Legislator
Legislator > Nilsa Cruz-Perez
State Senator
Nilsa Cruz-Perez
(D) - New Jersey
New Jersey Senate District 05
In Office - Started: 12/15/2014
contact info
Camden Office
231-L Market St.
Camden, NJ 08102
Camden, NJ 08102
Phone: 856-541-1251
Woodbury Office
608 N. Broad St.
Suite 200
Woodbury, NJ 08096
Suite 200
Woodbury, NJ 08096
Phone: 856-853-2960
| Bill | Bill Name | Summary | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2788 | Appropriates $128.241 million from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to State Agriculture Development Committee for farmland preservation purposes. | Appropriates $128.241 million from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to State Agriculture Development Committee for farmland preservation purposes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3887 | Requires DEP to provide public access for boats to certain State-and county-owned lakes and reservoirs. | Requires DEP to provide public access for boats to certain State- and county-owned lakes and reservoirs. | Crossed Over |
| S2019 | Authorizes pharmacists to dispense HIV prophylaxis without individual prescription under certain circumstances; mandates prescription benefits coverage. | Authorizes pharmacists to dispense HIV prophylaxis without individual prescription under certain circumstances; mandates prescription benefits coverage. | Crossed Over |
| S3812 | Removes certain limitations on receipt of retirement or death benefits under PFRS under certain circumstances. | Removes certain limitations on receipt of retirement or death benefits under PFRS under certain circumstances. | In Committee |
| A1675 | Extends membership in TPAF to 10 years after discontinuance of service and to 15 years for those who were laid off or had 10 or more years of continuous service upon voluntary termination. | Extends membership in TPAF to 10 years after discontinuance of service and to 15 years for those who were laid off or had 10 or more years of continuous service upon voluntary termination. | Passed |
| S4361 | Establishes "Summer Termination Program" for certain utility customers. | Establishes "Summer Termination Program" for certain utility customers. | In Committee |
| S3504 | Establishes Office of Veteran Advocate and ombudsman for DMVA; appropriates funds. | Establishes Office of Veteran Advocate and ombudsman for DMVA; appropriates funds. | In Committee |
| A4712 | Establishes Office of Veteran Advocate and ombudsman for DMVA; appropriates funds. | Establishes Office of Veteran Advocate and ombudsman for DMVA; appropriates funds. | Passed |
| S3309 | Establishes "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act"; revises motor vehicle franchise agreements. | Establishes "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act"; revises motor vehicle franchise agreements. | Passed |
| A5563 | Establishes "Summer Termination Program" for certain utility customers. | Establishes "Summer Termination Program" for certain utility customers. | Passed |
| A5049 | Removes certain limitations on receipt of retirement or death benefits under PFRS under certain circumstances. | Removes certain limitations on receipt of retirement or death benefits under PFRS under certain circumstances. | Passed |
| A5170 | Requires State to purchase certain unused tax credits issued under New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020. | Requires State to purchase certain unused tax credits issued under New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020. | Passed |
| S3052 | Concerns grade options at public institutions of higher education for service member and dependents unable to complete course due to military obligation. | Concerns grade options at public institutions of higher education for service member and dependents unable to complete course due to military obligation. | Passed |
| S4566 | Appropriates $500,000 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to State Agriculture Development Committee for municipal planning incentive grants for farmland preservation purposes. | This bill would appropriate $500,000 to the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) for a municipal planning incentive grant, pursuant to a program established by P.L.1999, c.180 (C.4:1C-43.1), for farmland preservation purposes. The funding in this bill is provided from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax (CBT) revenues pursuant to Article VIII, Section II, paragraph 6 of the State Constitution, approved by the voters of the State in November 2014. The "Preserve New Jersey Act," P.L.2016, c.12 (C.13:8C-43 et seq.), implements the constitutional dedication of CBT revenues for open space, farmland, and historic preservation. The "Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund" was established pursuant to section 8 of the "Preserve New Jersey Act." Under the bill, Oldmans Township, in Salem County, will receive a "base grant" of $500,000, as specified in the bill. In addition, this municipality would also be eligible to compete for an additional grant from the SADC's competitive grant fund, to be financed with monies previously appropriated to the SADC pursuant to P.L.2019, c.450 and P.L.2020, c.139. The maximum amount of such competitive grant funding award would be $1 million, including up to $500,000 in funds appropriated under P.L.2019, c.450 and up to $500,000 in funds appropriated under P.L.2020, c.139. Therefore, the bill allows the municipality to receive up to $1.5 million in funding through both the base grant and eligible competitive grants. The allocations and projects listed in the bill have been approved by the SADC and the Garden State Preservation Trust. | Crossed Over |
| S4027 | Requires State to purchase certain unused tax credits issued under New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020. | Requires State to purchase certain unused tax credits issued under New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020. | In Committee |
| S4607 | Establishes pilot program for solar energy generation on roadside right-of-way areas. | This bill would allow an owner of a solar energy generator to construct, install, and operate a roadside right-of-way solar energy project on the right-of-way area, subject to certain conditions set forth in the bill. The bill defines "roadside right-of-way energy project" as energy generation facilities, structures, and equipment for the production of less than 10 megawatts of electric power from solar photovoltaic panels located on land in roadside right-of-way areas that allow the uninterrupted traffic patterns of roadways and highway systems below or adjacent to the panels. To be eligible under the bill, the owner or developer of the right-of-way solar development would be required to obtain approval of the Board of Public Utilities (BPU), the Department of Transportation (DOT), and other approvals that may be required pursuant to federal, State or local regulations, prior to the construction of the roadside right-of-way solar energy project. Prior to constructing, installing, and operating a roadside right-of-way solar energy facility, the owner or developer would be required to apply to the BPU for approval. The BPU, in consultation with the DOT, would be required to review and, within 180 days after receipt, approve, disapprove, or approve with conditions the application. The bill directs the BPU, in consultation with the DOT, to adopt rules and regulations, including, but not limited to: the process by which an owner may apply for the approval required by the bill; the establishment of reasonable application fees to pay for the cost of review of the application; and provisions prescribing standards concerning impervious cover which may be permitted in connection with roadside right-of-way solar energy projects. The bill also establishes criteria by which the BPU and DOT would review these applications, including proposals for monitoring traffic volume, the size of the project, accident count, and driver safety, incentives available to applicants, geographic location, interconnection planning, negative impacts to roadways, decommissioning processes, proposals to address stormwater runoff, emissions reduction, and other environmental issues, technical feasibility and innovation, the quality of research committed during the evaluation period, and any other criteria as deemed advisable by the BPU. | In Committee |
| S4606 | Establishes targets for roadside solar projects in State's solar energy incentive program. | This bill would amend the "SREC-II" program, developed pursuant to P.L.2021, c.169 (C.48:3-114 et al.), to direct the Board of Public Utilities (board) to establish a solar energy incentive program for solar energy projects on roadside right-of-way areas. The bill would include roadside right-of-way solar developments in SREC-II program incentives, such that project owners would qualify for credits. The bill would also specify criteria by which solar photovoltaic developments on roadside right-of-way areas would be considered for the small solar facilities incentive program, which would include the impact of the development on the traffic volume and emissions burden of adjacent road systems. Roadside right-of-way solar energy facilities would be subject to the same qualification criteria as other solar facilities, including but not limited to the size of the facility, the solar project's eligibility for net metering, incentives available to the project, and the rate class of the facility. The 2019 Energy Master Plan ("EMP") found that the State could achieve its 100 percent clean energy and 80 percent greenhouse gas reduction goals with net savings and little added cost when health benefits and climate change mitigation benefits are taken into account, by maximizing the development of in-State renewable energy generation, including 17,000 megawatts of solar energy by 2035 and 32 gigawatts by 2050. Under the least cost path identified by the EMP, solar energy could meet percent of the State's clean energy needs by 2050. The EMP further determined that to embark on this least cost path the State should add at least 400 megawatts of in-State solar energy each year through 2030. In 2021, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order 274 (EO 274), establishing an interim greenhouse gas reduction target of 50 percent by 2030. The Department of Environmental Protection's resultant Global Warming Reduction Act 80x50 report analyzes New Jersey's emissions reductions to date, and presents strategies across seven emissions sectors to ensure that the State achieves an 80 percent emissions reduction by 2050. The modeling performed in developing the 2019 EMP shows that the least cost scenario can meet the 80x50 goal, as well as Governor Murphy's goal of 100 percent clean energy by 2050, in part by replacing fossil fuels in the electric generation sector with renewable energy sources. The report indicates that wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies are available at competitive prices, which can reduce electric generation sector emissions and help meet increasing electricity demands across the State. | In Committee |
| S3530 | Establishes "Incarcerated Women's Protection Act" and concerns correctional facility board of trustees. | Establishes "Incarcerated Women's Protection Act" and concerns correctional facility board of trustees. | 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 |
| S4525 | Establishes requirements for receipt and purchase of scrap metals containing propulsion batteries. | This bill establishes requirements for the receipt and purchase of scrap metals containing propulsion batteries. Under the bill, a person delivering or selling scrap metal to a scrap metal business is required to disclose, in writing, whether the scrap metal contains a propulsion battery before the scrap metal business receives or purchases the scrap metal. The bill also requires a scrap metal business to inspect scrap metal before receipt or purchase to confirm that the scrap metal does not contain a propulsion battery if the disclosure made by the person delivering or selling the scrap metal indicates that the scrap metal does not contain such a battery. Additionally, a scrap metal business is required to maintain, for at least five years and in a manner as may be prescribed by the Attorney General, a record of all propulsion battery disclosures for scrap metal received or purchased by the scrap metal business and a record of the inspection of scrap metal received or purchased by the scrap metal business if the disclosure made by the person delivering or selling the scrap metal indicates the scrap metal does not contain a propulsion battery. | In Committee |
| S4526 | Requires certain facilities that store or process automotive shredder residue to obtain DEP permit; defines "hazardous waste" to include automotive shredder residue. | This bill would prohibit the owner or operator of a scrap processing facility from storing or processing automotive shredder residue without first obtaining a permit from the Department of Environmental Protection. The bill would require the department to establish a permitting program to establish appropriate limits, on the volume, height, and length of time automotive shredder residue may be stored at a facility, taking into consideration the hazardous and flammable nature of automotive shredder residue, as well as prohibitions on the storage of automotive shredder residue in close proximity to residential structures and critical infrastructure. The bill would require each scrap processing facility that stores automotive shredder residue to conform to the limits and prohibitions established by the department pursuant to a permit issued under the bill. The bill would also amend the "Solid Waste Management Act," P.L.1970, c.39 (C.13:1E-1 et seq.) to define "hazardous waste" and would include automotive shredder residue in the definition. The bill would also define "automotive shredder residue" (ASR) as the nonrecyclable residue that is generated as a direct result of processing automobiles, appliances, sheet steel, and other ferrous and nonferrous scrap metals through a hammermill shredder for purposes of recycling. In including ASR in the definition of hazardous waste, the bill would make persons who transport, store, or process ASR subject to the same rules and regulations that apply to persons who transport, store, or process other hazardous wastes under the "Solid Waste Management Act." The bill would take effect one year after enactment. | In Committee |
| S4529 | Requires business that violates State environmental laws to forfeit economic development subsidies under certain circumstances. | This bill requires a business that has been awarded an economic development subsidy by a State public body and is found to be in violation of the State's environmental laws to forfeit a portion of the economic development subsidy provided to the business or provide a payment to the State. The bill provides that if the Commissioner of Environmental Protection determines that a recipient business is responsible for an environmental incident, the business is required to forfeit the economic development subsidy or provide a payment to the State equal to the greater of: (1) 20 percent of the economic development subsidies awarded to the business recipient for the tax year in which a determination is made under the bill or (2) the total costs to address the environmental incident. Under the bill, these costs include, but are not limited to, costs of environmental remediation necessary to contain and remediate the impact of the incident, housing relocation costs for impacted residents, the installation of air filtration and fire suppression systems within impacted buildings or structures, and the costs of psychological or mental health counseling for impacted residents. The bill directs the commissioner, in consultation with the State Treasurer and the chief executive officer of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA), and any other State officials the commissioner deems appropriate, to determine the amount of costs necessary to address the environmental incident. The bill requires the commissioner to provide written notice to the recipient business of the amount of the economic development subsidies to be forfeited or the payment to be made to the State. The bill directs the State Treasurer, in consultation with the chief executive officer of the EDA, to provide a written notice to the recipient business certifying the amount of economic development subsidies to be forfeited or payment to be made to the State. A recipient business may choose to either forfeit economic development subsidies or make a payment to the State. The bill requires any payments received by the State to be deposited into a new Environmental Incident Recovery Fund established by the bill and appropriated to provide reimbursement payments to residents of communities impacted by an environmental incident for costs incurred to address the environmental incident. The bill provides that if a recipient business fails to forfeit its economic subsidy or provide a payment to the State, the recipient business is required to forfeit all economic development subsidies awarded to the recipient business and its affiliates until the requirements of the bill are satisfied. The bill also requires future economic development subsidy agreements entered into by the authority to include a provision specifying that a recipient business is subject to the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| S4604 | Requires DCF to develop a unified child care finder; appropriates $3.6 million. | This bill directs the Department of Children and Families (department) in consultation with the Departments of Human Services and Education, to develop a unified child care finder. The child care finder will provide a singular access point for information about all licensed child care facilities and registered family daycare providers in the State. There are currently two separate child care finders operating in the State, one administered by the Department of Human Services and the other by the department, which allow parents, guardians, and caregivers to search for child care. It is the sponsor's experience that neither system is effective, and significant barriers exist in identifying and securing available high-quality infant, toddler and pre-kindergarten programs. Creating a unified child care finder that leverages modern technology to connect families with licensed early learning providers will increase timely enrollment in under-filled child care and family day care programs and support the State's goal of maximizing participation in early childhood education. Specifically, the bill requires the department develop a secure, Internet web application, or computer or mobile application based child care finder platform that utilizes an intuitive search interface, including a map-based search function and comparable list function showing the location of each licensed child care center and registered family child care provider, its distance from a given address, the type of program offered, its schedule of operations, and any other filters as required by the department. Each licensed child care center and registered family child care provider shall be provided with a dedicated profile on the child care finder that displays information about the center or provider. The child care finder is also required to permit online submittal of applications for enrollment, allow communication between the provider and the parent or caretaker, submit deposits, enrollment, and tuition or registration fees directly to the center or provider, and be developed in accordance with generally accepted industry standards for data security and accessibility. Due to the type of technology required, the department is required to procure the services of a qualified third-party vendor, who meets the criteria described in the bill, to develop the child care finder no later than 90 days from the bill's enactment. No later than 270 days from the date the vendor is selected, the department shall require the vendor to launch a pilot of the child care finder in three counties, one in each region of the State. No later than one year from the date the vendor has been selected, the department is to authorize the vendor to release the child care finder throughout the State. The bill appropriates $3.6 million to the department to effectuate the purposes of the bill, and authorizes the Legislature to appropriate additional funds if needed. The Commissioner of the department is to work in consultation with the commissioners of Human Services and Education to effectuate the bill's mandate, and to request assistance from any other department or agency of the state as needed. | In Committee |
| S63 | Concerns outreach and training for minorities and women in the construction industry. | This bill reconciles certain provisions concerning construction project funds set forth in P.L.2009, c.313 (C.52:38-7) and P.L.2009, c.335 (C.52:40-1 et seq.). Specifically, the bill modifies the language used in section 6 of P.L.2009, c.335 (C.52:40-6) to describe the use of 0.5% of construction project funds set aside for women and minority group members to make it conform to P.L.2009, c.313 by expanding the funded activities to include outreach as well as training, and to include not only construction trade occupations, but other occupations in the construction industry, such as management and engineering. The bill also modifies the scope of projects subject to the 0.5% set-aside under P.L.2009, c.335, to make it conform with the provisions of P.L.2009, c.313 that not only require the set-asides to apply to State projects, but permit political subdivisions to elect to use the set-aside for local projects. | 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 |
| S4528 | Establishes safety measures for scrap metal businesses. | This bill updates current statutes regulating scrap metal businesses by establishing certain safety measures to be followed by each business. A scrap metal business is to conduct a quarterly audit of records to be retained pursuant to current law and ensure that items that are prohibited are not on the premises of the business. Additionally, each business is to reduce the likelihood of a fire by, at a minimum: (1) installing and maintaining an on-site fire suppression system so that it can be remotely operated; and (2) employing or contracting with individuals who are trained in fire suppression. A scrap metal business is given five years to install the on-site fire suppression system. | In Committee |
| S4527 | Establishes a senior citizens telephone chat-line. | This bill requires the Division of Aging Services (the division) in the Department of Human Services to establish a senior citizens telephone chat-line to connect older adults who are feeling isolated or lonely with matched volunteers who will offer emotional support via weekly telephonic check-ins. A person 60 years of age or older or a person's family member or guardian may register with the division to receive a weekly telephone call, on a form prescribed by the division. The form is to include the name and address of the person who will be receiving the weekly telephone call, information on the person's interests and hobbies, the most convenient times for the person to receive the weekly telephone calls, and any other information prescribed by the division. A person 18 years of age or older seeking to volunteer with the telephone chat-line is to register with the division and provide information on: the person's interests and hobbies; the person's place of residence; and any other information that will help the division match a volunteer, based on similar interests and geographical location, with a person registered to receive a weekly telephone call. The bill stipulates that the division provide for the confidentiality of the names of the persons registered to receive weekly telephone calls, the names of the volunteers making the weekly telephone calls, and the information discussed on the telephone calls. | In Committee |
| S3914 | Prohibits aquaculture of any species of octopus for purpose of human consumption. | This bill prohibits the aquaculture of any species of octopus for the purpose of human consumption. In addition, this bill prohibits a business entity from selling, possessing, or transporting any species of octopus that is the result or product of aquaculture. Any violation of the bill's provisions would be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000, and each day during which the violation continues would constitute an additional, separate, and distinct offense. The practice of octopus aquaculture has raised ethical and environmental concerns due to the highly advanced cognitive abilities and complex behaviors exhibited by these animals. Octopus farming practices and conditions, including inadequate living environments and confinement, may subject octopus to significant stress and suffering, compromise their well-being, and lead to adverse behavioral changes. As carnivores, octopuses require a high-protein diet sourced from wild fish and shellfish which could substantially increase demand on marine resources, further depleting fish stocks and disrupting marine ecosystems. Additionally, octopus aquaculture poses further risks to the marine ecosystems due to the heightened potential for the spread of infectious pathogens, which may impact other marine species and ecosystems. | In Committee |
| S1406 | Prohibits surgical declawing of cats and other animals. | This bill prohibits a person from performing, or causing to be performed, an onychectomy (declawing) or flexor tendonectomy procedure by any means on a cat or other animal, unless the procedure is deemed necessary for a therapeutic purpose by a licensed veterinarian. Any person who violates this provision would be guilty of a disorderly persons offense, which is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, a term of imprisonment of up to six months, or both. A violator would also be subject to a civil penalty of between $500 and $2,000. Under the bill, whenever a licensed veterinarian determines that an onychectomy or flexor tendonectomy is necessary for a therapeutic purpose, the veterinarian would be required to file a written statement with the Department of Health, and provide a copy of that statement to the owner of the animal. A veterinarian who fails to comply with this provision would be subject to disciplinary action by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. For purposes of the bill, the term "therapeutic purpose" means for purpose of necessity to address the medical condition of the animal, such as an existing or recurring illness, infection, disease, injury, or abnormal condition in a claw that compromises the animal's health. "Therapeutic purpose" would not include cosmetic or aesthetic reasons or reasons of convenience in keeping or handling the animal. | In Committee |
| S4330 | Prohibits telecommunications, utility or cable television companies from charging certain customers prior to actual billing due date. | This bill directs the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to prohibit a telecommunications company, electric public utility, gas public utility or cable television company from charging a credit card customer or direct debit customer for service prior to the actual billing due date that would apply if the customer were to pay by cash, money order or personal check, unless: 1) the customer expressly agrees in writing to be charged for service on an earlier date; or 2) the customer makes such a request to the company or utility by telephone or by other means approved by the BPU. | In Committee |
| AJR211 | Designates May 18 of each year as Six Triple Eight Day in NJ. | Designates May 18 of each year as Six Triple Eight Day in NJ. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4163 | Requires health insurers to provide coverage for biomarker precision medical testing. | An Act concerning health insurance coverage for biomarker precision medical testing and supplementing various parts of the statutory law. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| AJR166 | Urges Congress to continue progress on National Museum of the American Latino. | Urges Congress to continue progress on National Museum of the American Latino. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S1310 | Makes certain for-profit debt adjusters eligible for licensing to conduct business in State. | Makes certain for-profit debt adjusters eligible for licensing to conduct business in State. | Crossed Over |
| S3098 | Requires health insurers to provide coverage for biomarker precision medical testing. | Requires health insurers to provide coverage for biomarker precision medical testing. | In Committee |
| S2200 | Creates pilot program to provide corporation business tax and gross income tax credits for value of certain fruit and vegetable donations made by commercial farm operators. | Creates pilot program to provide corporation business tax and gross income tax credits for value of certain fruit and vegetable donations made by commercial farm operators. | Crossed Over |
| SJR149 | Designates May 18 of each year as Six Triple Eight Day in NJ. | Designates May 18 of each year as Six Triple Eight Day in NJ. | In Committee |
| S2078 | Extends membership in TPAF to 10 years after discontinuance of service and to 15 years for those who were laid off or had 10 or more years of continuous service upon voluntary termination. | Extends membership in TPAF to 10 years after discontinuance of service and to 15 years for those who were laid off or had 10 or more years of continuous service upon voluntary termination. | In Committee |
| S3799 | Revises credentialing process for physicians attempting to enter a health insurance carrier's provider network. | This bill makes changes to the existing health insurance carrier credentialing process to facilitate transparency and enforcement. First, the bill requires a carrier committee reviewing a credentialing application to notify the applicant within 30 days following submission of the application whether the application is incomplete. If the committee does not notify the applicant of an incomplete application within 30 days, the application is to be deemed complete. In addition, the bill requires carriers to include on their Internet websites the universal participation and renewal forms and an explanation of the credentialing process, including a list of all the documents required for participation and renewal and any expected timelines. The bill also provides that if a physician, while waiting to receive a credential to participate in the provider network of a carrier, is delivering health care services to covered persons within the network, the carrier is required to reimburse the physician for services delivered as of the date the credentialing application was filed, if the application is approved by the carrier. Under the bill, carriers are prohibited from requiring a physician who is already credentialed with the carrier and who changes employers or health care facilities within this State to submit a new application or renewal form to participate in the carrier's network solely on the basis that the physician changed employers or health care facilities. Lastly, the bill authorizes the Department of Banking and Insurance to receive, investigate, and enforce alleged violations of law relating to the credentialing process. | In Committee |
| S3118 | Provides that regional school districts are not subject to State school aid reductions under certain circumstances. | Provides that regional school districts are not subject to State school aid reductions under certain circumstances. | In Committee |
| A3904 | Requires geotechnical testing and certain monitoring of transportation projects. | An Act concerning certain testing and monitoring of transportation capital projects and supplementing Title 27 of the Revised Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S2061 | Requires State Chief Diversity Officer to conduct study of utilization of disabled veteran-owned businesses in State procurement process. | This bill requires the Chief Diversity Officer to study disabled veteran-owned businesses to determine whether disparities exist between the availability and utilization of disabled veteran-owned businesses in the State procurement process. The Chief Diversity Officer will prepare and submit to the Governor and the Legislature a report containing the study's findings and recommendations for legislative or other actions that can be taken to promote opportunities for disabled veteran-owned businesses in the procurement of goods and services for the State. After the disparity study is submitted, the Chief Diversity Officer may, in the officer's discretion, prepare and submit additional reports identifying the extent to which previous recommendations have been successfully implemented and any impact the implementation of such recommendations have had on State procurement in the preceding years. Studies which demonstrate the disparity between the availability and utilization of disabled veteran-owned businesses in the State procurement process can help provide the basis for goal-based procurement programs. | In Committee |
| S4138 | Eliminates certain requirements for nonprofit organization operating ski area. | This bill eliminates certain requirements for nonprofit organizations operating a ski area. Under current law, the operator of a ski area is required to:· establish and post a system generally identifying slopes and trails and designating the relative degrees of difficulty of the slopes and trails and make trail maps and trail reports available to skiers;· make available, either by oral or written report, information concerning the daily conditions of the slopes and trails; and· remove obvious, man-made hazards as soon as practicable. Under the bill, the operator of a ski area is not required to comply with these provisions if the ski area is operated by a nonprofit organization. The bill defines "nonprofit organization" to mean a private nonprofit corporation, society, or association that has been determined by the Internal Revenue Service of the United States Department of the Treasury to be exempt from income taxation under 26 U.S.C.s.501(c)(3). | In Committee |
| S3970 | Establishes "Jersey Craft Beverage Retailer Promotion and Grant Program" in EDA. | Establishes "Jersey Craft Beverage Retailer Promotion and Grant Program" in EDA. | In Committee |
| S116 | "Home Business Jobs Creation Act"; classifies certain home businesses as permitted accessory uses. | "Home Business Jobs Creation Act"; classifies certain home businesses as permitted accessory uses. | In Committee |
| S1000 | Requires MVC to place designation on motor vehicle's registration information indicating registrant is deaf or hard of hearing. | Requires MVC to place designation on motor vehicle's registration information indicating registrant is deaf or hard of hearing. | In Committee |
| S2954 | Requires geotechnical testing and certain monitoring of transportation projects. | Requires geotechnical testing and certain monitoring of transportation projects. | In Committee |
| S3881 | Amends lists of environmental infrastructure projects approved for long-term funding by DEP under FY2025 environmental infrastructure funding program. | An Act concerning the financing of environmental infrastructure projects in Fiscal Year 2025 and amending P.L.2024, c.35. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S1411 | Requires stress testing on State's ability to provide services in various economic conditions. | This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to, once every third year, conduct and report on a stress test analysis of the State's ability to maintain services and provide necessary assistance to residents in various economic conditions. The stress test analyses required by this bill would include: (1) long- and short-term projections of major funding sources, including revenues from major taxes and funding from the federal government; (2) a comparison between projections of major funding sources and historical trends for each of those funding sources; (3) an analysis of expenditures that are likely to increase or decrease in various economic conditions; (4) an accounting of the State's reserves, including amounts deposited into the "Surplus Revenue Fund"; and (5) options that the State has to respond to, and lessen the negative impact of, economic recessions. Under the bill, the Department of the Treasury is required to make the stress test analyses publicly accessible on its website, and include it as part of the Governor's annual budget message. | Crossed Over |
| S4034 | Provides that potable water well construction projects on preserved farms are eligible to receive soil and water conservation grants from SADC. | This bill would provide that projects on preserved farmland to construct potable water wells would be eligible to receive soil and water conservation grants from the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) pursuant to section 17 of P.L.1983, c.32 (C.4:1C-24). Under the current program, eligible projects include: terrace systems; diversions; water impoundment reservoirs; irrigation systems; sediment retention, erosion or water control systems; drainage systems; animal waste control facilities; and land shaping and grading. This bill would expand the program to also allow for potable water well construction projects to be eligible. In order to obtain a soil and water conservation grant, landowners apply to local Soil Conservation Districts, which assist in developing farm conservation plans and ensure projects are necessary and feasible. Applications are then forwarded to the State Soil Conservation Committee, which recommends projects to the SADC for funding approvals. | In Committee |
| S4032 | Establishes "Mental and Behavioral Health for Hispanics and Latinos Act"; appropriates $1 million. | This bill establishes the "Mental and Behavioral Health for Hispanics and Latinos Act." Under the bill, the Commissioner of Health will be required to, in coordination with advocacy and mental and behavioral health organizations serving populations of Hispanic and Latino individuals or communities, develop and implement an outreach and education strategy to promote mental and behavioral health and reduce stigma associated with mental and behavioral health conditions and substance use disorders among Hispanic and Latino populations in this State. The strategy will: be designed to meet the diverse cultural and language needs of the various Hispanic and Latino Populations in the State and be developmentally and age appropriate; increase awareness of symptoms of mental illnesses common among Hispanic and Latino populations, taking into account differences within subgroups; provide information on evidence-based, culturally and linguistically appropriate and adapted interventions and treatments; ensure full participation of, and engage, both consumers and community members in the development and implementation of educational materials on mental and behavioral health; seek to broaden the perspective among both individuals in these communities and stakeholders serving those communities to use a comprehensive public health approach to promoting behavioral health that addresses a holistic view of health by focusing on the intersection between behavioral and physical health; and address the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the mental and behavioral health of the Hispanic and Latino populations. Beginning not later than one year after the date of enactment of the bill and annually thereafter, the Commissioner of Health will prepare and submit to the Governor and the Legislature a report on the extent to which the strategy development and implemented pursuant to the bill improved mental and behavioral health outcomes associated with mental and behavioral health conditions and substance use disorders among Hispanic and Latino populations in this State. The bill appropriates $1,000,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Health to effectuate the purposes of the bill. | In Committee |
| S4031 | Requires school meal service providers, when procuring local and regional foods for students, to give purchasing preference to foods produced by in-State farmers and other food producers located within 100 miles of destination school. | This bill would establish purchase preference requirements that are to be satisfied in association with the procurement of local and regional foods for school meal program purposes. The Local Food for Schools (LFS) Cooperative Agreement Program is a federal program, operated by the Agricultural Management Service in the United States Department of Agriculture, which enables the federal government to enter into cooperative agreements, with individual states, to provide such states with federal financial assistance to facilitate their procurement of local and regional foods, from small businesses, from local and regional farmers and food producers, and from socially disadvantaged farmers and food producers, and their distribution of such local and regional foods, to students at participating schools, as part of the National School Lunch Program and federal School Breakfast Program. Under the existing provisions of federal law, local and regional foods which are procured, for students, under the LFS program must either be procured from in-State farmers and food producers or from farmers and food producers (whether in-State or out-of-State) who are located within 400 miles of the destination school. This bill would establish complimentary, State-level geographic purchase preference requirements to ensure that the food procurement activities being undertaken by school food authorities, by food service management companies (FSMCs), and by other contracted third-party food service providers, pursuant to the LFS program and other similar State and federal laws and programs, are focused on the procurement of foods and food products from a more localized area and, primarily, from in-State farmers and food producers. Specifically, the bill would provide that, whenever a school food authority, or a FSMC or other third-party food service vendor, receives federal or State-level funding under the LFS program, or under any other similar federal or State program designed to encourage or facilitate the procurement of local or regional foods for students at participating schools, the school food authority, FSMC, or other third-party vendor will be required, to the greatest extent practicable, to: 1) give geographic preference to the procurement, for such purposes, of foods and food products which are grown or otherwise produced within a 100-mile radius of the destination school; and 2) among those foods and food products which are grown or produced within 100 miles of the destination school, give geographic preference to the procurement of foods and food products that have been grown or otherwise produced by in-State farmers and food producers within that 100-mile radius. The bill would require any school food service contract, which is executed between a school food authority and a FSMC or other third-party vendor, to contain provisions setting forth, and requiring ongoing compliance with, the bill's geographic preference requirements, and it would further require each school food authority, FSMC, and other third-party meals service vendor to maintain and regularly submit, to the Department of Agriculture, appropriate records and other documentation demonstrating ongoing compliance with the bill's geographic preference requirements. | In Committee |
| S4033 | Establishes fire protection requirements for short-term farm labor housing. | This bill provides that short-term farm labor housing that includes fire protection measures that provide for the installation of fire extinguishers and early warning fire protection devices such as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and ingress and egress standards, may be used as short-term farm labor housing and shall be deemed in compliance with the State Uniform Construction Code. Short-term farm labor housing is defined in the bill as a building consisting of housing or sleeping places provided to seasonal workers for periods not to exceed three months, as part of a "farm labor camp," as defined in section 2 of P.L.1945, c.71 (C.34:9A-2). | In Committee |
| S4036 | Makes $3 million supplemental appropriation for bonus awards for certain COVID-19 emergency essential frontline State workers of Local 195 International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers. | This bill provides for a supplemental appropriation of $3,000,000 from the General Fund to provide individual employee awards to the many essential frontline State workers of Local 195 of International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers who provided emergency frontline workplace service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Independent Review of New Jersey's Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic completed on March 7, 2024 noted that one of the strengths of New Jersey State Government's response was that staff across government departments and agencies went above and beyond what they were expected or paid to do. Many state employees put their lives on hold to ensure that the important work of their department or agency continued amidst the uncertainty, additional workload, and safety challenges posed by the pandemic. Many frontline agency workers also reported experiencing significant trauma due to the panic and urgency of the response and the demands associated with their jobs. Personal losses and increased workloads caused many State workers to endure prolonged exhaustion and pandemic fatigue. Workers were overwhelmed by the sudden and dramatic increase in their responsibilities, which agencies had to process while being understaffed. Across departments and agencies, state employees demonstrated resilience and flexibility. Many state agencies worked closely with their respective unions to ensure their staff were well placed to continue their work during the pandemic. Agencies that had pre-existing relationships with union leaders were able to have proactive discussions and continuous dialogue in the early stages of the pandemic, enabling rapid decision making concerning workplace attendance by staff deemed essential for the health and safety of human life. The many frontline State workers of Local 195 of International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers ensured the continued operation and maintenance of the many crucial State facilities, which provide essential services to their clients and patients who could not survive a termination of services during the pandemic. This appropriation will ensure that the many thousands of these State employees receive additional compensation in the form of individual bonuses for their essential work during the most dangerous of times. | In Committee |
| S4043 | Increases access to substance use disorder treatment; Requires Medicaid coverage for substance use disorder services provided by community-based organizations. | This bill expands access to substance use disorder treatment in the State by revising various laws and regulations concerning substance use disorder and opioid treatment programs and establishing Medicaid coverage for substance use disorder services provided by community-based organizations. The bill clarifies current law to remove language concerning an outdated certificate of need requirement for a substance use disorder treatment center located within 500 feet from any building in this State used for the instruction of children between the ages of five and 18 years. The bill provides that an opioid treatment program may voluntarily establish a medication unit that will be associated with a single primary opioid treatment program that will oversee the unit's operations. All required services that cannot be performed at the medication unit will be performed by the primary opioid treatment program. A medication unit may provide the following services if it provides appropriate privacy and adequate space: intake and initial psychosocial and appropriate medical assessments; initiation of medication-assisted treatment including, but not limited to, methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone; and telecounseling services. The bill provides that an opioid treatment program:· will not be required to engage, employ, or contract with a pharmacist;· may only require a patient to receive a minimum of eight random drug screenings per year;· will provide or coordinate harm reduction services for each patient as appropriate to the patient's treatment plan; and· will establish a counseling schedule for each patient based on an individualized treatment plan approved and documented by the patient's multidisciplinary treatment team. The bill provides that a patient will not be precluded from receiving treatment or medication for opioid use disorder from an opioid treatment program solely on the basis of the patient's refusal of counseling. The bill provides that an opioid treatment program's discharge policy may not permit the administrative discharge of a patient due to missed doses, non-participation, and continued illicit substance use, except under certain circumstances as outlined in the bill. The bill permits a patient to receive treatment from another opioid treatment program under certain conditions provided under the bill. The bill establishes certain Medicaid coverage for substance use disorder services provided by a licensed community-based organization. The bill requires the Commissioner of Health, in consultation with the Commissioner of Human Services, to establish standards and requirements for the licensure of community-based organizations and for the provision of substance use disorder services by licensed community-based organizations. Under the bill, the commissioner will establish a program to provide training and technical assistance to help community-based organizations meet any licensure and provider enrollment standards established by the commissioner and the Medicaid program. | In Committee |
| SJR104 | Urges Congress to continue progress on National Museum of the American Latino. | Urges Congress to continue progress on National Museum of the American Latino. | In Committee |
| A1476 | Establishes "New Jersey Target Zero Commission." | An Act establishing the "New Jersey Target Zero Commission" and supplementing Title 27 of the Revised Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3969 | Extends economic recovery term under "Municipal Rehabilitation and Economic Recovery Act." | An Act concerning municipal rehabilitation and economic recovery and amending P.L.2002, c.43. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A3853 | Extends certain pay parity regarding telemedicine and telehealth until July 1, 2026. | An Act regarding telemedicine and telehealth and amending P.L.2021, c.310. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S2988 | Extends certain pay parity regarding telemedicine and telehealth until July 1, 2026. | Extends certain pay parity regarding telemedicine and telehealth until July 1, 2026. | In Committee |
| S361 | Establishes "New Jersey Target Zero Commission." | Establishes "New Jersey Target Zero Commission." | 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 |
| S1630 | Requires DMVA to provide mortgage loan counseling under certain circumstances. | This bill requires the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) to provide counseling and assistance to applicants for a mortgage loan for a property in New Jersey that is to be guaranteed by the federal "Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944," commonly known as the G.I. Bill. Under the bill, loan counseling and assistance is required to include a review of the terms and restrictions of the loan, information determined by the NJHMFA to be appropriate for a veteran seeking a housing loan under the G.I. Bill, and any other information that may be required under federal law, rule, or regulation. This bill requires residential mortgage lenders in New Jersey to provide a separate disclosure form with each application stating that a veteran seeking a housing loan under the G.I. Bill has been offered loan counseling services pursuant to the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| S3800 | Enhances protections under Law Against Discrimination for persons serving in military and military veterans. | This bill enhances certain protections under the Law Against Discrimination ("LAD"). Military Service. Currently, the LAD bars discrimination based on "liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States." The bill broadens this provision to specifically bar discrimination against persons currently serving in the military and military veterans. The bill defines this additional protected class of persons as those in active service in any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States or National Guard, and those who have been discharged or released from active service in any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States or National Guard. Job Protection for Military Service. The bill makes it an unlawful employment practice under the LAD for employers to deny reemployment to employees who take leave for military service. This provision is in compliance with the federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, 18 U.S.C. s.4301 et seq. Gender-neutral Language. Under the bill, gendered language in the LAD is changed to gender-neutral language. For example, in N.J.S.A.10:5-39, the provision in the LAD that sets out an affirmative action program for veterans, the bill replaces the phrase "soldier, sailor, marine, airman, nurse or army field clerk" with "enlisted person or officer." Unlawful Discrimination. The bill adds the term "unlawful" before "discrimination" throughout the LAD to clarify that the LAD prohibits only unlawful discrimination. The LAD does not apply to discrimination that may be lawful. For example, practices that result in a disproportionately negative impact on members of a protected class constitute unlawful discrimination only if the entity engaging in the practices cannot show that it is using the practices for a substantial, legitimate, nondiscriminatory interest or cannot show that there is a less discriminatory alternative that meets that interest. | In Committee |
| S3968 | Increases traffic threshold for local installation of certain speed humps on certain local streets without DOT approval. | This bill increases the daily traffic limit to fewer than 4,000 vehicles per day for speed humps that counties and municipalities may construct without the approval of the Commissioner of Transportation (commissioner), provided that the speed hump has a flat top of at least 10 feet, such as speed tables, specifically on one-lane and two-lane residential streets. The bill also increases the daily traffic limit to fewer than 4,000 vehicles per day for speed humps that counties and municipalities may construct without the approval of the commissioner, provided that the speed hump has a flat top of at least 10 feet, such as speed tables, specifically on streets when a road construction project or repair of the street is undertaken and located within 500 feet of a school or property used for school purposes. The provisions of the bill only apply to streets under municipal or county jurisdiction with a posted speed of 30 miles per hour or less. | In Committee |
| S3595 | "Welcome Home Veterans Act"; requires MVC to provide veteran benefit information packets. | This bill establishes the "Welcome Home Veterans Act" which requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (commission) to provide information concerning federal and State benefits that are available to veterans upon the issuance of an initial license, renewal license, probationary license, or an identification card to a veteran, provided the document issued includes a veteran designation. The information required to be provided to veterans under the bill is to be available in both a hardcopy version at each commission agency as well as in a digital format on the commission's Internet website. The information provided to veterans is to include, at a minimum: (1) a copy of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs Veterans' Benefits Guide; (2) a copy of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs' "Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents, Survivors, and Caregivers" booklet; (3) information on where veterans can find more information about available benefits; and (4) any other information the commission, in conjunction with the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, believes is necessary for veterans in this State. | In Committee |
| S3956 | Establishes "Substance Use Disorder and Addiction Treatment Best Practices Task Force." | This bill establishes the "Substance Use Disorder and Addiction Treatment Best Practices Task Force." The purpose of the task force is to: 1) determine whether an existing government body or a new agency should be established to oversee the substance use disorder system of care; 2) make recommendations on how to improve the current substance use disorder system of care; 3) develop and implement best practices for owners and operators of outpatient treatment centers and sober homes; and 4) make recommendations on how the State should regulate dual ownership of outpatient treatment centers and sober homes. The task force is to consist of 12 members as follows: one member of the General Assembly, appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, who is to serve as co-chairperson; one member of the General Assembly, appointed by the Assembly Minority Leader; one member of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate, who is to serve as co-chairperson; one member of the Senate, appointed by the Senate Minority Leader; the Commissioner of Health or the commissioner's designee, who is to serve ex officio; the Director of the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) or the director's designee, who is to serve ex officio; and six public members, who are to be appointed by the Governor, as follows: one peer recovery specialist, certified by the Addiction Professionals Certification Board of New Jersey; one peer recovery support specialist, certified by the Association for Addiction Professionals; one member who is in a management position at an outpatient treatment center; one member who is in a management position at a sober home; one member who is the owner of an outpatient treatment center; and one member who is the owner of sober home. The task force will present a report of its findings to the Governor and to the Legislature no later than two years after the organization of the task force. The task force will expire 30 days after the issuance of its report. | In Committee |
| S1637 | Requires Secretary of Agriculture to establish Farm to School Local Food Procurement Reimbursement Grant Program to reimburse school districts for costs expended in sourcing and procuring local foods for students; appropriates $4,500,000. | Requires Secretary of Agriculture to establish Farm to School Local Food Procurement Reimbursement Grant Program to reimburse school districts for costs expended in sourcing and procuring local foods for students; appropriates $4,500,000. | In Committee |
| S3545 | "Climate Superfund Act"; imposes liability on certain fossil fuel companies for certain damages caused by climate change and establishes program in DEP to collect and distribute compensatory payments. | "Climate Superfund Act"; imposes liability on certain fossil fuel companies for certain damages caused by climate change and establishes program in DEP to collect and distribute compensatory payments. | In Committee |
| S354 | Updates scope of practice of optometrists. | Updates scope of practice of optometrists. | In Committee |
| S1407 | Requires Medicaid coverage for community violence prevention services; establishes training and certification program for violence prevention professionals. | Requires Medicaid coverage for community violence prevention services; establishes training and certification program for violence prevention professionals. | In Committee |
| S3437 | Requires creation of license plates that allow disabled veterans to park in parking spots reserved for persons with disabilities. | Requires creation of license plates that allow disabled veterans to park in parking spots reserved for persons with disabilities. | In Committee |
