the first day of the sixth month following the enactment of the bill, affirming that the homeowner:· suffered a negative financial impact resulting from damage to the homeowner's primary residence due to the remnants of Hurricane Ida, and obtained federal disaster assistance as a result;· has a gross household income for 2022, that does not exceed 150 percent of the most recent area median income by zip code; and · does not possess bank accounts that collectively contain more than six months' reserves of the homeowner's gross household income for 2021, although the mortgage servicer may require the homeowner to provide a cash asset certification to demonstrate compliance with this provision. Upon receipt of a written request or verbal authorization for a mortgage forbearance from a storm-impacted homeowner, the bill would require a mortgage servicer to provide to the homeowner with a mortgage forbearance and confirmation of this action in writing. The minimum initial mortgage forbearance period of a storm-impacted homeowner would be one year. If requested, the bill requires the mortgage servicer to provide a subsequent forbearance period of at minimum 180 days, for a total of at minimum 545 days. Fees, penalties, or interest, including attorney's fees beyond the amounts scheduled and calculated as if the storm-impacted homeowner made all contractual payments on time and in full under the terms of the mortgage contract, would not be assessed or accrue during or as a result of a mortgage forbearance. A forbearance would not impact property tax and insurance obligations. A mortgage servicer that grants a forbearance pursuant to the bill would be required to encourage owners to seek out certified housing counseling and provide confirmation of the approval of the forbearance, information concerning the process for forbearance, and information on how to request a subsequent forbearance. The bill prohibits a mortgage servicer from furnishing negative mortgage payment information to a debt collector or credit reporting agency related to mortgage payments subject to a mortgage forbearance under the bill. In response to a complaint to the Attorney General from an impacted homeowner, the Attorney General may bring an action alleging a mortgage servicer has violated this prohibition. Under the bill, the repayment period of any mortgage subject to the forbearance would be extended by the number of months the forbearance is in effect. The payments not made during the months of the forbearance would instead be due on a monthly basis during the period constituting an extension of the mortgage, unless the property owner chooses to make these payments earlier. A storm-impacted homeowner denied a forbearance under the bill by a mortgage servicer licensed by the Department of Banking and Insurance ("DOBI"), and not a State- or nationally-chartered financial institution, may file a complaint with DOBI. DOBI would be required to investigate the complaint and, if appropriate, would order the mortgage servicer to grant a forbearance to the impacted homeowner. To the extent required by the Administrative Director of the Courts and DOBI, the bill would require a mortgage servicer to provide information on the provision of forbearances to those entities. Under the bill, a storm-impacted homeowner who is the subject of a foreclosure proceeding would be awarded, by the court and upon application by the property owner, a stay in the foreclosure proceedings if the conditions necessary to obtain a mortgage forbearance are satisfied. An application to the court by a storm-impacted homeowner would be required to be made prior to the first day of the sixth month following the effective date of the bill, unless the courts in their discretion permit application submission for a longer period. The award of a stay pursuant to the bill would conclude upon the earlier of:· the conclusion of one year following the initial award of a stay of foreclosure proceedings; or · July 1, 2024. The bill would take effect immediately, and apply retroactively to mortgage payments missed subsequent to September 1, 2021. | Dead |
| S2536 | Restricts certain billing practices for early intervention program services. | This bill prohibits health care providers from billing patients for services provided under the early intervention services program more than one year after the service was provided, and prohibits providers from attempting to collect from a patient on a bill for early intervention services if the bill was issued more than one year after the service was provided. Nothing in the bill will prohibit a health care provider from, at any time, seeking reimbursement for the service from the patient's health benefits plan; provided that, if the health benefits plan denies the claim or provides only partial reimbursement, the health care provider will be prohibited from billing the patient for the balance of the claim if: 1) the claim was submitted to the health benefits plan more than one year after the date the service was provided; or 2) the claim was submitted to the plan within one year from the date the service was provided, but more than 18 months elapsed since the date the service was provided. The early intervention services program is a Statewide program that provides specialized services and supports, from birth through age two, to infants and toddlers experiencing physical, cognitive, communication, social, emotional, or adaptive developmental delays or disabilities. It has been suggested that some early intervention services providers have issued bills to patients years after the early intervention service was originally provided. This practice can result in administrative headaches and affordability issues for parents who are already navigating the complexities of caring for a child with special needs, as the parent then needs to negotiate with an insurance provider or find the money to cover the bill long after the child has exited the early intervention services program. It is the sponsor's intent to help these families avoid the burden of these unexpected medical bills. | In Committee |
| S2534 | Concerns carbon monoxide detectors in certain multiple dwellings and certain hotels. | This bill would further protect occupants of dwelling units in certain newly constructed multiple dwellings and certain newly constructed hotels by requiring monitored carbon monoxide detectors. The bill would require that any dwelling unit in a newly constructed multiple dwelling or newly constructed hotel that is required to be equipped with a carbon monoxide detector and a monitored fire alarm system, also be equipped with a monitored carbon monoxide system. The bill defines a "monitored fire alarm system" as a fire detection or suppression system which, in addition to sounding a localized siren or alert, also transmits a notification to the local fire department or emergency services entity in order to alert that entity of a potential fire emergency requiring response from the department or entity. A "monitored carbon monoxide system" is defined by the bill as a carbon monoxide sensor device which, in addition to sounding a localized siren or alert, also transmits a notification to the local fire department or emergency services entity in order to alert that entity of a potential carbon monoxide emergency requiring response from the department or entity. | In Committee |
| S2613 | Clarifies that "Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991" covers elder abuse in domestic settings. | This bill clarifies that the "Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991," P.L.1991, c.261 (C.2C:25-17 et al.), covers various forms of physical and non-physical elder abuse in domestic settings. Although the existing findings and declarations to the act reference the Legislature's intention of addressing elder abuse (and abuse against disabled persons) "on an equal basis as violence against spouses and children," the bill updates the findings and declarations to expressly reference elder abuse by current or former household members in its many possible forms; that is, all such "emotional, psychological, and physical [domestic] violence" against the elderly. It also updates the existing definition of "victim of domestic violence" under the act, which currently covers "any person who is 18 years of age or older," to expressly include a reference to an elderly person in a domestic setting, who is not otherwise protected pursuant to P.L.1977, c.239 (C.52:27G-1 et seq.) as an institutionalized elderly person in a public or private facility or institution. | In Committee |
| S2627 | Limits home improvement contractor from entering into contract with full indemnification provision. | This bill provides that a contractor that is subject to the "Contractors' Registration Act" is prohibited from entering into a contract for full indemnification from a subcontractor. Under the bill, the term contractor includes home improvement contractors and home elevation contractors. The bill prohibits the contractor from entering into a contract with a liability clause between a contractor and a subcontractor for defects or poor workmanship which exceeds 50 percent indemnification. The bill also requires a home improvement contractor who is subject to its provisions to certify, in every home improvement contract for a purchase price in excess of $500, that the contractor will not contract for full indemnification from a subcontractor, and that any liability clause in a contract between a contractor and a subcontractor for defects or poor workmanship will be limited to 50 percent indemnification. | In Committee |
| S2526 | Provides free telecommunication services for incarcerated persons at State, county, and private adult and juvenile correctional facilities. | This bill provides that all adult and juvenile correctional facilities in the State operated by the Department of Corrections, the Juvenile Justice Commission, the counties, and private operators allow incarcerated persons to make and receive telephone calls, video calls, and electronic mail free of charge to both the sending and receiving party. Under current law, incarcerated persons may be charged for domestic telephone calls at up to 11 cents per minute using a debit, prepaid, or collect call system. Current law does not require incarcerated persons to have access to video calls or electronic mail, although such capability is already in place at certain facilities, with a fee charged to the incarcerated person. The bill makes an appropriation of such funds as may be necessary for the implementation of the bill, as certified by the Commissioner of Corrections and the Executive Director of the Juvenile Justice Commission. The Department of Corrections and the Juvenile Justice Commission retain the authority to establish rules and regulations for the security of telecommunication services. It is the sponsor's intent that the bill would not require any renegotiation of existing State or local contracts for telecommunication services, but would instead shift the costs associated with the contracts to the correctional facility operator. In the sponsor's view, the more incarcerated persons stay in touch with their families, the better they do when they reenter society, while those with weaker support systems due to lack of communication during incarceration are more likely to re-offend. Maintaining family and community connection while incarcerated is key to successful reentry, and thus it is in the public interest to reduce the economic burden on incarcerated persons associated with making and receiving calls and messages. The sponsor notes that New York City, Connecticut, California, Minnesota, Massachusetts, and Colorado have all recently adopted legislation to make telecommunication services free to incarcerated persons. The sponsor further notes that prison telecommunication services is a $1.4 billion industry that has been accused of price-gouging and profiteering from the families of incarcerated persons. According to some studies, one in three families with an incarcerated loved one goes into debt over the cost of telephone calls charged by correctional facilities. It is the sponsor's intent to ease the enormous financial burden on the families of incarcerated persons who are simply trying to maintain communication with their loved ones. | In Committee |
| S2555 | Regulates residential mental health treatment facilities. | This bill regulates residential mental health treatment facilities. Under the bill, residential mental health treatment facilities, as defined in the bill, are to: (1) provide mental health services or treatment in a manner that is consistent with the Level 3.5 level of care according to the American Society of Addiction Medicine in a 24 hours per day and seven days per week, structured living environment for patients who require such support, and in instances where inpatient hospitalization treatment is unnecessary; (2) provide health services or treatment for limited periods of time with the goal of preparing patients to move into the community at lower levels of care; and (3) provide health services or treatment without any retrospective review or concurrent review of medical necessity. The bill provides that no residential mental health treatment facility is to operate within this State except pursuant to a license obtained from the Commissioner of Health (commissioner), upon an application made therefor. The applicant is to be required to furnish evidence of the facility's ability to comply with the minimum standards for licensure established by the commissioner and of the good moral character of the facility's owners. Under the bill, the commissioner is to issue a license to a residential mental health treatment facility if the applicant is of good moral character and the facility is in compliance with the bill's provisions. There is to be a presumption in favor of an applicant's good moral character if the applicant is currently licensed and in good standing in this State as a mental health program pursuant to N.J.A.C.8:121 et seq. A residential mental health treatment facility is not to be licensed to operate at the same location as a residential substance use disorders treatment facility or program. The bill amends section 19 of P.L.1992, c.160 (C.26:2H-7a) to exempt residential mental health treatment facilities from the certificate of need requirement. The certificate of need program is a regulatory process that is administered by the Office of Certificate of Need and Healthcare Facility Licensure with the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH). Under the certificate of need program, certain health care facilities are required to obtain the DOH's approval prior to constructing, relocating, or renovating their facilities. Finally, the bill provides that the commissioner is to adopt rules and regulations establishing minimum standards for the licensure of residential health treatment facilities and the treatment of patients therein, and if feasible, structure the rules and regulations similarly to the regulations which are applicable to residential substance use disorders treatment facilities or programs, as set forth in N.J.A.C.8:111 et seq. | In Committee |
| S2511 | Prohibits sale of cats, dogs, or rabbits by pet shops; repeals "Pet Purchase Protection Act." | This bill repeals the "Pet Purchase Protection Act," P.L.1999, c.336 (C.56:8-92 et seq.) and replaces it with a prohibition on the sale of cats, dogs, and rabbits by pet shops. The bill also imposes several other requirements concerning the sale and adoption of animals. The bill provides that, without limiting the prosecution of any other practices which may be unlawful pursuant to State consumer fraud laws, it would be an unlawful practice and a violation of State consumer fraud law, P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.), for any breeder or broker to knowingly sell a cat or dog that is unfit for purchase. The bill defines "unfit for purchase" as having any disease, deformity, injury, physical condition, illness, or defect which is congenital or hereditary and severely affects the health of the animal, and which was manifest, capable of diagnosis or likely contracted on or before the sale and delivery of the animal to the consumer. The bill specifies that the death of an animal within 14 days of its delivery to the consumer, except by death by accident or as a result of injuries sustained during that period, would be construed to mean the animal was unfit for purchase. The bill establishes a prohibition on the sale of cats, dogs, or rabbits by pet shops and establishes a $500 fine for each violation of this prohibition to be collected in a civil action under the Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999. The bill authorizes a pet shop to: 1) sell or offer for sale any other type of animal as may be otherwise permitted pursuant to State law or regulation, or sell or offer for sale pet supplies for any type of animal, including a cat, dog, or rabbit, if it is licensed by its municipality to do so; and 2) offer, in collaboration with an animal rescue organization, shelter, or pound, space in the pet shop to showcase cats, dogs, and rabbits that are available for adoption, provided that no payment or compensation, monetary or otherwise, is exchanged between the pet shop and animal rescue organization, shelter, or pound, for the use of the pet shop or for the adoption of any cat, dog, rabbit, or any other animal. The bill prohibits animal rescue organizations, animal rescue organization facilities, pet shops, shelters, or pounds from obtaining a cat, dog, or rabbit from a breeder or broker in exchange for any type of compensation. The bill specifies that: 1) no provision of the bill may be construed to alter, diminish, replace, or revoke the requirements for pet dealers that are not pet shops or the rights of a consumer purchasing an animal from a pet dealer that is not a pet shop, as may be provided elsewhere in law or any rule or regulation; 2) any provision of law or regulation pertaining to pet shops that does not pertain to the sale of cats, dogs, or rabbits would continue to apply to pet shops; and 3) no provision of the bill may be construed to alter, diminish, replace, or revoke any recourse or remedy that is otherwise available to a consumer purchasing a cat, dog, rabbit, or any other type of animal and provided under any other law. The bill specifies that the bill's provisions may not be construed to interfere with the implementation of, or otherwise invalidate, or limit or restrict any municipality, county, local health agency, or municipal or county board of health from enacting or enforcing, any law, ordinance, rule, or regulation that places additional obligations or restrictions on pet shops, pet shop sales, pet dealers, breeders, brokers, or breeder or broker sales. | In Committee |
| S2512 | "Santiago/Ramos/Liu Police Protection Act"; requires certain law enforcement vehicles to have tinted windows. | This bill, to be known and cited as the "Santiago/Ramos/Liu Police Protection Act," requires any law enforcement agency in this State purchasing and using a new motor vehicle to have tinted windows which permit only the minimum light transmittance required pursuant to federal law, rule, or regulation. The bill applies only to vehicles clearly and conspicuously marked as those used for law enforcement purposes. The window tinting requirement would apply to law enforcement vehicles purchased on or after the first day of the fourth month following the date of the bill's enactment. The title of the bill honors New York City police officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu, as well as Jersey City police officer Melvin Santiago, all of whom were murdered in 2014. | In Committee |
| S1551 | Authorizes creation of local civilian review boards to review police operations and conduct; appropriates $600,000. | This bill would authorize municipalities and counties to establish civilian review boards to review police operations and conduct. These boards would serve to foster transparency, fairness, and equality in policing practices and policies, which in turn will help promote positive relations between police and the local communities they serve. A municipal civilian review board would consist of at least seven members who are appointed by the mayor or other chief executive officer of the municipality with the consent of the governing body of the municipality. A county civilian review board would consist of at least seven members appointed by the board of county commissioners or, if the county is organized pursuant to the provisions of the "Optional County Charter Law," P.L.1972, c.154 (C.40:41A-1 et seq.), the county executive, the county supervisor, or the county manager, as applicable, with the consent of the board of county commissioners. A county civilian review board would operate in municipalities that opt to participate with such board. The members of a civilian review board would be residents of the municipality or county, as applicable, who are qualified persons with training or experience in community relations, civil rights, law enforcement, juvenile justice, sociology, or other relevant fields. They would serve for terms of six years, with certain shorter terms for some of the initial board members to allow for staggered terms. Members of a civilian review board would be required to take a training course developed and provided by the Attorney General, or an alternative course approved by the Attorney General, within six months of appointment. The Attorney General would be required to develop its training course within 45 days of the bill's effective date and offer the first course as soon as practicable thereafter. A civilian review board could not investigate the conduct of any law enforcement officers, or recommend the imposition of discipline of such officers or members, without a quorum of members who have competed this training. A civilian review board would be permitted to utilize resources of the municipality or county to the extent that funds for the utilization of such resources are made available by the municipality, county, State, or other entity. The bill provides that it would be the duty of a civilian review board to: (1) conduct an investigation of the operation of the police force of the municipality, or other law enforcement officers that serve in the capacity of a municipal police force for the municipality, as applicable; (2) recommend the establishment of policies by the appropriate authority; (3) review and investigate the conduct of any law enforcement officer; and (4) recommend the imposition of discipline of such officer consistent with any tenure or civil service laws and contractual agreements. A civilian review board could only initiate one of these actions in response to a civilian complaint of excessive or unnecessary force, abuse of authority, discourtesy, or offensive language. A civilian review board would have the power to subpoena witnesses and documentary evidence. The board would also have any additional powers of inquiry delegated to the board by the municipality or county as deemed necessary for the conduct of any hearing or investigation. A civilian review board investigation may run concurrent to an internal affairs investigation of related conduct by law enforcement, but the civilian review board investigation would have to cease upon the initiation of a criminal prosecution concerning the related conduct. Further, a law enforcement agency may refrain from sharing evidence, or may direct a civilian review board to cease an investigation, if the law enforcement agency determines that evidence sharing, or the investigation itself, would be significantly detrimental to its disciplinary process due to the existence of a related criminal investigation. The bill permits an ordinance or resolution establishing a civilian review board to set forth guidelines for the operation of the board consistent with the provisions of the bill. The guidelines may adopt any relevant guidelines issued by the Attorney General. A civilian review board would report its findings and recommendations concerning police operations and conduct to the mayor or other chief executive officer of the municipality, the governing body of the municipality, the chief of police or other chief law enforcement officer of the municipality, the county prosecutor, and, in the case of a municipality in which the State Police serves in the capacity of a municipal police force for the municipality, the Superintendent of State Police and the Attorney General. Under the bill, all records made, maintained, or kept on file by a civilian review board would be confidential and unavailable to the public while an investigation is pending, and all personal identifying information contained in all records made, maintained, or kept on file by a civilian review board would be confidential and unavailable to the public at all times. The bill also provides that the "Internal Affairs Policy and Procedures" of the Police Management Manual promulgated by the Police Bureau of the Division of Criminal Justice in the Department of Law and Public Safety be revised to require the disclosure of reports, complaints, and other investigative materials, including video, sound, or other recording, to the appropriate authority, as defined in N.J.S.40A:14-118, as well as any civilian review board. Lastly, the bill would appropriate $600,000 from the General Fund to the Attorney General to fund the civilian review board training course, or any reimbursements for the alternative training course, required by the bill. | Dead |