| S3888 | Establishes New Jersey Low Income Household Water Assistance Program to provide water service and water bill payment assistance to certain low-income households; appropriates $25 million. | This bill requires the Commissioner of Community Affairs (commissioner), in consultation with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (board), to establish the "New Jersey Low Income Household Water Assistance Program" (program). The purpose of the program is to provide affordability assistance for water and sewer services to eligible households throughout New Jersey. Under the bill, "eligible household" means a household that pays for its own water or sewer services and which has a monthly household income at or below 60 percent of the New Jersey State median income, to be established by the Department of Community Affairs based on the most recent Statewide data from the United States Census Bureau. Under the bill, the programs would provide the following types of assistance:· direct assistance;· assistance to renters and other households who do not receive a bill from a water system but pay other amounts, fees, or charges related to residential water system service;· water crisis intervention assistance;· water efficiency, leak detection, and plumbing repair measures for eligible households; and· debt relief for arrears, including arrears accrued prior to implementation of the program. The commissioner is required to coordinate the program with any existing assistance programs, and in developing the program, the commissioner is also required to review and consider adapting elements of one or more existing low-income energy assistance programs, including the Universal Service Fund and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The bill also establishes the "New Jersey Low Income Household Water Assistance Program Fund." The fund would be a non-lapsing fund to contain monies appropriated annually by the Legislature, federal and other grants received by the State, and any other monies made available to fund the water affordability assistance required to be provided in the bill. To participate in the program, each public utility, local authority, or municipal utility is required to enter into a vendor contract with the department, on a form and in such manner as determined by the commissioner, to provide assistance to eligible households. The bill requires the commissioner to submit an annual written report concerning the operations of the program to the Governor and to the Legislature, which is required to include information concerning: · the number of persons who applied for the program; · the number of persons who have been approved and denied for the program, respectively; · the number of public utilities, local authorities, and municipal utilities that have entered into a vendor contract, including the names of any such public utility, local authority, or municipal utility; and· the amount of funding that has been expended on the program, including administrative expenses and program assistance payments, respectively. The bill appropriates $25 million from the General Fund to the Department of Community Affairs to provide grants to effectuate the bill's provisions. | In Committee |
| S2736 | Replaces references to "alien" and "illegal alien" in statutes with "noncitizen" and "undocumented noncitizen," respectively; prohibits use of those terms by executive branch agencies. | This bill replaces the terms "alien" and "illegal alien" in the New Jersey statutes with the terms "foreign national" and "undocumented foreign national," respectively, when referring to a person in the context of the person's legal status. This bill removes from State law the language characterizing persons who are immigrants as "aliens" or "illegal aliens" and prohibits State Executive Branch agencies from using those terms in any proposed or final rule, regulation, interpretation, publication, or other document, display, or sign issued by the agency after the effective date of this bill, except to the extent that they are used in quoting or reproducing text written by a source other than an officer or employee of the agency. | In Committee |
| SR111 | Urges Congress to allow veterans to collect disability compensation without repaying separation payments. | This resolution respectfully urges Congress to allow veterans to collect disability compensation without repaying separation payments. Federal law prohibits veterans from receiving more than one award of compensation based on their service, commonly referred to as double-dipping. As a result, the Department of Veterans Affairs cannot award disability compensation to veterans who received separation payments from the Department of Defense after voluntarily or involuntarily separating from the U.S. military until the full separation payment is recouped. Recoupment can come as a surprise, because many veterans only learn about the federal government's policy on double-dipping after applying for disability benefits. Veterans are often thrown into sudden financial hardship when the Department of Veterans Affairs attempts to recoup separation payments. Some separated veterans are erroneously awarded disability compensation, and later learn their monthly compensation will be reduced or withheld after applying for a new disability rating. The Department of Veterans Affairs recouped more than $1.4 billion in total from over 72,000 veterans between 2013 and 2020. Members of Congress have previously introduced legislation that would eliminate the recoupment of separation pay from veterans who subsequently receive disability compensation, arguing that Department of Defense separation pay and Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation serve separate purposes and should not be subject to laws prohibiting double-dipping. This resolution respectfully urges the passage of that or similar legislation to eliminate recoupment of separation pay in order to protect disabled veterans from financial hardship. | In Committee |
| SJR33 | Designates March 16 as "Paws Healing Heroes Day" in New Jersey. | This joint resolution designates March 16 as "Paws Healing Heroes Day" in New Jersey. Service dogs play an important role in assisting veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), military sexual trauma, and seizure disorder. It is estimated that 29 percent of veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom may experience PTSD, and 28 percent of veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom may experience TBI. New Jersey has a current veteran population of over 300,000. However, despite federal law to expand the availability of service dogs to veterans, the training and placement of service dogs falls primarily upon community non-profit organizations that depend on charitable donations, such as Paws Healing Heroes of Glassboro. The average cost to rescue, train, and present a service dog to a veteran can be $3,000 to $5,000, which is not covered by insurance or other veterans' benefits. Designating "Paws Healing Heroes Day" will promote greater awareness of the unique role of service dogs in assisting veterans. | In Committee |
| SR86 | Urges United States Department of Veterans Affairs to establish inpatient hospital facility at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. | This Senate resolution urges the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to establish an inpatient hospital facility at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. The citizens of this nation and State are indebted to the sacrifice and heroism of all who have bravely served in the Armed Forces of the United States. In return for their sacrifices, this country has made a commitment to meeting the health care needs of veterans. As of 2023, 338,012 veterans live in New Jersey, with 119,200 of them residing in the southern counties of Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean, and Salem. Currently, there is no federal Department of Veterans Affairs inpatient hospital facility in southern New Jersey, making it necessary for veterans needing inpatient care to travel long distances to northern New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and Delaware. The East Orange Veterans Medical Center is the largest health care facility serving veterans from southern New Jersey, which is over two hours away from some veterans. In New Jersey, the average resident lives approximately 12 minutes away from the closest hospital, therefore, requiring veterans to travel multiple hours for medical care is unjust. Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is an ideal location for an inpatient hospital facility for veterans from southern New Jersey as it shortens the travel distance for these veterans. Additionally, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst provides a variety of other services to veterans, therefore, making trips to the base efficient and convenient for veterans and their families. It is fitting and appropriate for the State to take steps to ensure that our nation's promise of health care access is kept to the veterans of southern New Jersey. | In Committee |
| S3264 | Makes supplemental appropriation of $500,000 to DCA for NJ State Veterans Chamber of Commerce for veteran economic development and outreach and skills development. | Makes supplemental appropriation of $500,000 to DCA for NJ State Veterans Chamber of Commerce for veteran economic development and outreach and skills development. | In Committee |
| S2283 | "Psilocybin Behavioral Health Access and Services Act"; authorizes production and use of psilocybin to promote health and wellness. | "Psilocybin Behavioral Health Access and Services Act"; authorizes production and use of psilocybin to promote health and wellness. | In Committee |
| SJR133 | Designates October of each year as "Spina Bifida Awareness Month" in New Jersey. | This resolution designates October of each year as "Spina Bifida Awareness Month" in New Jersey. Spina bifida is a neural tube birth defect in which an area of the spinal column does not form properly, leaving a section of the spinal cord and spinal nerves exposed through an opening in the back. Neural tube defects are birth defects of the brain, spine, or spinal cord that happen in fetuses within the first month of pregnancy. Neural tube defects are linked to folic acid deficiency before and during pregnancy. Around 1,500 babies are born with spina bifida in the United States each year. The most recent New Jersey State Health Assessment Data on spina bifida reported that there are 152 New Jerseyans living with the medical condition. The severity of spina bifida can range from mild with no symptoms to severe with nerve damage. The exact cause of spina bifida is unknown. A combination of genetics and environmental factors is thought to be the main cause of the birth defect. Designating October of each year as "Spina Bifida Awareness Month" would provide New Jerseyans with an annual reminder on the effects that spina bifida has on individuals diagnosed with the birth defect. | 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 |
| 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 |
| S3639 | Establishes "Minority and Women-Owned Businesses State Contractor Remedies Act." | This bill establishes the "Minority and Women-Owned Businesses State Contractor Remedies Act," amends the "Set-Aside Act for Small Businesses, Female Businesses, and Minority Businesses," and repeals various sections of the statutory law. The "Minority and Women-Owned Businesses State Contractor Remedies Act" establishes a new process for determining preference in awarding State agency contracts. State agencies are required to develop a plan for the fiscal year following the effective date of the bill and each fiscal year thereafter to encourage minority and women-owned businesses to submit proposals and encourage the awarding of contracts to those businesses. The bill establishes contract utilization goals for all State agencies based on the New Jersey Disparity Study on the Availability and Utilization of Small, Minority, Women, and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses published in January of 2024. The State agency may adjust the percentages based on persuasive analysis that documents a statistically significant disparity between the availability and utilization of minority and women-owned businesses. In an effort to achieve the goals, the agency may establish bid criteria for contracts that result in a preference being afforded to minority and women-owned businesses. State agencies are required to make a good faith effort to attain the goals set forth in the bill. If the agency fails to make a good faith effort, a remedial action plan will be submitted to the Chief Diversity Officer. If it is determined by the Chief that the agency did not act in good faith to implement the remedial action plan within one year, the Chief may make the remedial action plan public to encourage implementation. If implementation still does not occur, the Chief may require that some or all of the agency's procurement be placed under the direction and control of another agency. Prime contractors are also required to make a good faith effort to attain the subcontractor goals set forth in the bill. Failure by a prime contractor to demonstrate a good faith effort may result in grounds for rejection of bids made by the prime contractor. The bill amends the "Set-Aside Act for Small Businesses, Female Businesses, and Minority Businesses" to only be applicable to small businesses by removing mentions of female and minority-owned businesses. The bill shifts chief, office, and departmental duties from the Chief of the Office of Small Business Assistance, the Office of Small Business Assistance, and the Department of Commerce and Economic Development to the Chief Diversity Officer, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and the Department of the Treasury. The bill changes the set-aside goals for small businesses from 15 percent to 25 percent and removes goals for minority and women-owned businesses. The bill establishes a goal that State agencies award at least 30 percent of their contracts to socially and economically disadvantaged businesses. The bill repeals the law establishing compliance calculations for contracting agencies awarding contracts to minority or women-owned businesses, P.L.1995, c.39 (C.52:32-22.1), and repeals the law establishing the goal of giving due consideration to veteran-owned businesses and the requirement that strategies be identified to expand the number of veteran-owned businesses interested in and eligible to benefit from State procurement, P.L.2011, c.147 (C.52:32-52). | 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 |
| SJR127 | Designates September 14 of each year "Latino Business Day" in New Jersey. | This resolution declares September 14 of each year as "Latino Business Day" in the State of New Jersey. Latino-owned businesses present an opportunity for intergenerational upward mobility and wealth accrual, with growing revenues among Latino owned businesses increasing the assets of subsequent generations. The rapid growth of this industry outpaces the growth of the overall Latino population, as well as the number of business created by other demographic groups. Each year, Latino owned businesses supply the American economy with $800 billion in revenues. The Latino community also represents a prominent consumer base and economic force, contributing $3.2 trillion to U.S. markets. Over the last ten years, Latino-owned businesses have grown ten times faster than white-owned businesses, experiencing a 57 percent growth rate, compared to five percent for non-Latino-owned firms. This rate has slowed in recent years but the trend of demographic outperformance persists; between 2020 and 2023, Latino-owned businesses noticed an 8.7 percent growth rate, against 5.6 percent for white-owned businesses. Latino-owned business are expected to occupy 20 percent of the national labor market in five years, and 29 percent by 2050. Latino entrepreneurs currently account for 17 percent of the U.S. workforce; the 4.7 million Latino-owned businesses in America employ 3.5 million workers across the country. Between 2007 and 2019, the number of jobs created by Latino owned businesses grew from 1.9 million to 2.9 million, a 53.6 percent growth rate. Researchers estimate that unemployment rates would have risen above 10 percent if not for Latino business creation. September 14 is National Support Latino Business Day, recognizing the contributions of Latino-owned businesses to the New Jersey economy as well their positive impact on communities. With this context in mind, it is in public interest to recognize the economic strength of Latino businesses on September 14. | In Committee |
| S2876 | Designates State Highway Route 42 and Interstate Highway Route 295 interchange as "Ensign John R. Elliott Memorial Interchange." | An Act designating the interchange between State Highway Route 42 and Interstate Highway Route 295 as the "Ensign John R. Elliott Memorial Interchange." | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S2344 | Limits availability of Child Care Facilities Improvement Program grants funded through Child Care Revitalization Act to licensed child care centers. | An Act making certain adjustments to child care funding and amending P.L.2021, c.144. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S2792 | Appropriates $500,000 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and "2009 Farmland Preservation Fund" to State Agriculture Development Committee for municipal planning incentive grants for farmland preservation purposes. | An Act appropriating $500,000 from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues and the "2009 Farmland Preservation Fund" to the State Agriculture Development Committee for municipal planning incentive grants for farmland preservation purposes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S2793 | Appropriates $1.723 million from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and "2009 Farmland Preservation Fund" to State Agriculture Development Committee for grants to certain nonprofit organizations for farmland preservation purposes. | An Act appropriating $1.723 million from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues and the "2009 Farmland Preservation Fund" to the State Agriculture Development Committee for grants to qualifying tax exempt nonprofit organizations for farmland preservation purposes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| SR106 | Encourages institutions of higher education to address lack of representation of Hispanic and Latino leadership in higher education. | This resolution encourages institutions of higher education in New Jersey and across the United States to address the lack of representation of Hispanic and Latino presidents of institutions of higher education. Colleges and universities in New Jersey and across the country have seen significant increases in enrollment of Hispanic and Latino undergraduate students in recent decades. Currently, approximately 20 percent of undergraduate students in the United States and approximately 25 percent of undergraduate students in New Jersey identify as Hispanic or Latino. However, while college enrollments increasingly reflect the rich diversity of this State and nation as a whole, the leadership in institutions of higher education does not. In 2023, only six percent of presidents of institutions of higher education in the United States identified as Hispanic or Latino and there is currently only one Latino president leading an institution of higher education in New Jersey. The lack of diverse leadership among institutions of higher education is of great concern as creating a leadership team that is reflective of the student body is critical to promoting inclusivity and belongingness among students, understanding students' diverse needs and interests, and ensuring students feel safe, seen, and heard. Thus, this resolution encourages institutions of higher education in New Jersey and across the United States to address the lack of representation of Hispanic and Latino leadership in higher education by establishing and expanding leadership development programs, enhancing the diversity of governing boards and search committees, and actively engaging with organizations dedicated to the advancement of Hispanic and Latino leaders in higher education0 . | 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 |
| S1292 | Establishes State definition of anti-Semitism; creates a public awareness campaign; appropriates $100,000. | Establishes State definition of anti-Semitism; creates a public awareness campaign; and appropriates $100,000. | In Committee |
| SCR81 | Proposes constitutional amendment to increase amount of veterans' property tax deduction from $250 to $2,500 over four years. | If approved by the voters of the State, this proposed constitutional amendment would increase the amount of the veterans' property tax deduction from the current $250 to $2,500. The increase would occur over four years. Veterans who are honorably discharged from active service in a branch of the United States Armed Forces qualify for the deduction. A qualified veteran's surviving spouse would receive the deduction after the qualified veteran dies. The amendment would increase the amount of the deduction to $1,000 in tax year 2025, $1,500 in tax year 2026, $2,000 in tax year 2027, and $2,500 in tax year 2028, and every tax year thereafter. The voters of the State last approved an increase in the amount of the deduction in 1999, from $50 to $250, over four years. The amount of the deduction has been $250 since 2003. | In Committee |
| S931 | Updates definition of veteran to include discharged LGBTQ veteran; requires DMVA develop review process for such veterans. | This bill updates the definition of veteran in various statutes to include discharged LGBTQ veterans. This bill also requires the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs (DMVA) to develop a review process for discharged LGBTQ veterans concerning lost benefits. An estimated 100,000 LGBTQ veterans were discharged from the military under less than honorable conditions from the start of World War II until the 2011 repeal of the military's 1993 "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Transgender veterans continued to be banned and discharged from service until the June 2016 Directive-Type Memorandum-16-005, issued by then-Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter, which was subsequently reversed by the March 2019 Directive-Type Memorandum-19-004, issued by Deputy Secretary of Defense David Norquist. These veterans lost their right to both state and federal benefits by being discharged under less than honorable conditions. This bill adds a definition of "discharged LGBTQ veteran" to various statutory definitions of "veteran." "Discharged LGBTQ veteran" means a veteran who was discharged less than honorably from military or naval service due to their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, or statements, consensual sexual conduct, or consensual acts relating to sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, or the disclosure of such statements, conduct, or acts that were prohibited by the Armed Forces of the United States at the time of discharge. The added definition, along with the addition of a DMVA review process for discharged LGBTQ veterans, will restore State benefits for those veterans. | In Committee |
| SJR89 | Commemorates 71st anniversary of armistice that ended Korean War. | Commemorates 71st anniversary of armistice that ended Korean War. | In Committee |
| SJR19 | Designates July 16 of each year as "Atomic Veterans Day" in New Jersey. | This resolution designates July 16 of each year as "Atomic Veterans Day" in New Jersey. Atomic Veterans are American military service members who participated in nuclear tests of atomic weapons between 1945 and 1962. They served with United States military forces in or around Hiroshima and Nagasaki through mid-1946, or were held as prisoners of war in or near Hiroshima or Nagasaki. Approximately 250,000 veterans of the United States, including residents of New Jersey, witnessed and participated in at least 235 atmospheric nuclear weapons tests. Many Atomic Veterans were prevented by secrecy laws or oaths from seeking medical care or disability compensation from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for conditions they may have developed as a result of radiation exposure. In 1996, the United States Congress repealed the Nuclear Radiation and Secrecy Agreements Act, freeing Atomic Veterans to describe their military involvement in nuclear testing and to file for VA benefits. Atomic Veterans patriotically served this country, meeting the needs of national defense during a critical period in history. This State designates July 16 of each year as Atomic Veterans Day to honor the important role Atomic Veterans played in the defense of our Nation. | In Committee |
| S2363 | Permits DMVA to receive voluntary contributions for veteran suicide prevention public service announcements. | This bill permits the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMAVA) to accept gifts, grants, donations from the public and private sectors for the purpose of public service announcements for the prevention of veteran suicide. Revenues received by the department will be deposited into a special nonlapsing fund maintained by the State Treasurer. | In Committee |
| S3188 | Makes supplemental appropriation of $500,000 to DMVA for New Jersey SOS Veterans Stakeholders Group. | Makes supplemental appropriation of $500,000 to DMVA for New Jersey SOS Veterans Stakeholders Group. | In Committee |
| S2855 | Extends eligibility for Military Dependents Scholarships to students enrolled in approved career and technical education programs and to dependents of certain military members who served in Operation Freedom's Sentinel and Operation Inherent Resolve. | This bill extends eligibility for Military Dependents Scholarships to students enrolled in approved career and technical education programs and to dependents of certain military members who served in Operation Freedom's Sentinel and Operation Inherent Resolve. P.L.2015, c.117 established Military Dependents Scholarships for the costs of undergraduate study at a public or independent institution of higher education to the spouse, child, or other eligible dependent of a New Jersey resident who is killed, officially listed as "Missing in Action" by the United States Department of Defense, or totally and permanently disabled as certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as a consequence of Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation New Dawn. As of November 2021, no scholarships have been awarded through this law. Additionally, the Military Dependents Scholarship Fund has not yet been established, as no State appropriations or private donations have been made for such fund. The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority will establish the fund when an initial appropriation or donation is received for the fund's purpose. This bill extends eligibility for Military Dependents Scholarships to students enrolled in a career and technical education program approved by the board of trustees of the Military Dependent Scholarship Fund. The bill updates the list of qualifying military engagements referenced in the law to include the most recent engagements, Operation Freedom's Sentinel and Operation Inherent Resolve. Several years have passed since the enactment of the law and no scholarships have been awarded in the intervening years. Accordingly, in the case of a spouse or other eligible dependent, the bill increases the eligibility period for a Military Dependents Scholarship from 15 years to 21 years from the date of death of the person, the date the person is officially listed as "Missing in Action," or the date upon which the person is certified to have been totally and permanently disabled for initial receipt of the program's benefits. Operation Noble Eagle officially began on September 12, 2001, and is the name given to military operations to support homeland security and support federal, State, and local agencies in the wake of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Operation Enduring Freedom, the official name for the Global War on Terrorism, began in October 2001. This operation primarily refers to the War in Afghanistan, although additional missions are included in the operation. Operation Enduring Freedom was completed in 2014. Subsequent operations in Afghanistan by the United States military were completed under the official name Operation Freedom's Sentinel. Operation Freedom's Sentinel was a coalition mission to train, advise, and assist Afghan National Defense and Security Forces and to conduct counterterrorism operations against the remnants of al Qaeda. Operation Iraqi Freedom began in 2003 with the invasion of Iraq by a United States led coalition which overthrew the Iraqi government of Saddam Hussein, and continued through 2011 as the collation forces fought an insurgency in Iraq. Operation Inherent Resolve, begun in 2014, is the name given to United States military and coalition forces united to support the Iraqi Security Force operations and to complete military campaigns in Iraq, Syria, and Libya. | In Committee |
| S3084 | Allows property tax rebate for disabled veterans. | This bill allows veterans with a service-connected disability to receive a property tax rebate from the State in proportion to the percentage of their service-connected disability. The bill provides property tax relief to veterans who have a disability rating of less than 100 percent total and permanent disability. Veterans who have a disability rating of 100 percent total and permanent disability are already exempt from paying property taxes. Veterans with a service-connected disability are assigned a disability rating from the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs. A disability rating may range from 0 percent to 100 percent. That rating will determine the percentage of property taxes paid that the veteran will be allowed as a rebate under this bill. Funding for the rebate allowed by this bill is dependent on annual appropriations by the Legislature. The bill caps the rebate at $5,000 and limits availability of the rebate to veterans with gross income of up to $200,000. | In Committee |
| S3435 | Requires official inspection facility employees covered by collective bargaining agreement to be offered employment following contract renewal; requires collective bargaining agreement to be binding in certain areas. | This bill amends current law to provide that during a contract renewal involving the operation of an official motor vehicle inspection facility existing employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement be the first to be offered employment to meet the staffing requirements of the new contract. Offers of employment to existing and new employees are required to include compensation and benefits packages that meet the requirements of any collective bargaining agreement that may be in place for the existing contract. Under the bill, in the event of a sale, transfer of assets including contracts, or in the event of a merger with another company, the collective bargaining agreement in effect at the time is binding on any and all successors and assigns, including all purchasers of any assets, contracts, or the business. The bill also provides that the collective bargaining agreement is binding on any and all corporations, partnerships, organizations, and sole proprietorships affiliated with or related to doing business under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement in effect. | In Committee |
| SR105 | Recognizes and celebrates April 10 as Dolores Huerta's birthday. | This Senate Resolution recognizes and celebrates April 10 as Dolores Huerta's birthday. Dolores Huerta, born on April 10, 1930, in New Mexico, became a significant figure in labor activism and the Chicano civil rights movement. Raised by her mother in California, Huerta experienced discrimination early in life, yet pursued an education and earned an associate teaching degree. Married twice to fellow activists and a mother of seven, Huerta co-founded the Community Service Organization (CSO) and later the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) with César Chávez, which evolved into the United Farm Workers' Union (UFW). Huerta was instrumental in organizing strikes, negotiating contracts for farm workers, and advocating for their rights, including leading boycotts that resulted in legislative changes, including the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975. Huerta continued her activism throughout the 1970s to 2000s, focusing on workers' rights and promoting Latino and women's representation in politics. Huerta, who coined the motto "Sí se puede," has received numerous honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012. At 94 years old, Huerta remains active in various organizations, including the Dolores Huerta Foundation advocating for feminist and labor issues, and her legacy continues to inspire social justice and workers' rights activism. | In Committee |
| S112 | Directs certain unclaimed electric and gas utility deposits in Unclaimed Utility Deposits Trust Fund and societal charge revenues be paid to Statewide nonprofit energy assistance organizations designated by BPU. | This bill requires that unclaimed property deposits from an electric or gas public utility (utility) in the Unclaimed Utility Deposits Trust Fund (trust fund) be paid to a Statewide nonprofit energy assistance organization (assistance organization) designated by the Board of Public Utilities (BPU). Further, the bill provides that for the State fiscal year starting on July 1, 2019, the BPU is to dedicate $2.5 million from available balances collected through the societal benefits charge to provide grants to be used exclusively for the payment of expenses associated with the restoration of electric or gas public utility service, or to prevent the termination of electric or gas public utility service provided to electric and gas public utility ratepayers seeking temporary assistance from a Statewide nonprofit energy assistance organization designated by the board following an open and competitive application process. Within 18 months of the effective date of the bill, the BPU is to issue a report to the Governor and Legislature on the utility assistance programs funded by money from the trust fund and the societal benefits charge and provide recommendations to maximize the availability and efficiency of the utility assistance programs. The report is to include, but not be limited to: 1) an evaluation of the total amount of money spent by the State on the utility assistance programs, the average amount of utility assistance received per household, the total number of applicants that apply for the utility assistance programs, including the total number of eligible recipients, information on why an applicant may have been denied utility assistance funds, the average income level of utility assistance program applicants, the number of applicants who are at risk of a termination of utility service or who were subject to a termination of utility service, the methods and procedures used to verify household income or hardship and eligibility, public awareness of the utility assistance programs throughout the State, outreach efforts to promote the utility assistance programs throughout the State, accessibility of locations to apply for the utility assistance programs throughout the State, best practices on administering similar utility assistance programs from other states, the processes used to verify how the funds are being used, and any other information that the board determines is relevant to the subject of this report; and 2) recommendations on how to streamline and administer the utility assistance programs to be more efficient, eliminate barriers to participation in the utility assistance programs, provide alternate methods for determining eligibility to expand access and maximize availability of the utility assistance programs to more eligible applicants, and increase outreach and awareness of the utility assistance programs. | In Committee |
| S1032 | Requires DHS and DCF to conduct study on service provider workforce, and to evaluate rates paid to, and assess cost of living adjustments for, service providers. | Requires DHS and DCF to conduct study on service provider workforce, and to evaluate rates paid to, and assess cost of living adjustments for, service providers. | In Committee |
| S3406 | Revises various provisions of the New Jersey Aspire Program. | This bill provides various changes to the New Jersey Aspire Program (Aspire Program), which is administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) and was enacted as part of the "New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020," P.L.2020, c.156 (C.34:1B-269 et al.). Under the Aspire Program, the EDA awards tax credits to the developers of certain redevelopment projects, which projects would not be economically feasible absent such subsidies, and which projects meet certain other requirements. In turn, these developers are required to comply with certain additional requirements concerning the development of these projects, including, but not limited to, the dedication of affordable housing in new residential projects. Government-restricted municipalities The bill revises the definition of "government-restricted municipality" to expand municipal eligibility to the municipalities of Newark, East Orange, Union City, Elizabeth, New Brunswick, Camden, Vineland, Bridgeton, and Lakewood, in addition to Paterson, Trenton, and Atlantic City. Net benefits analysis and final award certification A developer of a redevelopment project applying for an award of tax credits from the EDA is required to demonstrate that providing public assistance to the project will result in a net positive benefit to the State. Currently, the EDA requires each applicant to demonstrate a net positive benefit to the State of 160 percent of the credit amount. Under current law, certain redevelopment projects, including those located within government-restricted municipalities, may be approved at the authority's discretion while having a net positive economic benefit that is as much as 35 percent less than the standard applied to projects in other locations. This bill would extent this allowance to provide that the EDA may approve projects located in government-restricted municipalities that demonstrate a net positive benefit to the State of up to 50 percentage points less than the standard requirement. As a result, these projects could be eligible for approval by demonstrating a net positive benefit that is 110 percent of the credit amount. The bill also removes a provision of law that requires the EDA to reduce the overall award of tax credits to a redevelopment project if it is determined, at the time of project certification, that the actual project financing gap is less than the amount initially approved by the EDA. Option of prevailing wages or a project labor agreement Under current law, workers employed to perform construction work at redevelopment projects are required to be paid no less than the prevailing wage for the worker's craft or trade, as determined by the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development. The bill provides that a developer of a residential redevelopment project may be exempt from this requirement if the developer has negotiated and executed a project labor agreement to provide certain wage protections. Utility authorities and connection fees for redevelopment projects Under current law, county, regional, and municipal utility authorities are required to provide reductions in connection fees for new connections to the water system and sewerage system for certain projects, including public housing authorities, non-profit organizations building affordable housing projects, and any other affordable housing projects. The bill extends this provision of law to require county, regional, and municipal utility authorities to provide the same reductions in connection fees for the developers of redevelopment projects under the Aspire Program. Phased tax abatement for redevelopment projects The bill also provides for tax exemptions on the improvements from redevelopment projects. Under the bill, for the first five years after a project receives a permanent certificate of occupancy, no tax would be imposed on the improvements on the property. However, the land on which the project is located would continue to be taxed during the first five years. Following the initial five-year period, the developer would be required to enter into an agreement to pay annual payments in lieu of taxation to the municipality for an additional five-year period. Over the course of this five-year period, the payments by the developer of the project shall increase by 20 percent annually. | In Committee |
| S2533 | Makes supplemental appropriation of $15 million to DMVA for New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Foundation for facilities expansion. | This bill provides a supplemental appropriation of $15 million from the General Fund to the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs for the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Foundation for the purpose of providing financial assistance to complete facilities expansion, consisting of an additional 11,850 square feet for the Vietnam Era Museum. The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Foundation commemorates New Jersey service members who served in Vietnam and their families through storytelling that enhances public understanding of the Vietnam War Era. The Foundation serves over 10,000 New Jersey students annually. The expansion would help the Foundation obtain critical accreditation and recognition from national bodies and public audiences, acquire State-of-the-art equipment to care for museum artifacts, and deliver a premier educational experience that would attract volunteers, tourists, and revenues to the museum and the State. | In Committee |
| S638 | Reduces NJ Legislature Youth Council residency requirement for certain military children from 15 years to 6 months. | Under current law, to be a member of the New Jersey Legislative Youth Council, a person must be a resident of New Jersey for at least 15 years, among other requirements. This bill removes the 15-year residency requirement for military children, and instead requires a minimum residency of six consecutive months for a military child. "Military child" is defined in the bill to mean a child of a full-time service member who is on active duty with the Armed Forces of the United States, whether the child is related by blood, marriage, or adoption. | In Committee |
| S1059 | Establishes Law Enforcement Critical Mental Health Assistance Grant Program; appropriates $3 million. | Due to the nature of law enforcement work, with its associated risks, danger, and stress, law enforcement officers face a high probability of developing post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental illnesses. Law enforcement officers commonly feel that disclosure of mental illness will result in negative professional consequences up to and including job loss, creating a culture in which officers often do not divulge mental health struggles and do not seek appropriate and necessary treatment. Family members of law enforcement officers often face unique stressors related to their loved ones' employment and may have an elevated need for mental health services. To address these concerns, the bill establishes the Law Enforcement Critical Mental Health Assistance Grant Program in the Department of Human Services. The purpose of the program is to award grants to mental health providers to provide confidential mental health services to law enforcement officers or family members of the law enforcement officers who are in a mental health crisis or suicidal. Under the bill, the Commissioner of Human Services is required to develop an application by which a mental health provider may apply for a grant for funding to provide mental health services pursuant to the provisions of the bill. The commissioner is required to establish selection criteria for the awarding of grants under the program. The bill provides that consideration is to be given to the geographical location of mental health providers and the areas where they provide services in order to facilitate patients traveling less than one hour to receive mental health services, to the greatest extent possible. Under the bill, the commissioner is to provide notice of the availability of funding for this program and make the application available on the department's Internet website. Upon receipt of an application, the commissioner is required to review the application and, subject to the availability of funds, award a grant to each approved grant applicant. Additionally, under the bill, the commissioner is required to publish a list of approved mental health providers on the department's Internet website. | In Committee |
| S3216 | Expands NJT Access Link paratransit service area to include certain veterans health care facilities; appropriates $1 million. | This bill requires the New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJ Transit) to expand its Access Link paratransit service area to include every health care facility operated by the United States Veterans Health Administration in the State (i.e., veterans health care facility). Under the federal "Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990," any public entity that operates a fixed route, public transportation system is required to provide complementary, origin-to-destination paratransit service for persons with a disability. In compliance with this requirement, NJ Transit currently makes available Access Link paratransit service. As required under federal law, Access Link service is generally made available for origins and destinations that are located within a three-quarter mile radius of NJ Transit's existing bus routes and light rail stations. Notably, this bill requires NJ Transit to make available Access Link paratransit service to and from every veterans health care facility, regardless of whether the facility is located within the minimum paratransit service area required under federal law. Specifically, the bill requires NJ Transit to expand the Access Link service area to include any origins and destinations within: (1) a radius of 1.5 miles around each veterans health care facility; and (2) a width of 1.5 miles on each side of the most direct route connecting each veterans health care facility to NJ Transit's closest existing fixed bus route or light rail station. However, this expanded service area would not include any origins or destinations in which NJ Transit does not have the legal authority to operate paratransit service. Under the bill, NJ Transit would also be prohibited from entering into any contract, or exercising any option to extend an existing contract, concerning the provision of Access Link service by a paratransit service provider unless the contract or option complies with the requirements of this bill. The bill also appropriates $1,000,000 from the General Fund to NJ Transit to defray any costs incurred in the implementation of this bill. | In Committee |
| S3217 | Provides tax credits equal to cost of Jersey Fresh products purchased by breweries and wineries to be used in production of beer or wine. | This bill provides tax credits to the owners and operators of breweries and wineries for purchases of Jersey Fresh products. The amount of the credit would be equal to the amount paid to purchase commodities from a Jersey Fresh Quality Grading Program licensee to be used in the production of beer or wine. The value of the credits allowed under the bill would not exceed $10,000. To qualify for the credit, a taxpayer would be required to attach receipts for sales of the commodities purchased by the taxpayer during the tax year or tax period, documentation from the Department of Agriculture verifying that the commodities were purchased from a Jersey Fresh Quality Grading Program licensee, and a signed affidavit stating that the commodities were purchased for business use. | In Committee |
| S3218 | Prohibits electric and gas public utilities from collecting payment from residential budget billing plan customers whose service was interrupted as a result of major emergency event. | This bill directs the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to prohibit any electric or gas public utility (utility) from charging a residential customer (customer) for electric or gas utility service who participates in a budget billing plan offered by the utility, as provided by any BPU rule or regulation, if the customer incurred a service interruption due to the customer having sustained damage to the customer's residence from the effects of a "major emergency event," as that term is defined in the bill, until such time service is restored. This prohibition does not extend to any utility collecting from a customer, pursuant to law, payment for utility service rendered prior to the date of the major emergency event. | In Committee |
| S1324 | Establishes "Remote Methadone Dosing Pilot Program;" appropriates $225,000. | This bill establishes the Remote Methadone Dosing Pilot Program in the Department of Human Services (DHS). The goal of the program will be: to increase the compliance of, and reduce the costs of providing, medication assisted treatment provided by participating opioid treatment programs (OTP) through the use of remote methadone dosing; to evaluate the effect remote methadone dosing has on patient outcomes and cost-savings in the treatment of opioid use disorder; and to develop any recommendations for legislative or regulatory action concerning whether remote methadone dosing should be implemented in opioid treatment programs in this State. The bill defines "remote methadone dosing" to mean the use of telehealth and telemedicine to remotely monitor a patient's methadone-based treatment, which treatment is administered in the form of take-home doses of methadone. Under this bill, the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services in the DHS will select one OTP each from the cities of Atlantic City, Camden, and Paterson to participate in the program. In accordance with applicable federal and State laws and when clinically appropriate, each OTP participating in the pilot program will be authorized to utilize remote methadone dosing to treat a patient who is receiving methadone-based treatment and is eligible to receive take-home doses of methadone. In treating patients using remote methadone dosing, participating OTPs will utilize a provider of an online-enabled technology application, service, website, or system that facilitates remote methadone dosing approved by the department. Under no circumstances will the State or an opioid treatment program require that a patient participate in the pilot program. Each participating OTP will be required to annually report to the department information on patient outcomes and cost-savings as a result of the pilot program, including information on: the number of patients treated using remote methadone dosing; treatment compliance; the average time each patient spends being treated using remote methadone dosing; patient retention; any realized reduction in medical transportation costs; and any other information the department deems relevant in evaluating the effectiveness of the pilot program. The bill requires DHS, no later than four years after the date the program is established, to prepare and submit to the Governor and Legislature a report that includes: an analysis on the impact of the pilot program on patient outcomes and cost-savings using the information received from participating OTPs; any recommendations for legislative or regulatory action concerning the potential expansion of remote methadone dosing in OTPs in this State; and any other information the department deems relevant in evaluating the effectiveness of the pilot program The bill is appropriates $225,000 from the General Fund to the DHS. The department will then issue a grant in the amount of $75,000 to each participating OTP to effectuate the provisions of the bill. | 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 |
| S1060 | Requires public schools to develop policy for emergency administration of nasal seizure rescue medication and use of manual vagus nerve stimulators on students with seizure disorders. | This bill requires a board of education to develop a policy in accordance with the guidelines established by the Department of Education for the emergency administration of nasal seizure rescue medication and the emergency use of a manual vagus nerve stimulator on a student with a seizure disorder. Pursuant to the policy, the school nurse is to have the primary responsibility for the administration of nasal seizure rescue medication. The certified school nurse is required to designate at least two additional employees of the school district who volunteer to administer the nasal seizure rescue medication and use a manual vagus nerve stimulator on a student when the school nurse is not physically present at the scene. The certified school nurse is required to determine that:· the designees have been properly trained;· the parents of the student consent in writing to the administration of the nasal seizure rescue medication and use of a manual vagus nerve stimulator by the designees;· the parents are informed in writing that the district and its employees have no liability as a result of any injury arising from the administration of the nasal seizure rescue medication and the use of a manual vagus nerve stimulator; and· the parents sign a statement acknowledging their understanding that the district has no liability as a result of any injury arising from the administration of the nasal seizure rescue medication and the use of a manual vagus nerve stimulator. The policy developed by the school district is to require: (1) the transportation of the student to a hospital emergency room by emergency services personnel after the administration of the nasal seizure rescue medication, and if indicated in the emergency action plan after the use of a manual vagus nerve stimulator. The student is to be evaluated and receive medical clearance in order to return to school; (2) an alternative plan in the case that a student's seizure action plan does not permit the administration of nasal seizure rescue medication or the use of a manual vagus nerve stimulator by a designee; and (3) the parent to provide an ample supply of the prescribed nasal seizure rescue medication to the school nurse and to the designees. Alternatively, if provided for in the seizure action plan, the nasal seizure rescue medication may be permitted to be carried on the student's person. The Department of Education, in consultation with the Department of Health, appropriate medical experts, and professional organizations representing school nurses, principals, and teachers, is required to establish and disseminate to each board of education guidelines for the development of a policy by a school district for the emergency administration of nasal seizure rescue medication and the use of a manual vagus nerve stimulator on students. The Departments of Education and Health are also required to jointly develop protocols, in consultation with the New Jersey State School Nurses Association, for the training of additional school employees as volunteer designees to administer the nasal seizure rescue medication and use a manual vagus nerve stimulator when the school nurse is not physically present. The bill requires the Department of Education to take appropriate action to ensure that each school district incorporates age-appropriate education on epilepsy and seizure disorders, consistent with the classroom education programs developed by the Epilepsy Foundation of America, at least once between kindergarten and third grade and at least once between grades six and 12. The bill will take effect on the first day of the 12th month next following the date of enactment, except that the Department of Education may take anticipatory administrative action to implement the bill's provisions. This delayed effective date will allow time for the development of training protocols for school employees designated by the certified school nurse to administer the nasal seizure rescue medication or use the manual vagus nerve stimulator when the school nurse is not present. | In Committee |
| S3112 | Requires Attorney General to establish Statewide gun buyback program. | This bill requires the Attorney General to establish a Statewide gun buyback program that allows citizens of this State to voluntarily and anonymously surrender firearms and weapons in their possession in exchange for a reward. The form and amount of the reward, such as cash or debit card, is to be determined by the Attorney General. Under the Statewide gun buyback program, the Attorney General is required to hold at least three gun buyback programs a year throughout the State. The bill requires one gun buyback program to be held in the northern region, one program to be held in the central region, and one program to be held in the southern region of the State, and provides that of those three programs at least one is to be held in an urban area with a high crime rate as determined by the most recent issue of the Uniform Crime Report published by the Department of Law and Public Safety. The bill directs the Attorney General to partner with local law enforcement agencies and community organizations in coordinating gun buyback events when possible. The bill provides for the gun buyback program to be funded by: forfeiture funds received by the Attorney General as instrumentalities of crime; private donations from corporations, small businesses, and individuals; and any other monies that may be available to the Attorney General. The bill allows a corporation business tax credit and gross income tax credit for private donations to the program, equal to 25 percent of the fair market value of the taxpayers qualified contribution to the gun buyback program, not to exceed a cumulative total of $2 million in any calendar year, and upon approval of the taxpayer's application by the Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury and the Attorney General. The bill provides for the tax credits to become available for privilege periods and taxable years beginning on or after the January 1 next following the date of enactment. | In Committee |
| S3115 | Requires adult day health care facilities to establish hybrid model for provision of adult day health care services under certain circumstances. | This bill stipulates that the Department of Human Services (DHS) is to require every adult day health care services facility in the State licensed by the DHS to establish a hybrid model which allows for the provision of services to an adult day health care beneficiary when the beneficiary is unable to receive such services in person. Specifically, the bill mandates that an adult day health care services facility is to allow for the provision of services to an adult day health care beneficiary under the following circumstances: (1) as a result of a hospitalization or an illness or injury to the beneficiary, or a hospitalization, an illness or injury, or a personal issue involving the beneficiary's caregiver that would prevent the beneficiary from receiving in person adult day health care services; (2) in order to prevent an infectious disease outbreak or to reduce the risk of spread of disease to beneficiaries receiving in person adult day health care services; or (3) any other reason that may prevent a beneficiary from receiving in person adult day health care services. The bill further requires that the services offered by an adult day health care facility to an adult day health care beneficiary is: (1) to be provided through the use of telehealth; (2) to include, but not be limited to, clinical assessment, preventive, diagnostic, nursing, dietary, meal delivery, pharmaceutical, social work, therapeutic, rehabilitative, and habilitative services; (3) to be documented in the beneficiary's plan of care; and (4) not to be provided to any beneficiary in excess of the facility's licensed capacity. As used in the bill, "telehealth" means the use of information and communications technologies, including telephones, remote patient monitoring, or other electronic means, to support the provision of adult day health care services to an adult day health care beneficiary when the beneficiary is unable to receive such services in person. The bill's provisions specify that an adult day health care facility seeking reimbursement for the provision of services under the hybrid model is to: (1) include information on the scope and type of services provided to an adult day health care beneficiary on the prior authorization request form submitted by the facility to the DHS in accordance with N.J.A.C.10:164-1.3 for each beneficiary to whom the facility provides such services; and (2) be reimbursed for remote services provided under the hybrid model at the same contracted rate charged by the facility for all other adult day health care services a beneficiary receives from the facility. | In Committee |