| S2436 | Establishes limit on rent increase for senior citizen tenants of certain properties financed with assistance from HMFA. | This bill would establish a limitation on rent increases for certain units leased to senior citizen tenants and financed by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA). The bill prohibits a landlord--as defined in the bill, including a sublessor--of a covered dwelling unit, from increasing the rent over the course of a 12-month period by more than two percent, or by more than the percent change in the cost of living, whichever is greater. The bill defines a "covered dwelling unit" as a structure, or a room or a group of rooms within a structure that: (1) is offered for rent by a landlord for residential purposes; (2) is rented to a senior citizen for their principal place of residence; and (3) has been, presently is, or is to be funded by a loan, bond, trust fund, subsidy, or any other program or financial assistance from the HMFA. The bill provides that if the landlord increases the rent in excess of the bill's limitation, the applicable rent for the duration of the present lease term, or subsequent lease term if the present term is month-to-month, is to be the rent for the year or term preceding the violation. The bill's limitations would also function in addition to the existing prohibition on unconscionable rent increases pursuant the Anti-Eviction Act, P.L.1974, c.49 (C.2A:18-61.1 et seq.). A violation of the bill would: (1) constitute an unlawful practice pursuant to the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act, P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.) (CFA); (2) subject a landlord to all applicable penalties prescribed pursuant to the CFA; (3) permit a tenant to petition the court to terminate a lease in violation of the bill, and to recover reasonable attorney's fees or expenses; (4) subject a landlord to a penalty of $500 for a first offense by the landlord, and $1,000 for a second and any subsequent offense, in a separate cause of action brought by the tenant, in addition to reasonable attorney's fees or expenses; and (5) permit a tenant to assert the violation as a defense to an eviction as an unconscionable rent increase. The bill would only preempt other laws regarding rent control, as prescribed in the bill, that result in a higher permitted rent increase over the course of a 12-month period. Further, the bill would take effect on the first day of the third month following the date of enactment, and apply to tenancies commencing on or after the effective date of the bill, except that the Executive Director of the HMFA would be permitted to take anticipatory action necessary to effectuate the provisions of this bill. | In Committee |
| S2337 | Implements child safety provisions in custody disputes. | This bill establishes a training and educational program for certain court personnel, includes child safety as a factor in court decision-making when a party raises abuse allegations or safety concerns, and implements expert evidence standards in child abuse and domestic violence proceedings. This bill requires the Administrative Director of the Courts to create a training and educational program related to child abuse that includes information concerning all aspects of abuse, including sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, implicit and explicit bias, trauma, neglect, maltreatment, and the impact of child abuse and domestic violence on children. The program is required to implement best practices from evidence-based and peer-reviewed research. Under the bill, a judge is prohibited from ordering a child to be removed from or restricted from contacting a parent who is competent, protective of the child, and not physically or sexually abusive, or a parent with whom the child is bonded or to whom the child is attached, solely for the purpose of improving a deficient relationship with the other parent. The court also is prohibited from ordering reunification therapy that is predicated on removing or restricting a child from a parent with whom the child is bonded or attached. Further, in making an award for custody, a court is required to consider the existence of any prior restraining order or protective order against a parent. Finally, this bill implements minimum requirements for expert evidence and evidence that may be admissible in child custody proceedings where a parent has been alleged to have committed domestic violence or child abuse. Expert evidence may be admitted only if the professional possesses demonstrated expertise and clinical experience working with domestic violence or child abuse victims. Further, in making a finding regarding any allegation of domestic violence or child abuse, evidence of past sexual or physical abuse committed by the accused parent may be considered including, but not limited to, any: (1) past or current restraining orders or protection orders against the accused parent, including sexual violence abuse protection orders; or (2) arrests or convictions of the accused parent for domestic violence, sexual violence, or child abuse. This bill implements the "Kayden's Law" provisions of the federal "Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022," enacted in March 2022. The "Kayden's Law" provisions were named for seven-year-old Kayden Mancuso of Lower Makefield, PA. In 2018, Kayden was murdered by her father during an unsupervised visitation period ordered by the court. Kayden's mother had objected to unsupervised visitation on the grounds that Kayden's father had a history of violence and was mentally unstable. | In Committee |
| S1493 | Eliminates smoking ban exemption for casinos and simulcasting facilities. | Eliminates smoking ban exemption for casinos and simulcasting facilities. | In Committee |
| S279 | Establishes confidentiality of landlord-tenant court records; addresses adverse actions on rental applications. | This bill would preserve the confidentiality of the court records of landlord-tenant actions under certain circumstances. The bill defines the term "court records" expansively to include any record containing information regarding a past or current landlord-tenant action, and any record of the filing of a landlord-tenant action. The bill defines the term "landlord-tenant action" as any action brought by or against a landlord or tenant, including an ejectment action in which the possessor establishes tenancy, in the Superior Court of New Jersey, including the Special Civil part of the Superior Court. The bill specifically provides that the court record of a landlord-tenant action, including information that the action has been filed, will remain confidential and unavailable to the public for the first 60 days after and including the date the action is filed. Under the bill, the court record of a landlord-tenant action will remain confidential and unavailable to the public indefinitely unless the action results in a judgment for possession. The bill provides that if a landlord-tenant action results in an unconditional judgment for possession, the court record of the action will become public on the later of the 61st day after the date the action was filed or within 45 days after the date the matter is completely resolved. However, if the matter is appealed by either party, the court record remains confidential and unavailable to the public until the conclusion of the appeal, and will only be made available to the public if the landlord prevails. The bill also provides that the court record of a landlord-tenant action will remain confidential and unavailable to the public although a judgment for possession has been entered, if the judgment is subject to conditions that, if met by the tenant, may result in the judgment being vacated and the matter dismissed. However, if the court finds, after notice to the tenant and an opportunity to be heard, that the conditions have not been met, the court record shall be made available to the public at the conclusion of an appeal or an opportunity to appeal the judgment. Under the bill, the court record of a landlord-tenant action will remain confidential and unavailable to the public after entry of a judgment for possession if the tenant files a timely order to show cause seeking to vacate the judgment prior to being physically locked out of the housing unit. In this circumstance, the court record will remain confidential and unavailable to the public until the order to show cause is resolved, and will remain confidential and unavailable to the public if the tenant prevails. The bill provides that the court record of any cause of action brought by a tenant asserting a legal right against a landlord will remain confidential and unavailable to the public indefinitely, regardless of whether the tenant prevails, unless the tenant voluntarily consents to making the court record available to the public. The bill directs a court, prior to issuing a written opinion or decision related to a landlord-tenant action, to redact the names and addresses of the parties and any information that may facilitate discovery of the parties' identities. The bill also requires New Jersey public entities that maintain a written or automated record or file of court records of landlord-tenant actions to take appropriate actions to ensure that court records of all landlord-tenant actions that did not result in an unconditional judgment for possession are kept confidential and unavailable to the public. The bill directs the Administrative Office of the Courts to expunge the court records of any eviction or ejectment action, including any such action resulting in a judgment of possession, after the expiration of three years from the date of the judgment. The bill also addresses the use of court records by landlords when evaluating prospective tenants. The bill prohibits a landlord, when evaluating a prospective tenant, from considering a landlord-tenant action brought by or against a tenant that did not result in a judgment for possession and actual displacement, or which did result in a judgment for possession but was then withdrawn, dismissed or reversed. The bill also prohibits landlords from considering a judgment for possession that was entered and executed against a prospective or existing tenant three or more years prior to the tenant's application for tenancy. The bill requires a landlord, at the time a prospective tenant of a residential dwelling unit submits a rental application to the landlord, to deliver to the prospective tenant the landlord's screening criteria document. The bill defines the term "screening criteria document" to mean a written statement detailing the criteria to be used by a landlord to evaluate a rental application and determine whether to accept the applicant as a tenant. Additionally, the bill would require a landlord who takes an adverse action on a rental application to provide written notice of the adverse action to the prospective tenant, stating the reasons for the adverse action. The adverse action notice must disclose any screening information about the prospective tenant accessed by the landlord, and must append any screening report about the prospective tenant that was accessed by the landlord. The bill would authorize imposition of a penalty on a landlord who violates the bill's provisions concerning the improper screening of tenants. Specifically, the bill provides that in addition to any other penalty provided by law, a landlord will be liable for a penalty of not less than $1,000 for a first offense, and not less than $5,000 for a second and each subsequent offense, plus reasonable attorney fees. This penalty would be exclusive of, and in addition to, any moneys or property ordered to be paid or restored to any person in interest, and are to be paid to the aggrieved applicant or tenant.. Under the bill, a person or entity which provides court filing information or information contained in the court records of a landlord-tenant action to a landlord or other entity involved in the rental of a dwelling unit, except in accordance with the provisions of this bill, commits a crime of the fourth degree. Each provision of information would constitute a separate offense. In addition to any other remedies provided by law, a residential tenant or applicant for rental housing may bring an action in Superior Court for any violation of this bill for treble actual damages or $5,000, whichever is greater, attorney's fees, costs of suit, and appropriate equitable relief. Finally, the bill provides that it is unlawful discrimination under the "Law Against Discrimination," P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-1 et seq.), for a person to refuse to rent or lease real property to another person because that person, while a residential tenant or prospective residential tenant, had ever been a party in a summary dispossess proceeding or other civil action, or undertook any action to enforce or implement rights or remedies provided by statute, regulation, or the common law. | In Committee |
| SR36 | Urges Congress to establish national infrastructure bank. | This resolution respectfully urges Congress to pass H.R.3339, establishing a national infrastructure bank. American infrastructure is in dire need of investment, as outlined by the American Society of Civil Engineers and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Increasing frequency of extreme weather events further strains infrastructure approaching the end of its useful life. In New Jersey alone, less than 30 percent of the roads and bridges are in good condition. As host to a large portion of the northeast corridor, New Jersey moves national and international trade, and millions of people each day along deteriorating structures. Nationally, broadband access, modernization of the energy grid, and remediation of the water supply systems are of paramount importance. Economic vitality, national security, public safety and quality of life, are dependent on sound infrastructure. Current funding mechanisms do not address the scope of the need. Direct competitors of the United States rely on an infrastructure funding method invented and previously used by America. H.R.3339 addresses funding shortfalls for large, innovative infrastructure projects by establishing a national infrastructure bank, perpetually generating funds in a manner similar to a commercial bank. A dedicated, regenerative, nonpartisan funding mechanism is required to remedy inadequacies in our energy grid, transportation and other systems, in addition to preparing us for a future of increasing extreme weather conditions. | In Committee |
| S298 | Permits extension of early voting period for regular municipal elections in May. | This bill concerns the early voting period for regular municipal elections in May. This bill allows a municipality to pass an ordinance to begin the early voting period for a regular municipal election in May on the 11th calendar day before the regular municipal election. Currently, the early voting period must begin on the 4th calendar day prior to the election and end on the second calendar day before that regular municipal election, providing three days of early voting. The bill allows municipalities to expand the early voting period to 10 days for regular municipal elections in May in those nonpartisan municipalities that have adopted early voting. | 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 |
| S289 | Designates and preserves Caven Point Peninsula in Liberty State Park as natural habitat. | This bill would designate as natural habitat and preserve the 21.5 acre Caven Point Peninsula. Caven Point Peninsula is an estuarine ecosystem for plants and animals, critical bird breeding habitat, and urban environmental education resource. The peninsula is located in Liberty State Park, in Jersey City, Hudson County, and stretches into the Upper New York Bay. | In Committee |
| S272 | Requires federal funding to be made available to Governor's Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse to support Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse if needed to offset unanticipated decrease in dedicated revenues. | This bill requires federal funding to be made available to the Governor's Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse ("GCADA") to support the Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse ("alliance") if such monies are needed to offset unanticipated decreases in dedicated State revenues during fiscal years 2022 and 2023. Under current law, the GCADA administers the alliance, which is a network of community-based coalitions that are dedicated to fighting alcoholism and drug abuse. Through the alliance, the GCADA awards grants to participating municipalities and counties to help develop: (1) coordinated efforts involving schools, law enforcement, and community organizations to reduce alcoholism and drug abuse; (2) comprehensive drug abuse education programs for students and parents; (3) procedures for the intervention and treatment of students who abuse alcohol or drugs; and (4) comprehensive alcoholism and drug abuse community awareness programs. The State currently dedicates monies from the "Drug Enforcement and Demand Reduction Fund" to support the activities of the alliance. The monies deposited into this fund are collected as surcharges from persons convicted of any crime or offense in this State. The State also requires all monies collected under the "Alcoholic beverage tax law," R.S.54:41-1 et seq., from the holders of a restricted brewery license to be dedicated to the GCADA for the support of the alliance. During fiscal years 2022 and 2023, this bill provides that if these dedicated revenues are insufficient to support activities of the alliance, then to the extent permitted by federal law and subject to appropriation by the Legislature, the Governor would be required to make available such federal funding as is necessary to the GCADA, from the monies allocated to the State under the federal "Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act," Pub.L.116-136, the federal "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021," Pub.L.117-2, or any other financial assistance provided by the federal government to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, to support the alliance. | In Committee |
| S263 | Requires certain residential buildings to have fire barriers in common attic areas. | This bill would require all qualified residential buildings to have fire barriers in common attic areas over and above the separations between adjoining dwelling units. Open, unprotected common attic areas present a way for fires to quickly spread throughout a building, creating enormous risks to the safety of residents and firefighters. This bill would require that three-hour rated fire barriers be installed in these common attic areas to slow the spread of fires, which would provide more time for residents to safely evacuate and limit the scope of any fires that firefighters have to combat, while also limiting property damage. The bill defines a "qualified residential building" as any building or structure of three or more stories with two or more dwelling units. The bill requires the Commissioner of Community Affairs to adopt common attic area fire barrier regulations, on or before the first day of the sixth month next following the bill's effective date, for both new construction and existing buildings that would require a retrofit. For early stage new construction, an application for a construction permit could not be declared complete without providing for fire barriers if the application is not yet declared complete on or before the adoption of regulations. All other qualified residential buildings would have to comply with the fire barrier requirements within 180 days of the adoption of regulations. The bill makes the common attic area fire barrier requirement a part of the "Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law," P.L.1967, c.76 (C.55:13A-1 et seq.). Accordingly, a multiple dwelling that meets the definition of a "qualified residential building" would be inspected for compliance with this requirement as a part of the regular inspections under that law. A qualified residential building that does not meet the "multiple dwelling" definition would be subject to these inspections for the limited purpose of ensuring compliance with this requirement. | In Committee |
| S291 | Expands definition of landlords required to provide receipt for rent cash payment made by tenant. | This bill amends section 3 of P.L.2019, c.300 (C.46:8-49.2), to expand the definition of landlords required to provide a receipt for a rent cash payment made by a tenant. This bill expands the definition of a "landlord" to include any person who rents or leases or offers to rent or lease, for a term of at least one month, one or more dwelling units, except dwelling units, hotels, motels or other guest houses serving transient or seasonal tenants. Under current statute, a landlord includes any person who rents or leases or offers to rent or lease, for a term of at least one month, dwelling units, except dwelling units in rental premises containing not more than two such units, or in owner-occupied premises of not more than three dwelling units, or in hotels, motels, or other guest houses serving transient or seasonal guests. | In Committee |