| S3117 | Applies certain public contract bid threshold amounts to pay to play and prevailing wage laws. | This bill would revise the threshold amounts under the pay-to-play and prevailing wage laws for local contracting units and county colleges to make them the same as the threshold amount under the applicable local public contracting laws. The bill would also revise the threshold amount under the prevailing wage law for boards of education to make it the same as the threshold amount under the public school contracting law. Under current law, the governing bodies of counties, municipalities, and other contracting units subject to the "Local Public Contracts Law," P.L.1971, c.198 (C.40A:11-1 et seq.) may award contracts below a certain dollar amount without public advertising for bids. The statutory bid threshold is $17,500, however, a contracting unit that has appointed a "qualified purchasing agent" (QPA), can set the bid threshold at up to $25,000, or the adjusted amount set by the Governor every five years to account for inflation. The Governor's adjusted threshold amount currently allows contracting units that have appointed a QPA to set the bid threshold at up to $40,000. Current law with regard to county colleges provides that such colleges may award contracts without public advertising for bids if the contract amount is below $25,000 or, if the contract is made, negotiated, and awarded by a contracting agent, at the adjusted amount set by the Governor every five years to account for inflation. The Governor's adjusted threshold amount currently allows county colleges to set the bid threshold at up to $35,000 for these contracts. Current law with regard to boards of education provides that such boards may award contracts without public advertising for bids if the contract amount is below $17,500, however, a board of education that has appointed a QPA, can set the bid threshold at up to $25,000. A board of education may adopt higher threshold amounts set by the Governor every five years to account for inflation. The Governor's adjusted threshold amount currently allows boards of education to set the bid threshold at up to $29,000, and boards of education with a QPA at up to $40,000. The pay-to-play laws require contracts above $17,500 to be awarded pursuant to a fair and open process. The "New Jersey Prevailing Wage Act" stipulates the payment of prevailing wage rates for workers on construction projects that are subsidized by public funds of over $2,000, in the case of counties, county colleges, and boards of education, and an amount over $15,444, in the case of municipalities. The bill revises these pay-to-play and prevailing wage threshold amounts for contracting units and county colleges to be consistent with the applicable local public contract threshold amounts, and revises the prevailing wage threshold amount for boards of education to be consistent with the applicable local public contract threshold amounts. | In Committee |
| S3105 | Establishes "Succeed in New Jersey" student loan reimbursement program for certain New Jersey residents employed in designated fields. | This bill would establish the "Succeed in New Jersey" student loan reimbursement program within the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA). The purpose of the program is to alleviate the burden of student loan debt for recent college graduates who are residents of New Jersey and are employed in certain fields designated as eligible for the program by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Loan reimbursement under the program will be used to reimburse an applicant for a portion of his student loan payments under a federal or New Jersey student loan program for a maximum period of three years. To be eligible to receive loan reimbursement under the program, an applicant must: (1) be a resident of New Jersey and have resided in the State for at least 3 months; (2) be a United States citizen or eligible noncitizen; (3) have earned an undergraduate degree in or after December 2014; (4) apply for the program within four years of obtaining an undergraduate degree; (5) have an outstanding student loan balance under a federal or New Jersey student loan program; (6) be employed in one of the designated fields with a primary work location in New Jersey; and (7) have an income that does not exceed 500 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. Under the program, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development will designate up to five fields of employment that qualify an eligible applicant for student loan reimbursement. Each field must meet at least one of the following criteria: (1) the field currently has an unmet workforce need in the State; or (2) the field provides a public good or benefit to the citizens of the State and is a low wage field. Every three years, the department will conduct a reassessment of the eligible fields of employment under the program. The amount of a loan reimbursement award for an eligible applicant will be determined by a sliding scale based on income, as follows: (1) up to $6,000 in loan reimbursement per year for an eligible applicant with an income that is less than or equal to 300 percent of the federal poverty guidelines; (2) up to $4,000 in loan reimbursement per year for an eligible applicant with an income that is greater than 300 percent but less than or equal to 400 percent of the federal poverty guidelines; and (3) up to $2,000 in loan reimbursement per year for an eligible applicant with an income that is greater than 400 percent but less than or equal to 500 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. The bill caps total State expenditures for student loan reimbursement awards under the program at $10 million per year. As a condition of continued participation in the program for a maximum period of three years, a program participant must maintain residency in the State and remain current with payments on student loans. Participants also must submit documentation each year to HESAA verifying their employment and income. The bill requires HESAA to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature three years after the establishment of the "Succeed in New Jersey" program and every three years thereafter. The report will include information on the total number of participants receiving loan reimbursement under the program; the number of participants employed in each of the eligible fields under the program; and the total amount of loan reimbursement awards issued under the program each year. | In Committee |
| S3104 | Establishes offense of harassing, intimidating, or bullying minor; establishes diversionary program for juveniles charged with offense. | This bill establishes the offense of harassing, intimidating, or bullying a minor and establishes a diversionary program for juveniles who are charged with this offense. The provisions of the bill provide that a person commits the offense of harassment, intimidation, or bullying a minor if the person, through any gesture, written, verbal, or physical act, or any electronic communication, whether it be a single incident or a series of incidents, communicates with a minor: · with the purpose to physically or emotionally harm the minor, damage the minor's property, or place a minor in fear of physical or emotional harm to the minor's person or damage to the minor's property because of the minor's race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, or ethnicity; or · knowing that the communication would physically or emotionally harm the minor, damage the minor's property, or place the minor in fear of physical or emotional harm to the minor's person or damage to the minor's property because of the minor's race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, or ethnicity. Under the bill, harassing, intimidating, or bullying a minor is a disorderly persons offense, unless a minor is adjudicated for an act that, if committed by an adult would constitute the offense, in which case the minor is guilty of a petty disorderly offense. In addition, any adult or juvenile who commits an offense is subject to a fine of up to $100 for a first offense and a fine of up to $250 for each subsequent offense. The bill establishes a presumption that a complaint against a minor who commits an offense of harassing, intimidating, or bullying a minor is to be diverted. If the offense was committed in a jurisdiction in which there is an existing applicable restorative and transformative justice program, the matter is to be diverted to the restorative justice hub. The bill provides that where a complaint against a juvenile alleges that the juvenile has committed an offense that, if committed by an adult, constitutes an "eligible offense involving harassment, intimidation, or bullying" as defined in the bill and the court approves diversion of the complaint, the resolution of the complaint would include participation in a remedial education or counseling program if the juvenile is amenable to participation in such a program, and a program is available in the area where the juvenile resides. Also, if appropriate, the court may permit the juvenile to participate in a self-guided awareness program in lieu of a remedial education or counseling program provided that it satisfies the bill's requirements. A remedial education or counseling program satisfies the bill's requirements if the program is designed to increase the juvenile's awareness of: · the legal consequences and penalties for harassing, intimidating, or bullying a minor, including applicable federal and State statutes;· the non-legal consequences of harassing, intimidating, or bullying a minor including, but not limited to, the effect on relationships, loss of educational and employment opportunities, and being barred or removed from school programs and extracurricular activities;· the potential of long-term and unforeseen consequences for harassing, intimidating, or bullying a minor; and· the possible connection between cyber-bullying and harassing, intimidating, or bullying a minor. | In Committee |
| S3114 | Establishes certification program for zoning officers and land use board administrators. | This bill would professionalize the positions of zoning officer and land use board administrator by establishing a certification program for the positions. A zoning officer is defined in the bill as the designated administrative officer in the Municipal Land Use Law authorized to issue permits, certificates, or authorizations under that statute. The land-use development process in New Jersey is extremely complicated as governed by the Municipal Land Use Law and a myriad of other local laws and State statutes. However, currently, an individual may assume the position of zoning officer or land use board administrator in a municipality without any background or experience. This absence of threshold requirements for these important municipal positions stands in stark contrast to other essential municipal positions, such as municipal clerk, municipal finance officer, tax assessor, tax collector, construction code official and subcode officials, registrar, and public works manager, where State certifications are required. In addition, in some circumstances, individuals assume responsibilities in more than one municipality, resulting in potential conflicts that make it difficult or impossible for the individual to satisfactorily perform duties in multiple employments. By establishing minimum qualifications for employment as a zoning officer or land use board administrator and by subjecting those seeking multiple employments to independent scrutiny and control, the municipalities and residents of this State will be better served. The bill will benefit both an applicant and the municipality by ensuring that the officers responsible for managing land-use development have the skills, knowledge and time necessary to effectively implement local zoning and development ordinances. The end result will be a more predictable and reliable process Statewide. Under the bill, after a transition period of at least two years, a person would not be appointed, reappointed, or continue to serve as a zoning officer, or land use board administrator, unless that person has been issued a zoning officer or land use board administrator certificate by the Department of Community Affairs. The Commissioner of Community Affairs would be required to establish a certification program for zoning officers and land use board administrators within six months of the effective date of the bill. The bill would establish minimum standards for applicants seeking certification, including: at least 21 years of age, United States Citizenship, good moral character, and a high school diploma or its equivalent. An application for certification would also have to demonstrate completion of at least two years of education at a college of recognized standing, or in lieu thereof, relevant work experience, as well as completion of a course of study in planning and zoning administration and enforcement. The bill would also allow the commissioner to establish additional requirements for certification that the commissioner determines to be reasonable and appropriate to further the professionalism of the positions of zoning officer and land use board administrator. The bill provides that the commissioner would establish standards for curriculum and administration of the course of study in planning and zoning administration and in conjunction with the New Jersey Association of Planning and Zoning Administrators, the New Jersey Planning Officials, the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, and the Center for Government Services at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Certification would require at least 40 hours of instruction designed to prepare an individual to perform the duties of a zoning officer and at least 30 hours of instruction designed to prepare an individual to perform the duties of land use board administrator, including coursework on:· The technical knowledge and skills necessary to for effective interpretation and enforcement of municipal zoning ordinances and applications for development;· The Municipal Land Use Law;· The content and structure of zoning ordinances;· The content and structure of master plans;· Site plan and subdivision review, including technical aspects of plan review, administrative processing requirements, planning and engineering terminology;· Ethical obligations;· Record keeping and requirements for public access to records; and· For the zoning officer, practical issues, including enforcement actions, conducting site inspections and compliance options. At the completion of each course, examinations would be administered to determine if the enrollee has attained a satisfactory level of knowledge. At the completion of the course of study, certificate candidates would be required to take and pass a State exam. Zoning officer and land use board administrator certificates would be valid for three years from the date of issuance, and could be renewed for additional three-year periods if the applicant complies with continuing education requirements. Applicants for certifications and for renewals would pay a $50 fee. The bill will also require the Commissioner of Community Affairs to maintain a registry of zoning officer and land use board administrator certificate holders and make access to the registry available on the Department of Community Affairs website. The bill would prohibit a person from accepting an appointment or reappointment as a zoning officer or land use board administrator without first notifying the commissioner of the appointment or reappointment. If the prospective appointee serves as a zoning officer or land use board administrator in any other municipality or also serves as a construction official or subcode official in the appointing municipality or in any other municipality, the appointee would be required to notify the commissioner of the terms, conditions, and duties associated with each appointment. The commissioner would be empowered to determine that an individual is unable to fulfill the terms, conditions, and duties of the municipal employments. The commissioner would be authorized to enter into discussions and agreements with the employing municipalities and the individual in order to ensure that the employment of a zoning officer does not result in understaffing in a municipality due to competing obligations of the individual. The bill would empower the commissioner to revoke or suspend a zoning officer or land use board administrator certificate, after due notice and a proper hearing, if the holder thereof engaged in dishonest practices, or willful or intentional failure, neglect, or refusal to comply with the Constitution of the State of New Jersey or laws relating to the duties of the zoning officer or land use board administrator, or for other good cause. If a zoning officer certificate or land use board administrator certificate is revoked, the person would be removed from office by the commissioner, the office would be declared vacant, and the person would not be eligible to hold that office, nor make application for recertification, for a period of five years from the date of revocation. The bill does not impact or override civil service requirements and procedures, nor does it supersede the appointing authority of municipalities for the positions of zoning officer and land use board administrator. | In Committee |
| S3110 | Establishes program to provide free tuition under State Tuition Aid Grant Program to certain students who are accepted to public four-year institutions of higher education and elect to attend county college for first two years. | This bill establishes the Two to Four Tuition Free Students Program within the State Tuition Aid Grant Program. The program will provide free tuition to certain students who are accepted for admission to a four-year public institution of higher education, qualify for tuition aid grants, and elect to attend a county college for the first two years of their undergraduate education. A grant for an eligible student under the program will cover the full cost of tuition for two years at a county college to complete an associate degree and two years at a four-year public institution of higher education to complete a baccalaureate degree. In order to be eligible to participate in the Two to Four Tuition Free Students Program, a student must meet the following criteria: (1) be accepted for admission as a full-time undergraduate student at a four-year public institution of higher education; (2) be eligible to receive a State tuition aid grant pursuant to N.J.S.18A:71B-18 et seq., and apply for all available State and federal student grants and scholarships for which the student is eligible; (3) elect to complete the first two years of the student's undergraduate education at the New Jersey county college serving the student's county of residence; (4) defer admission at the four-year public institution of higher education for a period of two years; and (5) have a New Jersey Eligibility Index under the State Tuition Aid Grant Program that does not exceed 2499. The bill requires a four-year public institution of higher education to grant a deferment for two years to a student who has been accepted for admission to the institution and who participates in the Two to Four Tuition Free Students Program. All academic credits earned at the county college by a program participant will be fully transferrable and credited as the first two years of a baccalaureate degree program at the four-year institution. In addition, the bill allows independent institutions of higher education to elect to participate in the program. In the case of an eligible student who is accepted to a participating independent institution, the grant will cover the full cost of tuition for two years at a county college, and for the two subsequent years the grant amount will equal the average cost of attendance at the four-year public institutions of higher education in each year of attendance. The independent institution may charge the student for the cost of tuition in excess of the grant amount. The bill provides that any monies the State saves under the Tuition Aid Grant Program as a result of students participating in the Two to Four Tuition Free Students Program will be reinvested in the Tuition Aid Grant Program in order to expand the population of students who are eligible to participate in the Two to Four Tuition Free Students Program. The bill also requires the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to submit a report annually to the Governor and the Legislature on the program, which will include the number of students participating in the program, the graduation rate of participants, information on student outcomes, and the amount of any cost savings realized by the State as a result of students participating in the program. | In Committee |
| S3108 | Applies local public contract bid threshold amounts to local pay to play and prevailing wage laws. | An unintended consequence of two bodies of law, the "Pay to Play" laws, P.L.2004, c.19 and P.L.2005, c.271 (C.19:44A-20.4 et al) and the "New Jersey Prevailing Wage Act," P.L.1963, c.150 (C.34:11-56.25 et seq.) is to make it difficult for small, local businesses to contract with municipalities and counties. These bodies of law impose requirements and costs on businesses which contract with public entities for relatively modest dollar amounts. The threshold dollar amounts set under these laws is lower than the bid threshold amounts authorized under the "Local Public Contracts Law." Under current law, the governing bodies of counties, municipalities, and other contracting units subject to the "Local Public Contracts Law" (LPCL) may authorize a purchasing agent or other employee to award contracts below a certain dollar amount without public advertising for bids. The statutory bid threshold is $17,500, however, a contracting unit that has appointed a "qualified purchasing agent" (QPA), can set the bid threshold at a higher amount. The statute provides that a contracting unit with a QPA can set the bid threshold at up to $25,000, which amount is adjusted by the Governor every five years to account for inflation. The Governor's adjusted threshold amount currently allows contracting units that have appointed a QPA to set the bid threshold at up to $44,000. The pay-to-play laws require contracts above $17,500 to be awarded pursuant to a fair and open process. The "New Jersey Prevailing Wage Act" stipulates the payment of prevailing wage rates for workers on construction projects that are subsidized by public funds of over $2,000, in the case of counties, and an amount below $17,500, in the case of municipalities. The bill also removes certain provisions added by P.L.2023, c.30 which would no longer be necessary under this bill. This bill amends the threshold amounts under the pay to play and prevailing wage laws to make them the same as the amount applicable to the contract under the LPCL. | In Committee |
| SJR106 | Establishes "New Jersey Domestic Violence and Legal Access Task Force." | This joint resolution establishes the "New Jersey Domestic Violence and Legal Access Task Force" for the purpose of studying the nature, extent and consequences of unmet legal needs of State residents in domestic violence matters. The task force established under the bill is to be comprised of have 16 members. The task force is required to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature within 18 months of its organization. The membership of the commission consists of: (1) two public members appointed by the Governor, one of whom is a representative of a pro bono program organized by a law firm located in the State, and one of whom is a State resident who has been a pro se litigant who has appeared as a plaintiff in a domestic violence matter in the New Jersey State courts; (2) two public members appointed by the Governor upon recommendation of the President of the Senate, one of whom is the representative of a non-profit organization dedicated to the services and assistance of victims of domestic violence and one of whom is a State licensed and certified family law attorney; (3) two public members appointed by the Governor upon recommendation of the Speaker of the General Assembly, one of whom is a director of a legal clinic program of a law school located in the State and one of whom is a State resident who has been a pro se litigant who has appeared as a defendant in a domestic violence matter in the New Jersey State court; (4) one member appointed by the Chief Justice, who is a retired judge of the Superior Court who had been previously assigned to the Family Division; (5) the Administrative Director of the Courts, or a designee; (6) the Public Defender, or a designee; (7) the Attorney General, or a designee; (8) the dean of Seton Hall University School of Law, or a designee; (9) the co-dean of Rutgers Law School Newark Campus, or a designee; (10) the co-dean of Rutgers Law School Camden Campus, or a designee; (11) the executive director of New Jersey Legal Services, or a designee; (12) A representative of the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence; and (13) A representative of Partners for Women and Justice. The task force is to be co-chaired: one co-chair is the Attorney General, or the Attorney General's designee, and the other co-chair is to be appointed by the Governor from among the public members, and will serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The task force may meet at the call of the co-chairs, and hold hearings at the places it designates during the sessions or recesses of the Legislature. The presence of nine members of the task force would constitute a quorum. | In Committee |
| S3120 | Prohibits emergency homeless shelters from conditioning provision of shelter on enrollment in certain programs. | This bill prohibits emergency shelters for the homeless from conditioning the provision of shelter on a person's enrollment in certain programs. Under the provision of the bill, an emergency shelter for the homeless is required to provide shelter to a person for a minimum of 72 hours, regardless of whether the person is enrolled in a local, State, federal, or private assistance program, or is receiving any other services or benefits. The bill provides that following the initial 72 hours, an emergency homeless shelter may require an individual to apply for programs, assistance, or other services or benefits, as a condition of continued provision of shelter. An individual in compliance with this requirement would have to be provided with shelter for a period of no less than 90 days. The bill further provides that an emergency homeless shelter is not required to exceed its licensed capacity, plus any authorized excess capacity, in order to comply with these requirements. Further, the bill does not prohibit a shelter from refusing to provide shelter if the refusal is otherwise authorized by law or regulation. | In Committee |
| S3106 | Provides employers with various tax incentives for hiring persons with disabilities under insurance premiums tax, corporation business tax and gross income tax. | This bill provides employers with various tax incentives for hiring and accommodating persons with disabilities under the insurance premiums tax, the corporation business tax and the gross income tax. The bill makes the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services in the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development the lead agency in handling the determination of the potential members of the population who will qualify as the workers whose employment is the target of the bill. The bill directs the division to identify and certify persons seeking employment who have a "disability" as defined by the federal "Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990." That is, a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity, and which disability constitutes an impediment to obtaining or maintaining employment or to transitioning from school to work. This certification can, if the job-seeker chooses, be taken on interviews for employment and shown to employers, and the certification later assists in employers applying for the credits allowed by the bill. The bill allows employers three credits. First, an employment credit. An employer is allowed a credit equal to 30 percent of up to the first $6,000 of the wages paid by the employer to the qualified employee with a disability during the first year of employment. That is, the employer of a qualified employee with a disability is allowed up to $1,800 in the first year of employment. The employer is also allowed a credit of 20 percent of up to the first $6,000 of the wages paid by the employer to the qualified employee with a disability during the second year of employment. That is, the employer is allowed up to $1,200 in the second year of employment. Second, the bill allows a transportation credit. The employer is allowed a credit equal to up to $600 of the transportation expenses that are incurred by the employer in the taxable period to enable each qualified employee with a disability to travel to and from work. Third, the bill allows an accommodation credit. This is a "piggy-back" of a federal credit for expenditures incurred to make a business accessible to individuals with disabilities. The bill allows an "eligible small business," that is a business with less than $1,000,000 in gross receipts, or if it has higher gross receipts with no more than 30 employees, to take a credit equal to 10 percent of expenditures for the taxable period in excess of $250 but not to exceed $10,250 to increase accessibility for individuals with disabilities, both employees and members of the public. This can include removal of architectural or communications barriers, methods for making aurally delivered materials available to the hearing impaired, methods for making visually delivered materials available to the visually impaired, special equipment or equipment modifications for individuals with disabilities, or similar investments. The bill allows employers, potentially, to take all three of the employment, transportation and accommodation credits. The employment credit allowed by this bill is not a credit for creating "new jobs," but applies to a hire in an existing position or in a newly created position, so, unlike the various "new jobs" credits offered by law (which forbid an employer from taking more than one credit for a single newly-created position) an employer may qualify for the employment credit under this bill and any other employment credit available. | In Committee |
| S3109 | Prohibits institution of higher education that provides child care from charging student-parent who receives child care voucher under "New Jersey Cares for Kids Program" an amount for child care in excess of voucher amount. | This bill provides that an institution of higher education in the State which offers child care services to students enrolled in the institution and accepts vouchers under the New Jersey Cares for Kids (NJCK) Program will not charge a student who receives a voucher under that program an amount for the child care services that exceeds the amount of the program voucher. The NJCK Program, under regulations promulgated by the Commissioner of Human Services at N.J.A.C.10:15-5.1 et seq., provides eligible families with necessary child care services through the Child Care Resource & Referral Agency in the county where the family resides. A family is eligible for the program if the family meets certain income guidelines. | In Committee |
| S3107 | Concerns consideration of factors by court at hearing for pretrial detention or violation of condition of pretrial release. | This bill concerns the consideration of factors by the court at a hearing for pretrial detention or the violation of a condition of pretrial release. Under current law, criminal courts may order 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. In making this determination, the court is required to consider an number of factors, including the recommendation of the Pretrial Services Program (PSP), based on a risk assessment instrument approved by the Administrative Director of the Courts. The provisions of the bill provide that under the approved risk assessment, the fact that a defendant lacks significant ties to the State is to weigh in favor of a recommendation to detain the defendant pending trial. In evaluating whether a defendant has significant ties, the PSP is required to consider the: location of the defendant's family; length of time the defendant was physically present in the State and duration of any absence; location of the defendant's property; and extent to which the defendant has ties to the State such as voting registration, State or local tax return filing, vehicle registration, driver's license, social relationships, and receipt of services. Under current law, the PSP is required to recommend no release when a defendant has been charged with any crime for which the eligible defendant would be subject to a mandatory term of imprisonment for certain crimes involving the use or possession of a firearm. Under the bill, the PSP also is required to recommend no release of a defendant who has been extradited to this State from another jurisdiction if the court finds that the defendant was in the other jurisdiction to avoid prosecution or service of a criminal sentence. Current law permits a court to revoke pretrial release and order detention pending trial if a defendant violates a condition of release or commits a new crime while on release, but only 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 that the eligible defendant will not obstruct or attempt to obstruct the criminal justice process. This bill provides that if a defendant who is granted pretrial release violates a restraining order or condition of release, the court is required to revoke the defendant's release and order the defendant to be detained pending trial for a period of not less than 30 days for a first violation; a period of not less than 60 days for a second violation; a period of not less than 120 days for a third violation; and pending the final disposition of the matter for a fourth violation. The bill further provides that if there is probable cause to believe that the defendant committed a new crime while on release, the court is required to revoke the defendant's release and order the defendant to be detained pending trial unless it finds by clear and convincing evidence that monetary bail, non-monetary bail, or conditions of release would reasonably assure the defendant's appearance in court and the public's safety, or that the eligible defendant will not obstruct or attempt to obstruct the criminal justice process. Finally, the provisions of the bill require the PSP to compile its findings and issue an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature summarizing, for each case following a pretrial detention hearing, whether the defendant was detained or released pending trial and whether the court's decision to detain or release the defendant is in accordance with or contrary to the recommendation of the PSP. The report is not to include the personal identifying information of any defendant. | In Committee |
| SJR107 | Designates March of each year as "Fibromuscular Dysplasia Awareness Month." | This joint resolution designates the month of March of each year as "Fibromuscular Dysplasia Awareness Month" in order to promote an awareness and understanding of the disease. Fibromuscular dysplasia, commonly referred to as FMD, is a disease that causes abnormal cellular development in the arterial wall, which can lead to the narrowing or tearing of arteries. FMD is considered a rare disease that currently has no cure or standard protocol to treat it. The joint resolution also respectfully requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of this State to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs. | In Committee |
| S3111 | Provides tax credit to developers for affordable housing projects in certain neighborhoods. | This bill would provide up to $600 million in tax credit available to developers to construct affordable housing projects in distressed neighborhoods. A distressed neighborhood is defined in the bill as a neighborhood located within a distressed municipality, in which the median family income does not exceed 80 percent of the Statewide or metropolitan median family income, as reported in the most recently completed decennial census published by the United States Census Bureau. Distressed municipalities include certain municipalities that receive assistance from the State, municipalities under the supervision of the Local Finance Board pursuant to the provisions of the "Local Government Supervision Act (1947)," P.L.1947, c.151 (C.52:27BB-1 et seq.), municipalities identified by the Director of the Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs to be facing serious fiscal distress, SDA (Schools Development Authority) municipalities, and municipalities in which a major rail station is located. An SDA municipality is defined as a district that received education opportunity aid or preschool expansion aid in the 2007-2008 school year. In order to qualify for tax credit, a developer is required to construct a residential project in that: (1) at least 20 percent of the residential units are constructed and reserved for low- to moderate-income housing; and (2) at least 20 percent of the residential units are constructed and reserved for workforce housing. Developers are to apply for tax credit in the same manner in which developers applied for grants under the Economic Redevelopment Growth Program. This bill would incentivize development of affordable and market-rate housing in distressed neighborhoods around the State. The bill is expected to create balanced redevelopment in municipalities experiencing financial trouble and a more comprehensive urban development strategy. The bill is designed to transform the State's urban centers from areas with just offices, to 24-hours per day, seven-days per week communities with robust residential populations. | In Committee |
| S3113 | Requires emergency shelters for the homeless to admit certain persons unless they pose danger. | This bill prohibits emergency shelters for the homeless from restricting access to the shelter based on a perception or belief that a person is: (1) a drug or alcohol dependent person; (2) not in compliance with a prescription medication regimen; or (3) has consumed alcoholic beverages off the premises of the shelter. Current law prohibits emergency homeless shelters from refusing admittance to a person who is perceived or believed to have a mental illness. This bill expands the prohibition to include other members of vulnerable populations in need of shelter. Current law also provides that a shelter may prohibit admittance if there is a reasonable basis to believe that the person poses a danger to self, others, or property, or if the basis for the refusal is otherwise authorized by law or regulation. Under the bill, shelters would continue to have the authority to refuse admittance in these circumstances. Finally, the bill provides that shelters are authorized to prohibit the possession or consumption of controlled dangerous substances and alcoholic beverages on the premises. | In Committee |
| S3119 | Eliminates five percent down payment requirement for bond ordinances approved by counties and municipalities. | This bill makes permissive the down payment requirement for counties and municipalities to issue bonds. Under current law, most bond ordinances require an appropriation of at least five percent of the amount of the authorized obligation for final adoption of the bond ordinance. Although this appropriation is excluded from the property tax levy cap, relief from the requirement to make the down payment is intended to free-up scarce resources for other purposes of the county or municipality. | In Committee |
| S2959 | Requires second enrollment count for determining State school aid. | This bill revises requirements for enrollment counts used to determine State aid to school districts to include a second enrollment count. The bill stipulates that a school district's resident enrollment would be equal to the average of both enrollment counts. Under current law, school districts are required to report resident enrollment to the Department of Education as of the school day prior to October 16. The bill would require a second enrollment count to be conducted on the school day prior to February 2 of each year. The bill provides that, for the purposes of determining State aid, a district's resident enrollment would be equal to the average of the enrollment determined by each of the counts conducted. Additionally, the bill provides that in the case of students placed in a State facility by the district or the State, enrollment counts would only occur on the last school day prior to October 16 of the prebudget year. [CA1]Changed [CA2]New [CA3]New [CA4]Changed [CA5]Changed [CA6]Changed [CA7]New | In Committee |
| SCR43 | Proposes constitutional amendment to make State trustee of public natural resources and guarantee to the people other environmental rights. | Proposes constitutional amendment to make State trustee of public natural resources and guarantee to the people other environmental rights. | In Committee |
| S2944 | Prohibits use of education, occupation, and credit score as rating factors in automobile insurance underwriting. | This bill prohibits automobile insurers from assigning an insured or prospective insured to a rating tier based upon that person's: (1) educational level; (2) employment, trade, business, occupation or profession; or (3) credit score, or any information derived from an insured's credit report. The bill also prohibits automobile insurers from inquiring of an insured or applicant for insurance, or of a third-party concerning an insured or applicant, as to these factors. | In Committee |
| S2747 | Requires State department, agency, authority, or instrumentality thereof to provide link on its website for members of public to submit complaints. | This bill requires each State government department, agency, authority, or instrumentality thereof to make available on a prominent location on its Internet site a link to allow any member of the public to submit a complaint to the State entity. Under the bill, the complaints could be concerning that entity's performance, customer service, or similar matter of interest to the entity. The head of the State entity would periodically review the complaints received through the website, and would be required to assess in what manner appropriate actions may be taken to remedy matters that caused the complaint. | In Committee |
| S2746 | Provides economic development incentives for remediating and redeveloping legacy landfills, brownfields, and contaminated sites. | This bill establishes the Landfills, Brownfields, and Contaminated Sites Redevelopment Incentive Program (program), to be administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA), in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The program is to provide economic incentives for developers who undertake redevelopment projects on the premises of legacy landfills, brownfield sites, or contaminated sites within redevelopment zones. As provided in the bill, developers that are approved to participate in the program are entitled to an exemption to the extent of 50 percent from the tax imposed under the "Sales and Use Tax Act," P.L.1966, c.30 (C.54:32B-1 et seq.). In addition, receipts from retail sales of certain tangible personal property and sales of certain services to a developer for the exclusive use or consumption of the developer is to be exempt from the taxes imposed under the "Sales and Use Tax Act," P.L.1966, c.30 (C.54:32B-1 et seq.). As provided in the bill, retail sales of energy and utility service to a developer or group of developers who meet certain requirements is to be exempt from the taxes imposed under the "Sales and Use Tax Act," P.L.1966, c.30 (C.54:32B-1 et seq.). The EDA is required to develop an application, review, and approval process for a developer to participate in the program. The EDA is to review and approve up to five applications for participation in the program over a period of not more than five years. Following approval of an application by the board of the EDA, but prior to the start of any remediation or redevelopment at the site of the redevelopment project, the EDA is to enter into a redevelopment agreement with the developer. The chief executive officer of the EDA is required to negotiate the terms and conditions of the redevelopment agreement on behalf of the State. The developer is required to complete the remediation and redevelopment by a date no later than seven years after the date on which the EDA and the developer execute the redevelopment agreement. The developer may be eligible for an additional period of not more than three years to complete the redevelopment project if the developer demonstrates, and the EDA finds, that the benefits received under the program are continuing to assist in the redevelopment of the site, and that if the benefits are no longer provided the developer would be unable to continue making progress in the redevelopment of the site. Under the bill, a developer that enters into a redevelopment agreement with the EDA is required to comply with certain environmental standards, green building standards, and labor and workforce requirements. No later than six months after the date the EDA and a developer execute a redevelopment agreement, and every six months thereafter until completion of the project, the developer is required to submit an update of the status of the redevelopment project to the EDA and to the DEP, including the closure and remediation costs incurred by the developer. Unless the EDA determines that extenuating circumstances exist, the EDA's approval of any benefit under the program are required to expire if the EDA, the DEP, or both, do not timely receive this status update. The EDA may rescind an award of any benefit under the program if a redevelopment project fails to advance in accordance with the redevelopment agreement. Under the bill, the EDA may audit, or cause to be audited, at any time, any developer receiving benefits under the program. In addition, the EDA, in consultation with the Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury, may, until the completion of the redevelopment project, require a developer to provide additional information relevant to the administration of the program and to analyze and report on the program's use and benefits. Beginning one year after the effective date of the bill, and every year thereafter, the EDA is required to prepare a report on the implementation, use, and benefits of the program, and submit the report to the Governor and the Legislature. | In Committee |
| S2750 | Makes various changes to address sexual assault and child abuse and neglect involving military personnel; addresses protection, penalties, enforcement, jurisdiction, and victim compensation matters. | Sexual assault remains a persistent problem in the military despite numerous initiatives to address it. The lack of progress stems from the complexity of the problem of sexual assaults, and it is necessary to develop effective prevention and response programs to increase the reporting of sexual assaults as well as to increase the conviction rates of perpetrators of sexual assault. This bill directs a State court to issue a temporary protective order, in the case of nonconsensual sexual conduct or domestic violence, upon complaint of an applicant who is a service member of the New Jersey National Guard or any Reserve Component of the Armed Forces of the United States serving within the State who is a victim of non-consensual sexual contact who has also received a military protective order, or upon complaint of the Staff Judge Advocate of the New Jersey National Guard or any Reserve Component serving in the State on behalf of a named victim who is a victim of non-consensual sexual contact who has also received a military protective order. The bill makes military protective orders issued by an appropriate military authority effective throughout the State, provides for their enforcement, and directs the Administrative Office of the Courts to establish and maintain a central registry of all orders of protection issued by an appropriate military authority or a foreign tribunal and all persons who have been charged with a violation of a protective order. The bill makes it a petty disorderly persons offense if, with the purpose to harass another, a person engages in conduct after having been notified, while the person was a member of the National Guard, not to engage in such conduct by a commanding officer. In addition, the bill prohibits any person from obtaining a handgun purchase permit or firearms purchaser identification card who is subject to a restraining order issued pursuant to Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991, a temporary or final domestic violence restraining order issued in another jurisdiction, or a substantially similar order issued by the court of another state, tribe, United States Territory, appropriate military authority, or military tribunal. Under the bill, a person, or the family member of the person, that is participating in a military legal proceeding is to receive unpaid leave from employment to seek legal assistance and remedies and attend and prepare for the proceeding when the proceeding involves domestic or sexual violence. The bill also directs the Adjutant General to provide current and former members of the National Guard who were the victims of sexual assault or sexual harassment while members of the National Guard and who are involved in administrative or New Jersey Code of Military Justice proceedings related to sexual assault or sexual harassment, with financial assistance to fully cover the expenses of traveling to and from and participating in those proceedings. The bill stipulates that a person with an order of protection issued by the court of another state, tribe, United States territory, military tribunal, or military protective order issued by an appropriate military authority to file the order with the clerk of the Superior Court in a judicial vicinage in which the person believes that enforcement may be necessary, and requires the New Jersey National Guard to file a certified copy of any military order of protection with the court in a judicial vicinage in which the person entitled to protection resides or, if the person entitled to protection is not a State resident, in a judicial circuit in which it is believed that enforcement may be necessary. Full-time civilian law enforcement officers employed by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Army Criminal Investigation Division, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, or Air Force Office of Special Investigations, who are empowered to effect an arrest with or without a warrant for violations of the United States Code and who are authorized to carry firearms in the performance of their duties are authorized under the bill to act as an officer for the arrest of offenders against the laws of this State where the person reasonably believes that a crime of the first, second, or third degree is or is about to be committed or attempted in his presence, and where the person reasonably believes that a crime of the fourth degree, relating to criminal sexual contact, harassment, or stalking is or is about to be committed or attempted in his presence on a military installation, or off a military installation by a service member against another person, regardless of whether or not either person was on or off duty at the time of the alleged assault, while that officer is in the performance of official duties. The bill provides that a person subject to military discipline under State law who commits an offense of harassment prohibited under State law will be guilty of that offense in accordance with military discipline and be punished as a court martial may direct. Pursuant to the bill, an application for a claim to the Victims of Crime Compensation Office by a military personnel victim based on a sexual assault by another military personnel will not be denied solely because it was not reported to a superior officer or law enforcement officer at the time of the crime and sets forth factors that will be considered for purposes of determining if a claim of military sexual assault qualifies for compensation. The bill provides that if a report is accepted as a credible allegation of domestic abuse or child abuse or neglect by the Department of Children and Families, the department will collect information concerning the military status of the spouse, intimate partner, parent, or guardian of the child who is the subject of the report and share information about the allegation with the appropriate military authorities in accordance with the memorandum of understanding with the military family advocacy program at a local military installation, with respect to interpersonal violence and child abuse and neglect investigations. The State may, pursuant to the bill, exercise concurrent jurisdiction with the United States over a military installation of the United States Department of Defense located within the State in a matter relating to a violation of federal law or the Uniform Code of Military Justice if certain conditions are met. Lastly, the bill provides that, upon acceptance or relinquishment of the United States by the Governor or any other State official, department, or agency, the State will exercise concurrent jurisdiction with the United States over a military installation of the United States within the State in and over land or lands ceded, in a matter related to a violation of federal or State law, upon any child or juvenile, within the limits and extent of lands so ceded and providing that the State will retain concurrent jurisdiction over a military installation of the United States in certain cases. | In Committee |
| S2741 | Prohibits sale of certain products using advertisements alluding to controlled dangerous substances or analogs. | This bill prohibits the sale of certain items which use advertisements linked or alluding to controlled dangerous substances or analogs. The bill bans the sale of any food, beverage, or other product meant to be ingested or inhaled which uses the advertisement on its packaging or elsewhere. The bill further prohibits the sale of any product using the advertising, regardless of the product's intended use, to a person under 18 years of age. The bill specifies that the provisions do not apply to any prescription medication dispensed by a pharmacist pursuant to a valid prescription. A violation under the bill would be an unlawful practice under the consumer fraud act, which 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. Additionally, a violation can result in a cease and desist order issued by the Attorney General, the assessment of punitive damages, and the awarding of treble damages and costs to the injured. | In Committee |
| S2762 | Expands municipal authority to license and inspect residential rental property. | This bill would expand the authority of a municipality to inspect, license, and regulate the rental of residential real property. Under current law, a municipality has the authority to license and regulate commercial and residential leases of less than 175 days. This bill would authorize municipalities to inspect, license, and regulate rentals of residential real property regardless of the duration of the lease agreement. The power of a municipality to license and regulate residential rental property under this bill includes the power to inspect rental property as a condition of licensure. Under the bill, a municipality cannot inspect residential rental property more than once per calendar year, except when prompted by complaints, evidence of code violations, or patently unsound conditions on the property. In addition, the bill would require property owners to register the property with the municipality at the time the municipality issues a license. Under the bill, no additional registration will be required for a licensed property for which a registration certificate with current ownership information has been filed with either the clerk of the municipality or, in the case of a multiple dwelling, with the Bureau of Housing Inspection in the Department of Community Affairs. The municipality would have the authority to charge fees for the license, but the fees must be dedicated to meeting the costs of implementing and enforcing the licensing scheme and cannot be used for any other purpose. This bill would be effective immediately and retroactive to August 6, 2015. The bill, however, would prohibit municipalities from collecting fees for licenses issued prior to the effective date of this bill, which the municipality has not yet collected. Municipalities would not be responsible for returning any fees collected prior to the effective date of this bill. | In Committee |
| S2745 | Establishes New Jersey Homebuyer Tax Credit Program under gross income tax for certain home purchases during qualified periods by first-time homebuyers. | This bill establishes the New Jersey Homebuyer Tax Credit Program under the gross income tax. To qualify for the credit, a taxpayer is required to: (1) be a first-time homebuyer; and (2) enter into a contract of sale on a qualified home purchase within certain prescribed dates. For qualifying new home purchases, a taxpayer has 18 months from the contract of sale in which to complete the purchase. For qualifying previously occupied homes, a taxpayer has 12 months from the contract of sale in which to complete the purchase. The taxpayer is also required to occupy the property as her or his principal residence for at least three consecutive years after the date of the purchase. The tax credit provided by the bill is refundable and is allowed for up to $15,000 or five percent of the purchase price, whichever is less. The total credits available are capped at $100 million, with up to $25 million allocated for qualified home purchases made between the effective date of the bill and up to one year thereafter; and up to $25 million allocated for qualified home purchases made after one year, but before two years, after the effective date of the bill. If the tax credit program is renewed, up to $25 million is available for qualified home purchases made up to one year after the renewal date; and up to $25 million is available for qualified purchases made between one year, but before two years, after the date the program is renewed. For each year the program is in effect, up to $18.75 million is allocated for purchases of newly constructed homes not previously occupied, and up to $6.25 million is allocated for purchases of previously occupied homes. The credit is only available to taxpayers who are New Jersey residents, are natural persons, and have not previously owned qualified residential property. Moreover, the New Jersey reported gross income of the taxpayer, combined with the New Jersey reported gross income of other individuals expected to be permanent residents of the property (domiciled for more than 180 days of the year), cannot exceed: (1) $118,000 for households with up to two persons; and (2) $135,000 for households with three or more persons. The value of the qualified residential property likewise cannot exceed $560,000. The credit is provided on a first-come, first-serve basis, and the claiming of the credit for personal income tax filing purposes will be divided into three equal credit amounts claimed over three taxable years. The terms of the credit require that the home continue to be occupied as the taxpayer's principal residence for three years. If the taxpayer fails to use the home as his or her principal residence for at least 36 months next following the date of the qualified home purchase, then the taxpayer must pay back the full amount of the credit received. Likewise, if the Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury determines that a taxpayer has used a strawman to make more than one qualified home purchase, in order to "flip houses" and claim multiple credits pursuant to the bill, then the taxpayer is required to pay back the full amount of all credits received; this prohibition is not intended to preclude the use of a real estate agent or broker in facilitating a qualified home purchase. In the event the taxpayer dies during the 36 months the qualified residential property is required to be used as the taxpayer's principal residence, then any heirs to whom the property has been bequeathed are required to: (1) meet the definition of "first-time homebuyer taxpayer"; and (2) use the property as that heir's or heirs' principal residence for the balance of the 36 months; otherwise, the credit is disallowed for all tax years beginning after the death of the original purchaser/taxpayer. After the end of the second year in which this program is operational, the Office of Revenue and Economic Analysis in the Department of the Treasury is required to prepare and submit a report to the Governor and Legislature to study the efficacy of the tax credit program. This report, at a minimum, is required to include: (1) the impact of the tax credit program on State revenue; (2) the extent to which home purchases by first time homebuyers (including purchases of new qualified residential property) increased during the period the tax credits were available; (3) whether the data suggests that a two year extension of the tax credit program may have a material, positive impact on the State's construction, real estate, and any other sectors of the State economy; and (4) whether the fiscal condition and outlook of the State has materially changed in way that materially affect the purpose underlying the program to promote home ownership and strengthen key sectors of the State's economy. Upon receipt of this report, the Legislature may adopt, and the Governor may sign, a joint resolution that extends the program for two additional years. The effective date of this bill is the first day of the sixth month next following the date of enactment. The bill is intended to create a substantial and immediate incentive for potential homebuyers. Recognizing that much direct and indirect economic activity is generated through new home construction and home resales, this incentive is expected not only to strengthen homebuilding industry in this State, but also to stimulate economic growth through indirect related spending, including boosting State and local government revenue collections generated by this activity. | In Committee |