| S304 | Expands Medicare health care coverage to all New Jersey residents. | This bill would expand the federal Medicare health care coverage program to every New Jersey resident, regardless of age, health, or disability status. Currently, Medicare is generally available only to people who are age 65 years or older, who have a disability, or who have certain specified health conditions. The bill defines a resident as a person domiciled in the State for a period of 30 days immediately preceding the date of application for inclusion in the Medicare program. The bill requires the State to apply to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for any waiver of federal statute or regulation necessary to effectuate this expansion of Medicare. The application would allow New Jersey to replace federal, State, and local health care programs with universal coverage through New Jersey Medicare. CMS would estimate the cost of providing Medicare for all New Jersey residents, and will deduct the estimated revenue from Medicare and Medicaid payments that New Jersey residents, the State of New Jersey, and the federal government pay to offset those costs. CMS will establish Medicare premiums for New Jersey residents accordingly. Upon the enactment of universal Medicare coverage in New Jersey, the bill would prohibit any health insurance carrier from offering a health benefits plan that includes coverage for health care services covered by Medicare. This provision would ensure full participation in the Medicare program, which would increase enrollment and thus spread the risk of insurance over a larger population to achieve greater cost efficiency in the health care sector. The purpose of this bill is to establish a universal health care coverage program in New Jersey that builds upon the long, successful history of the federal Medicare program. In contrast with most common private insurance plans, Medicare is affordable for nearly everyone, offers greater patient choice in their health care providers, and has much lower out-of-pocket costs. Medicare is more efficient than private insurance, having much lower administrative costs. As an established federal program, expanding Medicare would require no new State bureaucracy and no difficult adjustment for health care providers to a new system. Medicare could provide low-cost health care coverage with to hundreds of thousands of New Jersey residents who currently lack health coverage or who may lose coverage as a result of increasingly complex, costly, and restrictive private health insurance. | In Committee |
| S271 | Prohibits public utilities from discontinuing residential electric, gas, water, and sewer service after expiration of coronavirus public health emergency; requires those utilities to implement deferred payment agreements for those services. | This bill prohibits public utilities (utilities) providing electric, gas, water, and sewer utility services to residential customers from discontinuing those services following the end of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) public health state of emergency. The bill prohibits a utility from discontinuing, curtailing, or abandoning service for the sole reason of residential customer service bill nonpayment for 180 days following the expiration of the COVID-19 public health state of emergency. Instead, a public utility is required to enter into a deferred payment agreement with the residential customer under terms and conditions established by the Board of Public Utilities (BPU). At a minimum, the terms and conditions established by the BPU will allow residential customers to make monthly payments to the utility over a period of at least 48 months. As long as a residential customer complies with the terms and conditions of the deferred repayment plan, a utility cannot discontinue service. | In Committee |
| S264 | Requires licensing of pet groomers and registration of certain other businesses; establishes certain licensing and operating requirements. | This bill defines a "pet groomer" as an individual who bathes, brushes, clips, or styles a pet for compensation, and requires pet groomers to be licensed. To be eligible for licensure as a pet groomer, an applicant must: be at least 18 years of age; be of good moral character; and pass an examination prepared by or approved by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to determine the applicant's competence to practice pet grooming. The bill stipulates that in order to practice, attempt to practice, or hold himself out as being able to practice pet grooming, that person is required to be licensed in accordance with the provisions of this bill. In addition, as specified in the bill, none of the bill's provisions apply to: a registered student in a school licensed by the board if the student is performing grooming services under appropriate supervision at the school in which they are enrolled; or an individual engaged in performing grooming services while not enrolled in a school if the individual performs those services under the direct supervision of a licensed pet groomer and while training in preparation of the pet groomer's licensing examination. This bill also mandates that no business is to engage in or advertise or hold itself out as offering pet grooming services unless the business is registered with the board. Furthermore, any such business is required to provide to the board evidence of proof of general liability insurance or a letter of credit of a type and amount required by the board by regulation. In addition, the bill provides that a business engaged in or offering pet grooming services is required to comply with the following requirements: 1) Pets not in the grooming process are required to be caged separately in a structurally sound and clean cage large enough to allow each pet to make normal postural adjustments, including sitting, standing, and turning around; 2) An adequate water supply of drinking water is to be available to all animals at all times; 3) Drying cages are not to be utilized; 4) Sufficient lighting must be provided to facilitate the cleaning of pets and facilities; 5) The premises of the pet grooming facility is required to be maintained in a sanitary condition; 6) Surveillance cameras are required throughout the business, to provide recorded video surveillance of all areas of the business inside and outside on the property of the business, 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and 7) The footage from the surveillance cameras is required to be kept by the facility at least 60 days. The bill also mandates that every pet grooming business is required to maintain a pet incident file to be submitted annually to the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, in a form as may be prescribed by the board, which must contain the following information: pet injuries sustained while at the facility that required veterinary contact; severe pet illnesses; veterinary treatment plans relevant to pet grooming procedures and processes; pet deaths; and pet escapes. The board may suspend or revoke the registration of any business offering pet grooming upon proof showing by a preponderance of the evidence that the business: has made false or misleading statements of a material nature in the application for registration; failed to demonstrate that each employee of the employer who is engaged in the performance of pet grooming is in possession of a license to practice pet grooming; failed to demonstrate proof of having general liability insurance or a letter of credit of a type and amount required by the board; failed to comply with the aforementioned sanitary and facility conditions required of businesses engaging in or offering pet grooming services; or failed to maintain the pet incident file, as required by the bill. Furthermore, the bill requires the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to establish and undertake a public information campaign to educate and inform the consumers of New Jersey of the provisions in this bill. The bill also mandates that the board provide a toll-free telephone number for consumers making inquiries or complaints regarding pet groomers or pet grooming businesses. | In Committee |
| S1941 | Establishes minimum registered professional nurse staffing standards for hospitals and ambulatory surgery facilities and certain DHS facilities. | This bill establishes staffing standards for registered professional nurses in State hospitals, ambulatory surgical facilities, developmental centers, and psychiatric hospitals. Specifically, the bill provides that, in addition to existing staffing requirements provided by law or regulation, the Commissioner of Health is to adopt regulations that provide minimum direct care registered professional nurse-to-patient staffing ratios for all patient units in general and special hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities, in accordance with the minimum staffing requirements that are established by the bill. As specified in the bill, minimum nurse-to-patient ratios will vary depending on the type of unit, and will range from one registered professional nurse for every five patients in a behavioral health or psychiatric or a medical/surgical unit, to one registered professional nurse for every patient under anesthesia in an operating room. The regulations adopted by the Commissioner of Health are not to decrease any nurse-to-patient staffing ratios that are already in effect on the bill's effective date. The bill provides that the Commissioner of Health is to require all general and special hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities to employ an acuity and staffing system for the purpose of increasing direct care registered professional nurse staffing levels above the minimum levels established in the bill, or otherwise provided by law or regulation, in order to ensure adequate staffing of each unit, service, or department. The acuity and staffing system will be based on: patient classification or acuity; professional nurse staffing standards adopted by nurse specialty organizations; skill mix; and the staffing levels of other health care personnel and the use of agency or temporary staff. The system is to be established in the facility by the facility's department of nursing, with the approval of a majority of the unit staff nurses or their bargaining agent. The bill requires the acuity and staffing system to allow for the forecasting of staffing levels, and to provide a method to adjust staffing levels for each patient care unit based on objective criteria currently set forth at N.J.A.C.8:43G-17.1(a)3, including, but not limited to: (1) the documented skills, training, and competency of staff to plan and provide nursing services in the nursing areas where they function; (2) a patient database incorporating objective factors such as the case mix index, specific or aggregate patient diagnostic classifications or acuity levels, patient profiles, critical pathways or care progression plans, length of stay, and discharge plans; (3) operational factors, such as unit size, design, and capacity, the admission/discharge/transfer index, and support service availability; (4) contingency plans to address critical departures from the staffing plan, including policies and procedures to regulate the closure of available beds if staffing levels fall below specified levels; and (5) policies and procedures for the reassignment of staff, including float and agency staff. The acuity and staffing system will additionally be required to permit waiver of minimum staffing level requirements in the event of an unforeseen emergent circumstance which causes significant changes in the patient census for a regular shift. Waiver will not be permitted unless the facility has made reasonable efforts to provide sufficient additional staff to meet the required minimum staffing levels, including seeking volunteers and making use of on-call staff, per-diem staff, agency staff, and float pools. The bill defines "unforeseeable emergent circumstance" to mean an unpredictable or unavoidable occurrence requiring immediate action. The Commissioner of Health will also be permitted to waive the minimum staffing level requirements for any hospital or facility that the commissioner determines is in financial distress. A waiver may be revoked upon a determination that the facility is no longer in financial distress. The bill requires the Department of Health to enforce minimum staffing ratios by conducting periodic inspections and responding to complaints. The bill provides a system, pursuant to which a registered professional nurse, other staff member, or member of the public, believing that a facility is in violation of the staffing requirements or the staffing and acuity system, may file a complaint with the Commissioner of Health. In responding to a complaint, the commissioner will be required to conduct an investigation to determine whether or not a hospital or facility is in violation, and to take such other action as may be necessary to ensure compliance with the requirements of the bill. Finally, in addition to the above-described requirements applicable to the Commissioner of Health, the bill requires the Commissioner of Human Services to conduct a review of Department of Human Services regulations concerning registered professional nurse staffing standards in developmental centers and State psychiatric hospitals, and to revise the regulations, as appropriate, to reflect safe staffing practices and assure adequate staffing at the facilities. | In Committee |
| S281 | Requires health insurance carriers to provide coverage for hospitalizations resulting from coronavirus disease 2019 without imposing cost-sharing requirements. | This bill requires a health insurance carrier to provide coverage for expenses incurred in the hospitalization of a covered person as a result of coronavirus disease 2019 without imposing a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or any other cost-sharing requirement. | In Committee |
| S261 | Provides for spaying and neutering stray or feral cats and establishes fund therefor; designated as "Compassion for Community Cats Law." | The bill, designated as the "Compassion for Community Cats Law," provides for the spaying and neutering of stray or feral cats. In particular, the bill provides, with limited exceptions, that: (1) no cat may be released for adoption from an animal rescue organization facility, shelter, pound, or kennel operating as a shelter or pound unless the cat has been spayed or neutered by a licensed veterinarian; and (2) any community cat trapped and impounded at a shelter, pound, or kennel operating as a shelter or pound, or trapped and taken to an animal rescue organization facility, must be spayed or neutered, ear-tipped, and vaccinated against rabies before being returned to the location where the community cat was trapped or given to a person assuming ownership of the community cat. The spaying and neutering requirements do not apply to a cat or a community cat that: (1) is less than two months old; (2) a licensed veterinarian determines cannot be spayed or neutered for other health reasons affecting the cat; (3) is placed in a foster home or transferred to another shelter, pound, kennel operating as a shelter or pound, or animal rescue organization facility by a shelter, pound, or kennel operating as a shelter or pound; or (4) is to be euthanized in accordance with the provisions of section 16 of P.L.1941, c.151 (C.4:19-15.16) and R.S.4:22-19, which provide for humanely euthanizing animals after a shelter, pound, or kennel operating as a shelter or pound has offered the animal for adoption for at least seven days. The bill authorizes an animal rescue organization facility, shelter, pound, or kennel operating as a shelter or pound to charge the cost of spaying or neutering the cat to the person assuming ownership of the cat. The bill also amends various sections of existing law to allow for the implementation of the new spaying and neutering requirements established by the bill and other provisions of the bill. The bill authorizes the Department of Health (DOH) to adopt regulations necessary to implement grant programs and fund the spaying and neutering requirements established in the bill. The bill establishes the "Compassion for Community Cats Fund" in the DOH to provide grants to municipalities and counties to establish programs to humanely trap community cats, and sterilize, ear-tip, and vaccinate them against rabies, and return each feral cat to the location where the cat was trapped. The "Compassion for Community Cats Fund" is to be credited with the monies collected for violations of the bill, the surcharge on dog licenses imposed by section 1 of P.L.1983, c.181 (C.4:19-15.3c), any moneys appropriated by the Legislature, and any return on investment of moneys deposited in the fund. Finally, the bill repeals sections 2 and 3 of P.L.2011, c.142 (C.4:19-15.30 and 4:19-15.31), known as the "Pet Sterilization Pilot Program." The committee amendments to the bill: (1) correct cross-references and citations in the bill; (2) correct typographical errors in the bill's reproduction of existing statutory text; and (3) delete a statutory reference to a program for aid to families with dependent children that was replaced by the Work First New Jersey program pursuant to P.L.1997, c.38. | In Committee |
| S1490 | Converts senior freeze reimbursement into credit applied directly to property tax bills. | This bill would transform the homestead property tax reimbursement program, commonly known as the senior freeze program, from a reimbursement program into a credit program for most eligible homeowners. Currently, eligible seniors and disabled persons may apply for a senior freeze benefit that reimburses them for any property tax increases paid in the prior tax year over and above the amount of property taxes paid in the applicable base year. This bill would allow most of these eligible homeowners to realize these savings in the form of a credit directly applied to reduce the payable amount for their third and fourth quarter property tax bills for the current tax year. Eligible homeowners who reside in a unit in a cooperative, mutual housing corporation, or continuing care retirement community, and who do not pay property taxes directly to the municipality, would receive a rebate payment instead of a credit directly applied to the applicable property tax bill. These rebates would be paid during the current tax year for which the senior freeze benefit is sought so that these homeowners also do not have to wait until the next year to receive their senior freeze benefit. | In Committee |
| S303 | Requires certain insurance carriers to include firearm liability insurance as policy option. | This bill requires every insurer authorized to transact the business of homeowners, renters, excess liability, or personal liability insurance in New Jersey to make available as an option for purchase coverage insuring against loss resulting from liability imposed by law for bodily injury, death, and property damage sustained by any person arising out of the ownership, maintenance, operation or use of a firearm carried in public. The coverage is to be at least in: a. an amount or limit of $100,000, exclusive of interest and costs, on account of injury to, or death of, one person, in any one incident; b. an amount or limit, subject to such limit for any one person so injured or killed, of $300,000, exclusive of interest and costs, on account of injury to or death of, more than one person, in any one incident; and c. an amount or limit of $25,000, exclusive of interest and costs, for damage to property in any one incident. | In Committee |
| S308 | Requires municipal clerk to post municipal documents online. | This bill would require a municipal clerk to post all municipal documents on the municipality's Internet website. Specifically, the bill would require that the municipal clerk, unless otherwise prohibited by federal or State law, rule, or regulation, post all municipal documents, forms, renewal documents, license applications, and license certificates on the municipality's Internet website. The bill also provides for State reimbursement through the Department of the Treasury for costs incurred by a municipality to comply with the requirements of the bill. | In Committee |
| S309 | Prohibits sale of certain lithium-ion devices; establishes restrictions on sale, lease, or rental of certain bicycles and scooters; creates fire risk awareness campaigns. | This bill makes it unlawful to assemble, recondition, or sell a lithium-ion battery using cells removed from used storage batteries. Additionally, the bill prohibits the sale, lease, or rental of a low-speed electric bicycle, motorized bicycle, low-speed electric scooter, motorized scooter, or storage battery for a low-speed electric bicycle, motorized bicycle, low-speed electric scooter, or motorized scooter unless certain standards concerning the storage battery and electrical system of the bicycle and scooter are met. Failure to comply with certain of the bill's provisions will result in the issuance of a written warning for the first violation, and a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 for the second and each subsequent violation issued for the same offense on a different day within two years of the date of a first violation. The bill also requires businesses who use a low-speed electric bicycle or motorized bicycle for commercial purposes to provide its employees that operate these bicycles with fire safety materials. The Division of Highway Traffic Safety in the Department of Law and Public Safety (division) is required to publish the fire safety materials on its Internet website and provide the materials to each employee who operates a low-speed electric bicycle or motorized bicycle. The division is required to develop an informational campaign to educate the public on the fire risks posed by low-speed electric bicycles, motorized bicycles, low-speed electric scooters, and motorized scooters and the safety measures that can be taken to mitigate such risks. The campaign is to address both commercial and personal use of low-speed electric bicycles, motorized bicycles, low-speed electric scooters, and motorized scooters and include information on the purchasing of low-speed electric bicycles, motorized bicycles, low-speed electric scooters, motorized scooters, and battery equipment that meet established fire safety standards, as well as the proper maintenance and storage of low-speed electric bicycles, motorized bicycles, low-speed electric scooters, motorized scooters, and lithium-ion batteries. The division is also to engage in an outreach campaign to certain business entities relating to fire risks posed by the devices and the safety measures to mitigate fire risk. Finally, the division is required to submit reports to the Governor and to the Legislature. The reports are to include information on all fires that were reported during the prior calendar year in which a low-speed electric bicycle, motorized bicycle, low-speed electric scooter, or motorized scooter was determined to be the cause of such fire and a review of existing fire and administrative code provisions governing the purchase, use, storage and charging of low-speed electric bicycles, motorized bicycles, low-speed electric scooters, or motorized scooters, and an evaluation of additional measures that could mitigate fire risks. | In Committee |
| S284 | Provides exception for Legal Services of New Jersey and other public interest organizations from confidentiality of certain eviction actions. | This bill provides an exception for Legal Services of New Jersey and other non-profit public interest organizations, law school clinical and pro bono programs from the confidentiality imposed by N.J.S.A.2A:42-146. Prior to enactment of N.J.S.A.2A:42-146, Legal Services of New Jersey and other public interest advocates had the ability to view a court case to determine the status, facts alleged, and other relevant information needed to provide informed advice to unrepresented tenants. Without this exception, Legal Services of New Jersey and other public interest organizations will be unable to provide immediate legal assistance to unrepresented tenants, or to make informed decisions on the merits or need for referral of a particular case. This bill provides that confidentiality of records imparted by N.J.S.A.2A:42-146 does not prohibit access to court records for Legal Services of New Jersey attorneys or for attorneys of other non-profit public interest organizations certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court under the New Jersey Rules of Court, Rule 1:21-11(b), irrespective of whether the attorney has entered a notice of appearance in a particular case. Public interest organizations, law school clinical pro bono programs, and federal, state, and local governmental entities can apply for yearly certification under Rule 1:21-11(b) if the organization provides qualifying pro bono services as defined under Rule 1:21-11(a) of the court rules. | In Committee |