| S2738 | Establishes minimum NJ FamilyCare reimbursement rate for certain out-of-state hospitals that provide services to NJ FamilyCare pediatric beneficiaries. | This bill amends existing statutory law, which codifies and establishes certain network adequacy standards for pediatric primary and specialty care in the Medicaid program, to establish a minimum NJ FamilyCare reimbursement rate for certain out-of-state hospitals that provide services to NJ FamilyCare pediatric beneficiaries. Specifically, under the bill, an out-of-state hospital, licensed under the laws and regulations of the state in which the hospital is located, that provides care to 10,000 or more unique NJ Family Care pediatric beneficiaries within its hospital system annually, is to receive a reimbursement rate under NJ FamilyCare that is at least 125 percent of the Medicaid fee-for-service reimbursement rate provided in the state where the hospital is licensed. | In Committee |
| S2764 | The "Farm Labor Equality Act." | This bill, the "Farm Labor Equality Act," modifies a number of labor laws to provide farmworkers with rights and protections equal to the rights and protections provided to other workers, specifically in the areas of child labor, overtime pay, employee representation and collective bargaining, and unemployment benefits. Child labor: This bill repeals provisions of the State child labor law, P.L.1940, c.153 (C.34:2-21.1 et seq.), that currently exempt minors employed in agriculture from requirements of that law which apply to most other minors. The bill: 1. raises the minimum age that minors may work in agriculture from 12 years old to 14 years old; 2. reduces the number of hours per day that a minor may work in agriculture from 10 to 8 hours, and clarifies that various limits to work time that apply to most minors also apply to minors employed in agriculture, including not working more than six days, or 40 hours, per week, and not working before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m,; and The bill does not change the provisions of P.L.1940, c.153 which exempt from its provisions agricultural work done by a minor in connection with the minor's own home under the minor's parent or guardian while school is not in session. Overtime pay: The bill repeals provisions of the State wage and hour law, P.L.1966, c.113 (C.34:11-56a et seq.), that currently exclude farmworkers from overtime pay, thus requiring employers to pay farmworkers 1½ times their regular wage for each hour excess of 40 hours per week, as is currently required for most other workers. Employee representation and collective bargaining: Currently, farmworkers are excluded from the protections against unfair labor practices provided to most private sector workers by the federal National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. s.151 et seq.)("NLRA"), and provided to public employees by the State public employment relations law, P.L.1968, c.303 (C.34:13A-5.1 et seq.)("PERL") and the Workplace Democracy Enhancement Act, P.L.2018, c.15 (C.34:13A-5.11 et seq.) ("WDEA"). This bill brings farmworkers under protections similar to those laws, by expanding the responsibilities of the Division of Private Employment Dispute Settlement in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development regarding agricultural employment not regulated by the NLRA. It provides the division with the power to prevent specified unfair labor practices, thus providing rights to the farmworkers similar to the rights provided to other private sector workers under the NLRA, and the rights provided to public employees under the PERL and the WDEA. The bill prohibits agricultural employers and their representatives and agents from the following unfair practices: 1. Interfering with, restraining, or coercing employees in the exercise of the rights granted by the bill. 2. Dominating or interfering with any employee organization. 3. Discriminating against employees for making disclosures or otherwise exercising their rights. 4. Refusing to negotiate in good faith or sign a negotiated agreement. 5. Violating any division regulation. The bill similarly prohibits employee organizations and their representatives and agents from the following unfair practices: 1. Interfering with, restraining or coercing employees in the exercise of their rights. 2. Interfering with, restraining or coercing an agricultural employer in the selection of a representative for negotiations or grievance procedures. 3. Refusing to negotiate in good faith or sign a negotiated agreement. 4. Violating any division regulation. The division may order an offending party to cease any unfair practice and take reasonable remedial action, including, in the case of a discharge, reinstatement, paying lost wages, costs of action, and damages equal to the wages due. It is also an unfair practice under the bill for an agricultural employer to encourage or discourage employees from joining, forming or assisting an employee organization, or encourage them to end their employee organization membership or revoke authorization of the deduction of dues or fees. The division is required to order the employer to make whole the employee organization for any resulting losses to the organization. Current law, section 5 of P.L.1968, c.303 (C.34:13A-5.1), permits the New Jersey State Board of Mediation to designate a labor organization to represent employees of a private sector employer not regulated under the NLRA, if the employees select the organization in an election conforming with NLRA procedures, or, if only one labor organization seeks to represent the employees, a majority of the employees sign cards showing that they prefer that organization. The bill provides that in such cases the employee organization may petition the board to require the employer to provide a list of current employees with contact information. If the organization petitions the board for that information, the employer must also give the organization access to the employees, including allowing meetings in the workplace and employer-controlled living quarters. The bill provides that once an employee organization is designated as the employee representative, the employer must give the organization access to the employer's premises to investigate and discuss grievances and other issues, conduct meetings, and meet newly hired employees. The bill gives farmworker organizations the right to engage in publicity regarding products produced by an employer with which the organization has a dispute, including publicity asking the public to not patronize businesses distributing or selling the products. Unemployment benefits: The bill repeals provisions of the State "unemployment compensation law," R.S.43:21-1 et seq., that currently exclude farmworkers from unemployment benefits if their employer employs less than 10 farmworkers during each of 20 weeks in the preceding year or pays less than $20,000 in wages to farmworkers during any calendar quarter in the current or preceding year. This exclusion applies only to farmworkers, and may prevent laid-off farmworkers from receiving benefits even if their combined employment with multiple employers would otherwise make them eligible. | In Committee |
| S2755 | Requires NJTA and SJTA to waive E-ZPass tolls for disabled veteran owned businesses. | This bill requires the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) and South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) to establish and maintain a toll waiver program for disabled veteran owned businesses who have an account with the New Jersey electronic toll collection system (NJ E-ZPass) for motor vehicles. The E-ZPass toll waiver is to be available for all vehicles owned, leased, or financed by a disabled veteran; used for a disabled veteran owned businesses that has at least $2,500 in revenues, is certified in the State, and does business in the State; registered in the State of New Jersey; and have an active New Jersey electronic toll collection system account for the motor vehicle. | In Committee |
| S2761 | Establishes small hospitality business winter preparation purchase or reimbursement program in EDA; appropriates $50 million to EDA from federal funds. | This bill requires the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to establish a program that provides grant funding to a qualified small hospitality business for the purchase or reimbursement of its costs of barriers, blankets, heaters, and tents used for the preparation and outdoor operation of an establishment of the hospitality business during periods of cold and other inclement weather. The bill defines a "qualified small hospitality business" (hospitality business) as a business owning a restaurant or dining establishment, or any bar, brewery, brewpub, winery, or other establishment serving alcoholic beverages on its premises at which 100 or fewer workers are employed at a location in this State and where the business has applied for and has been approved by the EDA for participation in the program. The EDA is to establish the terms and conditions by which a hospitality business may apply and receive approval for participation in the program. The EDA is to enter into an agreement with a hospitality business concerning the EDA's provision of grant funding to a hospitality business for this purpose. The bill prohibits the EDA from providing more than $10,000 in grant funding to each hospitality business approved by the EDA for participation in the program. The bill requires the EDA to establish and maintain a fund to provide grant funding to a hospitality business that participates in the program and to administer the program. The fund is to be credited with $50,000,000 from an appropriation made to the EDA. The fund may be credited with moneys made available by the EDA for the purpose of the fund and moneys received by the EDA from any other public or private donations. In administering the program and the fund, the EDA is to establish: 1) procedures and timelines for applications for the program; 2) criteria for determining grant funding to be disbursed from the fund to a hospitality business; 3) reporting requirements for a hospitality business accepted into the program and its receiving grant funding from the fund; and 4) any other policies deemed necessary by the EDA for the administration of the program and the fund. The EDA, in its sole discretion, may amend these policies at any time if the policies are established or amended in a manner consistent with the provisions of the bill. The reporting requirements require a hospitality business receiving grant funding under the program to report to the EDA, in a form and manner determined by the EDA, while the hospitality business participates in the program. The report is to include: 1) proof that the hospitality business used grant funding to purchase barriers, blankets, heaters, and tents at the hospitality business; and 2) any other information the EDA requires in a form and manner determined by the EDA. The bill appropriates from the General Fund to the EDA $50,000,000 from a portion of those federal block grant funds allocated to the State from the federal "Coronavirus Relief Fund," established pursuant to the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act," Pub.L.116-136, or from any other source of funds available to the State pursuant to federal law, for use by the EDA to provide grant funding to hospitality businesses that participate in the program and to administer the program. | In Committee |
| S2754 | Prohibits harassing or taking of certain wildlife at competitive event; establishes penalties. | This bill prohibits the harassing or taking of certain wildlife (defined as "covered wildlife" in the bill) at a competitive event, except in conjunction with a field trial or field day authorized by a license issued pursuant to R.S.23:4-26. The bill also prohibits any person from organizing, sponsoring, promoting, conducting, or participating in a competitive event at which the participants harass or take covered wildlife, except in conjunction with such an authorized field trial or field day. "Covered wildlife" is defined as a bobcat, coyote, crow, fox, mink, opossum, rabbit, raccoon, skunk, squirrel, weasel, woodchuck, or the dead body or parts thereof. A person who violates the bill's prohibitions would be guilty of a disorderly persons offense and, in addition to the penalties applicable pursuant to Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes, would also be subject to the suspension, for a period of five years, of: 1) any license or permit issued to the person by the Division of Fish and Wildlife; and 2) all privileges to take or possess wildlife. A disorderly persons offense is subject to a penalty of up to six months of imprisonment, a fine up to $1,000, or both. This bill requires any covered wildlife injured as a result of a competitive event to be transported to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or State licensed veterinarian for proper treatment, or to be euthanized if necessary. The bill authorizes the Division of Fish and Wildlife to forfeit the remains of any covered wildlife killed at a competitive event held in violation of this bill or euthanized as a result of the competitive event. Forfeited remains would become property of the Division of Fish and Wildlife. The bill directs municipal police officers, the State Police, and law enforcement officers in the Division of Fish and Wildlife and the Division of Parks and Forestry in the Department of Environmental Protection to enforce the bill's provisions. | In Committee |
| S2763 | Establishes the "New Jersey Residential Foreclosure Transformation Act." | This bill, the "New Jersey Residential Foreclosure Transformation Act," establishes the "New Jersey Residential Foreclosure Transformation Program" within the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) for the purpose of purchasing eligible properties, including foreclosed residential properties from institutional lenders, properties owned by municipalities as a result of tax foreclosure, and certain properties subject to a nonperforming loan, and dedicating the properties for occupancy as affordable housing. The bill requires HMFA to include in its existing annual report a section to set forth the current nature and extent of foreclosure activity in the State, and a complete operating and financial statement covering the program's operations, transactions, and holdings during the year. The bill empowers HMFA to purchase eligible properties to produce affordable housing and dedicate it for those purposes for up to 30 years. The bill authorizes HMFA to enter into contracts or loans, or both, with no more than two experienced, financially sophisticated, community development financial institutions to enhance the ability of the corporation to fulfill its purpose of producing affordable housing. If HMFA or its contractors purchase an eligible property from monies deposited in a municipality's affordable housing trust fund, the municipality would receive two units of bonus credit against its fair share affordable housing obligation for each eligible property sold or conveyed as a for-sale unit or leased as rental housing; for each unit of affordable housing dedicated for permanent supportive housing, other than supportive shared living housing; and for each new bedroom dedicated in supportive shared living housing. The bill provides that the number of additional units of credit that a municipality may receive towards its affordable housing obligation for property purchased and dedicated as affordable housing under the bill cannot exceed 25 percent of the municipality's affordable housing obligation. The bill specifies that a municipality cannot receive both additional units of credit for producing a unit of affordable housing under this bill, and additional units of credit for that unit under another provision of law. The bill establishes a mechanism through which a "foreclosure-impacted municipality," one that has 10 or more foreclosed homes listed on a multiple listing service for at least 60 days, can insulate its affordable housing trust funds from the laws that require the transfer of its trust fund monies to the "New Jersey Affordable Housing Trust Fund." A foreclosure-impacted municipality can accomplish this by adopting a resolution committing the expenditure of its municipal affordable housing trust fund monies for the production of affordable housing and authorizing the transfer of at least $150,000 of its municipal affordable housing trust fund monies to HMFA for the production of affordable housing. The bill requires HMFA to use funds transferred from a foreclosure-impacted municipality to produce affordable housing within that municipality. If the corporation is unable to use all of the transferred funds within two years of the date of transfer, HMFA will return the remaining funds to the municipality and the municipality will have at least six months from the date the funds are returned to commit the funds in accordance with other provisions of law. During this period, all municipal trust fund monies designated for the purchase of foreclosed properties will be protected from transfer to the State. A municipality will receive bonus credits, as otherwise provided by the bill, for affordable housing produced by the corporation or by one of its contractors pursuant to this mechanism. The bill allows HMFA to establish criteria to identify the circumstances when the purchase, sale, lease, or conveyance of market-rate units furthers the purposes of the program. The corporation, or its contractors, will be able to purchase, sell, lease, or convey market-rate units in accordance with those criteria without imposing affordability controls upon the property provided the transaction does not violate any other law or requirement. The bill establishes the "Foreclosure to Affordable Housing Transformation Fund," to be administered by HMFA, and to serve as the repository for funds appropriated or made available for the program. The bill require the sheriff or officer, when calculating the amount due at the sheriff's sale, to consider an additional $350 per sale for certain sales, to be utilized by the fund, or by other foreclosure prevention programs as determined by HMFA. | In Committee |
| S2794 | Establishes Task Force on Approved Private Schools for Students with Disabilities to study various issues including improving and streamlining tuition-setting process, funding, and fiscal accountability. | This bill establishes a 19-member Task Force on Approved Private Schools for Students with Disabilities. The task force will study various issues associated with improving and streamlining the tuition-setting process, funding, and fiscal accountability of approved private schools for students with disabilities (APSSD). The task force will include in its study a comparison of the actual costs to taxpayers of educating students at APSSDs and the post-graduation outcomes of these students to the actual costs to taxpayers of educating students at comparable public programs serving similar students and the post-graduation outcomes of these students. The task force will be comprised of the Commissioner of Education and 18 members appointed by the Governor. The Governor's appointees will include: a member of the State Board of Education; a parent or guardian of a student attending an APSSD; a board member of an APSSD; two accountants or auditors familiar with the fiscal provisions of the State Board of Education regulations governing APSSDs; one representative of ASAH; one representative of the Council of Private Schools for Children with Special Needs; one representative of the Coalition for Special Education Funding Reform; one representative of the Special Needs Advocacy Network; one representative of the Arc of New Jersey; one representative of Autism New Jersey; one representative of the Advocates for Children of New Jersey; one representative of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators; one representative of the New Jersey School Boards Association; one representative of the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials; one representative of the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association; one representative of the New Jersey Education Association; and one director of special services from a school district. The task force is required to issue a final report with its findings and recommendations to the Governor, the Legislature, the State Board of Education, and the Commissioner of Education no later than one year after the task force organizes. | In Committee |
| S2743 | Reallocates portion of certain forfeited property as incentive for informants of drug-related offenses and to provide inpatient treatment for certain drug-dependent individuals. | This bill reallocates certain forfeiture funds to provide a financial incentive to informants in drug-related cases and provide financial assistance for inpatient drug treatment for those who cannot afford it. Under current law, proceeds from forfeited property are to be used solely for law enforcement purposes and are to be designated for the exclusive use of the law enforcement agency that contributed to the surveillance, investigation, arrest, or prosecution resulting in the forfeiture. This bill would reallocate a portion of the proceeds from forfeited property obtained from a proceeding for a drug-related offense that arises out of information provided by an informant. The remaining proceeds would be distributed in accordance with current law. Under the bill, a person who provides information that leads to a proceeding for a drug-related crime is entitled to 10 percent of the proceeds of any property forfeited as a result of that action. In addition, the bill establishes the "Inpatient Drug Rehabilitation Assistance Fund." Five percent of the proceeds from property that is forfeited from a drug-related offense because of information provided by an informant will be deposited into the fund. The fund is to be used to provide treatment at a licensed residential drug treatment program to New Jersey citizens who cannot afford treatment. Eligibility and assistance from the fund will be determined by the Commissioner of Human Services. | In Committee |
| S2748 | Authorizes political subdivisions to require recipients of economic development incentives to enter into community benefits agreements. | This bill authorizes any political subdivision within this State, when granting an economic development subsidy in an amount, either alone or in the aggregate, in excess of $100,000 to a developer, to condition the grant proceeds upon the grantee's promise to enter into a community benefits agreement. The bill defines "community benefits agreement" to mean a legally binding contract concerning a specific project which requires contractors and developers of the project to make specific contributions for the benefit of the community including, but not limited to, provisions related to local hiring, area wage and benefits standards, or engaging local businesses for the provision of goods and services. | In Committee |
| S2756 | Limits forum of consumer contract disputes to New Jersey. | This bill prohibits terms and conditions in a consumer contract that require the dispute be resolved in a venue, forum, or jurisdiction outside of the State of New Jersey. This requirement could only be waived upon the advice of counsel. This bill ensures that consumers are not forced by businesses to resolve their disputes in distant and costly forums. Consumer contracts increasingly contain forum-selection clauses that require litigation or arbitration to take place outside of New Jersey, making dispute resolution costly and difficult for consumers. These contracts are typically standardized forms drafted with no input from the consumer, and are offered on a take-it-or-leave-it basis. The consumer, often the less sophisticated party, agrees to the contract without the benefit of an attorney, and may not be able to afford to travel to resolve a dispute. The bill also exempts insurance companies duly licensed or authorized to transact business under the insurance laws of this State and eligible surplus lines insurers from the consumer contract requirements under the bill. Consequently, these insurance companies and eligible surplus lines insurers could contractually require consumers to arbitrate disputes outside of this State. The bill does not apply to insurance companies duly licensed or authorized to transact business under the insurance laws of this State, or to any eligible surplus lines insurers allowed to conduct business in this State under section 11 of P.L.1960, c.32 (C.17:22-6.45). | In Committee |
| S2758 | Requires employers within construction industry to notify employees of certain rights. | This bill supplements the "Construction Industry Independent Contractor Act," P.L.2007, c.114 (C.34:20-1 et seq.), which establishes a standard for the misclassification of employees as independent contractors within the construction industry. Specifically, this bill requires employers subject to the provisions of that act to conspicuously post notification of the rights of employees to unemployment benefits, minimum wage, overtime and other federal and State workplace protections, as well as the protections against retaliation and the penalties provided under P.L.2007, c.114 (C.34:20-1 et seq.). This notice must contain contact information for individuals working for the employer or their representatives to file complaints or inquire with a representative of the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development about the provisions and possible violations of P.L.2007, c.114 (C.34:20-1 et seq.), as well as be provided in English, Spanish or other languages required by the commissioner. Employers who violate these provisions will be guilty of a disorderly persons offense and, upon conviction, be subject to a civil penalty of up to $1,500 for a first violation, and up to $5,000 for any subsequent violation within a five year period. | In Committee |
| S2749 | Requires DCA to continuously maintain open enrollment period for federal Housing Choice Voucher Program pre-applications. | This bill would require the Department of Community Affairs to continuously maintain an open enrollment period in which rental assistance applicants may submit pre-applications to be placed on the waiting list for the federal Housing Choice Voucher Program administered by the department. | In Committee |
| SCR92 | Proposes constitutional amendment permitting certain veterans and their surviving spouses to receive enhanced homestead rebate amounts similar to the homestead rebate amounts allowed for senior and disabled residents. | This concurrent resolution proposes to amend the State Constitution's homestead rebate provision to allow honorably discharged United States Armed Forces war veterans, their unmarried surviving spouses, and unmarried surviving spouses of United States military personnel who died while on active duty in time of war to receive the same larger homestead property tax rebate as is allowed for eligible senior citizens and disabled citizens. The State Constitution currently allows for a differential homestead property tax rebate to be paid to homestead owners or residential tenants who are senior citizens and disabled citizens. Under the recently enacted "New Jersey School Assessment Valuation Exemption Relief and Homestead Property Tax Rebate Act" (NJ SAVER and Homestead Rebate Act), P.L.1999, c.63, approximately 125,000 senior tenants and disabled tenants are eligible for an annual Homestead Rebate benefit of up to $500 that has averaged for these claimants about $410. Under that act, if the NJ SAVER provisions produce a greater benefit than the homestead rebate, the greater NJ SAVER rebate will be paid. Under this constitutional amendment, and companion implementing legislation, approximately 330,000 war veterans or their surviving spouses would be eligible to also receive the greater of the "circuit-breaker" type homestead rebate, currently available only to senior and disabled citizens, or the NJ SAVER rebate. The war veterans and their unmarried surviving spouses who would be eligible for the enhanced homestead rebate are the same war time military personnel who are eligible under the State Constitution for the veterans' $50 real property tax deduction. While this $50 deduction would continue to be extended to these veterans and their surviving spouses, the extension of the enhanced homestead rebate will provide a long overdue increase in personal property tax relief for this well-deserving group of residents, who have not had any increase in their $50 property tax deduction since it was incorporated into the State Constitution in 1953. | In Committee |
| S2737 | Provides exemption from State permit fees to owners of commercial farms rebuilding from natural disaster. | This bill prohibits State agencies from charging a fee to the owner of a commercial farm, as defined pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1983, c.31 (C.4:1C-3), for any permit, approval, or other authorization necessary to repair any damage, including the reconstruction of any building, sustained at the commercial farm due to a natural disaster. To be eligible for the fee exemption provided by the bill, the owner of a commercial farm would be required to demonstrate to the State agency, in a form and manner as determined by the agency, that the permit, approval, or other authorization is necessary to repair damage sustained due to a natural disaster. The bill would require, no later than 90 days after the bill is enacted into law, each State agency to publish a notice in the New Jersey Register, and post in a prominent location on the agency's Internet website, the form and manner for a commercial farm to apply for the fee exemption provided by the bill. Lastly, the bill would also require each State agency to provide this information to the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Agriculture would be required to compile the information for distribution to commercial farmers following a natural disaster. | In Committee |
| S2739 | Creates housing purchase matching grant program for members of United States Armed Forces and New Jersey National Guard who have served in certain military operations. | This bill establishes a matching grant program for certain members of the United States Armed Forces and the New Jersey National Guard to assist them in purchasing a home. The program is established in the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency in coordination with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The program may be interfaced with any program currently administered by the agency for first time homebuyers, although a recipient need not meet the other eligibility criteria of any other homebuyer program in order to be entitled to participate in the matching grant program. The bill defines "members of the United States Armed Forces" as members in both active and reserve components. Matching grants shall be made on the basis of available funds to eligible personnel on a dollar for dollar matching fund basis, up to a maximum of $10,000. The funds may be applied to closing costs, equity payments, or for any other purpose which assists the recipient in purchasing a home. There shall be no income eligibility for the program; however, the agency may give priority to those applicants who are also eligible for assistance under other programs administered by the agency, such as the first time home-buyer program. Applicants shall not be eligible for more than one matching grant under the program. In order to be eligible for a matching grant, a member of the United States Armed Forces or the New Jersey National Guard, at the time of application, must provide proof of: (1) at least 90 days of service on active duty in Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom, or Operation Iraqi Freedom; (2) legal residency in the State of New Jersey; and (3) intent to purchase a principal residence in the State of New Jersey. The bill appropriates $2 million from the General Fund to the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency to fund the grant program. | In Committee |
| SR76 | Urges United States Secretary of State to designate Nigeria as "Country of Particular Concern" and appoint Special Envoy. | This resolution urges the United States Secretary of State to designate Nigeria as a "Country of Particular Concern" and to appoint a Special Envoy for Nigeria and the Lake Chad region. In 2020, the Department of State designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern ("CPC") finding that Nigeria was engaging in or tolerating systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom, but omitted Nigeria from the CPC list in 2021 and 2022. For over a decade, terrorist organizations have perpetrated mass murders, rapes, and kidnappings against Nigerians of various religious backgrounds, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reports this has resulted in over 3 million internally displaced persons in northeastern Nigeria, and 343,000 registered refugee Nigerians in the Lake Chad region. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has noted that the Nigerian government has often failed to sufficiently respond to these acts of violence. Given these recent, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom, the United States Secretary of State is respectfully urged to designate Nigeria as a "Country of Particular Concern" and appoint a Special Envoy for Nigeria and the Lake Chad region. | In Committee |
| S2759 | Requires health insurers, SHBP and SEHBP to provide coverage for diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of lymphedema. | This bill requires health insurers and health maintenance organizations, as well as health benefits plans or contracts which are issued or purchased pursuant to the New Jersey Individual Health Coverage Program, New Jersey Small Employer Health Benefits Program, State Health Benefits Program, and School Employees' Health Benefits Program, to provide coverage for expenses incurred in the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of lymphedema that is determined to be medically necessary by the treating physician. Lymphedema is caused by an abnormality of the lymphatic system leading to excessive build-up of tissue fluid that forms lymph, known as interstitial fluid. Interstitial fluid can build up in any area of the body that has inadequate lymph drainage and cause lymphedema. Left untreated, lymphedema leads to chronic inflammation, infection and hardening of the skin that, in turn results in further lymph vessel damage and distortion of the shape of affected body parts. Lymphedema is a condition that develops slowly and once present is usually progressive. Although some people are born with abnormalities in the lymphatic system, a condition known as Primary Lymphedema, most lymphedema in the United States is Secondary Lymphedema. This type of lymphedema occurs from damage to the lymphatic system, commonly from cancer and its treatment, but also from trauma to the skin such as from burns or infections. Lymphedema can occur as a result of breast cancer, melanoma, gynecologic cancer, head and neck cancer, and sarcoma. Early diagnosis of lymphedema is important since treatment is most effective when commenced at the earliest stage of the disease. Lymphedema has no cure, but can be successfully managed when properly diagnosed and treated. Every patient diagnosed with lymphedema should have access to established effective treatment. | In Committee |
| S2744 | Establishes Main Street Assistance Program to encourage business development in small municipalities. | This bill establishes in the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) the "Main Street Assistance Program" (program) to provide financial and technical assistance to businesses located in the "Main Street area" within a "small municipality" as those terms are defined in the bill. The bill's purpose is to encourage business development in small municipalities having substantially developed commercial areas. The bill authorizes the governing body of a small municipality to designate a Main Street area in the municipality. To designate a Main Street area, the governing body is to provide a statement of intent to the EDA setting forth the municipality's findings concerning the economic conditions existing in the Main Street area and the municipality's intentions for addressing them. For a business to be eligible to receive financial and technical assistance from the EDA under the program, at least 15 percent of the full-time employees of the business are to reside within the small municipality. Under the bill, the EDA is to work cooperatively with other State agencies to explore and implement opportunities to direct resources and create enhanced incentives for Main Street area businesses participating in the program. The bill provides Main Street area businesses participating in the program corporation business tax credits and gross income tax credits equal to 15 percent of the cost of employee compensation expenses. The bill requires the EDA to annually report to the Governor and the Legislature on the program and publish the report on the EDA's Internet website. The report is to include the number, names, and types of businesses participating in the program, the total amount of financial and technical assistance provided to those businesses, the amount of financial and technical assistance received per business, the number of jobs created overall and per business, the amount of capital investment made per business, the total amount of technical assistance grants provided to small municipalities, and any other information as the EDA determines is necessary to evaluate the progress of the program. To provide funding for the program, the EDA is to establish the "Main Street Assistance Fund" for providing loans, loan guarantees, and technical assistance to Main Street area businesses participating in the program. The terms of a loan or loan guarantee and the amount of technical assistance is at the discretion of the EDA based on the moneys made available by the EDA for the purposes of the fund. In addition, the EDA may provide technical assistance grants to a small municipality to improve the economy, appearance, and image of its central business district. | In Committee |
| S2760 | "New Jersey Transit Villages Act." | This bill establishes the "New Jersey Transit Villages Act" for the purpose of encouraging municipalities to promote intensive mixed-use development within close proximity to mass transit. The bill encourages municipalities to use transit-oriented development techniques by directing transportation investments into the redevelopment of our older urban and suburban areas around transit hubs. The bill also seeks to increase transportation options and transit availability, which will have the effect of reducing automobile traffic, stabilizing property taxes, and providing affordable housing. Several years ago the New Jersey Department of Transportation and the New Jersey Transit Corporation administratively established the "Transit Village Initiative" to encourage appropriate intensive development within a half-mile radius of mass transit facilities. This bill would codify the Transit Village Initiative and permit State funding to be used to further the goals of the program. | In Committee |
| S2742 | Creates restricted distillery license; permits holder thereof to operate restaurant on licensed premises in Garden State Growth Zone. | This bill creates a restricted distillery license, the holder of which may produce distilled alcoholic beverages in accordance with the new subsection creating the license. The restricted distillery license may only be issued to a person or an entity which holds a plenary retail consumption license used in connection with a premises located in a Garden State Growth Zone, as defined in section 2 of P.L.2011, c.149 (C.34:1B-243), and operated in conjunction with a restaurant immediately adjoining the distillery. The restaurant is to be regularly and principally used for the purpose of providing meals to its customers and have adequate kitchen and dining room facilities. Under the bill, "Garden State Growth Zone" means the four New Jersey cities with the lowest median family income based on the 2009 American Community Survey from the U.S. Census, or a municipality which contains a Tourism District as established pursuant to section 5 of P.L.2011, c.18 (C.5:12-219) and regulated by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. These cities include Atlantic City, Camden, Passaic, Paterson, and Trenton. | In Committee |
| S2740 | Designates blueberry muffin as State Muffin. | This bill designates the blueberry muffin as the New Jersey State Muffin. New Jersey is the home of the commercial blueberry, which was first domesticated in Browns Mills in the early 20th century by Elizabeth White and Frederick Covile. White and Coville accomplished this by selectively breeding the native highbush blueberry over the course of many years. Blueberries now make up a significant proportion of New Jersey's agricultural economy and New Jersey is consistently among the top-five producers of blueberries in the nation, producing approximately 50 million pounds of blueberries worth an estimated $70 million annually. Blueberries taste good, are high in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants, are sodium and cholesterol-free, are low in calories, and may provide medical and health benefits, including helping to prevent cancer and heart disease. Blueberry muffins are able to highlight both the healthfulness and the great taste of the blueberry, since they can be enjoyed as a high fiber breakfast food, or as a sweet dessert. It is therefore proper and fitting for the State of New Jersey to recognize the significance of the blueberry to the State and the delightful taste of the blueberry muffin by designating the blueberry muffin as the New Jersey State Muffin. | In Committee |
| S2757 | Requires health benefits coverage of continuous glucose monitoring system for treatment of glycogen storage disease. | This bill requires health insurers (health, hospital, and medical service corporations, commercial individual and group health insurers, health maintenance organizations, 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) to provide coverage for expenses incurred in the purchase and use of a continuous glucose monitoring system, as prescribed by health care practitioner for the treatment of glycogen storage disease. | In Committee |
| S2690 | Requires State entities to recycle certain materials and provide recycling bins in State buildings. | This bill would require State governmental entities to source separate and recycle any aluminum, corrugated cardboard, glass, paper, or plastic waste generated at buildings and facilities owned, leased, or operated by the State entity. Under the bill, every State entity would be required to establish procedures for the collection and storage of any materials to be recycled under the bill, and make necessary contractual arrangements for the collection, transportation, and recycling of those materials. State entities also would be required as to provide adequate receptacles, signage, information, education, and staffing at buildings and facilities owned, leased, or operated by the State entities to ensure compliance with the bill. The provisions of the bill would not apply to any building or facility located in a State park or forest where the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is implementing a "carry-in, carry-out" trash program in which visitors to the State park or forest are required to take their trash with them upon departing the State park or forest. The bill would require the Department of the Treasury, in consultation with the DEP, to (1) prepare and distribute guidance to assist State entities with compliance, and (2) work with the Administrative Office of the Courts and the Legislature to ensure compliance with the requirements of the bill by the Judicial and Legislative Branches of State Government, respectively. | In Committee |
| S2651 | Regulates smoking in casinos and casino simulcasting facilities. | This bill amends the "New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act" (act) with respect to smoking in casinos and casino simulcasting facilities. Under the bill, the act's prohibition on smoking is not to apply to the area within the perimeter of any casino simulcasting facility approved by the Casino Control Commission pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1992, c.19 (C.5:12-194) and any casino approved by the Casino Control Commission pursuant to section 6 of P.L.1977, c.110 (C.5:12-6), provided that: (1) smoking is to be permitted in not more than 25 percent of the area of any casino floor and casino simulcasting facility; (2) smoking is to only be permitted in areas of the casino floor and casino simulcasting facility designated by signage by the operators for smoking; (3) smoking is to only be permitted under the following circumstances: in unenclosed interior designated smoking areas which contain slot machines or other electronic games, but is not to include areas of the casino floor and casino simulcasting facility that are fifteen feet or less from any casino pits offering table games with live dealers; and in enclosed interior designated smoking areas equipped with a ventilation system that is separately exhausted from other interior areas of the casino, casino simulcasting facility, and hotel facility, as applicable, so that air from the smoking area is not recirculated or backstreamed into interior areas that are not interior designated smoking areas; (4) all enclosed interior designated smoking areas are to be separated from other interior areas of the casino, casino simulcasting facility, and hotel facility, as applicable, by solid walls or windows, a ceiling, and a solid door; and (5) no stationary employee is to be assigned to work in an enclosed interior designated smoking area unless the employee voluntarily chooses to work in the designated enclosed interior smoking area. | In Committee |
| S2685 | Concerns New Jersey Black Cultural and Heritage Initiative Foundation; requires annual appropriation. | This bill changes the names of the New Jersey Black Cultural and Heritage Initiative and the New Jersey Black Cultural and Heritage Initiative Foundation to the New Jersey Black Heritage Initiative and New Jersey Black Heritage Foundation, respectively. The bill reduces the total number of members on the board of trustees of the New Jersey Black Heritage Foundation from 25 to 12 by decreasing the number of public members from 19 to five. The bill also adds the Governor or the Governor's designee as a members of the board of trustees. The bill increases the term of office for public members of the board of trustees from three years to five years; members of the board of trustees who represent State partner organizations would serve five-year terms. The bill necessitates that the board of trustees employ an executive director of the foundation within the limits of the foundation's available funds. The bill requires the executive director to submit an annual funding request outlining the foundation's proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year to the Governor and the Office of Management and Budget in the Department of the Treasury. The bill establishes an annual appropriation of $500,000 to the foundation for its operations. All expenses shall be paid from funds raised by, or appropriated to, the foundation. | In Committee |
| S2367 | Extends validity of and eliminates issuance fee for temporary instructional certificate issued to military spouse; requires expedited processing of military spouse application for NJ instructional certificate and eliminates fee to obtain certificate. | This bill provides that a temporary instructional certificate for a nonresident military spouse is to be valid for 365 days, with an option for an extension by the State Board of Examiners for an additional 365 days. The bill also prohibits the State board from charging a nonresident military spouse a fee for the issuance of a temporary instructional certificate. The bill further requires the Department of Education to establish procedures to expedite the processing of an application submitted by a nonresident military spouse for a New Jersey instructional certificate. The department and the State Board of Examiners are prohibited from requiring a nonresident military spouse to pay a fee for the issuance of the instructional certificate. | In Committee |
| S789 | Extends affordable housing preference to certain allied South Korean veterans. | This bill extends the existing affordable housing preference for United States veterans to South Korean veterans who, as determined by the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, served in the Vietnam conflict as allies to the United States; and are a citizens and residents of this State. The bill also extends certain existing affordable housing preferences to surviving spouses and caretakers of South Korean veterans who served in the Vietnam conflict as allies to the United States. The bill's provisions apply to affordable housing in housing projects that are financed by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, public housing authorities, county improvement authorities, redevelopment agencies, and the Department of Community Affairs, when acting as a public housing authority. This bill would take effect on the first day of the third month next following enactment, except that the Commissioner of Community Affairs, in consultation with the Adjutant General of Military and Veterans' Affairs, would be permitted to take anticipatory action necessary to effectuate the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| S1286 | Establishes New Jersey Veteran Gravesite Maintenance Grant Program in DMVA. | This bill would establish a grant program within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) for qualified veterans' organizations to maintain veteran gravesites across the State. DMVA would be required to develop guidelines, procedures, and criteria for applications and awards. The grant recipients would be required to report grant fund use to DMVA. Implementation of the grant program would be subject to a future appropriation by the Legislature. The bill defines "qualified veterans' organization" as a nonprofit veterans' organization that is a section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) tax exempt organization under the Internal Revenue Code, or a federally chartered Veterans' Service Organization. | In Committee |
| S2521 | Allows for issuance of two-year temporary courtesy license for nonresident military spouses in certain professions. | This bill amends current law on temporary courtesy licenses for nonresident military spouses. Under the bill, a nonresident military spouse who seeks and is approved to be issued a temporary courtesy license in New Jersey from the State Board of Applied Behavior Analyst Examiners; the State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners, including the Alcohol and Drug Counselor Committee; the New Jersey Board of Nursing; the Occupational Therapy Advisory Council; the State Board of Psychological Examiners; the State Board of Social Work Examiners; or the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Advisory Committee is to have the temporary courtesy license for two years, with the option, at the discretion of the specific board, council, or committee and submission of an application by the holder of the temporary courtesy license, for a one-year extension. Currently, temporary courtesy licenses are granted for one year, with the option for a one-year extension. | In Committee |
| S82 | Allows corporation business tax and gross income tax credits to businesses paying a salary differential to National Guard members or reservists on active duty. | This bill provides for corporation business tax and gross income tax credits to businesses that have employees who are also members of the National Guard or a reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States and receive mobilization orders for active duty service. The amount of credit shall be equal to the amount of salary paid by the business that makes up the difference between the employee's regular pay and the employee's military pay. | In Committee |
| S1069 | Establishes county veteran transportation grant program; removes certain restrictions to the current veterans transportation assistance program; appropriates $2 million. | Establishes county veteran transportation grant program; removes certain restrictions to the current veterans transportation assistance program; appropriates $2 million. | In Committee |
| S1579 | Provides tax credits for hiring certain military spouses. | This bill provides tax credits, to be awarded by the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development, for the hiring of certain military spouses. Under the bill, an employer may claim a tax credit for hiring an employee who is a nonresident of this State and is the spouse of an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States who has been transferred to this State in the course of the member's service, is legally domiciled in this State, or has moved to this State on a permanent change-of-station basis. The final amount of the tax credit provided to an employer for hiring a nonresident military spouse employee is to equal: (1) for a nonresident military spouse employee who works for an employer for at least 120 hours but less than 400 hours in a taxable year or privilege period, 15 percent of the wages provided by the employer to the nonresident military spouse employee; or (2) for a nonresident military spouse employee who works for an employer for at least 400 hours in a taxable year or privilege period, 25 percent of the wages provided by the employer to the military spouse employee. The bill limits the final amount of a tax credit for hiring a nonresident military spouse employee to $2,400 in a tax year. | In Committee |
| S2408 | Requires annual General Fund appropriation to DMVA for purposes of base realignment and closure. | This bill will require an annual appropriation not to exceed $200,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs for the Council on Armed Forces and Veterans' Affairs for the preservation of military installations in the event of federal action taken on base realignment and closure. The bill also requires a competitive contracting process to be followed every two years for any contract or agreement with a lobbyist or governmental affairs agent to assist with the preservation of military installations. In addition, the bill requires an annual report to be submitted by the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs that details each expenditure from the funds provided for the preservation of military installations. The report is to be available as a public record and posted on the website of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs. | In Committee |
| S2316 | Requires certain ratios of school library media specialists to students in public schools. | This bill establishes minimum ratios of school library media specialists to students required in school districts. The ratios are:· in each public school having an enrollment of less than 300 students on October 15 of the prior school year, the board of education is required to employ, at a minimum, one half-time staff member who holds an educational services certificate with a school library media specialist endorsement;· in each public school having an enrollment of between 300 and 1,499 students on October 15 of the prior school year, the board of education is required to employ, at a minimum, one full-time staff member who holds an educational services certificate with a school library media specialist endorsement; and· in each public school having an enrollment of 1,500 or more students on October 15 of the prior school year, the board of education is required to employ, at a minimum, two full-time staff members who hold an educational services certificate with a school library media specialist endorsement. The bill specifies how much time in each school day the school library media specialist is required to devote to school library work in public secondary schools, which is dependent upon the enrollment in the school. The bill also requires a public school having an enrollment of 500 or more students on October 15 of the prior school year to employ a minimum of one full-time staff member to serve as a library clerk, and to employ one additional full-time staff member to serve as a library clerk for each additional 500 students enrolled in the school. In order to be college- and career-ready in the twenty-first century, students must be able to use a wide range of information resources including books, media, technology, and the Internet. All students must be able to locate, evaluate, and interpret information accurately for academic and professional success. A qualified school library media specialist is uniquely suited through educational training and professional development to provide this educational foundation for all students. Many states currently require school library media specialists in their schools and most use student enrollment to determine the number of school library media specialists the schools employ. | In Committee |
| S781 | Authorizes creation of registered nurse license plates. | Authorizes creation of registered nurse license plates. | In Committee |
| S120 | Concerns workers' cooperative societies. | This bill amends and supplements statutory law authorizing the formation of workers' cooperative societies by adding services to the list of permissible purposes of a workers' cooperative society, and updating antiquated references. Additionally, the bill requires the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to provide financial and technical assistance to workers' cooperative societies as provided to other small businesses in the State. Workers' cooperative societies are a low-cost way to form small businesses for the mutual benefit of the employees. The New Jersey statute authorizing the formation of workers' cooperative societies was adopted in 1881. Although there are few organizations of this kind in existence today, nationally, interest in the formation of these organizations has grown in recent years. This bill provides for the formation of a workers' cooperative society for the purpose of carrying on a service-related business. The bill also removes certain limitations on par value of shares and persons to whom shares can be transferred, and increases the penalty for malfeasance by members of the board of directors, or other officers and agents. In addition, this bill updates antiquated statutory references, and, regarding the requirement that notice of the first society meeting be sent to members, replaces the option to notify members by publication, with an option to provide notice through certified or registered mail. Dissolution documents will no longer be filed with the Department of State; they will instead be filed with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD). The DOLWD shall also provide, on its website and in publications designed for those seeking employment, information regarding workers' cooperative societies which may be helpful to those seeking to form or join such an organization. Finally, the bill directs the EDA to provide the same technical and financial assistance to workers' cooperative societies as would be provided to any other small business in the State. | In Committee |