| S294 | Requires Homelessness Prevention Program agencies to remain open during public health emergency and provides for funding of each agency. | This bill requires that one Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) agency operates in certain populous counties and that all HPP agencies remain open during public health emergencies. Under the bill, "populous county" means any county with a population of 350,000 or more, according to the most recent federal decennial census. The bill specifically requires the Department of Community Affairs to provide funding to ensure that one agency is established in populous counties to help manage and implement the HPP within that populous county. Under the bill, if federal funding intended to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is not available to satisfy the full amount of establishing this agency within a populous county, then the Commissioner of Community Affairs is permitted to notify the State Treasurer and the Joint Budget Oversight Committee of the Legislature of the deficiency and to request that the Legislature appropriate a portion of the remainder from the General Fund, or other available State funding sources. | In Committee |
| S270 | Increases certain penalties for leaving scene of motor vehicle accident resulting in death or injury. | This bill increases the penalties for leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident resulting in death or injury. Under current law, a driver who knowingly leaves the scene of an accident resulting in death or injury is subject to a fine of between $2,500 to $5,000, or imprisonment for 180 days, or both. This bill would increase the fine for any driver who knowingly leaves the scene of an accident resulting in death or injury to between $5,000 to $10,000. | In Committee |
| S2241 | Extends child care subsidies to families earning up to 300 percent of federal poverty level; appropriates funds. | This bill raises the annual household income limit for determining initial income eligibility under the State's subsidized child care assistance program. Currently, initial eligibility determination in the State's subsidized child care assistance program is limited to families that report a maximum annual gross family income of 200 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL), which is $55,500 for a family of four in 2022. However, according to the most recent ALICE Report by the United Ways of New Jersey, the average ALICE - Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed - Household Survival Budget in the State was $88,224 for a family of four in 2018. In 2018, 37 percent of New Jersey's 3.2 million households struggled to make ends meet, with 27 percent of these households categorized as ALICE households. This bill raises the maximum initial income eligibility, and subsequent redetermination income eligibility, for the State's subsidized child care assistance program to 300 percent of the FPL, which is $83,250 for a family of four in 2022. The Commissioner of Human Services will be required to establish and utilize at least four tiers to determine initial income eligibility and placement on the Division of Family Development's co-payment schedule for child care services under the State's subsidized child care assistance program. The bill specifies that nothing in its provisions precludes the commissioner from establishing a child care assistance income threshold that is higher than 300 percent of the FPL. The bill additionally appropriates such sums as may be necessary to implement the provisions of the bill, which appropriation will be in an amount determined by the Commissioner of Human Services, subject to approval by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget in the Department of the Treasury. | In Committee |
| S549 | Makes it a fourth degree crime to engage in certain tracking and location activities. | This bill would make it a crime of the fourth degree, punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both, for a person, in order to initiate or facilitate an unlawful act, to knowingly install or place, or cause to be installed or placed, an electronic tracking device or tracking application to track or determine the location of another person. The bill defines an "electronic tracking device" as "any device designed or intended to be used for the sole purpose of tracking the location or movement of a person that reveals its location or movement by the transmission of electronic signals"; and a "tracking application" as "any computer application software installed or otherwise operational on a computer or mobile device that is used to surreptitiously track and transmit to another person the movement or determine the location of the computer or mobile device." There would be a permissive inference (for consideration by a jury) that the use of a tracking device or application to conduct surreptitious surveillance of another person was to initiate or facilitate an unlawful act, such as stalking pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1992, c.209 (C.2C:12-10) or harassment pursuant to N.J.S.2C:33-4. The bill would exempt actions involving State or local government entities and equipment owned, leased, or operated by those entities, as the bill indicates that the provisions which criminalize tracking or location spotting activities would not be applicable. The bill also provides that several enumerated parties, and in some cases specific uses tied to those parties, would be deemed to be lawful tracking or location spotting of a person. These parties and their lawful uses would include: - a parent or guardian of a minor child for the purpose of tracking or determining the location of the minor child; - for the purpose of monitoring, tracking, or locating a person who, due to a physical or mental health condition, may be at risk of injury or death; - a person in order to track or locate personal property during a lawful business transaction in which the person's personal property is in the temporary possession or otherwise under the control of a third party; - a person collecting consumer location data as part of a lawful business practice, so long as the use is disclosed in a terms of use policy, privacy policy, or similar document or form made available to the consumer; - an employer for the purpose of tracking an employee or vehicle used by an employee while engaged in the course of employment when not prohibited by State or federal law or regulation. The bill adds that a failure by an employer to comply with the written notice requirement to use a tracking device in a vehicle used by an employee in accordance with the provisions of section 1 of P.L.2021, c.449 (C.34:6B-22) or failure to comply with any other requirements in order to track an employee or vehicle used by an employee pursuant to another State or federal law or regulation would only be considered a violation of that law or regulation, and not punishable as a crime pursuant to this section; and - any person who has obtained the consent of the person to be tracked or located, which consent would be required to be provided in writing, in the case of an electronic tracking device, or, in the case of a tracking application, by opting-in to or otherwise affirmatively accepting its use. A person's consent would be presumed to be revoked if:the person who gave consent and the person who obtained consent are spouses, civil union partners, or domestic partners, and one person has filed a petition for divorce, dissolution of the civil union, or termination of the domestic partnership; or - the person who gave consent or the person who obtained consent has filed an application for a temporary or final restraining order pursuant to the provisions of the "Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991," P.L.1991, c.261 (C.2C:25-17 et al.). The bill would take effect on the first day of the fourth month next following enactment. | In Committee |
| S1983 | Eliminates certain practice restrictions for advanced practice nurses. | This bill eliminates practice restrictions for advanced practice nurses (APNs), including restrictions that limit the ability of APNs to prescribe medications and administer anesthesia, and establishes new requirements for APNs to prescribe medications. The bill expressly provides that, notwithstanding the provisions of any other law or regulation to the contrary, an APN with greater than 24 months or 2,400 hours of licensed, active, advanced nursing practice will be authorized to practice without a joint protocol with a collaborating provider. With regard to prescribing medications, the bill requires the use of New Jersey Prescription Blanks and satisfying continuing professional education requirements related to pharmacology and prescribing controlled substances. An APN with fewer than 24 months or 2,400 hours of licensed, active, advanced nursing practice in an initial role will be permitted to prescribe medication only if a formal joint protocol with a physician or experienced advanced practice nurse is in place. The bill revises the requirements for APNs to authorize patients for medical cannabis and to issue written instructions for medical cannabis, to provide that the APN will only be required to meet the requirements set forth under the "Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Cannabis Act," P.L.2009, c.307 (C.24:6I-1 et al.). Those requirements include: possessing active State and federal registrations to prescribe controlled dangerous substances; being the health care practitioner responsible for the ongoing treatment of a patient's qualifying medical condition; and complying with various other requirements for issuing written instructions for medical cannabis. The bill further provides that every APN who is an APN-Anesthesia and who has completed 24 months or 2,400 hours of licensed, active, advanced nursing practice in an initial role will be authorized to practice as an APN-Anesthesia to the full scope of practice for APNs-Anesthesia, without any requirement for supervision by a licensed physician and without any requirement that the APN-Anesthesia enter into joint protocols with a licensed physician. The bill provides that any State law or regulation that requires the signature or similar endorsement of a physician will be deemed to require the same of an APN, to the extent consistent with an APN's scope of practice. The bill revises and repeals certain sections of law that are obviated by the changes made under the bill. | In Committee |
| S277 | Provides that act of sexual penetration committed without victim's consent constitutes sexual assault; defines the terms "consent." | This bill specifies that an act of sexual penetration committed without the victim's consent would constitute sexual assault or, depending on the circumstances, aggravated sexual assault. Under current law, an act of sexual penetration constitutes sexual assault if the act is committed without the victim's affirmative and freely-given permission. The bill provides that an act of sexual penetration would also constitute sexual assault if the act is committed without the victim's consent. Sexual assault is a crime of the second degree. A crime of the second degree is generally punishable by a term of imprisonment of five to 10 years or a fine of up to $150,000, or both. Current law provides that an act of sexual penetration constitutes aggravated sexual assault if the actor is aided or abetted by one or more other persons and the act is committed without the victim's affirmative and freely-given permission, or if the act is committed without the victim's affirmative and freely-given permission and severe personal injury is sustained by the victim. The bill provides that an act of sexual penetration under either of these circumstances would also constitute aggravated sexual assault if the act is committed without the victim's consent. Aggravated sexual assault is a crime of the first degree. A crime of the first degree is generally punishable by a term of imprisonment of 10 to 20 years or a fine of up to $200,000, or both. The bill defines "consent" as "a freely given, knowledgeable, and informed agreement." | In Committee |
| S1051 | Prohibits disclosure of certain information of probation officers. | This bill would prohibit the disclosure of various personal identifying information about currently active, formerly active or retired probation officers and their immediate family members (including spouses, children, and parents residing in the same household). Currently, various public officials who provide services in the criminal and civil justice system for this State, the federal government, and other governmental entities, as well as their immediate family members, are afforded protections under "Daniel's Law," P.L.2020, c.125 (C.56:8-166.2 et al.), which: (1) prohibits the disclosure, by both governmental entities and private parties, of the home addresses of any active, formerly active, or retired federal, State, county, or municipal judicial officer, prosecutor, or law enforcement officer, and their immediate family members; (2) expanded an existing crime, section 1 of P.L.2015, c.226 (C.2C:20-31.1), concerning the unlawful disclosure of home addresses and unlisted telephone numbers for active or retired law enforcement officers so that the information on formerly active law enforcement officers, as well as active, formerly active, or retired judicial officers or prosecutors, and their immediate family members is also covered; and (3) permits civil actions, under section 3 of P.L.2015, c.226 (C.56:8-166.1), concerning any prohibited disclosure, which could result in an award of damages, including punitive damages, attorney's fees and costs, and equitable relief. This bill would further expand the scope of "Daniel's Law" to protect the above described personal identifying information about currently active, former active, and retired probation officers and their immediate family members. A "probation officer" is defined in the bill as "a person whose public duties include the supervision of persons convicted or charged with crimes and offenses in this State, as defined by law or contract between the Judiciary and the Probation Association of New Jersey or its successor and shall include, but not be limited to those employees who are in the following titles referred to in those contracts: Probation Officer, Senior Probation Officer, Master Probation Officer, Substance Abuse Evaluator, Family Court Coordinator, Assistant Child Placement Review Coordinator, or Bilingual Community Outreach Worker. The term also shall include all titles covered by Appendix A of the Professional Supervisory Union Agreement between Judiciary and the Probation Association of New Jersey, including but not limited to the informal title of Team Leader, Court Service Supervisor 1, Court Service Supervisor 2, and Court Service Supervisor 3." | 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 |
| S427 | Permits public high school students to opt out of physical education and sports programs during Ramadan. | This bill permits any public high school student who observes Ramadan to opt out of physical education class. Under the bill, a student can substitute the required physical education course with an instructional course or study hall for the duration of the marking period in which Ramadan falls. The bill requires the student to submit a written notice to the principal of the school prior to the school district creating schedules for the marking period. The instructional course or study hall is required to provide the student with graduation credits equal to the number received for completion of the physical education course. This bill does not exempt students from the statutory requirement that they attend at least two and one-half hours per school week of health and safety education courses, when these courses are scheduled. Additionally, this bill permits a student-athlete to be excused from participation in an interscholastic sports program, intramural sports program, or cheerleading program during Ramadan. In order to be excused, a student-athlete is required to submit a written notice to the coach of the athletic program. The bill stipulates that a coach cannot penalize a student-athlete for not participating during Ramadan. During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims are required to abstain from food and drink from dawn to dusk. As one of the five pillars of Islam, fasting during the month of Ramadan is mandatory for all healthy adult Muslims. Children are not expected to fast until they reach puberty, usually around the age of 14. It is the intent of this bill to acknowledge Muslim students who observe Ramadan by providing less intense alternatives to physical activity while these students practice their religious beliefs by fasting. | In Committee |
| S306 | Permits municipalities to place lien on fire-damaged property's insurance proceeds in certain instances and requires fire and explosion insurance coverage for certain individuals. | This bill permits a municipality to place a lien on a fire-damaged property's insurance proceeds in certain instances and requires fire and explosion insurance coverage for certain individuals. Under the bill, a municipality will be allowed to place a lien on a fire-damaged property's insurance proceeds. A municipality that adopts an ordinance allowing these liens to be placed will be required to ensure that the ordinance provides for the release or return to the insured any amounts to which the insured would otherwise be entitled to claim, provided that the insured agrees with the municipality in writing to restore the fire damaged property to the same or improved condition that the premises was prior to the damage within four months or 120 days. Municipalities that adopt an ordinance to allow the municipality to place a lien on a fire-damage property's insurance proceeds must include a procedure within the ordinance to withhold payment by the insurer of the proceeds. The bill additionally provides that, for municipalities who adopt the ordinance, if reasonable proof that the damaged or destroyed portions of the insured structure is not received by or shown to an authorized representative of the municipality within 120 days after the policy proceeds was received by the municipality, the municipality may retain and use the policy proceeds to secure, repair, or demolish the structure and property to comply with local code requirements and applicable ordinances of the municipality. The bill also provides that the owner of a business or owner of a rental unit or units will be required to maintain liability insurance for damage cause by fire or explosion in an amount that is no less than $500,000 for combined property damage and bodily injury to or death of one or more person in any one accident or occurrence. Owners of a multifamily home that is four or fewer units, one of which is owner-occupied, shall also maintain similar liability insurance for damage caused by a fire or explosion in an amount that is no less than $300,000 for combined property damage and bodily injury to or death of one or more person in any one accident or occurrence. | In Committee |
| S266 | Makes publishing on Internet home address or unpublished telephone number of judges, prosecutors and certain court personnel a crime of the fourth degree under certain circumstances. | This bill makes it a crime of the fourth degree for a person with purpose to expose another to harassment or risk of harm to life or property, or in reckless disregard of the probability of such exposure, to knowingly post or publish on the Internet the home address or unpublished telephone number of any judge, prosecutor, or court administrative personnel. A fourth degree crime is punishable by a prison term of up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. This bill is modeled in part after N.J.S.A. 2C:20-31.1 which makes it a similar crime with respect to law enforcement officers. | In Committee |
| S2239 | Extends duration of law requiring certain provider subsidy payments for child care services be based on enrollment. | This bill extends the applicability of P.L.2021, c.324, which requires that subsidy payments to licensed child care providers be based on enrollment of students who are eligible for child care services, rather than on attendance, to provide that the provisions of the law continue for an additional three years, instead of expiring on June 30, 2022 as provided for in existing law. The bill provides that a licensed child care provider or registered family day care provider receiving subsidy payments based on enrollment is required to pay wages to its staff, and determine the number of hours worked by staff, based on the number of children enrolled with the provider who are eligible for child care services. At no time will the amount of wages paid to staff or the number of hours worked by staff be based on the attendance of children eligible for child care services. The bill stipulates that a licensed child care center or a registered family day care provider receiving subsidy payments based on enrollment will continue to receive such payments until the Division of Family Development (the division) in the Department of Human Services issues the report required pursuant to the bill, at which time the division may consider to extend the payment of enrollment-based subsidies to licensed child care centers and registered family day care providers in accordance with P.L.2021, c.324. The bill requires the division to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature on the study conducted under the provisions of P.L.2021, c.324 within three years following the effective date of the bill. | In Committee |
| S1424 | Permits court to effectuate equitable distribution when complaint for divorce or dissolution of civil union has been filed and either party has died prior to final judgment; provides that surviving party would not receive intestate or elective share. | This bill provides that if a complaint has been filed for divorce, dissolution of a civil union, termination of domestic partnership, or divorce from bed and board, and either party dies prior to the entry of a final judgment, or the parties had and remained entered into an equitable distribution cut-off agreement, termination agreement, or marital settlement agreement where the underlying subject matter was for such divorce, dissolution, or termination and a party to that agreement died prior to the entry of a final judgment, the court would be authorized to proceed with awarding an equitable distribution of the couple's property. The bill further provides that under these circumstances, in which the surviving spouse or partner would still be entitled to a divided portion of the former couple's property, that person would not instead have a right to an intestate share of the decedent's estate pursuant to N.J.S.3B:5-3, or an elective share of one-third of the decedent's augmented estate pursuant to N.J.S.3B:8-1 et seq. The bill would further make the following types of surviving spouse or partner ineligible to receive an intestate share or elective share of the decedent's property, because of an earlier arrangement providing for a distribution of the couples' property: - if the person, at the time of death of the decedent, had (1) ceased to cohabit with the decedent under circumstances which would have given rise to a cause of action for divorce or nullity of marriage to a decedent prior to his or her death under the laws of this State; and (2) where, through written agreement, affirmative acts, or both written agreement and affirmative acts of the person and decedent there had been a division of assets equivalent to equitable distribution; and - a person who, at the time of death of the decedent, had entered into a validly executed marital settlement agreement with the decedent where the underlying subject matter of the marital settlement agreement is divorce, dissolution of civil union, termination of domestic partnership, or divorce from bed and board. Under current law, if a spouse or partner dies while the divorce, dissolution, or termination is pending, the survivor is excluded from an award of equitable distribution, as the matter gets removed from the Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family Part (the "family court") to be handled as a probate matter of the decedent's estate. In such probate matters, if the surviving spouse or partner was no longer cohabitating with the other spouse or partner at the time of death, the probate law precludes that surviving spouse or partner from being able to claim an elective share of the decedent's estate. Thus, in some scenarios, a surviving spouse or partner who was still legally married or partnered at the time of the other's death, having not gotten an equitable distribution through the family court, may also not have a claim on any share of the estate. This bill would address this by permitting the family court action to proceed and the surviving spouse or partner receiving an award of equitable distribution of the former couple's property. In addition to addressing the interplay between family law and probate law as heretofore described, the bill clarifies the laws of intestate succession and those governing elective shares of augmented estates by expressly including the surviving partner in a civil union among the types of surviving persons who may have claims under such laws. Currently, the statutes being amended by the bill only expressly list a surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner, however they apply to a surviving civil union partner by virtue of section 4 of P.L.2006, c.103 (C.37:1-37), which states that "[c]ivil union couples shall have all of the same benefits, protections and responsibilities under law . . . as are granted to spouses in a marriage." Expressly listing them in these statutes provides further clarity as to their applicability to civil union partners. | Dead |
| S278 | Requires limited liability company disclose certain information when recording deed concerning residential rental property. | This bill would require a limited liability company or foreign limited liability company disclose information pertaining to the company's registered agent when that company is the grantee of a deed for residential real property and such property is intended to be used for residential rental purposes. The disclosure of this information would be made at the time when the company files the deed for recording. In addition, if the registered agent is not a member of the company, an affidavit identifying at least one member of the company shall be appended to the deed. The disclosures called for in this bill would be required regardless of the number of rental dwelling units contained on the property. | In Committee |
| S299 | Extends early voting period for primary elections and May municipal elections. | This bill extends the early voting period for certain elections in New Jersey. This bill extends the early voting period for all primary and general elections in New Jersey to start 11 calendar days before the election. This includes non-presidential primary elections, presidential primary elections, and general elections. The bill also allows municipalities to extend the early voting period for May municipal elections to start 11 calendar days before the election. Currently, the early voting period for a non-presidential primary election starts on the 4th calendar day before the election. The early voting period for a presidential primary election starts on the 6th calendar day before the election. The early voting period for a general election starts on the 10th calendar day before the election. The early voting period for a May regular municipal election begins on the 4th calendar day before the election. This bill starts the early voting period on the 11th calendar day before the non-presidential primary, presidential primary, general election, and allows municipalities to adopt an ordinance to begin early voting for May municipal elections on the 11th calendar day before the regular municipal election. Under current law, the early voting period for any election ends on the second calendar day before the election. Therefore, under the bill, the early voting period would consist of ten days for these elections. | In Committee |
| S2133 | Establishes legislative internship program; makes appropriation. | This bill establishes a legislative internship program to allow members of the Legislature to employ interns, with the approval of the presiding officer of the member's House. The bill requires the legislative internship program to be open to any full-time or part-time student currently attending any accredited institution of higher education in undergraduate level and graduate level programs, with the exception of juris doctorate and PhD programs. The bill also requires students who are residents of New Jersey, or who are attending institutions of higher education located within New Jersey, to be granted priority over other applicants to the program. Additionally, the bill requires participants to complete one work period with a district office of a legislator. The work period will be established by each legislator prior to employing an intern. This bill also allows the legislator to elect to retain the participant for an additional work period if the participant agrees to continue their internship after completion of the program requirement. Additionally, this bill allows not more than $10,000 annually to be provided to each member of the Legislature for employing interns. Students selected to participate in the legislative internship will receive a stipend of $1,000 for every work period completed in the program. The stipend is prorated and paid bi-weekly or monthly, as determined by the legislator. This bill also appropriates $1,200,000 from the State General Fund to the New Jersey Legislature for the purposes of the legislative internship program. | 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 |
| S1193 | Allows voter registration at polling place on election day or at early voting site during early voting period. | This bill allows for voter registration at polling places on election day or at early voting sites during the early voting period. Under current law, a person must register to vote at least 21 days before the election. This bill allows a person who has not registered to vote by that deadline to register at a polling place on the day of the election or at an early voting site during the early voting period. This bill also allows a person to cast a provisional ballot if the person has registered to vote within the period of 21 days before the election if the person can affirm that the person has not previously voted in that election. If the county commissioner of registration is not able to verify the person's Motor Vehicle Commission New Jersey driver's license number or non-driver identification number, or the last four digits of the person's Social Security Number, the county commissioner of registration will notify the person by mail, e-mail, or telephone within 24 hours that they must provide valid identification no later than 48 hours prior to the final certification of the results of the election in order for their ballot to be counted. | In Committee |
| S1195 | Requires public school student with concussion to be evaluated by physician or other licensed health care provider before return to school and return to physical activity at school. | This bill provides that a student enrolled in a school district who sustains a concussion must receive an evaluation by a physician or other licensed health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussions and written clearance from one of these physicians in order to return to school. In the event that the physician provides notice that the student requires restrictions or limitations, the school district 504 team must immediately implement the restrictions or limitations and notify all teachers and staff who have contact with the student of the restrictions or limitations. The school district's 504 team, in consultation with the physician who provided notice, would promptly identify the manner in which the restrictions or limitations would be provided to the student during recovery and the need for the continuation or adjustment of the restrictions or limitations, and to determine the duration of the restrictions or limitations. The bill also provides that a student enrolled in a school district who sustains a concussion is prohibited from engaging in any physical activity at school including, but not limited to, recess, physical education, or intramural sports. The student may not participate in any physical activity until he is evaluated by a physician or other licensed health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussions and he receives written clearance from the physician to participate. | In Committee |
| S581 | Establishes offense of reckless trespass involving wild animals; establishes penalties; establishes liability for resulting harm to wild animal. | This bill would establish the offense of reckless trespass involving a wild animal, and establish liability for any resulting harm to the wild animal. "Wild animal" is defined to mean any land or sea animal currently or historically found in the wild, other than a domestic companion animal as defined pursuant to subsection u. of N.J.S.2C:20-1 or domestic livestock as defined pursuant to subsection c. of section 1 of P.L.1995, c.311 (C.4:22-16.1), and would include an animal kept or exhibited at a zoo. Under the bill, a person commits reckless trespass involving a wild animal if the person enters a cage, enclosure, or other area where a wild animal is housed or otherwise contained, which the person knows he has no legal authority, license, or permission to enter, and intentionally or unintentionally harasses the wild animal, or is attacked by the wild animal. The offense of reckless trespass involving a wild animal would be classified as follows: (1) a disorderly persons offense if the trespass results in no harm to the wild animal, punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to $1,000, or both; (2) a crime of the fourth degree if injury is caused to the wild animal, punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both; or (3) a crime of the third degree if the wild animal is killed, punishable by a term of imprisonment of three to five years, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. The bill also provides that a person convicted of committing the offense, in addition to any other fine, penalty, or restitution which may be imposed by law, would be liable for the cost of any damage to, and loss of, property connected to the reckless trespass, including, but not limited to, the injury or death of the wild animal. If a juvenile committed the offense, the parents or legal guardian of the juvenile would be liable if it was shown that the parents or legal guardian of the juvenile recklessly or negligently allowed the juvenile to commit the reckless trespass. Additionally, the bill provides that the following would not be affirmative defenses to prosecution under the bill: (1) the entry into the cage, enclosure, or other area where the wild animal was housed or otherwise contained was not sufficiently guarded, locked, or otherwise made inaccessible so as to prevent entry into the cage, enclosure, or other area; (2) the wild animal was not provoked by any other means than the presence of the person in the cage, enclosure, or other area; or (3) injury to the animal was necessary to protect the person from injury or death. Finally, the bill indicates that the newly established offense of reckless trespass involving a wild animal would not apply to a person who enters a cage, enclosure, or other area for the purpose of aiding another person or a wild animal in the cage, enclosure, or other area. | In Committee |
| S582 | Establishes crime of gang shoplifting. | This bill establishes the crime of gang shoplifting as a crime of the third degree. A person commits the crime of gang shoplifting if, in concert or participation with one or more other persons, the person enters the premises of a store or retail mercantile establishment and in an open and conspicuous manner: (1) purposely or knowingly takes possession of, carries away, transfers or causes to be carried away or transferred, any item displayed, held, stored, or offered for sale by any store or other retail mercantile establishment with the intention of depriving the merchant of the possession, use, or benefit of the item or converting the item to the use of the person without paying to the merchant the full retail value thereof; or (2) purposely, knowingly, or recklessly tampers with tangible property within or on the premises of the store or retail mercantile establishment so as to endanger any person, or the property or premises of the store or retail mercantile establishment, including the damaging or destroying of any item on the premises of the store or retail mercantile establishment. 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. A person who commits gang shoplifting is required to minimum term of imprisonment of not less than one year, during which time the person is not eligible for parole. It is the intent of the sponsor to address the rise in flash mobs which organize the looting of stores in an open and conspicuous manner. | In Committee |
| S260 | Requires utility service providers to notify BPU of scheduled service work; permits government agencies and utility service providers to access BPU online database of scheduled service work. | This bill requires Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create, maintain, and update, as appropriate, an online database providing real-time information on the date and type of scheduled utility service work. The online database shall serve as an online resource for a government agency to plan utility service work, roadwork, and other related work within a public right-of-way. The online database is to be accessible by any "government agency" and "utility service provider," as those terms are defined in the bill, and is to be designed and function in a manner that maximizes communication among all government agencies and utility service providers that may be impacted by scheduled utility service work. The bill requires a utility service provider to submit to the BPU electronic notice and detailed information of scheduled utility service work at least five business days prior to the date the utility service provider performs the service work. The BPU is to maintain the information on the online database until the service work is completed, cancelled, or rescheduled. The bill provides for an exception to the prior notice requirement for service work if the work is undertaken in response to an "emergency" as that term is defined in the bill. If the work is undertaken in response to an emergency, a utility service provider is to submit to the BPU electronic notice and detailed information of the work as soon as possible after the beginning of the emergency. | In Committee |
| S262 | Establishes fire safety standards and protocols for certain light frame residential construction; requires placards identifying primary structural systems of buildings. | This bill would establish a number of fire safety standards for light frame construction of new multiple dwellings, hotels, and rooming and boarding houses with more than two dwelling or sleeping units, and a fire warden requirement for all light frame construction. Under the bill, covered residential buildings may only be newly constructed utilizing light frame construction if: (1) an automatic sprinkler system is installed throughout the building in accordance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13; (2) the number of stories permitted is measured from grade plane excluding any pedestals or podiums; (3) the fire partitions and horizontal separations have a fire-resistance rating of at least two hours; (4) the fire partitions extend from the foundation to the attic; (5) the fire walls are resistant to moisture and capable of passing the hose stream test in accordance with the construction code; and (6) if any light framing is unprotected, the building is limited to three stories and does not exceed 60 feet above grade plane or, if all light framing is protected, the building is limited to four stories and does not exceed 85 feet above grade plane. In addition, for all new construction projects, this bill would require the owner or developer to hire a fire watch warden to provide monitoring of the construction project during non-working hours, or install comparable technology. A fire watch warden must be present from the time the construction project begins until the final sprinkler inspection is completed or a temporary certificate of occupancy is issued. In the event of a fire or other emergency, the fire watch warden must alert local first responders. The fire watch warden must also report fire safety issues to the Division of Fire Safety in the Department of Community Affairs, which may request that the local construction code official revoke construction permits for projects posing fire safety risks. The Division of Fire Safety may assess owners and developers of covered construction projects reasonable fees to cover the costs incurred by the division for carrying out its responsibilities under the bill. The bill also requires that an identifying emblem be affixed to each exterior entrance of a structure with light frame or truss construction to warn firefighters and the general public of the existence of light frame and truss-type construction in the structure. Under current law, an identifying emblem must be affixed to the front of a structure utilizing truss construction only. Lastly, the bill requires that placards identifying the primary structural system of a structure be placed adjacent to the fire alarm control panel and on an exterior wall within 10 feet of the main entrance to the structure. | In Committee |
| S2240 | Provides temporary corporation business tax and gross income tax credits for certain employer-provided child care expenditures. | This bill provides businesses with credits against the corporation business tax and the gross income tax for certain employer-provided child care expenditures. The bill allows the tax credits for the three calendar years beginning after enactment. The bill permits businesses subject to the corporation business tax or the gross income tax to apply a credit against the tax liability otherwise due for a percentage of up to $50,000 of eligible expenditure made to acquire, construct, reconstruct, renovate, or otherwise improve real property to be used as a qualified child care center. The bill also permits businesses to apply a separate, additional credit for a percentage of up to $50,000 of eligible expenditures made in connection with the provision of certain child care services. The bill provides that the amount of the credit allowed for the construction of a child care center is equal to 50 percent of up to $50,000 of the cost paid or incurred by a business to acquire, construct, reconstruct, renovate, or otherwise improve real property in this State that is to be used by the business, or another person under contract or agreement with the business, to conduct, maintain, and operate a qualified child care center primarily for the children of individuals employed by the business. The bill provides that the amount of the credit allowed for the provision of child care services is equal to: -- 50 percent of up to $50,000 of the cost paid or incurred by a business to conduct, maintain, and operate a qualified child care center of the business that is used primarily by the children of individuals employed by the business; -- 50 percent of up to $50,000 of the amount paid by a business to another person to conduct, maintain, and operate, under contract or agreement with the business, a qualified child care center of the business that is used primarily by the children of individuals employed by the business; -- 50 percent of up to $50,000 of the amount paid by a business to another person under contract or agreement with the business, for the provision of child care to children of individuals employed by the business at a qualified child care center; or -- 10 percent of up to $50,000 of the cost paid or incurred by a business for the provision, by the business or by another person under contract or agreement with the business, of qualified child care information and referral services to individuals employed by the business. The bill provides that to be eligible to apply the credit for the construction of a child care center a business must make and enter into an agreement with the Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury. The bill specifies that the agreement must require the business to demonstrate the intended use and status of the real property acquired, constructed, reconstructed, renovated, or otherwise improved in this State, and require the business to use that property to conduct, maintain, and operate a qualified child care center primarily for the children of individuals employed by the business for a 60-month period. The bill defines a "qualified child care center" as a facility that is licensed as a child care center by the Department of Children and Families, and participates in Grow NJ Kids, but specifically excludes from that definition facilities licensed by the department if: the principal use of the facility is for some purpose other than the care, development, and supervision of children; the facility is not used on a regular basis to provide for the care, development, and supervision of children; enrollment in the facility is not open to children of individuals employed by the business claiming the credit; or use of the facility is limited or restricted under procedures, criteria, or other systems of selection that unfairly discriminate. The purpose of this bill is to encourage New Jersey businesses to take a more active role in the provision of child care to employees and their children. Businesses that are active in providing child care typically have a more engaged and productive workforce and play an integral part in reducing the overall demand for quality, affordable child care in this State. | In Committee |
| S313 | Makes total property tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans retroactive to effective date of determination of total disability; requires State to reimburse municipalities for reimbursement of property taxes paid to veteran. | This bill provides that the total property tax exemption extended to totally disabled veterans is to be retroactive to the effective date of the determination of the veteran's total disability by the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs. The bill also requires that the governing body of each municipality return all taxes collected on the veteran's property after the effective date of the determination of total disability by the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs, and requires the State to reimburse municipalities for the amount of such property taxes returned to a totally disabled veteran pursuant to the requirements of the bill. | In Committee |