| S93 | Requires hospital laboratories and bio-analytical or clinical laboratories to offer test for hepatitis C to certain individuals; authorizes certain laboratories to perform rapid tests for hepatitis C. | This bill sets forth certain requirements for hepatitis C screenings for individuals born between January 1, 1945 and December 31, 1965 who, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are at increased risk for hepatitis C infection and associated liver diseases. Specifically, pursuant to a standing order issued by its chief medical officer, a general hospital will be required, when providing laboratory services on an outpatient basis to an individual born between 1945 and 1965, to provide, upon registration, the individual with a verbal and written statement of CDC policy regarding hepatitis C screening, and offer to provide the individual with a hepatitis C screening test. If the individual consents to a hepatitis C screening test, the hospital laboratory will be required to perform the test and transmit the test results to the health care provider who referred the individual for laboratory services. The standing order is to designate a process for an appropriate member of the hospital staff to contact individuals who test positive for hepatitis C, so as to advise the individual of the test results and encourage the individual to seek appropriate follow-up care. Similarly, when providing laboratory services to an individual born between 1945 and 1965 upon referral by a health care professional, a bio-analytical or clinical laboratory, pursuant to a standing order issued by its chief medical officer or an equivalent officer, will be required to provide the individual, upon registration, with a verbal and written statement of CDC policy regarding hepatitis C screening and offer to provide the individual with a hepatitis C screening test. If the individual consents to a hepatitis C screening test, the laboratory is to perform the test and transmit the test results to the health care professional who provided the referral for laboratory services. The requirement for laboratories to provide individuals with a statement of CDC policy regarding hepatitis C screening and offer to provide a hepatitis C screening test will not apply if a check of laboratory records indicates the individual has already been tested for hepatitis C. The bill provides that, in the event that a laboratory is out-of-network with respect to an individual's health benefits plan, the person's health benefits carrier is to reimburse the laboratory at the carrier's in-network rate, or in any other reasonable amount as agreed upon by the laboratory and the carrier, less any applicable copayment, coinsurance, or deductible, and the laboratory will be prohibited from billing the covered person for the screening test, other than for the applicable copayment, coinsurance, or deductible. This prohibition will not apply in situations in which: (1) the laboratory checks its records and determines that the covered person was previously screened for hepatitis C; (2) the person is advised that, because of the prior test, the person may be liable for the full cost of a subsequent test if the person's health benefits plan does not provide coverage for the test; (3) and the person, voluntarily and in writing, requests or agrees to undergo the subsequent test. Nothing in the bill will affect the scope of practice of any health care professional or diminish any authority or legal or professional obligation of any health care professional to offer a hepatitis C screening or diagnostic test, or to provide services or health care for the individual who is subject to a hepatitis C test. The commissioner will be required to evaluate the impact of the bill with respect to the number of hepatitis C screenings and the number of individuals who access care following a positive test, and submit a report of the evaluation to the Governor and the Legislature within one year of the effective date of the bill. The commissioner will also be required to adopt regulations, in consultation with the Public Health Council in the Department of Health, to permit any laboratory site that has a current Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments Certificate of Waiver issued by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to perform rapid point-of-care tests for hepatitis C virus licensed by the federal Food and Drug Administration. The bill will take effect on the first day of January next following the date of enactment, and the provisions concerning the hepatitis C screening requirements will expire and be deemed repealed on January 1 of the fifth year next following the date of enactment. The CDC has suggested that one-time testing of persons born between 1945 and 1965 for hepatitis C will help identify additional cases of hepatitis C infection that may otherwise go undetected, potentially improving health care outcomes and reducing the impact of liver disease among this population. | In Committee |
| S373 | Establishes task force to study issues facing returning members of US Armed Forces, NJ National Guard, and reserve component of US Armed Forces; creates permanent commission to study various definitions related to veteran status. | This bill establishes a task force on returning members of the United States Armed Forces and reserve components, and the New Jersey National Guard. The purpose of the task force will be to identify and review the issues and concerns facing members of the United States Armed Forces, New Jersey National Guard, and a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces returning from overseas deployments involving the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and recommend the measures the State should take to address and remedy the issues and concerns, including legislation if appropriate. The task force will: examine current data, research, programs, and initiatives related to the physical, social, emotional, and mental impact of military service upon service members and their families; identify effective strategies for promoting lifelong physical, social, emotional, and mental health of service members and their families; and develop recommendations to implement those strategies, including legislation if appropriate. The task force will prepare and issue a final report on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations, including any recommendations for legislation that it deems appropriate. The task force will expire 30 days after submission of its report. The bill also creates a permanent study commission to study the definitions related to veteran status. The study commission will: compile and analyze the various definitions of "veteran," "disabled veteran," "service-disabled veteran," and any other definition of veteran in the statutes; identify statutes with unique and restrictive requirements for the various definitions and determine if the requirements may be revised to achieve more uniform definitions; identify potential revisions to be made to the statutes to provide for a clearer understanding of the requirements for qualification under the various definitions; consult with the military community for expertise and input; and use the findings of the study commission, and the expertise from the military community, to recommend changes to the various definitions and submit the findings, conclusions, and recommendations in its annual reports. | In Committee |
| S72 | Directs DOH to develop standardized perinatal health curriculum for community health workers. | This bill directs the Department of Health to develop a standardized curriculum concerning perinatal health for the training of community health workers who provide education and support services to women of childbearing age. The curriculum is to include basic educational information and materials concerning factors and behaviors that affect maternal and infant health and childbirth, including, but not limited to: alcohol and substance use during pregnancy; maternal medical conditions that affect pregnancy; premature births and low birthweight babies; cesarean sections and labor induction; labor and delivery; infant mortality; breastfeeding; shaken baby syndrome; perinatal mood disorders; and the signs, symptoms, and risk factors most commonly associated with maternal and infant mortality and morbidity. The curriculum is to further include information on: shared decision making; informed consent; and resources available in the State for women, including, but not limited to, resources and referrals available through the county central intake agencies. The bill provides that the department may, in developing the curriculum, utilize information or resources developed by another state, a professional association with expertise in maternal and infant health, or an agency of the federal government. The bill provides that the department is to promote and share the curriculum as best practices for community doulas, nurse home visitors, and childbirth educators in the State. | In Committee |
| S77 | "Linnette Lebron's Law"; modifies procedures for marriage or civil union where a party is terminally ill. | This bill would modify the procedures for obtaining a marriage or civil union license when a party is terminally ill. The bill is designated "Linnette Lebron's Law." Currently, persons intending to be married or to enter into a civil union in New Jersey must first obtain a marriage or civil union license from a licensing officer and deliver it to the person who is to officiate. The statutes provide for a mandatory 72-hour waiting period from the time the application is made until the issuance of the license, unless all or part of that time has been waived by order of the Superior Court. This bill addresses instances where one of the parties is terminally ill and hospitalized. The bill is intended to reduce the amount of time these couples must attend to administrative matters, and to eliminate the 72-hour waiting period. Under the bill, the waiting period may be waived in a case involving a hospitalized terminally ill person whose terminal illness is certified to the licensing officer by the person's treating physician. The licensing officer would attach the certification from the physician to the license application. The bill also allows the terminally ill person, or both parties, to obtain the marriage or civil union license through a power of attorney instead of appearing in person before the licensing officer. The parties could also obtain the license by a telephone conference with the licensing officer. The bill provides that a hospitalized terminally ill person who is unable to appear before the licensing officer may obtain the marriage or civil union license by: (1) the appearance of an attorney-in-fact on the person's behalf, commissioned and empowered in writing for that purpose through a power of attorney; or (2) the appearance of attorneys-in-fact for both parties, commissioned and empowered in writing for that purpose through powers of attorney; or (3) telephonic communication with the licensing officer. Under the bill, the attorney-in-fact must personally appear before the licensing officer with the person who is not terminally ill, and present the original power of attorney duly signed by the terminally ill person and acknowledged by a notary, except that the person who is not terminally ill may be excused from appearing before the licensing officer if that person executes a separate power of attorney, acknowledged by a notary, permitting an attorney-in-fact to appear on his behalf as well. Each power of attorney would state the legal names of the parties to be married or enter into a civil union, and state that the power of attorney is solely for the purpose of authorizing the attorney-in-fact to obtain a marriage or civil union license on behalf of the terminally ill person and, where a power of attorney has also been executed by the person who is not terminally ill, on behalf of that person. Each power of attorney would be accompanied by a certification of the terminally ill person's treating physician. The power of attorney and accompanying certification would be a part of the marriage or civil union certificate upon registration. The bill provides that, in lieu of the appearance of an attorney-in-fact on behalf of the hospitalized terminally ill patient or attorneys-in-fact for both parties, the parties could obtain a license by telephone. In this case the licensing officer would require the contracting parties communicating with him by telephone to subscribe and swear to an oath attesting the truth of the facts respecting the legality of the proposed marriage or civil union. The parties' testimony would be verified by a witness of legal age who is in the presence of the contracting parties. Under current law, any identifying witness, license applicant, or attorney-in-fact who knowingly makes false answers to any of the inquiries asked by the licensing officer is guilty of perjury. The bill as amended specifies that making knowingly false answers to telephone inquiries asked by the licensing officer would constitute perjury as well. The bill defines "terminally ill" as "having an illness or injury that can reasonably be expected to result in death in 12 months or less as determined by the treating physician." This bill is named after a Camden resident who passed away in February, 2015. While Linnette Lebron was dying in the hospital, her husband-to-be was forced to leave her side to go to court to try to obtain a waiver of the 72-hour waiting period. They were married in the hospital and she died the next day. | In Committee |
| S680 | Allows planning and zoning board members to satisfy training requirements on Internet. | This bill would require the Commissioner of Community Affairs to ensure that the training course for members of planning boards and zoning boards of adjustment who are currently required to attend such training classes are delivered in both online and in-person formats. Other mandatory training programs, such as the training requirement imposed on campaign treasurers pursuant to N.J.S.19:44A-6, can be satisfied by completing an online training program. This bill will allow board members to become better trained without requiring them to take time out of a work day or a weekend. | In Committee |
| S117 | Provides that records of convictions for carjacking and promoting prostitution of child shall not be expunged. | Under current law, criminal records may be expunged after certain periods of time have elapsed. However, the records of certain serious offenses, such as criminal homicide, kidnapping, and sexual assault, are not subject to expungement. This bill would add two crimes to the list of those which may not be expunged: carjacking and promoting prostitution of a child. Carjacking, set out in N.J.S.2C:15-2, is a crime of the first degree. Ordinarily a crime of the first degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of 10 to 20 years or a fine of up to $200,000, or both. However, a defendant convicted of carjacking is subject to a term of imprisonment of 10 to 30 years with a mandatory minimum term of five years during which the defendant is not eligible for parole. Knowingly promoting prostitution of a child, set out in paragraph (3) of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:34-1, is also a crime of the first degree, punishable by the ordinary term of imprisonment for this crime of 10 to 20 years or a fine of up to $200,000, or both. | In Committee |
| S390 | Requires DEP to provide public access for boats to certain State-owned lakes; appropriates $1 million. | This bill would require the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to construct, cause to be constructed, or enter into long-term contracts with the owners of private marinas to provide for, public boat access to any State-owned lake at which boats with or without onboard motors are allowed. Any contract entered into with an owner of a private marina would be subject to a public bidding process. If the DEP is unable to construct, or cause to be constructed, public boat access to any State-owned lake at which boats with or without onboard motors are allowed, the commissioner would be required to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature identifying the lakes at which public boat access is unable to be provided and the reasons therefor. If the reason is due to a lack of sufficient funds for the purpose, the report would be required to detail the necessary funding required. The bill would appropriate $1 million from the General Fund to the DEP in order to provide for the public boat access required by the bill. | In Committee |
| S148 | Changes allocation of fines collected for motor vehicle violations in certain municipalities. | This bill changes the allocation of fines collected by the State Police in certain municipalities. Under current law, all moneys collected under Title 39, the State's motor vehicle code, including fines, penalties, forfeitures, and registration and license fees, are forwarded to the Department of the Treasury for deposit into the General Fund (moneys directed to the State Highway Fund after July 1, 1945 are now paid into General Fund). This bill amends current law to provide that whenever the State Police issue a motor vehicle summons in a municipality in which at least four limited-access highways travel through its boundaries, 25 percent of the moneys collected are to be allocated to the municipality in which the violation occurred, with the remaining 75 percent to be allocated to the State's General Fund. | 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 |
| S889 | Establishes grant program for homeless veterans shelters. | The bill would require the Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to award grants, subject to the availability of funds, to certain southern New Jersey counties to provide veterans with improved access to homeless shelters. Under the bill, Atlantic County, Cape May County, and Cumberland County may submit applications to the Adjutant General proposing locations for homeless veterans shelters and identifying property the county would provide to the State for the development of a shelter. New Jersey's southern counties are in particular need of shelters for homeless veterans. Because of mobility issues, homeless veterans' access to resources is often limited by geographic location. Various factors may have caused homeless veterans to locate within southern New Jersey counties. However, when conditions, such as extreme cold, require them to seek out temporary shelter, they find themselves isolated from shelters and other facilities that provide resources for veterans. This bill would result in the development of shelters in locations appropriate to meet this need. | 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 |
| S910 | Prioritizes distribution of 9-1-1 System and Emergency Response Trust Fund monies; permits use of funds for certain expenses incurred by counties and municipalities for the provision and maintenance of 9-1-1 emergency services. | This bill permits funds from the "9-1-1 System and Emergency Response Trust Fund Account" to be appropriated for the purposes of paying for certain costs incurred by counties and municipalities for the provision and maintenance of 9-1-1 emergency services and prioritizes funds. Currently, pursuant to N.J.S.A.52:17C-19, funds in the trust fund account are allocated for the following purposes: (1) the costs incurred in the initial installation of the Statewide enhanced 9-1-1 network and for the costs incurred by a county for the employment of a county 9-1-1 coordinator in an amount not to exceed $25,000 per county 9-1-1 coordinator (N.J.S.A.52:17C-13) as well as the installation, operation, and maintenance costs required to provide wireless enhanced 9-1-1 services (N.J.S.A.52:17C-14); (2) the costs of funding the State's capital equipment (including debt service), facilities, and operating expenses that arise from emergency response; (3) the cost of emergency response training, including any related costs or expenses of the Office of Emergency Management in the Division of State Police in the Department of Law and Public Safety; (4) the cost of operating the Office of Emergency Telecommunications Services; (5) the cost of operating the Statewide Public Safety Communications Commission; (6) any costs associated with implementing any requirement of the Federal Communications Commission concerning 9-1-1 service that is not otherwise allocated to a carrier and not eligible for reimbursement under law or regulation; (7) any costs associated with planning, designing, or implementing an automatic location identification technology that is not otherwise allocated to a wireless carrier and not eligible for reimbursement under law or regulation; and (8) any costs associated with planning, designing or acquiring replacement equipment or systems (including debt service) related to the enhanced 9-1-1 network. This bill provides that funds in the 9-1-1 System and Emergency Response Trust Fund Account may also be allocated for costs incurred by counties and municipalities for the provision and maintenance of 9-1-1 emergency services including, but not limited to, costs associated with emergency response training, operating expenses, and capital expenses. Finally, the bill requires funds to be distributed on a prioritized basis first to county, regionalized, or large centralized public safety answering points, followed by other local public safety answering points. | In Committee |
| S106 | Exempts personal protective equipment from sales and use tax. | This bill exempts personal protective equipment from taxation under the "Sales and Use Tax Act." The director of the Center for Disease Control emphasized the importance of masks while testifying before the Senate Appropriations Committee of the United States Senate. Personal protective equipment includes coveralls, face shields, gloves, gowns, masks, respirators, and other equipment designed to protect the wearer from the spread of an infection or illness. | In Committee |
| S74 | Expands eligibility for property tax reimbursement program. | This bill expands eligibility for the property tax reimbursement program to include individuals who do not work and are retired on a disability retirement under the Police and Firemen's Retirement System of New Jersey (PFRS). Under current law, disabled persons receiving Social Security Disability benefits are eligible for the property tax reimbursement program, but not those disabled individuals who have retired under the PFRS. | In Committee |
| S115 | Eliminates veterans' gross income tax deduction requirement that New Jersey National Guard member serve in federal active duty status. | This bill eliminates the requirement that a New Jersey National Guard member serve in federal active duty status in order to qualify for the veterans' gross income tax deduction. A member of the New Jersey National Guard, who has been honorably discharged or otherwise been released under honorable circumstances, may claim a gross income tax deduction of $3,000 per taxable year. Under this bill, this veterans' gross income tax deduction is available regardless of whether the servicemember claiming the deduction was, at any point, called up for federal active duty status (meaning military service under the jurisdiction of the United States Secretary of Defense pursuant to 10 U.S.C. s.1209). This bill honors the service of the men and woman who enlist in the New Jersey National Guard. These servicemembers, as with all members of our armed forces, dedicate their time, make personal sacrifices, and incur costs for the benefit of the State and its residents. Accordingly, these servicemembers deserve the same honor, recognition, and tax relief already afforded under State law to veterans of other military branches. | In Committee |
| S2229 | Increases benefit amounts and expands eligibility under New Jersey earned income tax credit program. | This bill increases the benefit amounts under the New Jersey earned income tax credit (NJEITC) program and expands eligibility for taxpayers with Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN) and those taxpayers who have been victims of domestic abuse Currently, the program provides a tax credit equal to 40 percent of the federal earned income tax credit. The bill increases this amount from 40 percent to 45 percent over a five-year period. This bill allows taxpayers with ITINs to qualify for the NJEITC program. Under the federal earned income tax credit program, a taxpayer, including a spouse if filing a joint return, is required to have a Social Security number issued by the federal Social Security Administration in order to qualify. Eligibility for the NJEITC program is generally linked to the federal earned income tax credit program; thus, an individual taxpayer who has an ITIN does not qualify for either the federal or State programs. The bill modifies the eligibility criteria under the NJEITC program to allow taxpayers with ITINs to qualify for the tax credit. The bill also expands eligibility under the NJEITC program for taxpayers who are victims of domestic abuse. Under the federal program, if a taxpayer is married, the taxpayer is required to file a joint return with their spouse to be eligible for the federal earned income credit. However, victims of domestic abuse typically file as married filing separately, losing their federal earned income credit and NJEITC program eligibility in the process. The bill exempts a married taxpayer from the joint filing requirement if the taxpayer files as married filing separately and the taxpayer: (i) was living apart from the taxpayer's spouse on the last day of the taxable year for which the credit is claimed; (ii) was a victim of domestic abuse, as defined by the bill, within the past three years; and (iii) indicates on the taxpayer's gross income tax return that the taxpayer meets the criteria set forth in the bill. | In Committee |
| S98 | Requires one member of board in charge of institution for persons with mental illness or developmental disability to be family member of resident. | This bill would provide that at least one member of each board in charge of the institutions or agencies for persons who have a mental illness or developmental disability shall be a family member of a resident of the institution or agency, and shall fill the first vacancy on a board if there is no family member on the board. It is the sponsor's belief that this bill will help to ensure that family members of residents in State institutions or agencies for persons who have a mental illness or developmental disability will have a say in decisions made on behalf of their loved ones. | 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 |
| S67 | Requires licensure of dog trainers. | This bill provides for the regulation and licensing of dog trainers. The bill establishes the Dog Trainer Board of Examiners in the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety, which will consist of nine members. Two members will be public members; three members will be licensed dog trainers, except for the members first appointed; two members will be veterinarians licensed in this State; one member will be affiliated with an animal protection group; and one member will be a State executive department member. The bill permits the board to establish fees for those licensed under the bill and incorporates the terms of the law on fees of professional boards, P.L.1974, c.46 (C.45:1-3.1 et seq.), and the uniform enforcement and procedure act, P.L.1978, c.73 (C.45:1-14 et seq.), for enforcement of standards and punishment of violations. To be eligible to be licensed as a dog trainer, an applicant shall: be at least 18 years of age; be of good moral character; have successfully completed high school or successfully passed a high school equivalency examination developed by the General Education Development (GED) Testing Service; have successfully completed a minimum of 300 hours in dog training under the supervision of, and documented by, a dog trainer licensed pursuant to this bill in the three years previous to applying for licensure; and pass an examination administered or approved by the board to determine the applicant's competence to practice dog training. The examination required by the bill must be held at least twice a year at the times and places to be determined by the board. The board, in consultation with the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), must adopt as the examination required of applicants for licensure under this bill any CCPDT certification examination, or any other examination that is determined by the board to be a substantially similar assessment of dog training skills and competency. The bill provides an exemption from the requirement that an applicant for licensure successfully complete a minimum of 300 hours in supervised dog training if the applicant provides proof satisfactory to the board that the applicant has engaged in the practice of dog training in this State continuously for at least one year prior to the effective date of the bill. There is also an exemption from the requirement that an applicant for licensure pass an examination administered or approved by the board if the applicant provides proof satisfactory to the board that the applicant has passed any CCPDT certification examination, or any other examination that is determined by the board to be a substantially similar assessment of dog training skills and competency, prior to the effective date of the bill. The bill provides for licenses to be issued for a three-year period, and will be renewed upon filing a renewal application. A license will not be renewed until the license holder submits satisfactory evidence to the board that during the preceding three years the license holder has completed such continuing education credits as are to be determined by the board pursuant to regulation. The board will approve, in consultation with the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), continuing education credits that build upon the basic knowledge of dog training and which enhance the competency of the license holder. The board may make exceptions from the continuing education requirement in emergency or hardship cases with the approval of an affirmative vote of a majority of the board. | In Committee |
| S92 | Requires DOH to develop interconception care resources to enhance postpartum care for women. | This bill requires the Department of Health to develop interconception care resources for health care facilities and health care practitioners providing postpartum care. The interconception care resources will include evidence-based clinical management algorithms and patient education materials based on the most common pregnancy-related and delivery-related complications identified in the State, as determined by the department. The algorithms will be designed to guide risk assessment, counseling, and the management of adverse pregnancy outcomes, maternal complications, and neonatal complications, with the goal of supporting and improving maternal health and reducing risks in future pregnancies. The patient education materials will provide clear, easily understood explanations of individual health conditions and complications commonly encountered during the birth process and postpartum period, present available treatment options, and include self-care strategies that women can employ to improve their own health, the health of their newborn children, and the likelihood of successful, complication-free pregnancies in the future. To the extent possible, the department is to make the patient education materials available in English, Spanish, and any other language with a significant representation in the State. In developing interconception care resources, the department may review and, when appropriate, adapt relevant resources developed by another state or by a professional association with expertise in maternal and postpartum care. Additionally, the department may partner with one or more nonprofit organizations for the purpose of developing the algorithms and patient education materials. | In Committee |
| S100 | "Mary's Law"; requires Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund to provide direct payments for purchases of specialized, modified motor vehicles. | This bill, designated as "Mary's Law," requires that financial assistance given through monies from the Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund, for the purposes of purchasing a specialized, modified motor vehicle, be provided through direct payments to the seller of that vehicle and, as necessary, to a business entity that may perform subsequent modifications to the vehicle to make it accessible to a child with a catastrophic illness within 30 days after the application to receive financial assistance is approved and the delivery of, and any subsequent modifications needed to accommodate the child are made to, the motor vehicle. Currently, purchases for these vehicles are reimbursed through the fund to families after the expenses have already been incurred. It is often the case, however, that a family does not have the money upfront to purchase the vehicle and pay for the subsequent modifications for disabled transport. It is the view of the sponsor that direct payments as specified in the bill will allow more families to purchase these vehicles. The bill also specifies the services which are eligible for payment or reimbursement through the fund. Currently, the type of financial assistance from the fund includes, but is not limited to, payments or reimbursements for medical treatment, hospital care, drugs, nursing care and physician services. The bill mandates that financial assistance through the fund includes payments or reimbursement, as appropriate, for the cost of the services specified under the bill's provisions. Additionally, the bill provides that the current funding mechanism for the program, which is a $1.50 annual surcharge per employee for all employers who are subject to the New Jersey "Unemployment Compensation Law," is increased to $3 per employee. The Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund is a financial assistance program for New Jersey families whose children have an illness or condition that is otherwise uncovered by insurance, State or federal programs, or other source, and that exceeds 10 percent of the first $100,000 of annual family income plus 15 percent of the excess income over $100,000. The fund is intended to assist in preserving a family's ability to cope with the responsibilities which accompany a child's significant health problems. | In Committee |
| S119 | Clarifies procedures for resignation, removal, and succession of fiduciaries. | This bill would clarify the procedures for the resignation or removal of a fiduciary when such action is expressly permitted by a governing instrument, such as a will. The bill would additionally clarify that Surrogates may grant such applications under certain circumstances. Many governing instruments are currently drafted to include a specific provision permitting fiduciaries to resign from office or establishing the authority to discharge a fiduciary and appoint a successor. Under current law, procedures for processing applications for resignation or removal pursuant to such provisions may be unclear. This bill would establish certain standards for such applications by providing that the resignation or removal would become effective when any relevant terms in the governing instrument have been complied with, written notice is delivered to any cofiduciaries, and a successor is appointed if there is no cofiduciary authorized to continue the administration or if the governing instrument requires appointment of a successor. Additionally, the bill would expressly permit Surrogates to accept resignations and effectuate removals of fiduciaries appointed by the Surrogate when the action is authorized by the governing instrument and there is no opposition to the application by any interested person. The bill would require that certain documents be filed with the Surrogate, including a copy of the governing instrument, proof of compliance with any relevant terms in the governing instrument, and proof that notice of the intended action was sent to all interested parties by certified or registered mail at least 20 days prior to filing the action. The notice would advise the interested person of the intended action and that any objections must be provided to the Surrogate in writing within 20 days of the mailing. As used in the bill, "interested person" includes all serving fiduciaries, any successors, and any person having an interest in income or principal whom it would be necessary to join as a party in a proceeding for the judicial settlement of the fiduciary's account. Nothing in the bill would preclude a fiduciary from applying to the Superior Court for discharge as provided under current law. It is the sponsor's belief that this bill will help reduce the costs of administering estates and testamentary trusts. | In Committee |
| S75 | Provides for increase in relocation assistance amounts based on increase of CPI. | The bill provides for increases in the payment of relocation assistance to persons who are displaced as a result of the acquisition of real property by the State. Specifically, the bill would increase the maximum payments permitted under the "Relocation Assistance Act," P.L.1971, c.362 (C.20:4-1 et seq.) by specified amounts over the four-year period following enactment. The bill further provides that after the four-year phase-in period, the maximum authorized payments of relocation assistance would be annually adjusted according to the U.S. City Average of the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. | In Committee |
| S101 | Removes plenary retail distribution license limit for certain stores. | Currently, the law prohibits any person or corporate entity from holding more than two retail licenses to sell alcoholic beverages. This bill increases the number of plenary retail distribution licenses that a person may acquire when the license or licenses are used in connection with the operation of a retail food store, or in connection with the operation of a liquor store when the licensee certifies that at least 90 percent of the store's annual sales are alcoholic beverages. While the bill increases the number of retail licenses that one person may acquire, the total number of licenses held by one person is still restricted and gradually increases over time. Immediately following the effective date of the bill, a person may own or have an interest in a maximum of five retail licenses, including any retail license acquired prior to the bill's effective date. Five years following the effective date of the bill, a person may hold no more than a total of seven retail licenses. Finally, 10 years following the bill's effective date, a person may hold no more than a total of 10 retail licenses. Individuals who acquire more than two licenses under the provisions of the bill are required to pay a license transfer fee on each additional license that they acquire. The transfer fee is set at 10 percent of the amount the entity paid for the license and is payable to the municipality in which the licensed premises is situated. It is important to note that this bill does not increase the number of licenses that a municipality may issue. | In Committee |
| S134 | Revises acreage requirement for plenary winery licenses. | This bill revises the acreage requirement for a plenary winery. Under current law, a person is eligible to hold a plenary winery license if the person is engaged in growing and cultivating grapes or fruit used in the production of wine on at least three acres of land on, or adjacent to, the winery premises. Current law also provides that issuance of a plenary winery license allows a holder to sell products at retail to consumers at the winery and its retail outlets. This bill permits the operation of wineries that do not meet the land requirement, but prohibits those wineries from selling their products at retail. Wineries will retain the right to sell products at retail under the bill if they grow and cultivate grapes on three acres situated on or within five miles of the winery premises. | In Committee |
| S56 | Eliminates one percent tax on purchasers of Class 4A commercial property transferred for consideration in excess of $1 million. | This bill eliminates the tax on the purchaser in a non-deed transfer of a controlling interest in an entity that owns Class 4A commercial properties, equal to 1 percent of the total consideration paid, if the total consideration for the transfer is in excess of $1 million. Class 4A commercial property is any kind of income-producing real property other than property classified as vacant land, residential property or apartments, farm property, and industrial property. | In Committee |
| S84 | Permits local governments to request civil service law enforcement examinations; increases training reimbursement for law enforcement positions; removes certain law enforcement appointees from civil service eligible list; allows county hiring preference for county police departments. | Current law does not address when an entry level law enforcement examination will be held, but the Civil Service Commission has maintained a practice of administering such examinations once every three years. This bill permits a county or municipal police department to request an entrance level law enforcement examination in order to fill a vacancy. The examination will be held no later than ten business days from receipt of the request for the examination. In addition, the names of persons who receive a passing score will be consolidated with the most recent eligible list for such title. This bill would allow a county to establish a hiring preference for county residents for county police officer positions. Current law allows municipal police departments to have a hiring preference for municipal residents, but does not authorize the same with respect to county police departments. This bill would enable county police departments to prioritize county residents when hiring new officers, which would allow county police forces to be more reflective of the communities they serve. As is provided with respect to municipal police departments, this bill maintains veterans' preferences that are provided by law and provides a secondary preference for the children of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. These preferences would apply within each residence classification. Under this bill, if an appointing authority makes an appointment from an entry-level law enforcement eligible list certified by the Civil Service Commission, the commission will remove the name of the person appointed from the eligible list for all entry-level law enforcement positions. Under current law, once an individual is hired to an entry-level law enforcement positon, the individual's name is not removed from any eligible list for other law enforcement positions. Although now employed and trained by a department, the individual's name remains on the eligible list for other departments. This bill will prevent an individual from accepting a position with the first available department, receiving training at the expense of that department, and then accepting a position with another department that individual deems more favorable for geographic or financial reasons. The bill will help prevent a department from losing the benefit of a trained individual and the added expense of training another individual. This bill would expand the training reimbursement amount and time period that applies to certain law enforcement agencies that hire new law enforcement officers. This bill would help further discourage the practice of hiring away new law enforcement officers from other agencies that have invested the time and resources into recruiting and training them. Under current law, whenever a county or municipal law enforcement officer is hired by a different county or municipal law enforcement agency, an educational institution's police department, a State law enforcement agency, or the New Jersey Transit Police Department within 30 days of holding a permanent appointment, the hiring agency is required to reimburse the former employer 100 percent of the examination, hiring, and training costs it bore. If one of those agencies hires a county or municipal law enforcement officer within two years, but more than 30 days, of holding a permanent appointment, the appointing agency is required to reimburse the former employer 50 percent of the examination, hiring, and training costs. These same reimbursement timeframes and amounts apply when a municipality hires a Class Two special law enforcement officer from another municipality. For these law enforcement hires, the bill would increase the time period during which a reimbursement is required to two years, and would increase the amount of the reimbursement to 150 percent of the examination, hiring, and training costs. | In Committee |
| S87 | Increases annual income limitation for senior and disabled citizens' eligibility for $250 property tax deduction and bases future annual income limitations on annual CPI changes. | This bill increases the annual income limit for seniors and disabled persons to be eligible for an annual property tax deduction. The income limit increase reflects an increase in cost of living. The income limit increase from $10,000 to $20,000 reflects actual inflation from 1983 to 2022, and the annual income limit change thereafter will reflect the actual cost of living change for the past year. The bill uses the Consumer Price Index to determine increases in years after 2023 to ensure that the income limits remain realistic. The bill takes effect immediately, but will remain inoperative until the voters approve a constitutional amendment authorizing an increase in the income limit from $10,000 to $20,000, and annual increases thereafter. | In Committee |
| S83 | Provides State information technology contracts will require use of software to document computer use by contractor. | This bill provides that any information technology contract entered into by a State agency, having a value in excess of $100,000 will require the information technology contractor to use software to verify that all hours billed for work under the contract for services performed on a computer are eligible charges. Every such contract must specifically provide that the State agency will not pay for hours worked on a computer unless the hours are verifiable by software or by data collected by software. The bill provides specific functions that this software must perform in order to document computer use in performance of a contract. It will apply to agencies in the Executive Branch of State government and to independent State authorities, commissions, instrumentalities, or agencies. | 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 |
| S89 | Appropriates $300,000 from General Fund to New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station at Rutgers University. | Appropriates $300,000 from General Fund to New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station at Rutgers University. | In Committee |
| S64 | The "New Jobs for New Jersey Act." | This bill establishes a New Jobs for New Jersey tax credit program to be administered by the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development. The purpose of the program is to provide incentives to small private sector employers who increase their workforce by hiring unemployed workers. The bill makes an employer of 100 or fewer full-time employees eligible for a refundable New Jobs for New Jersey tax credit against the corporation business tax or the gross income tax, whichever applies to the employer, for each eligible individual employed by the employer on a full-time basis during a tax year, if the following requirements are met: 1. The eligible individual is hired by the employer after April 1, 2021, is employed full-time during the tax year for which the tax credit is provided, was not previously employed by the employer, and did not have full-time employment for 30 or more days prior to being hired by the employer; 2. The employer employs an average total number of full-time employees during the tax year for which the tax credit is provided which exceeds the average total number of full-time employees employed by the employer during the 12-month period immediately prior to April 1, 2021; and 3. The employer submits an application for the tax credit in the manner required by the commissioner, the commissioner approves the application, and the employer provides, or makes available as requested by the commissioner, all information regarding the number, wages, and employer payroll taxes or any other information required by the commissioner. The bill sets the amount of the refundable tax credit provided to an approved employer for each eligible individual employed during a tax year as the total amount of the employer payroll taxes paid during that tax year by the employer with respect to that individual, subject to the requirements of the bill. Employer payroll taxes include the portion paid by employers of State unemployment, temporary disability, and workforce development and basic skills assessments, and federal Social Security, Medicare, and unemployment taxes. The bill provides that the employer receives the tax credit only for the number of eligible individuals employed full-time during the tax year which does not exceed the net increase in the number of full-time employees employed full-time during the tax year compared with the average total number of full-time employees employed by the employer during the 12-month period immediately preceding April 1, 2021. An employer may apply for and qualify for a tax credit under the bill with respect to tax years 2021, 2022, and 2023. If the employer's application is approved for any of those three years, the employer may continue to receive the tax credit for any of the four tax years following that tax year during which the employer meets the requirements of the bill. Upon a finding by the commissioner of employer compliance with the bill's requirements, the commissioner is required to certify to the Director of the Division of Taxation that the employer is eligible for a tax credit under this bill, the amount of the tax credit, and provide a copy of the certification to the employer. | In Committee |
| S73 | Temporarily reinstates property tax exemption for previously exempt non-profit hospital properties; establishes "Non-Profit Hospital Property Tax Exemption Study Commission." | This bill would reinstate property tax exemptions for non-profit hospital properties for tax years 2022 and 2023 if such properties were exempt from property taxation in tax year 2015, and would bar any litigation or other actions to subject these properties to property taxation for those two tax years. The bill would also establish a commission, designated as the "Non-Profit Hospital Property Tax Exemption Study Commission," to study the current status of non-profit hospital property tax exemptions, and to issue a report with recommendations on how the law governing non-profit hospital property tax exemptions should be updated so that it is fair to non-profit hospitals, municipalities, and taxpayers. Non-profit hospitals have changed substantially over the decades and the law governing property tax exemptions for their properties has not evolved with these changes. The disconnect that now exists between modern non-profit hospital operations and the law has led to a patchwork of costly litigation over whether non-profit hospitals should be subject to property taxation. This bill would reinstate, for two years, the property tax-exempt status that had long existed for non-profit hospital properties, and would dismiss all litigation over the property tax status of these properties during this period of time. This temporary bar on litigation would allow a panel of experts in the relevant fields to conduct a careful study of the complex issues involved in the property taxation of non-profit hospitals, and develop proposals for consideration by the Governor and the Legislature on how the property tax exemption law should be updated to reflect modern non-profit hospital operations and provide fairness to non-profit hospitals, municipalities, and taxpayers. | 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 |
| S90 | Designates month of November as "Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Awareness Month" in NJ. | This bill designates the month of November as "Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Awareness Month" in New Jersey, and requests that the Governor issue an annual proclamation calling on public officials and citizens of the State to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs. Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSDS), also known as complex regional pain syndrome, is a debilitating and progressively chronic condition characterized by severe burning pain, pathological changes in bone and skin, excessive sweating, tissue swelling and extreme sensitivity to touch. In 2007, New Jersey established a reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome education and research program in the Department of Health in order to increase public awareness of the causes of RSDS, promote the value of early detection and the diagnosis of and possible treatments for the syndrome, and support research, through public and private sources, to accurately identify, diagnose, and treat RSDS. | In Committee |
| S142 | Establishes teacher recruitment grant program in DOE; appropriates $6 million to DOE. | This bill establishes a competitive grant program in the Department of Education to provide funding to an organization that recruits, trains, and places new teachers in high poverty school districts. The selected organization would receive a grant equal to the amount of private contributions that the organization receives, not to exceed $2 million each year, for three years. For the purposes of the grant program, a high poverty school district is one in which at least 40 percent of the students qualify for free or reduced-price school meals. | In Committee |
| S108 | Provides corporation business tax credits and gross income tax credits for purchase of certain compressed natural gas vehicles. | This bill provides corporation business tax credits and gross income tax credits for the purchase of certain compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles. The tax credits are available for purchases made in tax years beginning in 2023, 2024, and 2025. For business entities, the bill provides a credit for the purchase of CNG passenger automobiles and a credit for the purchase of Class 8 CNG trucks. Each credit is available under the corporation business tax and gross income tax. To qualify for these credits, the business entity taxpayer must use the vehicle directly and exclusively in the taxpayer's business, trade, or occupation. These business credits are allowed for tax years beginning in a three year period and are gradually reduced each year. For CNG passenger automobiles purchased in a tax year beginning in 2023 a business taxpayer is allowed a credit of up to $3,500. For CNG passenger automobiles purchased in a tax year beginning in 2024 a business taxpayer is allowed a credit of up to $2,500. For CNG passenger automobiles purchased in a tax year beginning in 2025 a business taxpayer is allowed a credit of up to $1,500. For Class 8 CNG trucks purchased in a tax year beginning in 2023 a business taxpayer is allowed a credit of up to $25,000. For Class 8 CNG trucks purchased in a tax year beginning in 2024 a business taxpayer is allowed a credit of up to $15,000. For Class 8 CNG trucks purchased in a tax year beginning in 2025 a business taxpayer is allowed a credit of up to $7,500. For personal income taxpayers, the bill provides a gross income tax credit for the purchase of CNG passenger automobiles. These personal income taxpayer credits are allowed for tax years beginning in a three year period and are gradually reduced each year. For CNG passenger automobiles purchased in a tax year beginning in 2023 a personal income taxpayer is allowed a credit of up to $3,500. For CNG passenger automobiles purchased in a tax year beginning in 2024 a personal income taxpayer is allowed a credit of up to $2,500. For CNG passenger automobiles purchased in a tax year beginning in 2025 a personal income taxpayer is allowed a credit of up to $1,500. The bill limits personal income taxpayers to one of these credits per tax year, except joint filers are allowed two credits per tax year. To qualify for any of the credits allowed under this bill a taxpayer must file an application for a certification from the Commissioner of Environmental Protection that the vehicle or truck purchased by the taxpayer qualifies as a passenger automobile fueled by CNG or a Class 8 CNG truck. | In Committee |
| SCR48 | Urges Congress and President to permanently exempt Puerto Rico from Jones Act. | This concurrent resolution urges the Congress and President of the United States to permanently exempt Puerto Rico from certain provisions of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, also known as the Jones Act. Certain provisions of the Jones Act require that all goods shipped by water between U.S. ports be carried in U.S. flagships that are constructed primarily in the U.S., owned by U.S. citizens, and crewed by U.S. citizens and permanent residents. These shipping restrictions have a disparate impact on U.S. island states and territories because these island economies import goods primarily by sea. U.S. shipping companies are often more expensive than foreign shipping companies, which drives up the cost of goods shipped by these companies to U.S. island states and territories, and results in higher prices for residents. Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the U.S. and is subject to the provisions of the Jones Act. On September 20, 2017, Puerto Rico was hit by Hurricane Maria, a category four hurricane and the strongest storm to hit the island in nearly a century. Prior to Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico had been suffering from an acute financial crisis and had accumulated $74 billion in debt. Hurricane Maria, compounded by the effects of the financial crisis, destroyed most buildings and infrastructure on the island, leaving nearly all 3.4 million residents without power and in need of food, clothing, medicine, and shelter in its immediate aftermath. Additionally, almost half of the electricity on the island is provided by petroleum and approximately a third of electricity is provided by natural gas, both of which must be imported to the island by ship. A permanent exemption from the Jones Act, codified at 46 U.S.C. s.55102, will provide residents of Puerto Rico with the certainty that goods needed for the ongoing recovery of the island will be accessible without restriction from Puerto Rican ports and will help to expedite the recovery process from this unprecedented disaster and from the ongoing financial crisis. | In Committee |
| S113 | Establishes "New Jersey Net Neutrality Act." | The bill entitled the "New Jersey Net Neutrality Act," establishes a system to ensure that all New Jersey customers of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are able to receive proper Internet service. The bill addresses concerns over the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) proposed plan to repeal regulations that ensure equal access to the Internet and prevent ISPs from charging customers higher fees or stopping or slowing down Internet service. Under the bill, ISPs are to provide customers access to any lawful Internet content of their choice, the ability to attach any lawful, non-harmful device to their end connection, the ability to run any lawful application or use any lawful service of their choice, and access to an open, neutral and non-prioritized Internet. The bill provides that ISPs provide customers prior written notification of any change in their policies that will result in the prioritization of Internet traffic, except in circumstances involving reasonable Internet network management. ISPs are required to disclose to their customers prioritization policies generally, and any agreement the ISP has entered into with a content provider for the prioritization of the content provider's Internet traffic. ISPs are also required to permit customers to receive itemized bills, and if an ISP charges for accessing particular websites, the bill shall list the time and date the customer accessed those websites. The bill directs the Division of Consumer Affairs (the division) to establish the "New Jersey Internet Service Provider Registry," and promulgate regulations requiring all ISPs to affirmatively disclose to the division any prioritization policies, agreements with content providers for prioritization, and the material terms for their agreements with their customers, including all fees to be charged and any promises or assertions regarding connectivity speed. The division is also directed to test each ISP's connectivity speed. This information is to be posted online, in an understandable format, so that customers may compare the costs, prioritization policies, promised or asserted connectivity speeds, and actual connectivity speeds of ISPs within the State. A violation of this bill is an unlawful practice under the consumer fraud act, which is punishable by a monetary penalty of not more than $10,000 for a first offense and not more than $20,000 for a subsequent offense. | In Committee |