| S736 | Extends crime of identity theft to include fraudulent impersonation or false depiction by means of artificial intelligence or deepfake technology. | This bill extends the crime of identity theft to include fraudulent impersonation or false depiction by means of artificial intelligence or deepfake technology. A so-called "deepfake" or, as defined under this bill, a "false personation record," includes images, video, sound, speech, or text generated entirely by or substantially manipulated using newer technology such as artificial intelligence with the intent of making it appear, as realistically as possible, that the person being depicted has engaged in activity or speech that did not actually occur. Deepfakes have been used to embarrass or harass a person, cast a person in a false light or misappropriate a person's identity or likeness, and fraudulently misrepresent a person's words and actions to the public, and have been distributed to the public both with and without the intention of pecuniary gain. Falsely depicting a person by means of a deepfake is tantamount to stealing that person's identity. Under the bill, the grading of identity theft into crimes of the fourth, third, and second degree remains unchanged. However, false depiction by means of a deepfake would be graded by the number of victims affected. Thus, false depiction affecting one victim is a crime of the fourth degree except that a second or subsequent conviction for such an offense constitutes a crime of the third degree. False depiction affecting at least two but less than five victims is a crime of the third degree, and false depiction affecting five or more victims is a crime of the second degree. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. A crime of the third degree is punishable by three to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. A crime of the second degree is punishable by five to ten years imprisonment, a fine of up to $150,000, or both. To remediate the economic or reputational harm caused by a false depiction, the court may order that the deepfake be destroyed and a public retraction be made at the defendant's expense. In addition, the bill clarifies that any civil action for economic restitution by a victim does not preclude a civil action for non-economic losses such as common law defamation, libel, slander, invasion of privacy, false light, misappropriation of identity, intrusion of privacy, or public disclosure of private facts. | In Committee |
| S1528 | Establishes rebuttable presumption that person charged with certain firearm offenses be detained prior to trial. | This bill establishes a rebuttable presumption that a person charged with possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime or as a person prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm in violation of section 6 of P.L.1979, c.179 (C.2C:39-7) is to be detained prior to trial. Under P.L.2014, c.31, also known as the "Criminal Justice Reform Law," criminal courts are authorized to order the pretrial release of a defendant pending further proceedings, or order pretrial detention of defendants who are found to be a flight risk, a danger to another or the community, or likely to obstruct further criminal proceedings. Under section 6 of P.L.1979, c.179 (C.2C:39-7), persons convicted of certain serious crimes are prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm. A violation of this statute constitutes a crime of the second degree, which is punishable by a term of imprisonment of five to 10 years, a fine of up to $150,000, or both. Under this bill, if a court finds probable cause that a defendant possessed a firearm during the commission of a crime or was a person prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm there would be a rebuttable presumption that the person is to be detained pending trial because no amount of monetary bail, non-monetary conditions of release, or combination thereof would reasonably assure the safety of any other person or the community. This presumption may be rebutted by the defendant upon a showing of a preponderance of the evidence in support of the defendant. This rebuttable presumption applies under current law when a prosecutor makes a motion for the pretrial detention of a defendant charged with murder or any crime for which the defendant would be subject to an ordinary or extended term of life imprisonment. | In Committee |
| S267 | Allows voter to vote in any political party primary by changing party affiliation at polling place on primary election day; allows mail-in voter to complete any political primary ballot. | This bill allows any voter to vote in any political party primary election by changing his or her political party affiliation at the polling place on primary election day. The bill also allows voters who vote by mail-in ballot in the primary election to complete any political party's primary ballot. Under current law, voters who are unaffiliated with any political party because they did not declare a political party affiliation on their voter registration form are permitted to vote in the primary election of any political party, and once they do so they become a member of that political party. Current law also provides that voters who declared a political party affiliation are permitted to vote only in the political party primary of that party. However, if a voter affiliated with one political party wants to participate in the primary election of another political party, they may do so by declaring affiliation with that other party by filing a new voter registration form or a political party affiliation declaration form on or before the 55th day preceding the primary election. Under this bill, any voter would be permitted to vote in the primary election of any political party, regardless of their declared political party affiliation on record. The bill provides that voters who vote in person would be permitted to choose the political party primary they wish to vote in at the polling place on primary election day. If a voter wishes to vote in another party's primary than that of their affiliation on record, the voter may file a political party affiliation declaration form at the polling place. Under the bill, voters who vote by mail-in ballot in the primary election would be permitted to complete the ballot for any political party, and the voter's completion and return of that ballot would constitute a new political party affiliation. As required under current law, a voter may complete only one political party primary ballot. This bill therefore establishes an open primary process in this State by eliminating the 55-day deadline for political party membership changes and allowing any registered voter to participate in the political party primary of the voter's choice. Under the bill, the update of political party affiliation is retained for record-keeping purposes. | In Committee |
| S297 | Prohibits sale of cats, dogs, or rabbit by pet shops; prohibits certain transactions between animal shelters, pounds, animal rescue organizations, and animal breeders or brokers; repeals "Pet Purchase Protection Act." | This bill repeals the "Pet Purchase Protection Act," P.L.1999, c.336 (C.56:8-92 et seq.) and replaces it with a prohibition on the sale of cats, dogs, and rabbits by pet shops. The bill also imposes several other requirements concerning the sale and adoption of animals. The bill provides that, without limiting the prosecution of any other practices which may be unlawful pursuant to State consumer fraud laws, it would be an unlawful practice and a violation of State consumer fraud law, P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.), for any breeder or broker to knowingly sell a cat or dog that is unfit for purchase. The bill defines "unfit for purchase" as having any disease, deformity, injury, physical condition, illness or defect which is congenital or hereditary and severely affects the health of the animal, or which was manifest, capable of diagnosis or likely contracted on or before the sale and delivery of the animal to the consumer. The bill specifies that the death of an animal within 14 days of its delivery to the consumer, except by death by accident or as a result of injuries sustained during that period, would be construed to mean the animal was unfit for purchase. The bill establishes a prohibition on the sale of cats, dogs, or rabbits by pet shops. The bill authorizes a pet shop to: 1) sell or offer for sale any other type of animal as may be otherwise permitted pursuant to State law or regulation, or sell or offer for sale pet supplies for any type of animal, including a cat, dog, or rabbit, if it is licensed by its municipality to do so; and 2) offer, in collaboration with an animal rescue organization, shelter, or pound, space in the pet shop to showcase cats, dogs, and rabbits that are available for adoption, provided that no payment or compensation, monetary or otherwise, is exchanged between the pet shop and animal rescue organization, shelter, or pound, for the use of the pet shop or for the adoption of any cat, dog, rabbit, or any other animal. The bill prohibits animal rescue organizations, animal rescue organization facilities, pet shops, shelters, or pounds from obtaining a cat, dog, or rabbit from a breeder or broker in exchange for any type of compensation. The bill establishes additional requirements concerning animal adoptions. The bill requires that, when the animal is first available for adoption, the animal be examined by a veterinarian. The veterinarian is required to establish an animal health history and issue an animal health certificate based on the examination that documents the name and address of the examining veterinarian and the health and condition of the animal, including the health information specified in subsection b. of section 7 of the bill. The bill requires the animal be re-examined and the history and certificate updated accordingly if the animal is not adopted within 14 days after the initial veterinary examination, but no more than five days before the animal is released to the adoptive owner. The bill requires that the adoptive owner receive a copy of the current animal health history and animal health certificate of the animal. The bill also authorizes charging the adoptive owner a reasonable fee to defray the costs of the examination and the issuance of the animal health history and animal health certificate of the animal. The bill specifies that: 1) no provision of the bill can be construed to alter, diminish, replace, or revoke the requirements for pet dealers that are not pet shops or the rights of a consumer purchasing an animal from a pet dealer that is not a pet shop, as may be provided elsewhere in law or any rule or regulation; 2) any provision of law or regulation pertaining to pet shops that does not pertain to the sale of cats, dogs, or rabbits would continue to apply to pet shops; and 3) no provision of the bill can be construed to alter, diminish, replace, or revoke any recourse or remedy that is otherwise available to a consumer purchasing a cat, dog, rabbit, or any other type of animal and provided under any other law. The bill specifies that the bill's provisions cannot be construed to interfere with the implementation of, or otherwise invalidate, or limit or restrict any municipality, county, local health agency, or municipal or county board of health from enacting or enforcing, any law, ordinance, rule, or regulation that places additional obligations or restrictions on pet shops, pet shop sales, breeders, brokers, or breeder or broker sales. The bill establishes, in addition to any penalties imposed pursuant to the State consumer fraud law, a fine of $500 for each violation of the bill, including failing to provide required information or providing false information, to be collected in a civil action under the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.). Finally, the bill authorizes the Department of Health and the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety to adopt any rules or regulations necessary to implement the bill's provisions. | In Committee |
| S296 | Requires mail-in ballot applications to include prepaid postage. | Under current law, a voter may complete and return to the county clerk by regular mail an application requesting to receive a mail-in ballot. This bill requires the mail-in ballot application form sent by mail to include prepaid postage, to be paid by the State. The bill will be implemented following the 2023 primary election. | In Committee |
| S167 | Creates offenses related to election officials; permits election workers to shield personal information from public. | This bill establishes four disorderly persons offenses concerning offenses against election officials. First, the bill establishes a disorderly persons offense for any person to intimidate, threaten, or coerce, or attempt to intimidate, threaten, or coerce an election official or election worker in the discharge of their official duties. Second, this bill establishes a disorderly persons offense for any person who attempts to induce an election official to violate or refuse to comply with the election official's duty or any law regulating the same. Third, this bill establishes a disorderly persons offense for a person to knowingly and willfully prevent an election official or election worker from performing their official duties. Fourth, this bill establishes a disorderly persons offense for a person who knowingly makes available on the Internet personal information about an election official or an election official's immediate family if the dissemination of the personal information poses an imminent and serious threat to the safety of the election official or the election official's immediate family and the person making the information available on the Internet knows or reasonably should know of the imminent and serious threat. Finally, the bill requires the Divisions of Elections in the New Jersey Department of State to remove an election worker's personal information from records that are available on the Internet at the worker's written request. The request is to provide evidence that the person submitting the request is an election worker and evidence as to why the person believes the dissemination of personal information in the records poses an imminent and serious threat to the safety of the worker. | 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 |
| S2045 | Requires certain animals used in testing to be offered for adoption; requires establishment of procedures for assessment and disposition of animals; establishes penalties for noncompliance. | This bill requires any cat, dog, or ferret used for product testing or research conducted or contracted by a company, corporation, manufacturer, or contract testing facility in the State to be offered to an animal rescue organization or private individual for adoption when the testing or research is concluded, if the animal is assessed to be suitable for adoption. Current law limits circumstances under which animal product testing or research may be conducted by manufacturers and contract testing facilities. Current law also requires, pursuant to the "Homes for Animal Heroes Act," P.L.2019, c.414 (C.18A:3B-85), that cats and dogs used for educational, research, or scientific purposes by an institution of higher education or a research institution that contracts with an institution of higher education for such use of cats and dogs, to be assessed for the suitability of adoption, and if suitable, to be offered for adoption. The bill expands the "Homes for Animal Heroes Act" to include testing or research using ferrets and to provide for adoption of ferrets used in that way. The bill directs the Office of Veterinary Public Health (OVPH) in the Department of Health (DOH) to establish procedures for documenting the assessment and disposition of any cat, dog, or ferret used by a company, corporation, manufacturer, contract facility, institution of higher education, or a research institution for such purposes. The bill authorizes the OVPH to monitor compliance with the procedures and enforce the provisions of section 1 of the bill and section 1 of P.L.2019, c.414 (C.18A:3B-85), concerning the assessment of the suitability of animals for adoption and the requirements to offer suitable animals for adoption. The bill further requires that each company, corporation, manufacturer, or contract testing facility that is subject to the bill, and each institution of higher education and research institution that is subject to the "Homes for Animal Heroes Act" to register with the OVPH when undertaking animal testing with cats, dogs, or ferrets, and to report to the OVPH: 1) the type and number of animals being used; 2) the date on which the testing or research is completed or upon which the animal is no longer being used in the testing or research; 3) an assessment of the condition of any animal no longer being used in the testing or research and its suitability for adoption; 4) the disposition of the animal, including the name and contact information of the animal rescue organization with which, or the animal rescue organization facility in which, the animal is placed; and 5) if an animal assessed as suitable for adoption is not adopted, documentation of the good faith effort to place the animal with an animal rescue organization or in an animal rescue organization facility, and any effort to offer the animal for private adoption. The bill provides that private individuals who have adopted animals would not have to be identified but requires documentation of which animals were adopted by private individuals. The bill establishes civil penalties for noncompliance with the bill's provisions and requirements, and the provisions of the "Homes for Animal Heroes Act." The bill provides for a civil penalty of $10,000 for a first offense, and $50,000 for a second offense, to be collected in a summary proceeding brought by the DOH pursuant to the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.). Upon finding of a third offense, the DOH is required to institute an action for an injunction to prohibit the company, corporation, manufacturer, contract testing facility, institution of higher education, or research institution from conducting animal testing. The bill provides that the Superior Court would have jurisdiction for enforcing the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999" and for imposing an injunction for a third violation. Finally, the bill requires the DOH to maintain a registry of animal rescue organizations and animal rescue organization facilities, directs the DOH to establish a database of those animal rescue organizations and facilities that accept animals that have been used in testing or research, and requires a company, corporation, manufacturer, contract facility, institution of higher education, or research institution, as applicable, to contact an animal rescue organization or animal rescue organization facility listed in the database whenever a cat, dog, or ferret used in testing or research is determined to be suitable for adoption. | In Committee |
| S302 | Establishes weatherization and energy efficiency pilot program to address open cockloft space between certain buildings; appropriates $30 million. | This bill would establish the "Urban Area Weatherization and Energy Efficiency Pilot Program Act" to address the energy efficiency and safety problems created by cockloft and attic spaces that are open or improperly sealed between a residential building and another building. Open cockloft spaces, defined in the bill to include open attic spaces, exist at the top of many buildings in urban areas of the State, reducing energy efficiency and fire safety. The pilot program established by the bill would operate in Union City, the City of Trenton, and the City of Camden, the "participating municipalities," because these locations are disproportionately affected by open cockloft spaces. The building code enforcing agency of a municipality participating in the pilot program would, within one year of the bill's effective date, conduct an inventory of the residential buildings to determine the number of open cockloft spaces that would benefit from weatherization and energy efficiency measures. If a property is identified in an inventory as containing an open cockloft space, then the municipality would provide the property owner with an option to engage in weatherization and energy efficiency measures. Before committing to these measures, however, the municipality would provide the owner with an opportunity to demonstrate if they qualify as low- or moderate-income. If the owner is low- or moderate-income, the owner would be eligible to obtain weatherization and energy efficiency measures at no cost. If the owner is not low- or moderate-income, the owner would be given the option to pay for weatherization and energy efficiency measures through a property tax special assessment, payable in quarterly installments over 10-years. The weatherization and energy efficiency measures provided by the pilot program would consist of the installation of one or more fire-rated separations in open cockloft spaces between buildings. Fire alarms and carbon monoxide sensor devices would also be provided in spaces where required by the "State Uniform Construction Code Act," P.L. 1975, c. 217 (N.J.S.A.52:27D-119 et seq.) or the "Uniform Fire Safety Act," P.L.1983, c.383 (N.J.S.A.52:27D-192 et seq.). At the option of the owner, weatherization and energy efficiency measures may also include the addition of insulation, vapor barriers, or installing passive or active attic ventilation, when such improvements would be beneficial. Subject to the "Local Public Contracts Law," P.L.1971, c.198 (N.J.S.A.40A:11-1 et seq.), the bill permits a participating municipality to enter into agreements with one or more private parties to assist the municipal enforcing agency in pilot program implementation. The bill directs the Commissioner of Community Affairs to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to effectuate the objectives of the bill. Notwithstanding the statutory limitations that ordinarily restrict the use of regulatory guidance documents, the bill permits the commissioner to prepare and disseminate regulatory guidance documents in advance of the adoption of regulations as necessary for the administration of the bill. The bill requires pilot program municipalities to share information with the Department of Community Affairs ("DCA") in order to enable the effectiveness of the pilot program to be assessed. The bill would require DCA to prepare and submit reports, on at least an annual basis, to the Governor and the Legislature to provide information on the progress and effectiveness of the pilot program. Within 6 months following the expenditure of all pilot program funding, DCA would also submit a final report to the Governor and the Legislature. The bill would appropriate $30,000,000 from the funds provided to the State under the federal "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021," Pub.L.117-2. Of this sum, $10,000,000 would be provided to each to the three participating municipalities. The bill would require the sum provided to each municipality to be maintained in an account separate from any other account, and to be used exclusively for purposes authorized by the bill. The bill would take effect immediately. | In Committee |
| S287 | Concerns carbon monoxide detectors in multiple dwellings and certain hotels. | This bill provides an additional layer of protection for occupants of certain multiple dwelling units requiring carbon monoxide detectors. The bill requires that any hotel or multiple dwelling unit that is required to be equipped with a carbon monoxide detector and that is already equipped with a monitored fire alarm system, also be equipped with a monitored carbon monoxide system. The bill defines a "monitored fire alarm system" as a fire detection or suppression system that, in addition to sounding a localized siren or alert, also transmits a notification to the local fire department or emergency services entity in order to alert that entity of a potential fire emergency requiring response from the department or entity. A "monitored carbon monoxide system" is defined by the bill as a carbon monoxide sensor device that, in addition to sounding a localized siren or alert, also transmits a notification to the local fire department or emergency services entity in order to alert that entity of a potential carbon monoxide emergency requiring response from the department or entity. | In Committee |