| S136 | Requires installation of grab bars in certain public restrooms. | This bill would require a minimum number of toilet stalls equipped with grab bars in any newly constructed public restroom maintained in public buildings within the State. It would also require any public building to install a minimum number of grab bars during renovations to existing restrooms, costing $5,000 or more. A restroom containing between three and four toilet stalls would be required to have at least two toilet stalls equipped with grab bars. A restroom containing between five and nine toilet stalls would be required to have at least three toilet stalls equipped with grab bars. A restroom containing between 10 and 15 toilet stalls would be required to have at least six toilet stalls equipped with grab bars. Restrooms with 16 or more toilet stalls would be required to have at least one-third of the restroom's toilet stalls equipped with grab bars. A clearly visible sign displaying the International Symbol of Access must identify any toilet stall containing grab bars. | In Committee |
| S2016 | Appropriates $70 million in federal funds to EDA to support arts and culture organizations negatively impacted by COVID-19 pandemic. | This bill appropriates $70 million in federal funds to the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to support arts and culture organizations, including for-profit businesses and non-profit organizations, that were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the bill, the EDA, in consultation with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts (council), would be required to award $50 million in grants to support the financial recovery, resiliency, and growth of qualifying arts and culture organizations. However, of this total, $10 million in grants would be dedicated to arts education organizations that provide programs and services for public schools or afterschool programs. Specifically, these grants may be used to offset any revenue losses that occurred as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic or provide the cash reserves necessary to ensure continued operations in the event of future pandemic-related shutdowns. Additionally, the bill requires the EDA, in consultation with the council, to award $20 million in grants to qualifying arts and culture organizations to support the completion of placemaking projects in public spaces. Under the bill, placemaking projects would include any creative or artistic project intended to beautify or enrich public spaces, such as artistic paintings on roadways or sidewalks, landscape plantings in public areas, educational signage, and other artistic, cultural, or educational installations. The monies appropriated under the bill would be provided from the State's allocation of funds from the federal "Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund," established pursuant to the federal "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021". | In Committee |
| S51 | Permits PERS retiree to return to elective public office after retirement under certain circumstances. | This bill provides that a former member of the Public Employees' Retirement System who has been granted a retirement allowance prior to, or on or after, the effective date of this bill, for any cause other than disability, may return to an elective public office position with the former employer, either by appointment to fill a vacancy or by election, without cancellation of the retirement and reenrollment in the system if: (1) the return commences after the retirement allowance becomes due and payable; (2) the former member had attained the service retirement age, applicable to that member, as of the date of retirement; and (3) the compensation for the elective public office held is less than $12,000 per year. This bill will be effective if the qualified status of the retirement system under federal law can be maintained upon its application, and such modifications to the system as may be available will be made to allow for its application. As used in this bill, "former employer" means the public entity from which the former member retired from service performed immediately prior to retirement. | In Committee |
| S53 | Establishes "Security Deposit Assistance Pilot Program" in Passaic, Union, Essex, Hudson, Gloucester, Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, and Mercer counties; appropriates $450,000. | This bill establishes the Security Deposit Assistance Pilot Program ("pilot program") to assist certain low-income households in the payment of rental security deposits. The bill also appropriates monies from the General Fund to support the pilot program. Under the pilot program, the Commissioner of Community Affairs ("commissioner") would provide insurance for the security deposits of approved households. After entering into a residential lease agreement, an approved household would be required to pay one-twelfth of the security deposit as an added monthly payment. If, prior to paying the full balance of the security deposit, the household violated the lease agreement, then the commissioner would be required to reimburse the amounts owed to the landlord. The reimbursement may not, however, exceed the portion of the security deposit not yet paid by the tenant, or the actual amount of damages that the landlord may collect from the security deposit. Thereafter, the household would be required to refund the commissioner in the amount of the reimbursement. The pilot program would operate in Passaic, Union, Essex, Hudson, Gloucester, Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, and Mercer counties for a minimum of three years. In addition to other eligibility requirements established by the commissioner, the bill provides that only households qualifying for "very low income housing," as defined in the "Fair Housing Act," P.L.1985, c.222 (C.52:27D-304), would be eligible for the pilot program. Under the bill, the commissioner would provide each approved household with a letter of security deposit commitment, which may be used by the household, within six months of receipt, to enter into a lease agreement in lieu of a full security deposit payment. However, security deposit assistance would only be provided when the monthly rent does not exceed 40 percent of the household's monthly income. Any landlord who refuses rent to a household because of the household's participation in the pilot program would be deemed to violate the "Law Against Discrimination," P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-12). The bill also establishes the "security deposit assistance fund" as a separate, non-lapsing, dedicated account in the General Fund. Under the bill, the security deposit reimbursements provided by the commissioner to landlords would be payable from the "security deposit assistance fund." The bill appropriates $450,000 from the General Fund to the "security deposit assistance fund" to implement the pilot program. Under the bill, the commissioner would be required to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature, on or before the first day of the 36th month following the commencement of the pilot program, to evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot program. | In Committee |
| S55 | Permits municipalities having population under 2,500 to withdraw from civil service by ordinance. | This bill permits the governing body of a municipality having fewer than 2,500 persons, according to the latest federal decennial census, that operates under the provisions of Title 11A, Civil Service, of the New Jersey Statutes to rescind the adoption of Title 11A by ordinance. If the governing body of a municipality rescinds the adoption of Title 11A by ordinance, the rescission will take effect six months following the passage of the ordinance. If a governing body rejects an ordinance to rescind the adoption of Title 11A of the New Jersey Statutes, a new vote by the governing body on an ordinance to rescind will not be held for a period of at least five years following the rejection of rescission. A municipality which rescinds the adoption of the provisions of Title 11A of the New Jersey Statutes cannot readopt the provisions of that title for a period of at least five years from the effective date of the rescission and will be permitted to readopt the provisions of Title 11A only once. | In Committee |
| S78 | Establishes the "Domestic Violence Tuition Waiver Program." | This bill establishes the "Domestic Violence Tuition Waiver Program," and directs the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to implement and administer the program. The bill provides that the purpose of the program is to provide State-paid tuition or a tuition waiver, for one semester, to persons who are victims of domestic violence and who, as a result of the domestic violence, were unable to complete a course of study at an institution of higher education or county vocational school post-secondary program in this State. Under the bill, the State will reimburse an institution of higher education or county vocational school for the tuition cost of each person who enrolls in the institution or school pursuant to the provisions of the bill. The bill provides that a person who meets the following requirements at the time of the initial application to the authority will be eligible for the tuition waiver program: -- the person qualifies for admission to a New Jersey public institution of higher education or county vocational school post-secondary program; -- the person is a documented victim of domestic violence; -- the person was enrolled in a course of study in a New Jersey public institution of higher education or county vocational school post-secondary program at the time of occurrence of the act of domestic violence, was unable to complete the course of study because of that act, and submits an affidavit to that effect; -- no more than two years have passed since the act of domestic violence; and -- the person is seeking to reenroll in the same or substantially similar course of study. The bill provides that a person who meets the eligibility requirements may apply to the authority for a tuition waiver in a form and manner prescribed by the authority. The bill provides that the authority, upon receipt of an application, will review the application and, if the applicant meets the eligibility requirements, approve the application and notify the appropriate New Jersey public institution of higher education or county vocational school that the person qualifies for a waiver of one semester's tuition for the course work left incomplete as a result of the incidence of domestic violence. The bill provides that eligibility for the program will be limited to two years from the date the applicant is notified of acceptance by the authority for a tuition waiver. The bill provides that no applicant will be granted more than one tuition waiver. The bill permits the authority to adopt rules and regulations, in accordance with the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), to effectuate the purposes of the bill. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment. | In Committee |
| S118 | Adds new civil penalties and increases surcharges imposed on domestic violence offenders; establishes "Domestic Violence Victims' Legal Assistance Fund." | This bill would impose new civil penalties on domestic violence offenders and increase the surcharges imposed on these offenders under current law. The additional revenue would be appropriated to organizations that provide for direct legal services to domestic violence victims. Final Hearing: New Civil Penalty. Currently, N.J.S.A.2C:25-29.1 provides that a person found by the court in a final hearing to have committed an act of domestic violence must pay a civil penalty of $50 to $500. The monies are forwarded to the "Domestic Violence Victims' Fund," established by N.J.S.A.30:14-15, which uses the monies for services to domestic violence victims. This bill adds an additional civil penalty of $1,500, payable at $500 per year for three years. The monies from the new penalty would be deposited into a new fund created by the bill, the "Domestic Violence Victims' Legal Assistance Fund." Inability to Pay. Under the bill, if the court finds that the person does not have the ability to pay the penalty for the "Domestic Violence Victims' Fund" in full on the date of the hearing or, in the case of the new penalty for the "Domestic Violence Victims' Legal Assistance Fund," the ability to make the first payment in full on the date of the hearing and the ability to make the two subsequent payments on the dates they are due, the court may order the payment of the penalties in installments for a period of time to be determined by the court. If the person defaults on the payment then the court may: (1) reduce, suspend or modify the installment plan; (2) order community service; (3) impose any other alternative in lieu of payment; or (4) waive the penalties in cases of extreme hardship. Criminal Conviction: Increased Surcharge. The bill also increases the current surcharge imposed on persons convicted of a crime or offense involving domestic violence. Under N.J.S.A.2C:25-29.4, a person convicted of an act of domestic violence is subject to a surcharge in the amount of $100 payable to the State Treasurer for use by the Department of Human Services to fund grants for domestic violence prevention, training, legal assistance services and assessment. This amount would be increased to $500 under the bill. The monies realized by the increase in the surcharge would be deposited into the new "Domestic Violence Victims' Legal Assistance Fund." Technical Correction. The bill also makes a technical correction to N.J.S.A.2C:25-29.4 concerning the reference to the department, changing it to the Department of Children and Families to reflect the current structure. Violation of Restraining Order: New Civil Penalty. In addition, the bill amends N.J.S.A.2C:25-30 to create a new civil penalty for persons convicted of violating a domestic violence restraining order. The bill would impose a civil penalty of $500 for the first violation and $1,000 for a second or subsequent violation. This civil penalty would also be deposited into the new fund established by the bill. New Fund. The "Domestic Violence Victims' Legal Assistance Fund" established by the bill would be a dedicated fund within the General Fund and administered by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency in the Department of Children and Families. All monies deposited in the new fund would be appropriated to organizations that provide for direct legal services to victims of domestic violence, including but not limited to medical and legal advocacy services, information and referral, and community education. The fund would be the depository of moneys realized from the increases in the surcharge and the new civil penalties imposed by the bill, and would also be the depository of any other moneys made available for the purposes of the fund. | In Committee |
| S2163 | Revises certain requirements concerning graduation proficiency test and eliminates requirement that graduation proficiency test be administered to eleventh grade students. | This bill amends the provisions of current law concerning the graduation proficiency test to provide for the development or designation of a Statewide assessment or assessments in reading, writing, and computational skills. The bill also eliminates the requirement that the assessment be administered specifically in the 11th grade. Under current law, P.L.1979, c.241 (C.18A:7C-1 et seq.), the Commissioner of Education and the State Board of Education are required to establish a program of standards for graduation from high school, including the development of a Statewide assessment test in reading, writing, and computational skills. The State graduation proficiency test is required to be administered to all 11th grade students, and to any 11th or 12th grade student who has not yet demonstrated proficiency on the test. Under the bill, the State will be required to administer an assessment or assessments designed to test high school proficiency, and any student who initially does not demonstrate proficiency on the assessment or assessments is required to be given an opportunity to retest. The bill contains a grandfather provision for students in the graduating classes of 2024 and 2025, providing that these students will be deemed to have met graduation assessment requirements if they satisfy the State Board of Education regulations, pursuant to N.J.A.C.6A:8-5.1, that were in place as of October 4, 2021 concerning graduation assessment requirements for the classes of 2023, 2024, and 2025. Concerning the class of 2023, the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment administered as the State graduation proficiency test in March 2022 to 11th grade students, expected to graduate as part of the class of 2023, would be considered a field test. Under no circumstances would the results of the field test, a substitute competency test, or any other demonstration of proficiency through techniques and instruments other than a standardized test pursuant to current law be used as a prerequisite for graduation for students in the graduating class of 2023. The bill provides that, for the classes of 2026 and thereafter, the graduation proficiency assessment or assessments would be developed or designated by the Commissioner of Education, with the approval of the State Board of Education. The process for the development or designation by the commissioner of the graduation proficiency assessment or assessments would begin no later than 60 days following the date of enactment of the bill. The intent of this provision is to ensure that the development or designation of a graduation proficiency assessment for these graduating classes is started expeditiously. The 60-day timeline for the beginning of this process is also intended to provide for sufficient time for any field testing as appropriate and for the receipt of input and feedback from the education community prior to the administration of an assessment or assessments to all students. Under the bill, in the event that the Commissioner of Education develops or designates a new Statewide assessment or assessments, the commissioner is required to engage in a collaborative process with interested stakeholders in the education community to solicit feedback. The bill also amends current law to provide that a student who a district determines to be at risk of not meeting State and district assessment standards for graduation but who has met all credit, curriculum, and attendance requirements, is required to take the graduation proficiency assessment or assessments in order to be eligible for a comprehensive assessment of proficiencies utilizing techniques other than standardized tests as provided in current law. | In Committee |
| S102 | Requires ABC to waive fee for alcoholic beverage COVID-19 Expansion Permit. | This bill requires the Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) to waive the fee for the COVID-19 Expansion Permit. On June 3, 2020, the Acting Director of the ABC issued Special Ruling 2020-10, which created a COVID-19 Expansion of Premises Permit. This temporary expansion permit enables certain licensees and permittees with on-premises retail consumption privileges to expand their licensed premises into outdoor areas, either contiguous or non-contiguous to their permanently licensed premises. The special ruling also established a $75 fee for the permit and application process. This bill waives the $75 fee for the COVID-19 Expansion of Premises Permit and requires the Director of ABC to reimburse licensees and permit holders who paid the fee prior to the bill's enactment. | In Committee |
| S126 | Provides assistance to business accelerators and incubators and startup businesses located within those business accelerators and incubators. | This bill directs the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA), in consultation with the Secretary of Higher Education (secretary), to establish and administer the "Startup Businesses in Business Incubators Development Program" (program) to provide financial assistance and support services to an accelerator business or incubator business located within a business accelerator or incubator. To qualify, a business accelerator or incubator is required to be located within an urban transit hub or within one mile of a research institution campus. The EDA is to provide financial assistance to a business accelerator or incubator in an amount that matches 20 percent of the amount of funding provided by a research institution up to a total of $200,000, which may be applied to any aspect of an accelerator or incubator business operating within the accelerator or incubator. The bill requires that, in order to be eligible for financial assistance from the EDA, an accelerator or incubator business at the time of jointly submitting an application for program eligibility, operates in one of several specified fields. The bill requires the EDA and the secretary to promote and facilitate public-private partnerships between businesses, accelerators and incubators, and New Jersey research institutions through the adoption of rules and regulations promoting and facilitating public-private partnerships and to establish the parameters of public-private partnership agreements. An accelerator or incubator business seeking to participate in the program is to submit an application jointly with an accelerator or incubator in a form and manner as the EDA requires. The EDA is to provide financial assistance to an accelerator or incubator pursuant to an agreement. An applicant that fails to comply with the agreement made as a condition of receiving financial assistance is to repay any financial assistance received and, if determined by the EDA, is to pay a penalty not in excess of 10 percent of the amount of financial assistance. The EDA is to establish and maintain the program with the following sources of funds: (1) funds as may be available to the EDA from other business development programs administered by the EDA or other State agencies or authorities, and which the EDA determines to be necessary in light of the volume of applications from accelerator and incubator businesses for eligibility under the program as necessary to implement the bill; and (2) other monies as may be made available to the EDA from public or private sources. The bill also requires the EDA to administer and establish a "Business Accelerator and Business Incubator Network Grant Program" to provide 10 grants annually, for seven years, to business accelerators or business incubators, based upon a competitive application and evaluation process. The grants provided under the program are required to equal $100,000 each. In order to be eligible for a grant, a business accelerator or business incubator is required to qualify to receive financial assistance under the "Startup Businesses in Business Incubators Development Program." The bill requires the EDA to evaluate applications for the grant program and make award decisions upon evaluating the business accelerator's or business incubator's partnerships with innovative businesses, partnerships with a research institution, provision of support services and technology extension services, and partnerships with minority businesses and women's businesses. The EDA is required to fund the grant program through monies as may be available to the EDA from other business development and from other monies available to the EDA from public or private sources. The bill provides corporation business tax credits and gross income tax credits, for seven tax periods, for accelerator and incubator businesses participating in the development program. The credits are equal to 15 percent of the cost of accelerator or incubator business operating expenses during the business's participation in the program. The taxpayer may carry unused tax credits forward, if necessary, for seven tax periods or may file a petition for a refund equal to 50 percent of the amount of an unused tax credit. The bill also requires the Executive Director of the EDA to provide at least $5,000,000 in tax credits available under the "New Jersey Angel Investor Tax Credit Act" to taxpayers for qualified investments in New Jersey emerging technology businesses located in business accelerators and business incubators over the period of the five fiscal years next following the effective date of the bill. The bill requires the EDA to prepare an annual report on the program, deliver the report to the Governor and the Legislature, and make the report available to the public on the authority's website. The sixth annual report is required to recommend to the Governor and the Legislature, whether the grant program, business tax credits, and gross income tax credits should be renewed or discontinued. | In Committee |
| S54 | Requires plaintiff to obtain affidavit of merit in malpractice suit against enrolled agent. | This bill would require a plaintiff to obtain an affidavit of merit in a malpractice suit against an enrolled agent, by adding enrolled agents to the list of professionals covered under P.L.1995, c.139 (C.2A:53A-26 et seq.). An enrolled agent is the highest credential the IRS awards, and gives a person the ability to represent taxpayers before the IRS. Enrolled agents are required to have previous experience within the IRS, or pass a three-part test, which covers both individual and business tax returns. Additionally, the IRS requires enrolled agents to complete 72 hours of continuing education courses every three years, and to comply with IRS ethical standards. Affidavits of merit ensure that people providing professional services are insulated from frivolous malpractice lawsuits. An affidavit of merit provides that another professional in that field has certified that there is a reasonable probability that the actions of the defending professional fell outside the bounds of the acceptable standards in that field. New Jersey law presently requires that an affidavit of merit be submitted within 60 days after the complaint is filed or the lawsuit will be dismissed. In New Jersey, attorneys, accountants, architects, and a host of other professionals are already given this protection, and this bill would extend the same to enrolled agents of the federal Internal Revenue Service. | In Committee |
| S1318 | Clarifies process for administrative appropriations to UEZs; makes appropriation. | This bill clarifies the process for appropriating revenue under the State Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) Program for use within UEZs. Specifically, this bill clarifies this process by: (1) requiring the revenues collected in UEZs from retail sales subject to the 50 percent sales tax exemption to be deposited in the Zone Assistance Fund (ZAF); (2) providing that the UEZ revenue flows directly to the ZAF; (3) appropriating $82.5 million to the ZAF from the General Fund; (4) excluding the sales of medical and recreational cannabis, and related supplies from the 50 percent sales tax exemption within UEZs, as is currently the case for alcoholic beverages and other goods and services; and (5) making certain technical changes. | Dead |
| S107 | Establishes loan program and provides corporation business tax and gross income tax credits for establishment of new vineyards and wineries. | This bill establishes a loan program and provides tax credits to persons for the establishment of new vineyards and wineries in eligible counties. The bill defines an eligible county as a county of the third class with a population greater than 150,000 according to the latest federal decennial census, a county of the fifth class, or a county of the sixth class, and that contains at least three wineries. The bill requires the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (authority), in consultation with the Department of Agriculture (department), to develop a 10-year pilot program to provide low interest loans to farmers for qualified costs associated with the installation of new vineyards in eligible counties. Qualified costs include the cost of preparing land for plant installation, purchasing vines or trees, and purchasing equipment and supplies for those purposes. It does not include the cost of tractors, pick-up-trucks, or wine-making equipment. A loan may cover up to 100 percent of the applicant's qualified costs, would bear interest of not more than five percent per year, and would be for a term of not more than 10 years. The loan would be made pursuant to a loan agreement with the authority, which would contain terms and conditions deemed appropriate by the authority. The bill permits the authority to require a person that receives a loan to submit an audited financial statement to the authority in order to ensure the continued viability of the person's farming operation, and may, either by regulation or through the terms and conditions of the loan agreement, establish terms and conditions governing the incidence of default by a person that receives a loan. The authority would be required to submit a report, annually, to the Governor and the Legislature summarizing each loan made pursuant to the bill, and detailing the effectiveness of the pilot program in increasing the acreage of commercial vineyards in eligible counties. The bill also allows eligible taxpayers to apply for a tax credit against either their corporation business tax or gross income tax liability in an amount equal to 25 percent of the qualified capital expenses incurred by taxpayers in connection with: (1) the establishment of a new vineyard or winery in an eligible county; or (2) capital improvements made to an existing vineyard or winery in an eligible county. A qualified capital expense is any expenditure made by the taxpayer for the purchase and installation of equipment or agricultural materials for use in the production of agricultural products at a vineyard or in a winery, as specified in regulations. An eligible taxpayer may apply to the department for the approval of a tax credit for a tax year beginning on or after January 1, 2023 but before January 1, 2033. To obtain a tax credit under the bill, a taxpayer is required to apply for a certification from the department that certifies: (1) that the taxpayer's expenses are qualified capital expenses and (2) the amount of the tax credit. Upon certification, the Secretary of Agriculture (secretary) would submit a copy of the application to the taxpayer and the Director of the Division of Taxation. When filing a tax return that includes a claim for a credit under the bill, a taxpayer would include a copy of the certification issued by the secretary. Credits would be valid in the privilege period or taxable year in which the certification is approved, and any unused portions could be carried forward into the next 15 privilege periods or taxable years. The secretary would be required to issue a report to the Governor, State Treasurer, and the Legislature, annually, on the effectiveness of the tax credit in increasing the acreage of commercial vineyards and the number of wineries in eligible counties. | In Committee |
| S2238 | Requires school district to provide majority of preschool pupil placements at licensed child care provider programs. | This bill requires a school district receiving preschool education aid through the "School Funding Reform Act of 2008" (C.18A:7F-43 et al.) to provide no less than 50 percent of preschool pupil placements at licensed child care provider programs. The remaining preschool pupil placements will be provided in district programs and Head Start programs. The bill permits, upon application, a school district to be granted a waiver by the Department of Education of the bill's requirements if sufficient preschool pupil placements are not available at licensed child care provider programs within the school district. A school district that requests a waiver is required to provide such information as the Department of Education specifies to justify the request. | In Committee |
| S428 | Establishes loan program in EDA to assist businesses owned by individuals with disabilities; appropriates $5 million. | This bill requires the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to establish a loan program to provide businesses owned or operated by individuals with a disability with funding for operational or capital expenses, or both, to establish or continue business operations. Loan Program Qualifications The loan program provides low-interest loans to qualified businesses that demonstrate to the EDA that: 1) the qualified business is, or will become newly engaged, in a viable trade or business; 2) the qualified business employs or plans to employ at least five full-time employees during every calendar month of the 24-month period following the date of application for the loan program and at least 50 percent of the employees are New Jersey residents; and 3) the qualified business is owned or operated by an individual with a disability. Application Criteria A qualified business that seeks assistance under the loan program is required to submit an application to the EDA, in a form and manner prescribed by the EDA. In addition to any other information that the EDA may deem appropriate, the application is required to request an applicant to submit information demonstrating that the applicant meets the eligibility requirements and an outline of the anticipated use of loan proceeds. Under the bill, the EDA is required to approve applications for the loan program on a rolling basis, subject to the availability of funds. Loan Requirements In addition to any other terms and conditions that the EDA may deem appropriate, each loan issued under the loan program may include provisions for the forgiveness of the loan, in whole or in part, within two years of loan fund disbursement, if the qualified business notifies the EDA that, after a bona-fide effort, the qualified business no longer exists because the trade or business is no longer viable. This provision of the bill should not be construed to provide for compulsory loan forgiveness by the EDA, and no loan will be forgiven in the event of fraud or mismanagement of funds. Each loan issued under the program is required to: 1) be issued for a term not to exceed six years, with payments not commencing until one year after the loan's approval; 2) bear interest at rates not more than three percent for qualified businesses; and 3) provide more flexible repayment terms than are customarily made available through conventional business loans issued by private lenders. Any qualified business that receives assistance under the loan program is required to submit an annual report to the EDA until such time as the full balance of the loan has been repaid to the EDA. At a minimum, the annual report is required to include information outlining the expenses supported by the loan, describing bona fide efforts to ensure the viability of the business, and assessing the performance of the qualified business, including whether the business still exists. Loan Fund and Appropriation Finally, the bill appropriates $5 million from the General Fund to the EDA to support the operations of the loan program. These monies are to be deposited into a non-lapsing revolving loan fund which the EDA is required to administer for the purposes of the loan program. Any interest collected from loans provided by the loan program may be used by the EDA to offset the costs of the administration of the loan program, or otherwise are required to be deposited in the fund. | In Committee |
| S141 | Requires video camera on certain school buses with crossing control arms. | This bill requires video cameras to be installed on certain school buses. The bill provides that beginning in the 37th month following enactment, every new or used school bus purchased or otherwise acquired is required to be equipped with a video camera on or adjacent to the crossing control arm ("stop" sign arm). The bill provides that immediately following enactment, any school bus equipped with a video camera shall be used to transport elementary school students whenever practicable. The purpose of the video cameras is to assist in the enforcement of section 1 of P.L.1942, c.192 (C.39:4-128.1), which prohibits vehicles from passing a school bus while passengers are picked up or discharged. The bill requires the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to approve the design and type of video camera to be used. The bill also provides that within 37 months of enactment, each agency, board of education, nonpublic school, and school bus contractor is required to submit to the Commissioner of Education a list of vehicles that are used to transport students and indicate whether each vehicle is equipped with a video camera on or adjacent to the crossing control arm. | In Committee |
| S65 | "Garden State Manufacturing Jobs Act." | This bill permits the establishment of a new type of corporation termed as a Garden State Corporation. Garden State Corporations would be corporations that are principally engaged in manufacturing, principally utilizing facilities located in New Jersey, and which provide employees with a greater role in the corporate decision-making process. Garden State Corporations would qualify for credits against the corporation business tax. The bill allows a corporation to be formed as a Garden State Corporation, an existing corporation to convert to become a Garden State Corporation, and a Garden State Corporation to terminate its status as a Garden State Corporation. The certificate of incorporation or by-laws of a Garden State Corporation must provide that half of the members of the board of directors of the corporation are elected by the employees of the corporation who work in New Jersey facilities. The employee-elected members of the board would have access to all corporation documents and records and equal authority with other members of the board regarding all matters affecting the business and affairs of the corporation, including:· The selection and removal of officers of the corporation;· The amendment or repealing of the by-laws or the certificate of incorporation of the corporation;· Any decision regarding the location of corporation facilities;· Any decision to seek to obtain or terminate the status of the corporation as a benefit corporation under the provisions of P.L.2011, c.30 (C.14A:18-1 et seq.); and· Any decision that may result in the termination of the status of the corporation as a Garden State Corporation. To qualify as a Garden State Corporation, a corporation's governing documents must include procedures regarding the election of the employee-elected board members which require that only employees of the Garden State Corporation who work in facilities in New Jersey are eligible to seek election and serve as employee-elected members of the board of directors. The bill requires that each employee of the corporation who works in facilities in New Jersey, without respect the position or rank of the employee or the amount of any ownership interest that the employee may have in the corporation, have the right to vote in the selection of the employee-elected members of the board of directors, with the vote of the employee vote having equal weight with the vote of any other employee, and the right to seek election as an employee-elected member of the board of directors and serve on the board if elected. The bill provides that a Garden State Corporation would qualify for credits against the corporation business tax. These credits vary as to years of operation and whether the Garden State Corporation is also a "benefit corporation" under P.L.2011, c.30 (C.14A:18-1 et seq.). If a corporation is a Garden State Corporation but not a "benefit corporation," the bill allows the corporation credits against its liability for the corporation business tax of: 35% during the first five tax years in which it is continuously a Garden State Corporation; 25% during the sixth and seventh tax years, and 15% during the eight and ninth tax years. If a corporation is both a Garden State Corporation and a "benefit corporation," the bill allows the corporation credits against its liability for the corporation business tax of: 60% during the first five tax years in which it is continuously both a Garden State Corporation and a benefit corporation; 45% during the sixth and seventh tax years, and 30% during the eight and ninth tax years. The number of tax years in which the lower tax credit for being only a Garden State Corporation applies would be reduced by the number of years in which the higher tax credit for being both a Garden State Corporation and a "benefit corporation" applies, thus limiting to nine the total number of tax years to which the credits may apply. | In Committee |
| S105 | "Green Building Tax Credit Act." | This bill, entitled the "Green Building Tax Credit Act," provides tax credits toward the corporation business tax, gross income tax, and certain other specified taxes for developers and owners who design and construct buildings and owners who retrofit buildings to meet certain "green building" criteria. The bill provides that developers or owners of newly constructed and retrofitted buildings would qualify for the tax credits if the building meets the green building standards set forth in section 7 of the bill to be adopted by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), or if the building meets the criteria required for Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum status under the LEED Green Building Rating System or LEED Residential Green Building Rating System. The "Green Building Tax Credit Act" would be administered by the DCA in consultation with the DEP and the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury. The bill directs the DCA, in consultation with the DEP, within one year after the date of enactment of the bill into law, to adopt standards for the "green building" criteria set forth in section 7 of the bill, and requires the standards to be reviewed and updated at least every two years from the date on which they are adopted. The tax credits provided by the bill would be available for seven years. The total of all credits which could be allocated in the first fiscal year after enactment would be no more than $20 million. In each of the subsequent six fiscal years, up to $50 million of credit allocations may be authorized per year, and any unused allocable amounts may roll over to subsequent fiscal years. An eligible taxpayer may apply no more than 20 percent of their total tax credit in any tax year. | In Committee |
| S121 | Increases reporting requirements for the NJ Basic Skills Training Program for Economic Growth. | This bill amends the reporting requirements for the New Jersey Basic Skills Training Program for Economic Growth to include further analysis of the training. Specifically, this bill requires the New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development to include in the annual report an analysis of the effect of the training on workers' wages and employment and to determine the long term effectiveness of the training. Current law requires the consortium to produce an annual report that contains: the total number of workers trained; the total funds expended on training; the number of workers trained in each area of training; the number of businesses with employees trained; the number of classes held in each area of training; the number of classes held at each community college; the wage range of the workers trained; the job titles of the workers trained; and the results of the pre-training and post-training assessments. The report must also include an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the training program and how it can be improved in the following year. All of this information, currently required, is necessary and useful to policy makers and the business community, but does not provide sufficient information for an effective analysis of the impact of the training on the worker's wages and employment status. This bill facilitates the analysis of that impact by requiring the collection, and reporting by the consortium, of information regarding worker employment status and wage rates prior to the training compared to the status and rates during the first, second and third fiscal year after the training ends. The analysis will assist the business community and policy makers in determining the long term effectiveness of training. The bill also requires employees trained under the bill to agree to provide the information regarding their employment status and wage rates that the consortium needs to produce the annual report required by the bill. | In Committee |
| S76 | Provides limited civil liability immunity to farmers hosting agritourism activities. | This bill would provide limited civil liability immunity to farmers hosting agritourism activities. An agritourism activity is an interactive or passive activity, carried out without or without payment to an agritourism host on a farm, related to agriculture, food production, historic tradition, or nature watching, and which is conducted by an agritourism host for the education, entertainment, or recreation of participants. Agritourism activities include farming activities, the viewing of cultural, historic, or natural attractions, pick-your-own activities, nature watching, and activities involving an animal exhibition at an agricultural fair. It would not include roadside farm stands or operations exclusively devoted to the sale of merchandise or food at retail. Under the bill, an agritourism host would not have a legal duty to protect a participant from the inherent risks of an agritourism activity, and would not be liable for injury to or death of a participant resulting from the inherent risks of an agritourism activity, provided the host gives proper warning as required in section 3 of the bill. Proper warning, as specified in the bill, is the posting of a warning notice on certain signs and contracts. That warning notice would read: "WARNING: Under New Jersey law, an agritourism host is not liable for the injury or death of a participant in an agritourism activity resulting from the inherent risk of the agritourism activity. Inherent risks include without limitation the risk of animals, weather, land conditions, and the potential for you as a participant to act in a negligent way that may contribute to your own injury or death. You are assuming the risk of participating in this agritourism activity." Failure to follow the warning requirements would result in the agritourism host's loss of limited liability protections. The limitation on liability also would not extend to any agritourism host who: (1) commits an act or omission of gross negligence concerning the safety of a participant that proximately causes injury or death to the participant; (2) has actual knowledge of a dangerous condition on the land, facilities, or equipment used in the activity or the dangerous propensity of a particular animal used in the activity that proximately causes injury or death to the participant and does not make that danger known to the participant; (3) intentionally injures a participant; or (4) commits any other act, error, or omission that constitutes willful or wanton misconduct, gross negligence, or criminal conduct that proximately causes injury or death to the participant. The limitation on liability provided by the bill would be in addition to any other limitation on liability provided by law, including, but not limited to, the limitations on liability for outdoor sports and recreational activities and equine animal activities. Finally, the bill would repeal P.L.1997, c.378 (C.2A:42A-9 et seq.) concerning farmer immunity for "pick-your-own" operations. The protections in that law would be included in this bill, and are expanded to include agritourism activities generally. This bill is modeled substantially on legislation from Arkansas. | In Committee |
| S70 | Revises "New Jersey Money Transmitters Act"; provides consumer protections; increases reporting and record keeping requirements. | This bill makes various revisions to the "New Jersey Money Transmitters Act" to require licensed money transmitters and their delegates to provide more reporting, record keeping and consumer disclosures. The bill requires licensees to prominently display license information at their locations. The bill broadens the consent deemed to be given by licensees and delegates to include record inspection rights for appropriate law enforcement representatives in addition to the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance, and requires licensees to keep records for five years instead of the three years required by the current act. The bill requires licensees to file quarterly reports with the commissioner, in addition to the annual reports presently required, and raises the penalty to $200 per day, from not more than $100 per day, as to any licensee who fails to file any report. The licensee shall also file annually with the commissioner, a copy of the licensee's most recent registration with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) as a money transmitter business pursuant to 31 C.F.R. s.1010.100 et seq. The bill expands the liability of licensees for certain acts of their delegates and provides for license suspension upon conviction for certain crimes. The bill also requires a delegate to prominently display at each of its locations a notice indicating that the delegate is an authorized delegate of a licensee. Further, the bill mandates that the department maintain a website to make licensee and delegate information available to the public. Finally, the bill increases the crime of operating as a money transmitter without a license from a crime of the third degree to a crime of the second degree. This bill provides that funds belonging to a licensee and deposited in a financial institution shall not constitute trust funds, unless the financial institution has actual knowledge that such funds are owned by or belong to the licensee. The bill also provides that the licensee is liable to a purchaser or holder of an outstanding payment instrument which is issued by the licensee or received by the licensee's authorized delegate for transmission and set-off by the financial institution. If the licensee has insufficient assets to make the purchaser or holder whole, the purchaser or holder will be entitled to reimbursement under the surety bond that the act currently requires all licensees to have. The bill also makes technical corrections. | In Committee |
| S109 | Provides for background checks and other requirements for certain agencies providing temporary home for child or pregnant woman during crisis. | This bill provides for an approved agency, which is an agency approved by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to place children for adoption in New Jersey, to facilitate the voluntary temporary placement of an infant, child, parent under 21 years of age with an infant, or pregnant woman under 21 years of age in the home of a volunteer, who is to provide a temporary home during the time that the parent of the infant or child or the pregnant woman is in crisis. "Crisis" is defined in the bill as a temporary situation which includes, but is not limited to, homelessness, hospitalization, substance abuse or mental health issues, domestic violence, unemployment, any situation which would leave a child or infant with no parent or guardian available to care for the child or infant, or any situation which would leave a pregnant woman under 21 years of age with no safe home to reside in during pregnancy as determined by an approved agency. An approved agency is to enter into a contract with DCF prior to facilitating the placements. These agencies are also to: provide oversight of a placement by visiting the home weekly; provide assistance to help guide the parent or pregnant woman in restoring a stable life; and locate a different voluntary temporary placement if, as determined by the approved agency, a change is necessary. A home study to determine the suitability of the home is to be conducted prior to a prospective volunteer providing the temporary home. As part of the home study, the approved agency is to consider background checks from the State's child abuse registry and obtain State and federal criminal history record checks for each prospective volunteer and person 18 years of age or older residing in the prospective volunteer's home. The costs of the checks are to be paid by the prospective volunteer and person 18 years of age or older. The bill also provides that the approved agency is to forward each home study and the agency's determination of the suitability of the home to DCF, prior to placement of a person in crisis in the home of a prospective volunteer. The approved agency is to maintain a record of each home study, background check, and its determination of the suitability of the home. The bill also amends the law governing confidentiality of information in the State's child abuse registry to permit disclosure of the information to a prospective volunteer seeking to provide a temporary home under the bill and a person 18 years of age or older residing in the home. | In Committee |
| S66 | Provides exemption from 3-day cancellation provision of home improvement contract in case of bona fide emergency. | This bill provides an exemption from the three-day cancellation provision of a home improvement contract in the case of a bona fide emergency. Under current law, a consumer may cancel a home improvement contract for any reason at any time before midnight of the third business day after the consumer receives a copy of the contract. This bill authorizes a consumer to waive his right to cancel a home improvement contract with a contractor to address a bona fide emergency by executing an emergency authorization form. To exercise this option, the contractor must furnish the consumer with an emergency authorization form and written estimate of the total costs and fees for the work and service provided. In cases where the costs exceed the estimate, the bill requires the contractor to obtain further written authorization to perform any additional work. The bill also specifies that a contractor may take preliminary steps necessary to remedy a clear and immediate danger without obtaining the emergency authorization form, and defines what constitutes a "bona fide emergency." | In Committee |
| S88 | Provides tax credit under corporation business tax and gross income tax for certain costs incurred in purchase and installation of certain environmentally responsible business equipment. | Provides tax credit under corporation business tax and gross income tax for certain costs incurred in purchase and installation of certain environmentally responsible business equipment. | In Committee |
| S318 | Establishes annual cost of living adjustment based on Consumer Price Index for certain children, youth, and family services organizations. | This bill stipulates that, on or after the effective date of the bill, the terms of a contract entered into between the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and a children, youth, and family organization are to include an annual increase in the cost of living adjustment received by the organization. The cost of living adjustment would be based on the Consumer Price Index for the previous 12-month period beginning October 1 and ending September 30, as published by the United States Department of Labor, and DCF would be required to announce the rate of the increase on October 1 of each year. As used in the bill, a "children, youth, and family organization" means an organization that provides programs and services to children, youth, and families through contracts entered into with DCF including, but not limited to, programs partially or fully funded by the State Medicaid program. DCF contracts with children, youth, and family organizations to provide child protective and treatment services through a competitive bidding process whereby a fixed rate is established for the provision of services. The fixed rate includes all the costs associated with the delivery of services including, but not limited to, salary, wages, and compensation for the staff of the organizations who provide the direct services to children, youth, and families. Such staff members continually face increases in their living expenses, but the rates provided to children, youth, and family organizations contracted with DCF are not automatically adjusted for cost of living increases. This bill would establish a statutory mechanism for providing annual cost of living adjustments to children, youth, and family organizations contracted with DCF. | In Committee |
| S1582 | Eliminates requirement under veterans' gross income tax exemption that taxpayer serve in active duty status or federal active duty status to qualify for exemption. | This bill eliminates the requirement that a veteran taxpayer serve in active duty status or federal active duty status in order to qualify for the $6,000 veterans' gross income tax exemption. Under current law, a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, or a reserve component thereof, who has been honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances, is required to have served in active duty status in order to qualify for the veterans' gross income tax exemption, pursuant to N.J.S.A.54A:3-1(b)(7). Likewise, a member of the National Guard of New Jersey, who has been honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances, is required to have served in federal active duty status in order to qualify for the same. This tax credit may be claimed by the veteran taxpayer for each tax year in which the veteran so qualifies. This bill changes the law to remove the respective active duty requirements. Accordingly, pursuant to the bill, a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States, a reserve component thereof, or a member of the National Guard of New Jersey, who has been honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances, may claim the veterans' gross income tax exemption, irrespective of whether he or she served in active duty or federal active duty status. | In Committee |
| S125 | Allows corporation business tax credits as incentives for redevelopment of distressed shopping centers. | This bill directs the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (authority) to establish a program to certify taxpayers that make retail investments to redevelop partially or completely vacant shopping centers in New Jersey as eligible to receive a corporation business tax credit of up to $15,000, but not exceeding the amount of 50 percent of corporation business tax owed by the taxpayer. The bill defines a retail investment as expenses of at least $5,000 incurred to make improvements to existing distressed shopping centers provided that such improvements are necessary, as determined according to standards established by the authority, to attract retail tenants to lease vacant properties and that the lease of such vacant properties are a benefit to the community. The bill defines distressed shopping centers as shopping centers of at least 35,000 square feet of retail rental space, with at least three retail establishments that have been at their location for at least 10 years and shall have had, for the year prior to the year for which the shopping center's developer is first deemed eligible by the authority to receive a credit, an average rate of vacancy during that year of at least 35 percent of the total retail square footage available for lease during that year. | In Committee |
| S131 | Clarifies excuse from jury service for members of the military or reserve under certain circumstances; repeals N.J.S.38A:4-6. | This bill would provide an excuse from jury service for members of the military under certain circumstances. Currently, N.J.S.2B:20-10 enumerates the grounds for excuse from jury service. Pursuant to P.L.1995, c.44, the Legislature eliminated exemptions for jury service and provided that a juror may be excused from jury service in limited circumstances: the juror is 75 years of age or under; the juror has served as a juror within the last three years; jury service with impose a severe hardship; the juror is a volunteer fire department or fire patrol member; or the juror is a volunteer first aid or rescue squad member. Although N.J.S.38A:4-6 provides an excuse from jury service for members of the military, this section does not set forth a mechanism whereby the courts can verify a person's status in the military. This bill would repeal N.J.S.38A:4-6 and amend N.J.S.A.2B:20-10 to establish procedures for excuse from jury service for officers and enlisted members of the military. Under the bill, an officer or enlisted member of the organized militia, the United States Armed Forces, or a reserve component may be excused from jury service provided the person has submitted to the jury manager or Assignment Judge a certification that the person is unavailable for jury service due to a military deployment or duty assignment. | 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 |
| S124 | Permits developer to qualify for low-interest loan from NJEDA when building a high performance green building. | This bill requires the executive director of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (authority), in consultation with the Commissioner of Community Affairs, to establish and administer a program that makes low-interest loans available to a developer or redeveloper who constructs a new building or renovates an existing building that, when completed, qualifies as a "high performance green building." A "high performance green building" is defined in the bill as a commercial, industrial, or mixed use building having at least 15,000 square feet in total floor area that is designed and constructed in a manner that achieves at least: (1) a silver rating according to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ("LEED") Green Building Rating System as adopted by the United States Green Building Council; (2) a silver rating according to the National Green Building Standards as adopted by the International Code Council and the American National Standards Institute; (3) a two globe rating according to the Green Globes Program as adopted by the Green Building Initiative; or (4) a comparable numeric rating according to a nationally recognized, accepted, and appropriate numeric sustainable development rating system, guideline, or standard as the Commissioner of Community Affairs, in consultation with the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, the Director of Energy Savings established pursuant to Executive Order No. 11 of 2006, and the Board of Public Utilities, may designate by regulation. | In Committee |
| S140 | Authorizes COAH to credit municipalities with 1.5 units of fair share affordable housing obligation for each housing unit occupied by a veteran; permits municipalities to satisfy fair share affordable housing obligation through 35 percent set aside for veterans. | This bill would allow municipalities to obtain credits toward the fulfillment of their fair share affordable housing obligations for housing reserved for certain veterans. This bill would require the Council on Affordable Housing to credit 1.5 units toward a municipality's fair share obligation for each unit of housing occupied by a veteran of low or moderate income. This legislation also permits a municipality to submit a housing element to the Council on Affordable Housing that sets aside 35 percent of all new affordable housing for low and moderate income veterans who had active service in time of war, as defined by current law. | In Committee |
| S129 | Clarifies procedures for restoration of driver's license after suspension; authorizes the court to waive imprisonment under certain circumstances. | This bill would clarify the procedures involved in restoring a person's driving privileges once the person's drivers' license has been suspended or revoked. In addition, the court would be required to waive the imposition of a term of imprisonment under certain circumstances. Currently, a person must affirmatively act to restore his license by paying the restoration fee in order for the person to avoid incurring any additional fines, suspension periods or imprisonment. This bill would not alter this responsibility on the part of the driver, but instead would provide adequate notice to the driver of his responsibility to pay the restoration fee once the period of suspension has ended. It is the sponsor's intent that providing motorists with proper notification of their responsibilities would resolve confusion on the part of some motorists who believe that their driving privileges are automatically restored once the suspension or revocation period has ended. Under the provisions of the bill, the chief administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission would be required to provide written notification to the licensee of the period of suspension or revocation. The chief administrator would also provide notification to the licensee that the period of suspension or revocation would remain in effect until the licensee pays the restoration fee pursuant to section 23 of P.L.1975, c.180 (C.39:3-10a). Upon receipt of payment of the restoration fee the chief administrator would then provide the licensee with proof of payment. It may be beneficial for the driver to retain the proof of payment in the event he is stopped by a police officer and there is inconsistency because the system has not been updated. In addition, this bill would also require the court to waive the imposition of any term of imprisonment for those persons who have completed the period of license suspension and have paid the restoration fees. | In Committee |
| S57 | Creates sexual assault prevention and response program and coordinator in DMVA. | This bill establishes in the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs a sexual assault prevention and response program. The Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will appoint an individual to serve as the sexual assault prevention coordinator. The coordinator will provide victim advocacy services, including ensuring that victims of sexual assault receive appropriate responsive care, understand available reporting options, and are notified of eligibility for compensation from the Victims of Crime Compensation Office. The coordinator may also file an application with the consent of the victim for a protective order on behalf of the victim. The protective order may be filed at the State level and with the military authorities. The program will permit a victim of sexual harassment to: (1) file a confidential complaint of sexual harassment with the coordinator alleging that a service member committed the offense; (2) participate in the United States Department of Defense Catch a Serial Offender Program; (3) receive notice if the accused service member is subsequently accused of an offense of sexual assault by a service member or another person; and (4) convert a confidential complaint to a formal complaint at any time. An annual report will be submitted to the Legislature and the Governor on the activities of the program and the activities of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs relating to the prevention of sexual assault. The report will include: (1) the policies and procedures implemented by the coordinator and the Adjutant General in response to incidents of sexual assault; (2) an assessment of the implementation and effectiveness of the program and the policies and procedures on the prevention and oversight of and response to sexual assaults; (3) an analysis of the number of sexual assaults involving members of the New Jersey National Guard; (4) deficiencies in the department's sexual assault prevention training; and (5) the department's plans for preventing and responding to sexual assault. The program will apply to alleged sexual assaults committed by a service member against another service member, regardless of whether or not either person was on or off duty at the time of the alleged assault. A complaint may be filed if the alleged offense took place while the accused was a service member and retires or is discharged from service prior to the filing of the complaint. Under the bill, "service member" means a member of the United States Armed Forces, or a Reserve component thereof, including the New Jersey National Guard. | In Committee |
| S144 | Establishes "New Jersey College Ready Students Program Act"; provides tuition-free dual enrollment opportunities at county college for certain high school students. | This bill establishes the "New Jersey College Ready Students Program Act." Under the bill, the Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Secretary of Higher Education, is directed to establish a program to provide for the tuition-free enrollment of certain public high school students who enroll in dual enrollment courses at a local county college. In determining eligibility for the tuition benefit provided pursuant to the bill, the criteria will be the same as the Statewide eligibility standards regarding family need established by the Board of Directors of the New Jersey Educational Opportunity Fund to qualify for financial assistance from the New Jersey Educational Opportunity Fund. A student may receive up to 3 credits tuition-free per semester, and no more than 6 credits tuition-free in a school year in each of the 11th and 12th grades provided that: (1) the school district in which the student is enrolled has entered into a dual enrollment agreement with a county college pursuant to the provisions of State law; and (2) the student has earned a minimum grade point average to indicate college readiness, as determined by the commissioner. In order to maintain eligibility for the program, a student shall receive a grade of C or higher for all college courses completed through the program. In the event that an otherwise eligible student does not meet the minimum grade point average requirement established pursuant to this section, the student shall be eligible to complete one remedial course through the county college tuition-free per semester of eligibility. Under the bill, the State will bear the cost of tuition for students who participate in the program. The Commissioner of Education is directed to annually submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature on the program. | In Committee |
| S133 | Limits rescheduling, cancellation, and no-show fees providers of health care services may charge in certain instances. | This bill would prohibit a health care provider from charging a patient a fee for rescheduling or cancelling an appointment more than 24 hours in advance. In addition, the bill would prohibit the assessment of fees for cancelling or rescheduling less than 24 hours in advance of an appointment, or failing to appear at a scheduled appointment, unless the patient: (1) was given notification at the time when the appointment was made that a fee would apply, and (2) previously canceled or rescheduled an appointment for the same or a similar reason less than 24 hours in advance, or failed to appear at a scheduled appointment, on two previous occasions in the past six months. Under the bill, the maximum fee that could be assessed for rescheduling, cancelling, or failing to appear at a scheduled appointment would be $25. The penalty for a violation of the bill would be not more than $500 for a first offense and not more than $1,000 for a second or subsequent offense. | In Committee |
| S96 | Permits temporary rental assistance for emergency assistance recipients. | This bill provides that the recipients of emergency assistance may also receive temporary rental assistance, in addition to any other form of emergency assistance, in certain circumstances. Specifically, the bill provides that a recipient of emergency assistance may also receive temporary rental assistance if the person faces eviction and either of the following conditions are met: (1) the temporary rental assistance would be provided to maintain permanent housing, which is no longer affordable due to the loss of employment, temporary unemployment, underemployment, or other reasons; or (2) when it is determined that maintaining the unit in the current housing arrangement is the least costly alternative and preserves the family structure while the recipient searches for affordable housing. | In Committee |
| S104 | Clarifies that compensation may be paid for expenses related to service animals required due to injuries resulting from crime against victim. | This bill specifically provides that crime victims may be awarded compensation for those expenses related to procuring or providing treatment to a service animal when a service animal is required by the victim due to injuries sustained by the victim as a result of the crime. Under the bill, a "service animal," as defined by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, is any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individualwith a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. | In Committee |
| S95 | Authorizes provision of adult day health services on remote basis. | This bill requires the Commissioner of Health to authorize licensed adult day health services facilities to provide adult day health services on a remote basis to individuals enrolled or participating in, or receiving adult day health services from, the facility, who are unable or unwilling to receive services from the facility on an in-person basis. The facility will be required to make all services that it provides on an in-person basis available remotely, provided the service can be safely and effectively provided on a remote basis. The remote services that a facility may provide may include, but will not be limited to: 1) daily wellness checks conducted using telemedicine or telehealth that include screenings for, and the assessment of, the enrollee's current needs and status, which may include screenings for food insecurity, the need for assistance with self-care and activities of daily living, medication supply and adherence to daily medication regimens, signs or symptoms of physical illness, changes in the enrollee's home environment, and changes in the enrollee's mood or behavior; 2) access to services provided by licensed or certified health care professionals, including, but not limited to: nursing care, social work, dietician and nutrition services, pharmacy consultant services, and therapeutic recreation; 3) delivery of ready-to-eat meals, which is to be provided upon request and at no additional cost to the enrollee; 4) delivery of activity packets for therapeutic recreation as well as other items and materials as may be needed; and 5) transportation to and from, and coordination of, daily medical appointments. Remote adult day health services provided to an enrollee under the bill may be billed for, and will be subject to reimbursement at, the same rate as would apply to those services when provided in person, provided the facility provides written documentation of each service provided and all remote services interactions are identified in the enrollee's care plan. Nothing in the bill will authorize an adult day health services facility to exceed its authorized capacity to provide services to enrollees. The bill requires the Commissioner of Human Services to apply for such State plan amendments or waivers as may be necessary to implement the provisions of the bill and to secure federal financial participation for State Medicaid expenditures under the federal Medicaid program. In order to meet enrollee needs and ensure continuity of care during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, starting in March 2020, adult day health services providers were authorized to provide adult day health services on a remote basis. This period demonstrated that adult day services can be safely and effectively provided on a remote basis. Although New Jersey has lifted many of the capacity and indoor services restrictions imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an ongoing need for access to remote adult day health services, as many enrollees in adult day health services programs are unable or unwilling to consistently receive those services on an in-person basis, for reasons that include ongoing capacity and social distancing restrictions, hospitalizations and emergency department visits, self-isolation due to illness, fear of exposure to communicable disease, behavioral health conditions such as anxiety and depression, transportation issues, inclement weather, and religious observance. Individuals receiving adult day health services require access to those services on a consistent and ongoing basis. It is the sponsor's belief that it is therefore essential that adult day services providers retain the ability to provide adult day health services remotely, and to be reimbursed for remote services at the same rate as applies when the services are provided on an in-person basis. | In Committee |
| S146 | Prohibits administration of assessments developed by Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers. | This bill prohibits the Department of Education from administering assessments developed by the consortium of states known as the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers ("PARCC") after the 2015-2016 school year. The bill directs the Commissioner of Education to develop and implement a Statewide assessment program that does not include PARCC assessments by the 2016-2017 school year. | In Committee |
| S138 | Requires inspection for pest infestation prior to certain demolitions. | This bill requires pest inspections prior to certain building demolitions in order to prevent pest infestations from migrating to adjacent buildings. The bill requires either a health officer or another local health agency employee, certified by the State Department of Health, or a commercial pesticide applicator, certified by the State Department of Environmental Protection for general and household pest control, to inspect certain buildings for mice, rats, roaches, and other pests before the demolition, and to issue a certification indicating that pests are not present within or on the perimeter of the building at levels that place any nearby building at risk for infestation. If a severe pest presence does exist in the building to be demolished, then the pesticide applicator or local health agency shall be required to ensure that extermination takes place in the building prior to issuing the certification. Under the bill, no certification shall be required prior to demolition if no other building exists that is both located within 10 feet of the building to be demolished, and is on a different property. The inspection shall occur within two months of the construction permit issuance for demolition, and the certification shall be filed with the construction official before the issuance of the permit. Any certification that is issued by a pesticide applicator shall be filed with the health officer, in addition to the construction official, no later than five days before the construction permit issuance. At any time before construction permit issuance, the health officer may disapprove of the pesticide applicator's certification, and require a new inspection and new extermination be conducted before construction permit issuance. Certification shall not be required before demolition if the construction official determines that an immediate danger is posed by a structurally unsafe building. The construction permit applicant shall be responsible for the cost of any pest inspection and extermination required by this bill. The requirements of this bill would become operational on the first day of the sixth month next following enactment. | In Committee |
| S130 | Revises procedures concerning access to decedent's safe-deposit box. | This bill would establish procedures for accessing a decedent's safe-deposit box to search for the original will and burial documents. Under the provisions of the bill, an "interested person" would be authorized to open a safe-deposit box in the presence of the box's lessor provided that person furnishes a copy of the decedent's death certificate and an affidavit whereby he states that he is an interested party and would like access to the box to obtain the lessee's original will or to obtain burial documents which he believes may be contained in the safe-deposit box. An "interested person" is defined in the bill as any person who immediately prior to the death of the safe-deposit box's lessee had the right of access to the box as a deputy, any person named as executor in a copy furnished by him of a purported will of the lessee, or the spouse, an adult descendant, parent, brother or sister of the lessee. If the affidavit states that none of the persons described above is available to be present at the opening of the safe-deposit box, the term "interested person" shall also mean any other person who the lessor in its sole discretion determines may have a legitimate interest in the filing of the lessee's will or in the arrangements for his burial. Under the provisions of the bill, the lessor would be required to remove the original will from the box and deliver it (by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested) to the Surrogate of the county in which the lessee resided immediately prior to his death, or to the Surrogate of the county in which the safe-deposit box is located. The interested person would receive a photocopy of the original will, trust instrument or burial documents. This bill would take effect 180 days after the date of enactment and would apply to any safe-deposit box or other receptacle rented by any decedent dying on or after the effective date. However, the bill would allow the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance to take any necessary anticipatory administrative action necessary for the implementation of the bill. This bill also amends section 4 of P.L.1955, c.151 (C.46:39-4) (safe-deposit receptacle rentals) and R.S.17:14A-52 (safe-deposit companies) to provide the appropriate cross-references to the new procedures established by the bill. | In Committee |
| S1374 | Provides CBT and gross income tax credits for replacement of abandoned commercial building with new commercial building. | The bill provides a tax credit under the corporation business tax and the gross income tax for certain costs associated with the demolition of an abandoned commercial building and the construction of a new commercial building in its place. As defined by the bill, "commercial building" means a building of at least 100,000 square feet that is used for commercial purposes. Specifically, the bill allows a taxpayer who replaces an abandoned commercial building in the State by demolishing the abandoned commercial building and constructing a new commercial building in the same location to receive a corporation business tax credit and gross income tax credit. The amount of the tax credits provided by the bill may not exceed the lesser of: (1) 25 percent of the total costs incurred by the taxpayer associated with the demolition of the abandoned commercial building and the construction of the new commercial building, or (2) $500,000. To qualify for a tax credit allowed under the bill, a taxpayer would be required to apply to the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury (division) for a certification that provides: (1) that the demolition of the abandoned commercial building and the construction of the new commercial building meet the requirements of the bill; and (2) the amount of the tax credit. The application would be required to demonstrate that the abandoned commercial building was demolished, and that a new commercial building was constructed in its place, prior to applying for the tax credit. The bill requires the division to adopt rules and regulations as are necessary to implement the bill's provisions. The bill would also limit the cumulative total of tax credits awarded pursuant to the bill to $5 million. Finally, the bill would require, no later than one year after the expiration of the tax credits provided pursuant to the bill, the division to prepare and submit to the Governor, the State Treasurer, and the Legislature a report that, at a minimum, summarizes the effectiveness of the tax credit in incentivizing the replacement of abandoned commercial buildings with newly constructed commercial buildings. Construction of commercial buildings throughout the State has increased exponentially during recent years. Many commercial buildings have been constructed on the State's farmland, which has adversely impacted the State's farming sector. Construction of commercial buildings on farmland decreases the amount of land in the State that is able to be used for farming purposes and, in many cases, destroys prime soil, which is limited to areas where the soil naturally occurs and, once destroyed, cannot be recreated. Farmland is an important economic and environmental resource for New Jersey and, for this reason, it is important take steps to ensure farmland is used for farming purposes and not converted into commercial buildings. Lands currently used for commercial purposes should continue to be used for commercial purposes. For this reason, abandoned commercial buildings should be replaced with newly constructed commercial buildings at the same location. This bill would encourage the development of commercial buildings throughout the State while also protecting the State's farmland. | In Committee |
| S71 | Requires State agencies to post Internet links to programs and services for women as applicable. | This bill requires that each State agency prominently display on its Internet homepage a link to any program, services, benefits, or informational resources that are provided by or through that agency and that are intended exclusively or primarily for women. The link is to be clearly identified in such a manner as to facilitate access to information about any such program, services, benefits, or informational resources. The bill defines "State agency" to mean an executive branch agency of the State, including, but not limited to, any department, board, bureau, commission, division, office, council, agency, or instrumentality thereof, or independent agency, public authority, or public benefit corporation. The bill takes effect on the first day of the fifth month following enactment, but authorizes each State agency to take prior administrative action as necessary to implement the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| S668 | Increases Medicaid reimbursement for in-person partial care and intensive outpatient behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment services, and associated transportation services, for adults. | this bill increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for partial care and intensive outpatient services by 35 percent. Rates increased under the bill include, but are not limited to: per diem and hourly reimbursement rates for partial care and intensive outpatient services, as well as services provided during partial care and intensive outpatient treatment, such as intake evaluation, psychiatric evaluation, family counseling, individual counseling, and group counseling. The bill also provides that the aggregate Medicaid reimbursement rate for transportation services and mileage to or from a partial care or intensive outpatient services provider is to be no less than $10 for each one-way trip. As defined under the bill, "partial care services" means comprehensive, individualized, structured, non-residential intensive treatment services, including access to psychiatric, medical, and laboratory services, for an adult with severe mental illness or substance use disorder provided at a licensed outpatient facility for a minimum of 20 hours per week. "Intensive Outpatient Services" means comprehensive, individualized, structured, non-residential treatment sessions for an adult with severe mental illness or substance use disorder provided at a licensed outpatient facility for a minimum of nine hours per week. | In Committee |
| S60 | Expands indoor capacity for food or beverage establishments and banquet and wedding venues under certain circumstances during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. | The bill establishes certain requirements concerning the indoor operation of food or beverage establishments and of banquet and weddings venues during the public health emergency declared in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The bill defines the term "food or beverage establishment" to include restaurants, cafeterias, dining establishments, and food courts, with or without a liquor license, bars, and all other holders of a liquor license with retail consumption privileges. Under the bill, the default indoor capacity percentage for food or beverage establishments and banquet and wedding venues will be the maximum capacity authorized by the Governor by executive order. In areas with a COVID-19 activity level of "low," as determined by the Department of Health (DOH), food or beverage establishments and banquet or wedding venues, will be authorized to operate at full capacity, provided they meet the requirements of the bill. In areas with a COVID-19 activity level higher than "low," but no higher than "moderate," the indoor capacity percentage will be 50 percent. In the event the Governor authorizes a higher capacity than is authorized under the bill, and does not require compliance with the requirements of the bill, the provisions of the bill will not apply to that increased capacity. Specifically, under the bill, within regions of the State that have a low level of COVID-19 activity, an establishment or venue may provide indoor service to a number of persons at full capacity if the establishment or venue institutes: (1) employee protocols to monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19; (2) a policy requiring the business to suspend operations immediately for cleaning and disinfection if someone with COVID-19 is on the premises; (3) a sick leave policy; (4) a "six feet" social distancing policy; (5) a policy to erect physical barriers if it is not possible to maintain a "six feet" social distancing policy; (6) a limit to the number of persons that may be seated together at the same time; (7) an employee hand-washing policy; (8) the installation of hand-sanitizer dispensers or stations at the entrance to, and throughout, the establishment or venue; (9) a mask policy; (10) ventilation protocols; (11) cleaning and disinfection protocols; (12) signage protocols; and (13) communication and training protocols. The establishment or venue will also be required to install barriers between each table; limit parties dining together to 10 or fewer individuals; inform the county board of health of the establishment's or venue's capacity; and shut down immediately to clean and disinfect upon identifying an employee, guest, visitor, or vendor who is presumptive positive or tests positive for COVID-19. Additionally, the bill requires an establishment or venue to conduct contact tracing upon identifying a dine-in customer with a presumptive positive case or a positive case of COVID-19. This requirement would not apply to customers who order takeout or delivery from an establishment or venue. The county board of health has the ability to order a reduction in capacity or to shut down establishments or venues that are in violation of the requirements established under the bill. An establishment or venue may submit an application to operate at 50 percent or full capacity indoors at any time to the county board of health, which will review and determine eligibility to operate at 50 percent or full capacity, as applicable based on the local COVID-19 activity level, within 14 days of receipt of the application. If the county board of health determines that the establishment or venue has submitted insufficient documentation for a determination of eligibility, then the establishment or venue will have seven days to provide the necessary documentation. The bill provides that county boards of health may seek assistance from State officials or appropriate political subdivisions to help implement the provisions of the bill. The bill requires the DOH to routinely update and publish its "COVID-19 Activity Level Report" and distribute the report, as updated, to all the county boards of health in a timely manner. The DOH will be required to post this information on its website and report its findings to each county on a monthly basis. Nothing in the bill is to be construed to relieve an establishment or venue of any requirement established by any other law or regulation. | In Committee |
| S114 | Provides tax credits to vineyards and wineries for qualified capital expenses. | This bill provides credits against the New Jersey gross income tax and corporation business tax, as applicable, to vineyards and wineries for qualified capital expenses, as defined in the bill, in an amount equal to 25 percent of the qualified capital expenses made in connection with the establishment of a new vineyard or winery or the capital improvements made to an existing vineyard or winery during each taxable year or privilege period in which the qualified vineyard or winery is operated for a profit by the taxpayer. Under the bill, a "qualified capital expense" means all expenditures made by the taxpayer for the purchase and installation of equipment or agricultural materials for use in the production of agricultural products at a vineyard or winery, but not for use on preserved farmland, including examples of which are provided in the bill. The amount of credit allowed is to be taken by the taxpayer to reduce the tax otherwise due and required to be paid for the taxable year to which the credit applies. A credit is only to be taken by the taxpayer to reduce the tax otherwise due and required to be paid for the taxable year in which the vineyard or winery is conducted or operated for a profit by the taxpayer. The bill would provide that the total value of the grants of tax credits approved by the Director of Taxation (director) that may be applied against a gross income and corporation tax liability for a privilege period shall not exceed an aggregate annual limit of $3,000,000. Each gross income taxpayer or individual vineyard or winery paying corporation business tax would be allowed a total of $250,000 in tax credits to be taken over a 10 year period, and no more than $50,000 per tax year or privilege period, as applicable. If the amount of tax credits applied for by taxpayers exceeds the aggregate annual limit of $3,000,000, then a taxpayer who has first applied for and has not been allowed a tax credit amount for that reason would then be allowed, in the order in which they have submitted an application, their approved amount of tax credit on the first day of the next succeeding privilege period in which tax credits are issued and are not in excess of the amount of credits available. The bill permits a taxpayer, who is allowed a gross income tax credit pursuant to the bill but whose gross income tax liability in the taxable year in which the credit is received is less than the amount of the credit, to either: 1) carry forward the unapplied portion of the credit and apply the credit to the gross income tax liability of the taxpayer in the next 10 taxable years; or 2) receive the unapplied portion of the credit as a refund. The bill provides that a taxpayer who is allowed a corporation business tax credit pursuant to the bill may not reduce the taxpayer's corporation business tax liability in a privilege period to an amount less than the applicable statutory minimum provided by law. Under the bill, a taxpayer is not to be permitted to take any credits to reduce or offset the New Jersey gross income tax liability or corporation tax liability that is incurred and required to be paid by the taxpayer in connection with the conduct or operation of a vineyard or winery unless the taxpayer has obtained prior written authorization from the director. The director is to establish an application process and prescribe the form and manner through which a taxpayer may make and file an application to obtain the director's written authorization for the allowance of a credit. Under the bill, the director is to review each application made and filed by a taxpayer and make a determination regarding the approval of an application seeing the director's written authorization for the allowance of accredit within 90 calendar days of the date a complete application is received. The director is to issue a written authorization for the allowance of a credit to each taxpayer that made and filed a complete application that has been reviewed and approved by the director within five calendar days of the date the director's determination is made. Each taxpayer issued a written authorization for the allowance of a credit is to include a copy of the director's authorization when filing a return that includes a claim for the credit. If the director fails to make a determination regarding the approval of an application seeking the director's written authorization for the allowance of a credit within 90 calendar days of the date a complete application is received, or if the director fails to issue a written authorization for the allowance of a credit within five calendar days of the date the director's determination is made, the application is to be deemed to have been approved and the written authorization is to be deemed to have been issued by the director. Each taxpayer that made and filed a complete application but fails to receive a determination from the director is to include a copy of the taxpayer's application when filing a return that includes a claim for the credit allowed. | In Committee |
| S62 | Concerns restaurant tents during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. | This bill would allow restaurants to seat patrons in an open air space with a fixed roof or temporary or seasonal awning or cover with at least two sides through which egress is possible, provided that the cover is anchored. The roof, awning, or cover must not have accumulated more than two inches of snow, or must be certified pursuant to chapter 23 of Title 5 of the New Jersey Administrative Code to hold a snow load. The intent of this bill is to exempt restaurants from certain requirements on snow certification during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. | In Committee |
| S91 | Clarifies that definition of mental illness in law governing involuntary commitment to treatment includes substance use disorder if dangerous standard met. | This bill amends the law governing involuntary commitment to treatment to clarify that the definition of the term "mental illness" includes substance use disorder if a person's substance use disorder makes the person "dangerous to self" or "dangerous to others or property," which are also defined terms. The bill also defines the term "substance use disorder" as it is defined in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Under current law, section 2 of P.L.1987, c.116 (C.30:4-27.2) provides, in part, that being "dangerous to self" means that "by reason of mental illness a person has threatened or attempted suicide or serious bodily harm, or has behaved in such a manner as to indicate" an inability "to satisfy the need for nourishment, essential medical care or shelter, so that it is probable that substantial bodily injury, serious physical harm or death will result within the reasonably foreseeable future." The term "dangerous to others or property" means that "by reason of mental illness there is a substantial likelihood that the person will inflict serious bodily harm upon another person or cause serious property damage within the reasonably foreseeable future. For both terms, the law provides that the determination is to "take into account a person's history, recent behavior, and any recent act, threat or serious psychiatric deterioration." | In Committee |
| S145 | Establishes Safe and Equitable Remote Learning Pilot Program in DOE to support provision of remote learning safe havens by certain school districts. | This bill establishes the Safe and Equitable Remote Learning Pilot Program in the Department of Education to support the remote learning safe havens by certain eligible districts, including the Camden City School District, the Newark City School District, the Passaic City School District, the Paterson City School District, and the Trenton City School District. The bill provides that when an eligible district implements a program of virtual or remote instruction or a program of hybrid instruction approved by the Commissioner of Education, the district may, with the approval of the executive county superintendent of schools, establish one or more remote learning safe havens. Each remote learning safe haven would be used for the delivery of remote instruction to enrolled students in accordance with applicable social distancing and other health and safety guidelines. Under the bill, the district would be required to provide broadband Internet service to the facility. The bill requires this service to be sufficient for every enrolled student who is eligible for free or reduced-price meals under the State school lunch program to participate in remote instructional sessions at the facility. In addition to any other requirements established by the Commissioner of Education, each remote learning safe haven would be required to be: (1) located within a building owned by the federal government, the State, a political subdivision of the State, or a nonprofit organization; (2) staffed by appropriately licensed school personnel who have undergone a criminal history record check pursuant and are approved by the board of education, during all hours of operation; and (3) in compliance with the applicable standards for temporary educational facilities required pursuant to the State Board of Education regulations. The regulatory standards for temporary educational facilities are currently established at N.J.A.C.6A:26-8.1. If an eligible district establishes a remote learning safe haven, the department would be required to provide the district with such funding as is necessary to defray the costs of establishing and staffing the facility, as well as providing the facility with broadband Internet service. To the maximum extent possible, an eligible district would provide the remote learning safe haven such staff, resources, equipment and materials as may be necessary to establish and operate the remote learning safe haven and to limit the use of staff, resources, equipment, and materials of the remote learning safe haven. The bill provides that, following the expiration of the public health emergency declared pursuant to Executive Order 103 of 2020 or the rescission of the declaration of the public health emergency declared in that executive order, an eligible district that establishes one or more remote learning safe havens may continue to use, or enter into written agreements or partnerships to continue to use, the remote learning safe havens for before school and after school activities. Lastly, the bill requires that the Department of Education to collection certain information from eligible districts that establish a remote learning safe haven. Within 30 days of the end of any school year in which an eligible district establishes a remote learning safe haven, the department would submit a report to the Governor, and to the Legislature, containing the information collected from the eligible districts and the department's recommendation on the advisability of continuing and expanding the Safe and Equitable Remote Learning Pilot Program. | In Committee |
| S1885 | Broadens eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations. | This bill broadens the eligibility for various veterans benefits by eliminating the requirement that to be considered a veteran a person must have served during periods of war, in specific war zones, or during periods of emergency. Instead, the bill provides that a person will be considered a veteran if he or she served for at least 90 days, exclusive of certain types of initial training, in order to be eligible for veterans benefits. The bill specifies that to be considered a veteran and eligible for veterans benefits, a member of a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces (including the National Guard) must serve the entire period to which he or she is called to federal active service, exclusive of active duty for training. A person who is discharged as the result of a service-connected disability will be classed as a veteran even if he or she did not meet the 90-day service requirement. The veterans benefits include: (1) civil service preference under Title 11A of the New Jersey Statutes; (2) veteran's retirement allowance under the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) or the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS); (3) the purchase of additional military service credit in the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS), TPAF and PERS; (4) the annual property tax deduction provided under Article VIII of the New Jersey Constitution ($250 each tax year) or the property tax exemption provided under N.J.S.A.54:4-3.30 for a veteran who is certified permanently 100% disabled by the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs; and (5) surviving spouse benefits for veterans killed in active service, including civil service preference and the property tax deduction or exemption. The bill provides that an active service member of the United States Armed Forces or a current member of a military reserve component (including the National Guard) who has not been discharged from service is eligible for the civil service preference and the property tax deduction provided that he or she qualifies as a veteran. Eligibility for the property tax benefits and civil service preference is contingent upon voter approval of authorizing amendments to the State Constitution. Article VIII, Section I, paragraph 3 (concerning property tax benefits) and Article VII, Section I, paragraph 2 (concerning civil service preference) of the State Constitution currently refer to service in time of war. The bill repeals a section of existing civil service, pension and tax law regarding wartime service which is no longer necessary because of the elimination of the wartime service requirement. | In Committee |
| S123 | Provides incentives for certain businesses associated with military installations. | This bill modifies current business incentive programs consistent with recommendations set forth in the July 2015 report by the New Jersey Military Installment Growth and Development Task Force in order to encourage businesses to undertake innovative projects related to the missions and operations of military installations located within New Jersey. The bill establishes incentives for businesses to engage in projects involving science, technology, engineering, math, or research and development (STEM/R&D), that are related to and supportive of the missions and operations of a New Jersey military installation, and are located within a five-mile radius of the outer boundary of a military installation in this State. For those businesses, the bill:· amends a small business loan program to establish eligibility for reduced interest rate loans for projects involving STEM/R&D related to and supportive of the missions and operations of a New Jersey military installation and located within a five-mile radius of a military installation in this State; · amends the Grow New Jersey Assistance Program, to make an area located on commercial property within a five-mile radius of a military installation in this State an area qualified for the program; a project that locates in one of these areas, meets the capital and employment requirements, for which the program incentives are a material factor, demonstrates the required net positive benefit and other qualifiers may receive Grow New Jersey benefits;· establishes a Grow New Jersey tax credit bonus of $500 per employee if the qualifying project located within a five-mile radius of a military installation in this State is used in connection with projects involving STEM/R&D related to and supportive of the missions and operations of a New Jersey military installation; and amends a program that streamlines the review and issuance of permits to make a business project located within a five-mile radius of a military installation in this State and used in connection with projects involving STEM/R&D related to and supportive of the missions and operations of a New Jersey military installation eligible for assistance. The bill repeals a duplicative provision added by section 3 of P.L.2019, c.240. | In Committee |
| S135 | Concerning the "Contractor's Registration Act." | This bill clarifies that the exemption from certain requirements of the "Contractor's Registration Act," afforded to the persons listed in section 5 of P.L.2004, c.16 (C.56:8-140), applies only to the registration, insurance, and bonding requirement for home improvement contractors. All home improvement contractors would continue to be subject to the other requirements of the act. Under the bill, a consumer would be permitted to waive the three day waiting period during which the consumer would otherwise have the right cancel a contract for home improvements in the event that the work is necessary to meet a bona fide emergency. The bill would provide a funding source for restitution to consumers who have been damaged by a contractor's violation of the "Contractor's Registration Act," by requiring registered contractors to post a bond. The bill establishes that a contractor would be liable for fines or penalties imposed on a consumer as a result of a contractor's failure to obtain construction permits. Work performed without a required permit, and thus not inspected by local building code officials, often violates building codes and zoning ordinances designed to protect the health and safety of residents. Finally, the bill makes it an unlawful practice under the consumer fraud act for a contractor to fail to complete a home improvement in accordance with the home improvement contract, and provides a consumer who suffers damage as a result of a violation of the "Contractor's Registration Act" with the remedy of restitution. 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. Additionally, violations can result in cease and desist orders issued by the Attorney General, the assessment of punitive damages, and the awarding of treble damages and costs to the injured party. | In Committee |
| S395 | Establishes NJ Fusion Technology Industry Commission. | This bill establishes the New Jersey Fusion Technology Industry Commission in the Department of the Treasury (department), but independent of any supervision or control by the department. The commission is to consist of the following 11 members: two public members to be appointed by the Governor; one public member to be appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the President of the Senate; one public member to be appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the General Assembly; one public member appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the Senate Minority Leader; and one public member appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the Assembly Minority Leader; the Secretary of Higher Education; the chair of the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology; the Executive Director of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority; and two presidents or departmental administrators from the State's public institutions of higher education or private institutions of higher education, who shall serve as non-voting members. Under the bill, each of the six public members would be required to have a background in a field of fusion energy, plasma physics, or physics, or in a business related to fusion technology or energy. The terms of the six public members would be for five years or until their successors are appointed, except that the terms of the first appointed public members would be staggered. The commission members would serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses. The Governor would be required to designate the chair of the commission from among the public members, and the commission would appoint an executive director. Under the bill, the executive director would also be responsible for the selection of properly qualified staff members of the commission. The bill requires the commission to: (1) be responsible for the development and oversight of policies and programs in fusion energy and technology in New Jersey; (2) ensure that the programs in fusion energy and technology development are adequately funded to achieve stated goals; (3) stimulate academic-industrial collaboration; (4) plan and assist in the establishment of new advanced technology centers, business incubation facilities, and technology extension services; (5) coordinate activities of the advanced technology centers, business incubation facilities, and technology extension services; (6) recommend funding levels, determine eligible fields, and supervise the process of making awards for certain grants; (7) continue to identify and to support research opportunities at New Jersey academic institutions and other institutions that can advance economic development and employment; (8) encourage and coordinate activities to help entrepreneurs and institutions; (9) monitor changes in national and international economic conditions which might justify a recommendation of a reorientation of the State's fusion energy and technology programs; (10) adopt rules and regulations; (11) adopt, amend, and repeal bylaws; (12) adopt and have a seal; (13) have the authority to sue and be sued; (14) have the authority to conduct meetings and public hearings; (15) have the authority to enter into contracts; (16) employ consultants and specialists in fusion energy and technology and any employees as may be required; (17) receive and disburse funds from non-State sources including but not limited to federal funds; and (18) conduct any other actions necessary or convenient to carry out its purposes and exercise its powers. Under the bill, the commission would be required to annually report to the Governor and the Legislature. Each report would be required to set forth a complete operating and financial statement covering the operations of the commission along with legislative and other policy recommendations for encouraging the development of fusion technology and the expansion of the fusion industry in the State. | 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 |
| S127 | Creates the Office on Women's Research and Policy and appropriates $150,000. | This bill creates the Office of Women's Research and Policy in the Division on Women in the Department of Children and Families. The purpose of the office is to stimulate and encourage throughout the State the study and review of the status of women, and to strengthen family life by directing attention to critical problems confronting women as homemakers, mothers, spouses and workers. The office will perform the following functions: collaborate with other State agencies and affiliated groups, including but not limited to the New Jersey Advisory Commission on the Status of Women and the Council on Gender Parity in Labor and Education, to address issues that disproportionately or especially affect women; identify gaps in existing data on women, request particular analyses of data on women and disseminate this research to New Jersey policy makers, including government officials and legislators; conduct research by surveys, generate original research by using quantitative and qualitative methods as needed and collect existing data; disseminate information to New Jersey policy makers on a spectrum of issues relevant to women's lives, including but not limited to women's status in the workforce, access to child care and other resources, education equity, violence against women and economic self-sufficiency; and discharge its duties in partnership with the Institute for Women's Leadership at Rutgers University. The Office of Women's Research and Policy will be entitled to call upon the services and assistance of State agencies and affiliated groups, and will have access to all their historical records and files. Additionally, all of the historical records and files of the Commission to Study Sex Discrimination in the Statutes will be transferred to the Office on Women's Research and Policy. The bill also creates the "Women's Research and Policy Fund" in the Department of the Treasury, to receive all funding for the Office of Women's Research and Policy from the State and other sources. The bill authorizes the office to apply for and collect funds from the federal government and other sources in certain cases, and directs that an annual appropriation be made to the fund in an amount necessary to effectuate the purposes of the bill. Finally, the bill makes an initial appropriation of $150,000. | In Committee |
| S143 | Permits charter school to limit admission to single gender, students at-risk of academic failure, students with disabilities, or English language learners. | Under current law, section 7 of P.L.1995, c.426 (C.18A:36A-7), a charter school may limit admission to a particular grade level or to areas of concentration of the school, such as mathematics, science, or the arts. This bill amends current law to provide that a charter school also may limit admission to a single gender, or to provide expanded learning opportunities for students at-risk of academic failure, students with disabilities, or English language learners. | In Committee |
| S122 | Requires DOT to compensate local government entities for contractual delay damages resulting from shutdown of transportation projects funded by Transportation Trust Fund; authorizes local government entities to use certain funds for transportation projects. | This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to compensate municipalities, counties, or other local government entities for delay damages on transportation projects supported through the local aid program, if those delay damages resulted from the shutdown of Transportation Trust Fund projects pursuant to Executive Order No. 210 of 2016 (executive order). The bill also permits a local government entity to use its own funds to continue or complete a transportation project that was halted as a result of the executive order. The bill prohibits DOT or any other executive branch agency from withholding, revoking, or otherwise canceling certain local aid due to the local government entity's decision to use its funds to continue or complete the transportation project. | In Committee |
| S139 | Authorizes COAH to credit municipalities with 1.5 units of fair share affordable housing obligation for each unit of transitional housing occupied by a veteran. | This bill would allow municipalities to obtain credits toward the fulfillment of their fair share affordable housing obligations for transitional housing reserved for certain veterans. This bill would require the Council on Affordable Housing to credit 1.5 units toward a municipality's fair share obligation for each unit of transitional housing occupied by a veteran of low or moderate income who had active service in time of war, as defined by current law. | 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 |
| S2248 | Establishes pilot program to create student mental health assistance programs in selected school districts. | This bill establishes a four-year pilot program in which the participating school districts will establish a mental health assistance program for students in grades kindergarten through 12. The purposes of the pilot program are to identify issues affecting student mental health and the possible impact of those issues on academic performance, and to provide intervention, support, and referral services in a confidential setting to help students who may be experiencing mental health difficulties. A school district that wants to participate in the pilot program will submit an application and proposal to the Commissioner of Education, and the commissioner will select up to 15 school districts for participation. Each participating school district will create a mental health assistance program which, among other things: identifies students who may be experiencing personal, school, or family difficulties impacting the student's mental health, regardless of whether the difficulties are associated with alcohol or other drug-related concerns; establishes procedures for the referral of students to the program; provides mental health education, support, and intervention services for students served by the program in order to foster risk reduction and positive asset development; and provides referrals, where appropriate, to community agencies and resources that may help address the particular needs of the student. In order to facilitate the mental health assistance program, each participating school district is required to appoint one or more student assistance counselors, who will act as a resource for the entire school community and will work with students or groups in a confidential setting to carry out the work of the program. Student assistance counselors must receive specialized prevention and intervention training, and participate in ongoing professional development, in order to best serve the needs of the school district's students and schools. At the conclusion of the pilot program, the bill requires each participating school district to submit a report to the Commissioner of Education containing certain information on the district's mental health assistance program as well as voluntary feedback collected from students, staff, and parents regarding the program. The bill directs the commissioner, after receiving the reports from the participating districts, to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature on the implementation and effectiveness of the pilot program and the commissioner's recommendation on the advisability of the program's continuation and expansion to additional school districts in the State. | In Committee |