| S1031 | Increases accidental death benefit for certain members of PERS. | This bill enhances the accidental death benefit in the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) for the spouse and children of a member who served as a firefighter, emergency medical technician, paramedic, hazardous materials emergency first responder, or fire instructor. Under current law, the PERS accidental death benefit provides to the surviving spouse a pension of 50 percent of the compensation upon which contributions by the member to PERS were based in the last year of creditable service. This bill increases the pension to 70 percent. The bill also provides an increase in benefits for the children of a member, from 25 percent for one child to 70 percent if there is no surviving spouse. The bill further provides an alternative benefit of $50,000 for the surviving spouse, if it is larger than the 70 percent, annually. The bill also provides that the State will pay the employer-sponsored health insurance program for the member's surviving spouse. The bill will make the benefits identical to those in the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). The bill is retroactive to January 1, 2021 and provides that a benefit granted under N.J.S.A.43:15A-49 on or after January 1, 2021 will be converted to the benefit under this bill and a lump sum payment of the difference in the two benefits will be paid dating back to when the original benefit was granted. | In Committee |
| S273 | "Palisades Cliffs Protection and Planning Act"; concerns preservation of Palisades Cliffs and creates Palisades Cliffs Preservation Council. | This bill, "Palisades Cliffs Protection and Planning Act," would provide for the preservation of the Palisades cliffs and create the Palisades Cliffs Preservation Council. The council created by the bill would constitute a political subdivision of the State exercising public and essential governmental functions, would have 10 voting members appointed by the governing bodies of the municipalities within the Palisades cliffs area, and would be conferred with powers, duties, and responsibilities associated with preserving and protecting the Palisades cliffs. Additionally, the bill creates the Palisades Planning Region that would consist of that land within the municipalities which extends up to 2000 feet east of the Palisades cliff crest at each location along the Palisades cliffs. The bill provides that unless approved by the council, no development may be constructed in the Palisades Planning Region unless the maximum height of the proposed development, including any mechanical structures to be constructed atop the building or structure, is at or below the height whereby the sightline looking east from the crest directly to the west of the proposed development would include at least the eastern half of the Hudson River above the proposed building or structure. Where there is no discernable crest immediately to the west of the proposed development, except as otherwise specified in this bill, the height of the beginning of the sightline looking east would be the elevation of the surface of the portion of Palisades Avenue directly west of the proposed building or structure. Under the bill, on or before March 31 in each year, the council is required to make an annual report of its activities for the preceding calendar year to the governing body and the chief executive officer of the municipalities and Bergen and Hudson counties. Each such report shall set forth a complete operating and financial statement covering its operations during the preceding year. | In Committee |
| S293 | Expands definition of child abuse or neglect. | This bill expands the definition of child abuse or neglect. Specifically, the bill amends section 2 of P.L.1971, c.437 (C.9:6-8.9) and section 1 of P.L.1974, c.119 (C.9-8.21) to stipulate that a child is considered abused or neglected if the abuse or neglect is committed or is allowed to be committed by a person who is not the child's parent or legal guardian, including another child under the age of 18. Currently, both statutes consider a child to be abused or neglected if the abuse or neglect is committed or is allowed to be committed by a parent or legal guardian, but does not consider such acts to be abuse or neglect if they are committed by a person who is not the child's parent or a legal guardian, including another person under the age of 18. | In Committee |
| S280 | Codifies and enhances use of breach of implied warranty of habitability as defense to certain eviction actions. | This bill would codify and expand upon the court-created doctrine of the implied warranty of habitability in order to enhance the use of the doctrine as a defense to residential eviction proceedings. This will help prevent the eviction of unsophisticated tenants and help ensure that rental housing in our State meets reasonable standards of habitability. Tenants have the right to safe, sanitary, and decent housing. New Jersey courts recognize that residential leases carry an "implied warranty of habitability." This means that a landlord has a duty to maintain the rental unit and keep it fit for residential purposes throughout the entire term of the lease and that the landlord must repair damage to vital facilities. If the landlord breaches the landlord's obligation of maintaining the property at an adequate standard of habitability, a tenant may withhold the rent or a portion of the rent to be used as a set-off, because of the deficient condition. If the landlord institutes an eviction proceeding for non-payment of rent, the tenant is entitled to use the landlord's breach of the obligation to provide a habitable residence as a defense and justification for the set-off (deduction of rental payment). An eviction is an actual expulsion of a tenant out of the premises. A landlord must have good cause to evict a tenant. There are several grounds for a good cause eviction. If a tenant fails to pay rent, the landlord may immediately take legal action to have the tenant evicted. Although a tenant may assert a breach of the implied warranty of habitability as a defense in a landlord's eviction action for non-payment of rent, the defense is rarely raised. Under the bill, a tenant may assert a breach of the implied warranty of habitability as a defense or set-off in a landlord's eviction action for non-payment of rent withheld. A tenant may assert a breach of the implied warranty of habitability with regard to any condition which commenced during the twelve months immediately preceding the filing of the eviction action, provided that the landlord had received prior actual or constructive notice of the condition. If a tenant proves a breach, the court would reduce the tenant's rental obligation to the reasonable rental value of the property in its defective condition, and the tenant would be entitled to an offset in the amount of the cost of all repairs made by the tenant which the landlord was obligated but failed to make. The rent reduction would be retroactive and continue prospectively until the landlord corrects the breach. Additionally, the bill provides that a tenant who asserts a breach of the implied warranty of habitability as a defense or set-off would not be required to immediately deposit outstanding rent with the court. Instead, the bill sets forth a process, which would include: a code enforcement official's inspection of the premises for the existence of code violations and defective conditions, and the preparation of a report identifying code violations and defective conditions, and documenting the extent to which the health or safety of residents are impaired or threatened by the condition of the premises. After the court's review of the report, and after providing the parties notice and an opportunity for a plenary hearing on the issue of breach of the implied warranty of habitability, the court would determine if a breach has occurred. If the court determines that a breach of the implied warranty of habitability has occurred, the court would:· order the reduction or return, as the case may be, of the rent claimed due for the months under consideration; · establish a reasonable payment schedule for the payment of the rental balance found due and owing; · specify each item of work, each action, or both, that a landlord must perform to remedy the breach;· establish a schedule for the commencement and completion of each item of work, each action, or both, necessary to remedy the breach; and order the landlord to commence and complete the specified items of work and actions in accordance with the established schedule;· order the tenant to deposit with the court all or a portion of prospective rental payments that will become due during the pendency of the schedule established for the commencement and completion of work, along with all or a portion of any rental payments which become due pursuant to a payment schedule established pursuant to the bill;· provide for the remedies available to either party should the payment schedule not be met without good cause;· transmit a copy of the code enforcement official's report, and other relevant information, to the Department of Community Affairs; and to any agency that administers a State or federal housing subsidy with regard to the residential property that is the subject of the action. The bill also empowers the court to compel the landlord to deposit with the court all or part of any State or federal housing subsidy which the landlord receives in relation to the residential property that is the subject of the action. The court would control disbursement of amounts deposited with the court to ensure the amounts are expended for the sole purpose of: providing and maintaining basic utilities and services to the tenants, including but not limited to water, heat, gas, electricity, and security; and completing each item of work, and undertaking each action, necessary to remedy a breach or breaches of the implied warranty of habitability. The court would institute appropriate controls to protect against fraudulent use of these amounts, which may include: requiring inspections and reports by code enforcement officials; requiring the landlord to submit documentation, such as estimates and receipts from contractors, to the court; and allowing tenants to review and comment on submitted documentation and the progress of work. The bill provides that if the court determines that some or all of the conditions that may justify the appointment of an administrator pursuant to P.L.1971, c.224 (C.2A:42-85 et seq.) or a receiver pursuant to P.L.2003, c.295 (C.2A:42-114 et al.) are present in the matter before it, the court must transfer the matter to the appropriate division of the Superior Court for expedited proceedings in accordance with the provisions of the applicable statute. If a matter is transferred to an administrator or receiver, control over the disbursement of amounts deposited with the court would be transferred to the administrator or receiver. Finally, the bill specifies that any agreement by a tenant or a prospective tenant of a dwelling waiving or modifying protections or rights related to the implied warranty of habitability are void as contrary to public policy. | In Committee |
| S282 | Establishes Animal Advocate Program in AOC. | This bill establishes a two-year Statewide Animal Advocate Program in the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). The bill authorizes a court to appoint an advocate in certain criminal cases that affect the welfare or care of an animal. The program would expire after two years notwithstanding a recommendation of continuing the program. In certain criminal court proceedings pursuant to R.S.4:22-17 et seq. (animal cruelty) or section 1 of P.L.2015, c.85 (C.2C:33-31 et al.) (dog fighting), or in any other criminal proceeding regarding the welfare or custody of an animal, the court may order, upon its own initiative or upon request of the State or a party or counsel for a party, that a separate advocate be appointed to represent the best interests of, and justice for, the animal. The bill directs the court to select an advocate from a list provided to the court by the AOC. The bill requires the AOC maintain two lists: one containing names of attorneys with knowledge of animal issues and the legal system; and the other containing law schools that have students with an interest in animal issues and the legal system. These attorneys and law students would serve as advocates on a voluntary basis. The advocate is to exercise the following duties: (a) monitor the case; (b) attend hearings; (c) share with attorneys for the State and defendant any information new to the case or prepared by the advocate; (d) have access to and review all relevant records concerning the condition of the animal and the defendant's actions, including, but not limited to, records from certified animal control officers, veterinarians and police officers; and (e) present information or recommendations to the court that relate to the best interests of, and justice for, the animal, including placement of the animal. The bill requires the director to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature containing information on the implementation of the program, which would include recommendations on the advisability of continuing the program two years following the establishment of the program. The bill is to take effect on the first day of the sixth month next following the date of enactment. The AOC may take administrative action prior to the effective date as necessary for the implementation of the program. This bill is modeled on Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. 54-86n, commonly referred to as "Desmond's Law" and named after a dog which was abused and strangled to death by its owner in 2012. | In Committee |
| S310 | Requires certain correctional facilities to allow service and companion animals to assist inmates with disability; makes appropriation. | This bill empowers the Department of Corrections, in consultation with the Department of Human Services, to establish a program to allow any inmate with a disability to apply to utilize the assistance of an incarcerated person companion animal or service animal on-site at a State correctional facility in a manner and at certain times as are feasible for the inmate population. Pursuant to this bill, the Assistant Commissioner of the Division of Operations in the Department of Corrections (Assistant Commissioner) is to implement and manage the program by: (1) interfacing with agencies that provide incarcerated person companion animals and service animals to inmates with a disability; and (2) appointing appropriate staff to provide information to inmates regarding various mental health disorders that impact the inmate population and information regarding the program established pursuant to this bill, which authorizes an inmate with a disability to apply to utilize the assistance of an incarcerated person companion animal or service animal on-site at a State correctional facility. The Commissioner of Corrections (commissioner) is to establish a process by which an inmate, who utilizes the assistance of a service animal prior to being sentenced to a correctional facility, shall be permitted to submit the inmate's service animal for evaluation to determine whether it is feasible or necessary for the inmate to continue to utilize the assistance of the service animal on-site at a State correctional facility in accordance with the provisions of this bill. Further, the Commissioner is to establish a process by which an inmate, who desires to have access to a service animal after being sentenced to a State correctional facility, may submit a written request to the Assistant Commissioner on a form and in a manner prescribed by the Commissioner. Thereafter, an evaluation of potential service animal placements shall be conducted to determine whether sufficient need and feasibility exists for the request to be granted. The Commissioner also is to establish a process by which an inmate, who desires to have access to an incarcerated person companion animal after being sentenced to a correctional facility may submit a written request to the Assistant Commissioner on a form and in a manner prescribed by the Commissioner. Within 30 days of the Assistant Commissioner's receipt of a written request, an evaluation of potential incarcerated person companion animal placement is to be conducted to determine whether sufficient need and feasibility exists for the approval of the request. Prior to permitting an incarcerated person companion animal or service animal at any correctional facility, an inmate who has an existing service animal, or the agency that is providing access to an incarcerated person companion animal or new service animal, as appropriate, is to provide documentation to the Commissioner that the animal has had all necessary vaccines and immunizations as required by law and the rules and regulations established pursuant to this bill. The Commissioner, in consultation with the Commissioner of the Department of Human Services, are to adopt rules and regulations to effectuate the provisions of this bill, which are to include, but not be limited to, certain logistical procedures relative to having the incarcerated person companion animals and service animals in State-owned correctional facilities. The bill also appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Corrections such funds as necessary for the implementation of the bill, as certified by the Commissioner, respectively, and subject to the approval of the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting in the Department of the Treasury. Service animals have a long history of performing crucial tasks and fulfilling a significant role in the daily activities of many people with disabilities, including but not limited to providing a calming influence and connection to the familiar in unfamiliar or stressful surroundings. And companion animals have been determined to be extremely effective at ameliorating the symptoms of certain mental disabilities. Further, an overarching goal of the criminal justice system is rehabilitation and assisting an inmate's development for successful re-entry into society. The sponsor's position is that allowing inmates with a disability to have access to a service or companion animal on correctional facility grounds will enhance the rehabilitative process and help the inmate reach his or her full potential. | 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 |
| S295 | Requires employers to provide paid leave to employees to vote in certain circumstances. | This bill requires an employer to provide two hours of paid leave annually to each employee working for the employer in the State for the purpose of voting at a general election in the State. Specifically, an employer is required to offer paid time off, which is fully paid, and may be used at the beginning or the end of an employee's work shift on the day of a general election in the State. Under the bill, an employee is required to notify an employer of the necessity for leave to vote two business days in advance of a general election in the State, and an employer is required to provide notice to employees of the employees' rights and obligations under this bill at least ten days prior to a general election in the State. The bill does not apply to: (1) an employee performing service in the construction industry that is under contract pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement; (2) a per diem health care employee; or (3) a public employee who is provided with leave for voting with full pay or a paid holiday on the day of a general election in the State pursuant to any other law, rule, or regulation of this State. | In Committee |
| SCR12 | Amends State Constitution to prohibit slavery or involuntary servitude. | This constitutional amendment prohibits slavery or involuntary servitude in the State of New Jersey, including as punishment for a crime. Involuntary servitude is the coerced service of one individual for the benefit of another. Currently, the State Constitution does not include any language concerning slavery or involuntary servitude. The 1776 and 1844 versions of the Constitution also did not include any mention of slavery or involuntary servitude. This amendment adds language to Article I expressly prohibiting slavery and involuntary servitude. The amendment also directly prohibits slavery and involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime. Prisoners in New Jersey are required to engage in labor, for a minimal pay, while they are incarcerated. The State should not have the power to compel individuals to labor against their will. This amendment ensures that no prisoner in this State would be involuntarily forced into labor, even if the labor performed by the prisoner would be compensated. However, this amendment would not take away voluntary opportunities to work for individuals who have been convicted of a crime. The State recognizes that work can assist in an individual's rehabilitation, improve practical and interpersonal skills that may be useful upon their reintegration with society, and contribute to healthier and safer penal environments. | In Committee |
| S300 | Establishes penalty for withholding identification to hinder apprehension or prosecution. | This bill provides that, in certain circumstances, a person is guilty of hindering apprehension or prosecution by withholding or refusing to give valid identification or identifying information. Under current law, a person hinders the person's own apprehension, investigation, prosecution, conviction, or punishment for a motor vehicle or insurance fraud offense by: (1) suppressing evidence; (2) preventing or obstructing another person from acting in a way to discover, apprehend, or bring charges against the person; (3) preventing or obstructing witnesses or informants from testifying; or (4) giving false information to a law enforcement officer or a civil State investigator assigned to the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor. The bill provides that a person also hinders the person's own apprehension or prosecution if, upon arrest and having been requested to do so by a law enforcement officer, the person withholds or refuses to provide valid identification or the person's true identity in order to purposely hinder the apprehension or prosecution. Under the bill, a person would be subject to the same penalties as a person who gives false information. Current law provides that giving false information to hinder one's own apprehension or prosecution for a motor vehicle or insurance fraud violation is:· a crime of the third degree if the conduct which the actor has been charged or is liable to be charged with constitutes a crime of the first or second degree;· a crime of the fourth degree if the conduct constitutes a crime of the third degree; or· a disorderly persons offense. A third degree crime is punishable by three to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. A fourth degree crime is punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. A disorderly persons offense is punishable by up to six months imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. | In Committee |
| S2296 | Requires parents and guardians be provided access to medical records of minor patients; provides immunity to health care facilities and professionals that provide access to records. | This bill provides that, in general, health care facilities and health care professionals will be required provide the parent or guardian of an unemancipated patient who is younger than 18 years of age access to the patient's medical records without the need for the patient to authorize the parent or guardian to access the records. Under current law, the federal health privacy rule established under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) requires that covered entities keep a patient's medical records confidential unless the patient allows the entity to disclose the records. A minor child's parent is typically considered to be the child's "personal representative" and is therefore generally authorized to access or receive the child's medical records and other protected health information. However, HIPAA provides that, under certain circumstances, a parent will not be considered the minor child's personal representative and will not be afforded access to the child's medical information, including when state law only requires the child's consent to care and treatment. This bill specifies that, except where State law expressly restricts parental access to a minor's treatment records, which include certain care for behavioral health issues and certain cases involving the apparent sexual assault of a minor, parents should be provided access to the patient's medical records, notwithstanding the federal health privacy rule. The bill also expressly provides that nothing in P.L.2022, c.51 (C.2A:84A-22.18 et al.), which provides that medical records pertaining to reproductive health care do not have to be produced in response to certain judicial, legislative, and administrative proceedings, is not to be construed to restrict access to a minor child's medical records as provided under the bill. Except in the case of gross negligence or willful misconduct, a facility or professional providing a parent or guardian with access to a minor child's medical records under the bill will be immune from civil and criminal liability and adverse administrative, licensure, and professional disciplinary actions in connection with providing a parent access to a minor patient's medical records pursuant to the bill. | 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 |
| S1966 | Revises health insurance coverage requirements for treatment of infertility. | This bill updates current law on health insurance coverage of infertility by requiring certain health insurance carriers (including hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health service corporations, and health maintenance organizations authorized to issue health benefits plans in New Jersey, commercial group health insurance providers, and any entities contracted to administer health benefits in connection with the State Health Benefits Program and School Employees' Health Benefits Program) to cover infertility services for a partner of a person who has successfully reversed a voluntary sterilization. The bill also requires health insurance carriers to cover any services related to infertility in accordance with American Society for Reproductive Medicine guidelines and as determined by a physician, including intrauterine insemination, genetic testing, in vitro fertilization using donor eggs, in vitro fertilization where the embryo is transferred to a gestational carrier or surrogate, and unlimited embryo transfers, in accordance with guidelines from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, and any other services related to infertility recommended by a physician. Additionally, the bill revises the current statutory definition of "infertility" and adds a definition of "treatment of infertility." The bill also provides that nothing in the definition of "infertility" may be used to deny or delay treatment to any individual, regardless of relationship status or sexual orientation and prohibits health insurance carriers from imposing restrictions concerning the coverage of infertility services based on age. Finally, the bill excludes coverage for infertility services if an individual's infertility resulted solely from a voluntary unreversed sterilization; provided, however, that coverage for infertility services shall not be excluded if the voluntary sterilization is successfully reversed. | Dead |
| S2182 | Requires entities to remove abandoned lines and mark information on certain lines. | This bill establishes several requirements concerning the maintenance and removal of certain telecommunications and cable lines, including the removal or correction of abandoned lines, the removal of copper telephone lines, and the marking of new and existing lines. The bill requires certain entities, including utilities, corporations, municipalities, and persons that own above-ground telecommunications, cable lines, and copper telephone lines that are found to be abandoned, to either correct the condition that causes the line to be abandoned or remove the abandoned line from all points of attachment after receiving a request for removal submitted in accordance with this bill. The bill also provides that when an entity ceases to do business in this State, the entity would be required to remove its lines from all points of attachment, except for any lines for which ownership was transferred to another entity and which is not otherwise deemed to be abandoned. Under the bill, the owner of a pole, building, or other structure to which a suspected abandoned line is attached may submit a request for removal to the entity owning the line. The bill also permits any person, municipality, utility, or corporation to submit a request for removal of a suspected abandoned line to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU), which request would be transmitted to the entity that owns the line within five business days. Any forms would be required to provide the pole numbers, address, or latitude and longitude of the associated pole, and photograph of the abandoned line. In either case, the bill requires the BPU to prescribe the form and manner for the submission of these requests, except that the bill requires the BPU to allow these requests to be submitted through the official Internet websites of the entities and BPU, respectively. Within 30 calendar days after receiving a request to remove a suspected abandoned line, the bill requires each entity to investigate and determine whether the line is abandoned. If the line is deemed to be abandoned, the bill requires the entity to either correct the condition causing the line to be abandoned or remove the line from all points of attachment within 30 calendar days. Under the bill, an abandoned line would include any above-ground telecommunications or cable line that: (1) is not terminated at both ends to equipment or to a customer's premises; (2) is not maintained in a safe condition; (3) is not intended for future use; or (4) has not been in operation for a period of at least 24 consecutive months, and the owner of a structure to which the line is attached has submitted a request for removal of the line. However, the bill provides that any line that is overlashed would not be deemed to be abandoned. Additionally, the bill requires each entity to submit a written report to the BPU every 90 calendar days beginning after the effective date of the bill, which report is required to describe all notifications, complaints, and requests received by the entity concerning a suspected abandoned line. The report would be required to include a description of all reports and notifications received from an employee of the entity or an employee of the subcontractor of the entity. The bill also requires each entity to provide annual written notice to its customers concerning the provisions of the bill and including an explanation of the processes through which the customer may submit a request for removal of a suspected abandoned line. The bill requires the BPU to prescribe a form and manner for the provision of this notice, except that the notice would be provided to each customer using the same method as the entity provides a bill to the customer, and the notice would be made available in both English and Spanish. This bill also provides that during the course of the employee's employment, each employee of an entity who is responsible for installing lines or responding to service calls would have an affirmative duty to report any line that the employee reasonable believes to be under the ownership of the employer or, in the case of an employee of a subcontractor, those lines are under the ownership of the entity for whom the subcontractor is engaged to work abandoned. If the employee of an entity discovers an abandoned line during the course of the employee's employment, the employee would be required to either remove the abandoned line, if authorized by the entity, or report the abandoned line to the entity for further action. Within 90 calendar days of receiving the report, the entity would be required to transmit a copy of the report to the BPU. The bill provides that when an entity installs certain new lines, which lines are attached to a building or structure and owned by the entity, the entity would be required to mark certain information on the end of the line that is attached to the building or structure. This information would include the initials of the entity's name, abbreviation of the entity's name, corporate symbol, or other distinguishing mark or code by which ownership may be readily and definitely ascertained. The bill also provides that when an entity owns or maintains an existing line that is attached to a building or structure, which line was installed before the effective date of the bill and does not contain the marking required under the bill, the entity would be required to mark this information on the end of the line that is attached to the building or structure after the entity discovers that the line does not contain the markings. Under the bill, an entity that fails to comply with the requirements of the bill concerning the removal of abandoned lines or the marking of lines may be subject to a fine after the BPU has submitted a written notice of an alleged violation to the entity. Specifically, the bill provides that if the entity fails to cure the alleged violation within 30 calendar days after receiving the notice, the BPU may impose a fine of $500 for each day in which the violation exists, beginning on the 31st calendar day after the submission of the notice. The bill also sets forth various factors that the BPU may consider when determining whether to impose a fine, and if appropriate, the amount of the fine. | Dead |
| S288 | Prohibits circumventing security measures for certain online ticket sales. | This bill amends and supplements P.L.1983, c.135 (C.56:8-26 et seq.) to prohibit the use of any software, device or any other technological resource that is used to circumvent a security measure, access control system, or other control or measure on an online ticket issuer's Internet website that is used to ensure an equitable ticket buying process. The bill defines "online ticket issuer" to mean any person that makes tickets available directly or indirectly for sale to the general public via the Internet, and may include the owner or operator of a place of entertainment, a sports team or sports league of teams participating in an entertainment event, a theater company, musical group or similar participant in an entertainment event, or an agent of any such person. Pursuant to current law, any person who violates provisions of P.L.1983, c.135 (C.56:8-26 et seq.) is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. A crime of the fourth degree is ordinarily punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months or a fine of up to $10,000, or both. Under the provisions of the bill, this penalty will apply to violations of the bill's provisions. | 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 |
| S1592 | Adopts State definition of Islamophobia for certain civil and criminal purposes. | This bill adopts the first-ever State definition of Islamophobia in New Jersey and in the nation. Attacks on persons who are Muslim or perceived to be Muslim have grown significantly since September 11, 2001. From 2014 to 2019, there were 10,015 anti-Muslim bias incidents, which included 1,164 anti-Muslim hate crimes. This rise in Islamophobic sentiment is widely acknowledged by the American people, as a 2019 study by Pew found that most American adults (82%) say that Muslims are subject to at least some discrimination in the United States today. According to the FBI, approximately 19% of religion-based incidents from 2015-2019 were against Muslims, who make up only about 1% of the United States population. Furthermore, the United States Attorney General has commented that since September 11, 2001, the Justice Department has led more than 1,000 investigations into "anti-Muslim hatred" acts and bigoted behavior that have led to more than 45 prosecutions. According to a 2017 Pew Poll, while perceptions of religious groups improved overall in 2017, Muslims rated most negatively of all religious groups, scoring a 48 out of 100. New Jersey ranked among the top 10 states for anti-mosque incidents according to the ACLU, including multiple incidents against Muslim persons and Muslim institutions. This bill provides a State definition of Islamophobia modeled in part after the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), which is composed of British Parliament Members of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Awareness of this definition of Islamophobia will increase understanding of the parameters of contemporary Islamophobia crime and discrimination. Under the bill, the definition of Islamophobia in the bill would not include any criticism of any Muslim-majority country similar to that leveled against any other country. The bill provides that in reviewing, investigating, or deciding whether there has been a violation of any policy, law, or regulation prohibiting discriminatory acts under the civil or criminal laws of this State, a public official or law enforcement officer is required to take into consideration the definition of Islamophobia contained in this bill for the purposes of determining whether the alleged act was motivated by Islamophobia and discriminatory anti-Muslim intent. Nothing contained in this bill is to be construed to diminish or infringe upon any right protected under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, or paragraph 6 of Article I of the New Jersey State Constitution, and nothing in this bill is to be construed to conflict with local, State, or federal anti-discrimination laws or regulations. | 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 |
| S1535 | Concerns local taxation of business personal property of local exchange telephone companies. | This bill clarifies the application of the business personal property tax on local exchange telephone companies that were subject to the tax as of April 1, 1997. This bill clarifies the changes made in 1997 to the business personal property tax that defined local exchange telephone companies that were subject to that tax on April 1, 1997. The Tax Court, in Verizon New Jersey Inc. v. Borough of Hopewell, which was decided on June 26, 2012, incorrectly construed the plain meaning of the language of the statutory change made in 1997 in a manner inconsistent with Legislative intent. That statutory change was intended to permanently make part of a municipality's property tax base the business personal property of all incumbent local exchange companies that were then subject to that tax and were a telecommunications carrier then meeting the definition of providing dial tone and access to 51 percent of a local telephone exchange. Local exchange telephone companies have taken advantage of the Tax Court's interpretation of the statute and informed municipalities in which their business personal property is located that it will no longer pay tax on that business personal property, such as equipment, utility poles, cables and more in any given municipality where it claims on an annual basis that it does not provide 51 percent or more of landline service to its residents. This unintended erosion of the local property tax base in the affected municipalities impacts all other local property taxpayers in these municipalities. This bill will restore the local property tax status quo intended to be determined in 1997 by revising the definition of "local exchange telephone company" to mean a telecommunications carrier which held the regional monopoly on landline service before the market was opened to competitive local exchange carriers by the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, or the corporate successors of such a local exchange telephone company. This will accomplish two important purposes: first, it will require that the dominant telecommunications carrier in each region pay the business personal property tax on its business personal property regardless of the percentage of a local telephone exchange that it serves, and will permanently enshrine that business personal property into the tax base of the municipalities in which it is located. The bill would also require that if a municipality is the prevailing party in a court proceeding between it and a local exchange telephone company concerning the taxation of business personal property pursuant to R.S.54:4-1 following a court decision, settlement, or other resolution of that proceeding, the municipality, and any related amicus entities, shall be awarded attorney's fees as costs to the local exchange telephone company. | In Committee |
| S307 | Strengthens provisions of child-protection window guard law. | This bill would amend the law governing the requirements to install and maintain child-protection window guards. This bill was, unfortunately, motivated by reports of a four-year-old boy who fell to his death through an apartment window that did not have window guards installed. Although current law requires landlords to install window guards upon the request of a tenant of an apartment unit where a child 10 years of age or younger resides, greater protections for small children are necessary. The bill would replace the current "opt-in" system with a system requiring landlords to install window guards in apartments of tenants with children unless the tenant "opts-out" of the window guard requirement. New Jersey law currently provides that leases must contain a notice advising tenants that, upon written request by the tenant, the owner is required to provide, install, and maintain window guards in dwelling units with children 10 years of age or younger. This bill would require landlords to install window guards in any apartment in which a child 10 years of age or younger resides, and in apartments where the tenant requests window guards, even if a child 10 years of age or younger does not reside in the apartment. However, the bill allows tenants with children to waive the right to have their landlords install window guards in their apartments. The bill requires landlords to provide each tenant with a form at the time of signing a lease, and annually thereafter, informing the tenant of the landlord's obligation to install and maintain window guards, and of the ability of the tenant to waive the right to have the landlord install window guards in the tenant's apartment. The bill requires the Department of Community Affairs to prepare forms for this purpose in English and Spanish, and to make the forms available on the department's Internet website. Under the bill, if a tenant waives the right to have the landlord install window guards, the tenant can later change his or her mind by providing the landlord a written notice requesting window guards. Current law requires landlords to inspect window guards at least twice a year to ensure that each window guard remains sound and conforms with legal requirements. The bill specifies that landlords must inspect window guards once between February 1 and May 1 and once between September 1 and December 1. Current law excepts first floor windows from window guard requirements. The bill would require the installation of window guards in first floor apartment windows unless the window is a required means of egress from the apartment. The New Jersey window guard law does not currently apply to seasonal rental units. The bill will end that exception. Current law allows a landlord to charge a tenant no more than $20 for each window guard installed in a tenant's apartment. The bill retains the reimbursement provision, however, requires the commissioner to adjust the amount per window guard that may be passed on to a tenant no more frequently than once every 36 months to account for inflation. | In Committee |
| S283 | Requires chief law enforcement officer of municipal police departments to hold two community roundtables on police relations each year. | This bill requires certain law enforcement officials to hold periodic community roundtables on police relations. Under the amended bill, the chief law enforcement officer of each municipal police department in this State is required to sponsor at least two community roundtables on police relations each year, and the Superintendent of State police is required to sponsor in the northern, central, and southern regions of the State an open community roundtable discussion on police relations at least once per calendar year in each region. To maximize community participation, the bill requires the sponsor of the regional community roundtable to provide ample notice to the regional community, hold the roundtable at a central location, and schedule the roundtable during evening hours. Topics to be addressed at the community roundtables include race relations and racial profiling; recruitment, selection, and retention of officers; training and education of recruits and supervisors; regulation of body worn cameras; and use of force, police misconduct, and internal affairs investigations. | In Committee |
| S269 | "Palisades Cliffs Protection Act;" limits height of new construction in area below cliffs east of Palisades. | This bill would limit the height of any development below the cliffs east of Palisade Avenue in Hudson and Bergen counties. Under the bill, no development, inclusive of any mechanical structures on top, in that area could exceed 10 feet below the surface of that road or the Palisades cliff height, whichever is lower. This bill would protect the unique views enjoyed by residents who live in the historic neighborhoods above those cliffs, and preserve the views and topography features of the Palisades. The bill would apply to all proposed buildings and structures in the applicable area, except for those that have received all required government approvals as of the effective date. | In Committee |
| Bill | Bill Name | Motion | Vote Date | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1636 | Changes MVC voter registration procedures. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| 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 | Yea |
| 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 | Yea |
| 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 | Yea |
| 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 | Yea |
| 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 | Yea |
| A5267 | Requires BPU to procure and incentivize transmission-scale energy storage. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5267 | Requires BPU to procure and incentivize transmission-scale energy storage. | Senate Floor: Reconsidered Vote | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5267 | Requires BPU to procure and incentivize transmission-scale energy storage. | Senate Floor: Amend | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| 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 | Yea |
| 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 | Yea |
| S4376 | Establishes Department of Veterans Affairs. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| 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 | Yea |
| 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 | Yea |
| S4530 | Requires BPU to revise community solar program targets. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| State | District | Chamber | Party | Status | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NJ | District 33 | Senate | Democrat | In Office | 01/08/2008 | |
| NJ | District 33 | House | Democrat | Out of Office | 01/13/2004 | 01/22/2024 |