| S79 | Repeals law that established optional will registry. | This bill repeals the law establishing the optional will registry, P.L.2005, c.97 (C.3B:3-2.1 and 3B:3-2.2). The law provides that a person making a will or the person's attorney could register information concerning the location of the will with the will registry, which is maintained by the Secretary of State. The information in the will registry would include the name of the person making the will, the date the will was made, and sufficient identification of the location of the will at the time of registration. The will registry does not keep a copy of the will itself. It is the sponsors' view that the statute is not useful and causes unnecessary additional work for surrogates. | In Committee |
| S69 | Prohibits mortgage loan discrimination based on familial status. | This bill prohibits depository institutions that make mortgage loans in this State from discriminating against any person in making available a mortgage loan, or in the terms or conditions of a mortgage loan, because of that person's familial status. The bill defines "familial status" as being the natural parent of a child, the adoptive parent of a child, the resource family parent of a child, having a "parent and child relationship" with a child as defined by State law, or having sole or joint legal or physical custody, care, guardianship, or visitation with a child, or any person who is pregnant or is in the process of securing legal custody of any individual who has not attained the age of 18 years. The bill provides that any person who has been discriminated against in violation of the bill may bring an action in New Jersey in a court of competent jurisdiction. Upon finding that a depository institution is in violation, the court may award actual damages, reasonable attorneys' fees, and court costs. The bill also empowers the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance to make such investigations into any matters pertaining to the bill, including the power to hold hearings and issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of evidence. The commissioner may also order institutions found to be in violation to cease any unlawful practices, subject to review, hearing, and relief in the Superior Court. | In Committee |
| S80 | Provides immunity from civil and criminal liability for rescue of animal from motor vehicle under inhumane conditions. | This bill provides civil and criminal immunity to persons who in good faith enter a motor vehicle to rescue an animal if the person reasonably believes that the animal is in immediate danger of bodily injury or death from the circumstances, and, prior to entering the motor vehicle, the rescuer adheres to certain conditions, notice requirements, and procedures. The bill also specifies that that the immunity from liability for property damage would attach only for any property damage caused in or by the rescue and for any injuries caused to the animal (including any allegations of animal cruelty) in or by the rescue, unless the rescuer engaged in reckless or willful misconduct. | 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 |
| S779 | Authorizes provision of comprehensive health care coverage to certain undocumented immigrants and children. | This bill extends comprehensive NJ FamilyCare coverage to pregnant undocumented immigrants, and their dependent children up to the age of one year, who reside in the State and do not qualify for such coverage under existing law. Pregnant undocumented individuals would be eligible for full NJ FamilyCare benefits through the end of the 60-day period beginning on the last day of the individual's pregnancy. Under existing State and federal law, undocumented immigrants may receive Medicaid coverage only for care and services necessary for the treatment of an emergency medical condition, which federal statute defines as including emergency labor and delivery. The bill defines "undocumented immigrant" as an immigrant who resides in the State, but is unable to document the immigrant's status as an eligible alien, as defined in the State's Medicaid statute, or to demonstrate that the immigrant is lawfully present in the United States. The bill also directs the Commissioner of Human Services to attempt to maximize federal financial participation for the provision of comprehensive NJ FamilyCare benefits for pregnant undocumented immigrants and their dependent children under the age of one year; the bill would remain inoperable until the commissioner receives a determination of federal financial participation regarding the bill's provisions. If federal matching funds are not available, comprehensive NJ FamilyCare benefits for this new eligibility group would commence upon the appropriation of State funds designated for this purpose. The bill additionally stipulates that comprehensive NJ FamilyCare benefits will be provided to this new eligibility group only to the extent allowable under federal statute. | In Committee |
| S99 | Establishes mandatory training program for human resources officers of public employers on handling and responding to reports of domestic violence. | This bill requires the Civil Service Commission to establish a domestic violence training program for the purpose of educating human resources officers on handling and responding to reports by public employees of domestic violence. The training program would be available, at no cost, to all public employers, regardless of whether the employer is subject to the provisions of Title 11A, Civil Service, of the New Jersey Statutes. Under this bill, all training on domestic violence matters must include information concerning the impact of domestic violence on society, the dynamics of domestic violence, the basic elements of a protection order, the requirements of the "New Jersey Security and Financial Empowerment Act," and the use of available community resources, support services, and treatment options for domestic violence victims. The bill requires the commission to ensure consultation about the program with law enforcement personnel, prosecutors, social workers, and other persons trained in counseling, crisis intervention, or in the treatment of domestic violence victims. The bill requires the commission to review the domestic violence training program and curriculum at least once every two years and modify the training program from time to time, as need may require. Under the bill, participation in the domestic violence training program would be mandatory for all human resources officers employed by a public employer. The bill requires that all human resources officers employed by a public employer take the domestic violence training program within 90 days of their appointment. A human resources officer who successfully completes the domestic violence training program will receive a certification of completion as deemed appropriate by the commission. This bill would take effect on the first day of the sixth month next following enactment, except the commission may take such anticipatory administrative action in advance as may be necessary to implement the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| S147 | Establishes "breakfast after the bell" incentive fund. | This bill requires the Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Department of Education, to develop and administer a "breakfast after the bell" incentive fund to provide an additional reimbursement to certain school districts that participate in the federal school breakfast program. Under the bill, the incentive fund will provide a 10-cent per breakfast supplement to the existing federal reimbursement to a school district with schools that participate in the federal school breakfast program that serve "breakfast after the bell" with 20 to 100 percent of its students eligible for free or reduced price breakfast. The bill directs the Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Department of Education, to provide guidance and support to school districts, and to prepare and issue an annual report detailing the annual cost of the incentive fund and the number and percentage of additional students participating in the "breakfast after the bell" program for each school district. The bill specifies that the Legislature is to annually appropriate funds necessary to implement the bill. The purpose of the fund is to provide an incentive to school districts in this State to move to a school breakfast model that has the capacity to reach more hungry students since low to middle income school districts face greater challenges in covering the costs of an effective school breakfast program. | In Committee |
| S1265 | Establishes Gold Star Family Scholarship Program; appropriates $100,000 from General Fund to Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. | This bill establishes the Gold Star Family Scholarship Program in the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA). Under the program, a spouse, child, parent, guardian, or sibling of an individual who served in the Armed Forces of the United States or National Guard and lost his life while on active duty would be eligible to receive a scholarship to attend an institution of higher education. HESAA would be responsible for establishing eligibility criteria, and determining the amount of each scholarship award after considering the cost of attendance at the institution of higher education and other federal and State assistance for which the individual is eligible. An individual scholarship award may not exceed the average tuition charged at the four-year public institutions of higher education in the State. HESAA will award scholarships using money in the Gold Star Family Scholarship Fund created under the bill. The bill establishes an annual $2 surcharge on personalized license plates, the proceeds of which will be deposited into the fund. It also provides for a designation on the State gross income tax return that permits a taxpayer to make voluntary contributions to the fund. Last, the bill appropriates $100,000 to the fund. | In Committee |
| S1568 | Provides child tax credit for taxpayers with children ages six to 11 and increases amount of credit for taxpayers with children under 12 over period of two years. | This bill would provide a child tax credit for certain taxpayers with children ages six to 11 and increase the amount of the credit over a period of two years for taxpayers with children under age six and taxpayers with children ages six to 11. Under current law, a resident taxpayer with New Jersey taxable income of $80,000 or less is allowed a credit against the State income tax for each child under age six. The amount of the credit is $500 per child if the taxpayer's income is $30,000 or less and is incrementally reduced with respect to levels of income in excess of $30,000. The credit is completely phased out once a taxpayer's income exceeds $80,000. In addition to those taxpayers with children under age six, the bill expands eligibility for the child tax credit to taxpayers with children ages six to 11. The bill also increases the amount of the credit over a period of two years. Taxpayers with levels of income under $30,000 and a child under age six would be eligible for a $750 credit for the 2023 and 2024 tax years with an incremental reduction of the credit for levels of income over $30,000 before being completely phased out once the taxpayer exceeds $80,000 of income. For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, the credit would increase to $1,000 for those taxpayers with levels of income under $30,000 with an incremental reduction of the credit for levels of income over $30,000 before being completely phased out once a taxpayer exceeds $80,000 of income. Taxpayers with an income of $30,000 or less with a child ages six to 11 would be eligible for a $500 credit for the 2023 and 2024 tax years with an incremental reduction of the credit for income that exceeds $30,000 before being completely phased out once the taxpayer exceeds $80,000 of income. For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, the credit would increase to $600 for those taxpayers with levels of income under $30,000 with an incremental reduction of the credit for levels of income over $30,000 before being completely phased out once the taxpayer exceeds $80,000 of income. | In Committee |
| S85 | Establishes Division of Minority and Women Business Development and State Chief Disparity Officer to monitor efforts to promote participation by minority-owned and women-owned businesses in State contracting. | This bill establishes in the State Department of the Treasury a Division of Minority and Women Business Development to be headed by a State Chief Disparity Officer. The division will administer and monitor policies, practices and programs that further this State's efforts to ensure equal opportunity for minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises in purchasing and procurement by State departments and agencies, including independent State authorities. The State Chief Disparity Officer will monitor the State's public contracting process for the purpose of compiling information on the awarding of contracts to minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises, including the total value of all contracts and the percentage of the value of those contracts awarded to minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises. The officer will periodically report the officer's findings to the Governor and the Legislature. The bill directs each State department and agency, including independent State authorities, to designate a disparity officer to act as a liaison with the State Chief Disparity Officer. The Division of Minority and Women Business Development was originally established in the State Department of the Treasury pursuant to Executive Order No. 34 of 2006; this bill would codify the Division in State law, and clarify its structure and purpose. The bill also requires that provisions of existing law concerning State certification of minority-owned and women-owned businesses be fully implemented and prohibits self-certification by these businesses. In addition, the bill provides that contracts awarded through the State's small business set-aside program that are valued at less than the threshold for the entire cost of the erection construction, alteration, or repair by the State of any public buildings in this State established pursuant to subsection a. of R.S.52:32-2 will not be publicly advertised for bids but will, instead, be negotiated with small businesses using a competitive contracting process. Currently, the threshold set forth in R.S.52:32-2 is $2,000. | In Committee |
| S94 | Provides that routine foot care services covered under certain insurance policies include coverage of services provided by podiatric physicians. | This bill would require that a health benefits plan of a hospital, medical or health service corporation, individual, small employer or large group commercial insurer, or health maintenance organization that provides coverage for foot care services would be deemed to include foot care services provided by a podiatric physician. If the health benefits plan excludes coverage for routine foot care services, the term "routine foot care services" would mean the treatment or removal of asymptomatic corns, asymptomatic calluses, or asymptomatic toenails; except that the treatment or removal of asymptomatic corns, asymptomatic calluses, or asymptomatic toenails in the presence of metabolic disease would not be considered routine foot care services. The bill would also require the carrier to make available to a participating health care provider, upon request, a list specifying the types of foot care services, and their related diagnostic and procedure codes, that are excluded under the plan. The bill would additionally require that reimbursement for a covered service be equal for all providers performing the same service, as indicated by the procedure code assigned to the service. | In Committee |
| S2250 | Increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for primary care services; appropriates $20 million. | This bill appropriates $20 million in order to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for primary care services. The bill directs the Commissioner of Human Services (commissioner) to determine the amount of the increases as follows: The primary care services reimbursement rates associated with the most frequently used medical billing codes under Medicaid in calendar year 2022 are to be increased so that each rate is no less than 100 percent of the payment rate that applies to the same service under part B of Medicare. The commissioner is to determine the number of primary care services rates increased under this subsection such that the annual aggregate amount of the rate increases is equal to $20 million, as appropriated under the bill, combined with the anticipated receipt of increased federal Medicaid matching funds. Under the bill, primary care services means the same as defined under section 1202 of the federal "Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010," and includes evaluation and management services, which cover the non-procedural services patients receive from a provider, and services related to immunization administration. Mental health services means procedures or services rendered by a health care provider, in a traditional setting as well in an integrated behavioral health setting or via a collaborative care program, for the treatment of mental illness, emotional disorders, or drug or alcohol abuse. Primary care and mental health services include those services furnished by: (1) a physician with a primary specialty designation of family medicine, general internal medicine, general pediatric medicine, or obstetrics and gynecology; (2) a health care professional, including but not limited to an advance practice nurse or a physician assistant, who is working in the area of family medicine, general internal medicine, general pediatric medicine, or obstetrics and gynecology; or (3) a midwife. The provisions of the bill are not to be construed to require any decrease in the Medicaid reimbursement rate for a primary care service from the previous fiscal year's reimbursement level for the same service. Moreover, the requirements established under the bill apply whether the services are reimbursed under the Medicaid fee-for-service delivery system or the Medicaid managed care delivery system, and only to services delivered by approved Medicaid providers. The bill directs the commissioner, no later than one year after the effective date of the bill, to submit a report to the Governor and Legislature providing information on the implementation of the bill, including data indicating any changes regarding access to primary care services, as well as the quality of care of these services, for Medicaid beneficiaries following any rate increases associated with the bill. The report is also to include any recommendations for further enhancements to the Medicaid rates for these services to improve provider access and quality of care for Medicaid beneficiaries in underserved areas of the State. | In Committee |
| S1409 | Revises number of qualified disabled veterans' businesses required to designate set-aside contract from three to two. | This bill revises the number of qualified disabled veterans' businesses required to set aside a contract under the "Set-Aside Act for Disabled Veterans' Businesses" from three businesses to two businesses. Designating set-aside contracts for disabled veterans' businesses is difficult given the relatively low number of registered disabled veterans' businesses in this State. Neighboring states as well as the federal government use a "rule of two" when designating set-aside contracts for disabled veterans' businesses. This bill updates New Jersey's requirements to reduce the number of businesses needed to designate a set-aside contract from three to two. | Dead |
| S417 | Creates permanent commission to study various statutory definitions of veteran, disabled veteran, and service-disabled veteran. | This bill establishes a permanent study commission on the various statutory definitions of veteran, disabled veteran, and service-disabled veteran. Of the total membership, one member would be appointed by the Governor, one member would be appointed by the President of the Senate, one member would be appointed by the Senate Minority Leader, one member would be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, and one member would be appointed by the General Assembly Minority Leader. The appointee by the Governor will be an employee of the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs. The purpose of the study commission would be to (1) determine the various definitions of "veteran," "disabled veteran," "service-disabled veteran," and any other definition of veteran in the statutes, and (2) recommend changes to such definitions in the statutes that may provide greater uniformity and be less restrictive. The study commission would: (1) compile and analyze the various definitions of "veteran," "disabled veteran," "service-disabled veteran," and any other definition of veteran in the statutes; (2) identify statutes with unique and restrictive requirements for the various definitions and determine if the requirements may be revised for the benefit of more uniform definitions; (3) identify potential revisions to be made to the statutes to provide for a clearer understanding of the requirements for qualification under the various definitions; (4) consult with the military community for their expertise and input on its work; and (5) utilize the findings of the study commission, and the expertise from the military community, to recommend changes to the various definitions. The bill requires the study commission to prepare and issue an annual report on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations and submit it to the Governor, the Legislature, the Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee, or its successor, and the General Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee, or its successor. The first annual report will be issued no later than 12 months after the commission organizes. | In Committee |
| S103 | Authorizes parent or guardian to place security freeze on child's consumer report. | This bill authorizes a parent or legal guardian to place a security freeze on a child's consumer report. Specifically, the bill defines a consumer under 18 years of age as a "protected consumer." The security freeze would prohibit a consumer reporting agency (CRA) from releasing the report or any information in it without the express authorization of the protected consumer's parent or legal guardian, thereby aiding in the prevention of child identity theft. Under the bill, a security freeze may be placed on a protected consumer's report at the request of the protected consumer's parent or legal guardian, in the same manner as a consumer requesting a freeze on her or his own report under the "Identity Theft Prevention Act," P.L.2005, c.226 (C.56:11-44 et al.). A parent or legal guardian would be required to provide a CRA with sufficient proof of authority to act on behalf of a protected consumer. If the CRA does not have any information in its files pertaining to the protected consumer at the time it receives a request, the CRA would create a record for the protected consumer and place a security freeze on it. The record would consist of a compilation of information created by the CRA that identifies the protected consumer. A CRA would be prohibited from creating or using the record to consider the protected consumer's credit worthiness, credit standing, credit capacity, character, general reputation, personal characteristics, or mode of living. The CRA would send a written confirmation of the security freeze to the protected consumer's parent or legal guardian within five business days of placing the freeze and provide her or him with a unique personal identification number or password to be used when providing authorization for the release of the protected consumer's credit for a specific party or period of time. The bill provides that a security freeze is to remain in place until the protected consumer's parent or legal guardian requests that the security freeze be removed or the protected consumer reaches 18 years of age. A CRA would remove the security freeze within three business days of the request, upon receiving: (1) proper identification and sufficient proof of authority from the protected consumer's parent or legal guardian to act on behalf of the protected consumer; and (2) the unique personal identification number or password provided by the CRA. Under current law, a CRA is required to place a security freeze on a consumer report no later than five business days after receiving a written request, and is prohibited from charging any fee to place the security freeze on a consumer report. A CRA is authorized to charge a reasonable fee, not to exceed $5, for removing or temporarily lifting a security freeze on that consumer report. A person may be charged a reasonable fee, not to exceed $5, for failing to retain the original personal identification number provided by the CRA. These provisions would remain unchanged. | In Committee |
| S59 | Provides corporation business tax credit and gross income tax credits for purchase and installation of certain electric vehicle charging stations. | This bill provides corporation business tax credit and gross income tax credits for the purchase and installation of certain electric vehicle charging stations. The credits are available for the taxpayer tax periods beginning in calendar years 2023, 2024, and 2025. The bill provides credits under the corporation business tax and the gross income tax for electric vehicle charging stations used directly and exclusively by the taxpayer in the taxpayer's business, trade, or occupation. For charging stations purchased and installed in 2023 tax periods a taxpayer will be allowed a credit in an amount of 25 percent of the cost, up to $500 per electric vehicle charging station; for a charging station purchased and installed in 2024 tax periods the credit is 15 percent of the cost, up to $300 per charging station; and for a charging station purchased and installed in 2025 tax periods the credit is eight percent of the cost, up to $150 per station. The bill also provides a gross income tax credit for a charging station purchase that is not required to be for business use. The credit for 2023 is 25 percent of cost, up to $500, for 2024 15 percent of cost, up to $300, and for 2025 eight percent of cost, up to $150, for the purchase and installation of a charging station. Married taxpayers filing separately are allowed up to half of those amounts. To qualify for the bill's tax credits, the bill requires the taxpayer to file an application for a certification with the Commissioner of Environmental Protection that the charging station purchased and installed by the taxpayer is a qualified electric vehicle charging station. | In Committee |
| S111 | Requires Commissioner of Health to establish maternity care public awareness campaign. | This bill requires the Commissioner of Health to establish a maternal health public awareness campaign to improve overall maternal and child health while ensuring equitable care among women and children of all races and ethnicities. The campaign is to disseminate information about maternal health and encourage the public to access a user-friendly website to be established and maintained by the Department of Health (department). Under the bill, the campaign will, at a minimum: (1) disseminate aggregated data to the public concerning hospital rates of: cesarean births, exclusive breastfeeding at discharge, and vaginal birth after cesarean delivery, among other information, to assist women in the selection of maternity care providers and birthing locations; (2) promote active engagement in maternity care, patient rights, making informed choices, and the use of shared decision-making models and decision-making aids; (3) disseminate information to healthcare professionals regarding how to document the patient' s preferences regarding care provided during labor and delivery, otherwise known as a birth plan, in the patient's health records; (4) disseminate information to the public on avoiding interventions that may be unneeded or that may increase pregnancy-related risks, the advantages of physiologic birth, which is a pregnancy, labor, and birth process that progresses through natural biologic processes, and the benefits of using high-value forms of care such as midwives, birthing centers, doulas, and lactation support; (5) promote the maternal and child health programs and services that are available in the State and encourage the public to contact county central intake agencies to obtain information and appropriate referrals; (6) provide information on the department' s Internet website regarding parent' s rights to family leave under State and federal law; (7) provide the public with information about breastfeeding and pregnancy discrimination rights; and (8) provide the public with information about the eligibility requirements and the application process to enroll in coverage for pregnant women under the State Medicaid program. | In Committee |
| S2230 | Requires State government entities provide vital documents and translation services in 15 most common non-English languages. | This bill requires State government entities to provide vital documents and translation services in the 15 most common non-English languages spoken by individuals with limited-English proficiency in this State, based on United States Census Bureau American Community Survey data, and relevant to the services offered by the State government entity. Under the bill, any State department or agency in the Executive Branch and any commission, board, bureau, division, office, or instrumentality thereof providing direct services to the public would be required to provide these language access services and interpretation services between the State government entity and an individual in that person's primary language with respect to the provision of services or benefits. Each State government entity would be required to produce an informational poster describing the available interpretation and translation services in multiple languages for display in a visible location. The bill requires each State government entity to publish a language access plan within 180 days of its effective date, and to update the plan every two years thereafter. At a minimum, each plan would describe (1) when and how the State government entity will provide or is already providing language assistance services; (2) how the government entity intends to keep track of the limited English proficient population and how the need for translations is determined; (3) a report on the frequency of requests, how the requests were met, whether language assistance services were requested in languages other than the required 15, and how the entity will notify the eligible population; (4) how the entity documents the actual service provision; (5) a training plan for government entity employees who will be involved in the implementation of the bill which includes, at minimum, annual training on the language access policies of the government entity, how to provide language assistance services, and follow any applicable State and federal confidentially protocols; (6) a plan for how the entity will ensure the provision of language assistance services of the highest quality and in a culturally competent manner; (7) the name and contact information of an employee at the government entity who would be the point of contact; (8) the titles of all available translated documents and the languages into which they have been translated; (9) a website and document content describing the required translation services, processes, and documents; and (10) a plan for annually monitoring internal compliance. Under the bill, if a State government entity already has a language access plan, the State government entity may continue to use that language access plan and may adjust that plan in accordance with the bill. A State government entity would be permitted to retain any additional languages already included in an existing language access plan. The bill directs the Secretary of State to oversee, coordinate, and provide guidance to State government entities in their implementation. The Secretary of State would be required to develop a language access plan template for distribution to all State government entities for their use in developing, implementing, and reporting on their language access plans, and must ensure that each State government entity submits a language access plan when due that contains the required content. The Secretary of State would also be responsible for the development of the list of 15 languages that all State government entities must use in their implementation of the bill, based on American Community Survey data. Various provisions of current law may already require certain State government entities to provide certain documents and translation services to the public, most commonly in the Spanish language. However, under this bill, its provisions would not be interpreted to remove any requirements by any State entity to provide for direct in-person translation services to a member of the public, or for the translation of any materials in the Spanish language or any additional languages, as may be required by law. The bill would also not be interpreted to prevent a State government entity from providing interpretation and translation services to any limited-English proficient individuals who speak any language, even if that language is not among the 15 most common non-English languages covered by the bill. Under the bill, a State government entity may require that an applicant for its benefits or services or any person assisting such applicant in seeking benefits or services provide only the information strictly necessary to determine eligibility for or to administer such benefits or services. Under the bill, there is appropriated from the funds received by the State from the federal government under the "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021," Pub. L. 117-2, to each State government entity the sums necessary to implement its provisions, and such additional sums from the General Fund as the State Treasurer and the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting in the Department of the Treasury deem necessary. The bill takes effect immediately, but the required translations would be implemented on a rolling basis and would be completed no later than one year after the effective date of the bill for the five most common languages, not later than two years for the next five most common languages, and not later than three years for the remaining five most common languages, except that applications, notices of rights, or privacy protections would be translated immediately. If an application or form has not been translated, the State government entity or contractor would provide oral translation of the application or form and a certification by the limited-English proficient individual indicating that the application or form was translated and completed by an interpreter. | Dead |
| S81 | Authorizes placement of involved animal with animal welfare agency or similar entity pending adjudication of alleged animal cruelty violation when not adjudicated in seven days. | This bill provides for an animal welfare organization, animal rescue organization, or operator of a foster home or shelter to take custody of an animal confiscated from its owner and being held pending adjudication of an alleged animal cruelty violation. Specifically the bill provides that the animal would be placed in the custody of an animal welfare organization, animal rescue organization, or operator of a foster home or shelter on the seventh day after it is confiscated, if the owner has not resumed custody of the animal. The animal welfare organization, animal rescue organization, or operator of a foster home or shelter would properly house and care for the animal until adjudication of the alleged animal cruelty violation and final disposition of the animal by the court. The bill provides that if the animal is placed in the custody of a shelter and remains at the shelter, the shelter would not be able to offer the animal for adoption or euthanize the animal until seven days after the final disposition of the animal by the court. Furthermore, the bill provides that: 1) the animal welfare organization, animal rescue organization, or operator of a foster home or shelter is entitled to reimbursement of all care expenses incurred for the animal; and 2) upon conviction of the animal cruelty offense or if the owner is found liable for civil penalties therefor, the court is directed to order the owner to pay the animal welfare organization, animal rescue organization, or operator of a foster home or shelter for all care expenses incurred for the animal. | In Committee |
| S798 | Provides free admission to State parks and forests, and certain historic sites and historic properties for certain veterans on certain days. | This bill provides free admission for veterans on the date that the State may designate for the celebration of Memorial Day, Armed Forces Day, Independence Day, Patriot Day, and Veterans Day to: 1) State parks and forests, which also includes State owned or leased historic sites; 2) historic properties acquired or preserved by a local government unit or qualifying tax exempt nonprofit organization by using State funding; and 3) any historic site owned or operated by a county or a municipality. The bill defines "veteran" as any resident of the State who has been discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable from active military service in any of the Armed Forces of the United States, or a Reserve component thereof, or any member of the American Merchant Marine discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable who served during World War II and is declared by the United States Department of Defense to be eligible for federal veterans' benefits. | In Committee |
| S1330 | "Michelle's Law"; requires health benefit plans to cover mammogram for an individual if recommended by health care provider. | This bill requires health benefit plans to cover the cost of a mammogram if a health care provider recommends the examination. Presently, health benefit plans are only required to cover mammograms for women who are 40 and over or women under the age of 40 if they have a family history of breast cancer or other breast cancer related risk factor. Health benefit plans must also cover additional testing of an entire breast or breasts after a baseline mammogram examination. Under this bill, health benefit plans will be required to cover the cost of a mammogram examination, and any additional testing after the examination, if the health care provider of the subscriber or other person covered under the plan recommends it. Mammograms for women 40 and over will still be covered under this bill. This bill, named "Michelle's Law," is in response to the tragic death of Michelle DeVita. Michelle was a 38-year-old woman who lost her battle to breast cancer. Under the requirements of the current law, insurance was not required to provide her coverage for a mammogram. | In Committee |
| S61 | Establishes Office for Women's Advancement in DOLWD to facilitate full and equal participation of women in workplace; makes an appropriation. | This bill establishes the Office for Women's Advancement in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The purpose of this office is to facilitate the full and equal participation of women in the workplace in the State of New Jersey. Through research, collaboration, and programming, the office's goal is to foster and promote the advancement of gender equity in employment practices, career development, and the workplace, thereby enhancing the quality of life for women and girls throughout the State. The office will perform the following functions: 1. gather, analyze, and disseminate data on the status of women in areas pertaining to the workplace, including, but not limited to: access to educational, training and employment opportunities; employer hiring practices; workplace culture; work-family balance; the gender pay gap; and the gender composition of the workforce by industry; 2. collaborate with State agencies and affiliated groups, including, but not limited to, the New Jersey Advisory Commission on the Status of Women and the Council on Gender Parity in Labor and Education to address issues that disproportionately affect women in the workplace; 3. review current and proposed legislation and regulations pertaining to gender equity in employment practices, career development, and the workplace, and make recommendations regarding possible legislation and regulations; and 4. educate and provide information to the public on the issues and current developments regarding women in the workplace by publishing reports and holding events such as conferences and symposia. This bill also establishes the "Women's Advancement Fund" in the Department of the Treasury to receive all funding for the Office for Women's Advancement from the State and other sources. The bill authorizes the office to apply for and collect funds from the federal government and other sources in certain cases, and directs that an annual appropriation be made to the fund in an amount necessary to effectuate the purposes of the bill. | In Committee |
| S68 | Requires financial institutions to cash payroll checks under certain circumstances. | This bill provides that, notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, a financial institution shall, upon the request of a person, including a minor, who presents a payroll check and who provides photographic identification indicating that he or she is the payee on that payroll check, cash the check without charging any fee for that service, as long as the person has an account with that financial institution or the check is drawn on that institution. A financial institution that violates a provision of this bill shall: (1) be subject to a fine of not more than $500 for each violation. The fine shall be collected by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance in a summary manner pursuant to the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.); and (2) reimburse the person for any attorney's fees incurred by the person with respect to any legal services necessary to enforce the person's rights under the bill or to bring a civil action to recover damages caused by the financial institution's failure to comply with the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| S97 | Requires DHS to create English and Spanish-language Internet websites to promote enrollment in affordable health care plans. | This bill would expand the information and resources provided by the Commissioner of Human Services, through the enhanced NJ FamilyCare outreach and enrollment initiative to increase public awareness about the availability of, and benefits to enrolling in, Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare. Under the bill, the commissioner would be required to create a dedicated Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare Internet website that includes a directory of health care centers and other agencies that receive funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to act as "health navigators" and assist New Jersey residents in enrolling in affordable health care plans, as well as other community centers that inform State residents about insurance options and assist with enrollment in health plans through the competitive health insurance marketplace. The directory would identify the languages spoken in each listed center. The commissioner would additionally be required to create a parallel Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare Internet website with the same content provided entirely in the Spanish language, and with a Spanish-language domain name to ensure easy Internet access by Spanish-speaking State residents. The bill would also require the commissioner to create a multimedia public awareness campaign, presented in English and Spanish, publicizing the Internet websites created pursuant to this bill. This bill aims to increase awareness and access to the Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare programs for underserved populations in this State, especially those for whom Spanish is a primary language. The bill would take effect on the first day of the seventh month next following enactment, to provide ample time for the Department of Human Services to create the two Internet websites and the public awareness campaign. | In Committee |
| S665 | Concerns professional licensing and application fees for spouse or dependent of active duty member of United States Armed Forces. | This bill provides that no professional or occupational board shall charge a license application fee to an applicant who is the spouse or dependent of an active-duty service member. The bill also removes the provision requiring the payment of a fee for the issuance of a temporary courtesy license. In addition, the bill provides that a professional or occupational licensing board shall include on any application for professional or occupational licensure a box for the applicant to indicate the applicant's status as the spouse or dependent of an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces. | In Committee |
| S86 | Provides bidder is ineligible to receive new State contract award if current contract is in dispute by State. | Provides bidder is ineligible to receive new State contract award if current contract is in dispute by State. | 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 |
| S1364 | Establishes Urban Enterprise Zone Microloan Program in EDA to help certain businesses in Urban Enterprise Zones and UEZ-Impacted districts; appropriates $5 million. | This bill establishes the "Urban Enterprise Zone Microloan Program" (loan program) within the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to provide qualified businesses with funding for operational or capital expenses, or both, to establish a business in an enterprise zone (zone) or UEZ-impacted business district (district). Loan Program Qualifications The loan program provides low-interest loans to qualified businesses that demonstrate to the EDA that: 1) the qualified business will become newly engaged in a viable trade or business in that zone or district; 2) the qualified business employs or plans to employ at least five employees during every calendar month of the 24-month period following the date of application for the loan program, with at least 50 percent of those employees being residents of that zone or district. Any owner or persons with a controlling interest in the qualified business may be residents of the zone or district but cannot be included in the count of employees for the purposes of the loan application; and 3) the qualified business lacks sufficient resources to effectively implement the business activities or trade without assistance from the loan program. Application Criteria A qualified business that seeks assistance under the loan program is required to submit an application to the EDA, in a form and manner prescribed by the EDA. In addition to any other information that the EDA may deem appropriate, the application is required to request an applicant to submit: information demonstrating that the applicant meets the eligibility requirements; a business plan demonstrating the viability of the business and the ability of the business to employ the requisite number of employees as required by the bill; and an outline of the anticipated use of loan proceeds. Under the bill, the EDA is required to approve applications for the loan program on a rolling basis, subject to the availability of funds. Loan Requirements Upon approval of an application, the authority is to provide low-interest loans to the qualified business. In addition to any other terms and conditions that the EDA may deem appropriate, each loan issued under the loan program may include provisions for the forgiveness of the loan, in whole or in part, within two years of loan fund disbursement, if the qualified business notifies the EDA that, after a bona-fide effort, the qualified business no longer exists because the trade or business was not viable. This provision of the bill should not be construed to provide for compulsory loan forgiveness by the EDA, and no loan will be forgiven in the event of fraud or mismanagement of funds. Each loan issued under the program is required to: 1) be issued for a term not to exceed six years, with payments not commencing until one year after the loan's approval; 2) bear interest at rates not more than three percent for qualified businesses, and not more than zero percent for qualified businesses that are also veteran-owned businesses; and 3) provide more flexible repayment terms than are customarily made available through conventional business loans issued by private lenders. Any qualified business that receives assistance under the loan program is required to submit an annual report to the EDA until such time as the full balance of the loan has been repaid to the EDA. At a minimum, the annual report is required to include information outlining the expenses supported by the loan, describing bona fide efforts to ensure the viability of the business, and assessing the performance of the qualified business, including whether the business still exists. Loan Fund and Appropriation Finally, the bill appropriates $5 million from the General Fund to the EDA to support the operations of the loan program. These monies are to be deposited into a non-lapsing revolving loan fund, known as the "Urban Enterprise Zone Microloan Fund," which the EDA is required to administer for the purposes of the loan program. Any interest collected from loans provided by the loan program may be used by the EDA to offset the costs of the administration of the loan program, or otherwise are required to be deposited in the "Urban Enterprise Zone Microloan Fund." | In Committee |
| S110 | Establishes maternity care standards for general hospitals providing maternity care. | This bill requires the Department of Health to develop maternity care standards for the use of general hospitals that are licensed to provide maternity care. The training standards are to focus on ensuring the safety of maternity care patients throughout the prenatal, childbirth, and postpartum periods, with the goal of reducing the number of, and disparities in, adverse maternity care outcomes. | In Committee |
| S128 | Requires businesses to report email address to Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services. | This bill requires businesses to report their email addresses to the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, which must report those addresses to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Specifically, any business required to comply with any business registration requirements of the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services in the Department of Treasury or any successor agency must establish and maintain an email address capable of sending and receiving emails, and annually report that email address to the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, which is required to provide those email addresses to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Pursuant to the bill, "business" means an individual, partnership, association, joint stock company, trust, corporation, or other legal business entity or successor thereof, including a nonprofit corporation or organization, but does not include a government agency. The bill requires the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, in consultation with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, to promulgate regulations to enforce the requirements of the bill. The Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development are to utilize the email addresses provided to communicate and provide notices to businesses. Any electronic messages sent to an email address are to be in addition to and do not take the place of any requirements for paper or other forms of communication to businesses, as required by current law or regulation. Any business found to be in violation of this bill shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $250 per year for each year that the party is in violation of the bill. | In Committee |
| S52 | Authorizes local governments to impose convenience fees for accepting electronic payments. | This bill would authorize local government units to assess and collect a convenience fee of up to $3 for accepting an electronic payment, and clarifies that local units are also required to provide traditional payment options for those who prefer making payments via non-electronic means. The Supreme Court of New Jersey recently affirmed an Appellate Division decision ruling that the "Government Electronic Payment Acceptance Act" does not authorize the imposition of a convenience fee for accepting electronic payments, which several counties had been imposing. This bill would amend that law to authorize such fees in order to offset the administrative expenses borne by local government units in accepting electronic payments. | In Committee |
| S2011 | Increases amount annually credited to Shore Protection Fund to $50 million. | This bill increases from $25 million to $50 million the amount that is annually credited to the Shore Protection Fund from the collection of realty transfer fees. The realty transfer fee is imposed on the recording of deeds transferring real property and is calculated on the basis of the amount paid in the deed. The basic rate is $1.75 for each $500 of consideration, of which $0.50 is retained by the county and $1.25 is the State share. Currently, the first $25 million of the State share collected annually is credited to the Shore Protection Fund. | In Committee |
| S137 | Permits local health boards to require minimum temperature of 70 degrees from October through April in certain buildings occupied by seniors and disabled persons. | This bill allows local health boards to require a minimum temperature of 70 degrees from October 1 until May 1 within the habitable rooms of the dwelling units in certain buildings occupied by seniors and disabled persons. Specifically, this bill only applies to "housing for older persons," as defined in section 807(b)(2) of the federal "Fair Housing Act," 42 U.S.C. s.3607, except for nursing facilities, and to any "community residence for the developmentally disabled," "community residence for the mentally ill," and "community residence for persons with head injuries," as defined in section 2 of P.L.1977, c.448 (C.30:11B-2). Within those buildings, the bill does not apply to rooms that are part of dwelling units occupied exclusively by persons who are neither 62 years of age or older, nor have a disability. Currently, all multiple dwellings are statutorily required to maintain a temperature of 65 degrees during daytime hours from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., and 65 degrees from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. whenever the outside temperature falls below 55 degrees. This bill eliminates the restriction that this temperature requirement may only apply when the outside temperature falls below 55 degrees. | In Committee |
| S724 | Authorizes counties to establish mentoring programs for, and resell preserved farmland at reduced price to, and beginning farmers. | This bill would authorize county agriculture development boards (CADBs) to establish mentoring programs for beginning farmers and authorize counties and CADBs to resell preserved farmland to beginning farmers at a price below what the county paid for the land. The bill would expand the powers of CADBs by authorizing them to establish beginning farmer mentoring programs by which experienced farmers provide guidance, advice, and other appropriate assistance to beginning farmers. In addition, the bill would specify that a county or CADB may resell or lease preserved farmland, acquired in fee simple by a county, to a beginning farmer, as defined in the bill, for an amount less than that originally paid by the county or CADB, as applicable. Under the bill, the land would be subject to agricultural deed restrictions as required by current law. However, the bill provides that for any sale or lease of land for farmland preservation purposes to a beginning farmer pursuant to the bill, the State's pro rata share of the proceeds may be reduced to reflect the reduction in price paid by the beginning farmer. Under current law, the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) provides grants to counties to pay up to 80 percent of the cost of acquisition of fee simple titles to farmland from willing sellers for farmland preservation purposes. Current law, and SADC rules and regulations, require that such land be offered for resale or lease with agricultural deed restrictions and that the proceeds received be dedicated for farmland preservation purposes, with the SADC's pro rate share of the proceeds deposited into the applicable farmland preservation fund. Current funding for farmland preservation is provided from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax (CBT) revenues pursuant to Article VIII, Section II, paragraph 6 of the State Constitution, approved by the voters of the State in November 2014. The "Preserve New Jersey Act," P.L.2016, c.12 (C.13:8C-43 et seq.), implements the constitutional dedication of CBT revenues for open space, farmland, and historic preservation. The "Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund" was established pursuant to section 8 of the "Preserve New Jersey Act." New Jersey has long committed to preserving farmland, however New Jersey cannot rest on the success of land preservation. The State needs to do much more to preserve farming and take further action to preserve its farmers as well. This bill is intended to provide an incentive for, and encouragement to, people who take up the vital and historic role of farmer. Currently, the average age of a farmer in the United States is 57.5 years. The national average age has increased by 1.6 percent annually since 1994, on average, according to the 2017 Census of Agriculture conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture. The average age of a New Jersey farmer is 59.7 years, according to the same report. | In Committee |
| S132 | Upgrades crime of manslaughter to aggravated manslaughter under certain circumstances. | This bill would upgrade a homicide committed in the heat of passion resulting from a reasonable provocation to aggravated manslaughter, a crime of the first degree. A crime of the first degree is punishable by 10 to 20 years' imprisonment, a $200,000 fine, or both, except that a person convicted of aggravated manslaughter when it is committed in the heat of passion resulting from reasonable provocation may be sentenced to an ordinary term of imprisonment between 10 and 30 years. Currently, a homicide committed in the heat of passion resulting from a reasonable provocation constitutes manslaughter. Manslaughter is a crime of the second degree, which is punishable by five to 10 years' imprisonment, a $150,000 fine, or both. | In Committee |
| S786 | Reduces statute of limitations from six years to two years in medical fee disputes in workers' compensation matters. | This bill provides that the statute of limitations for a medical fee dispute in a workers' compensation matter will be two years from the date that a payment or notice of denial of payment was received by a claimant. The current statute of limitations for these matters, as interpreted by State courts, is six years from the date that a payment or notice of denial of payment was received by a claimant. | In Committee |
| S1316 | Renames Division of Purchase and Property; revises certain aspects of State procurement process; repeals MacBride principles certification requirement. | This bill renames the Division of Purchase and Property in the Department of the Treasury as the Division of Public Procurement. Additionally, this bill revises certain aspects of the State procurement process. This bill would also repeal the statutory requirement requiring a bidder to submit a MacBride principles certification. Under this bill, the current Division of Purchase and Property will be renamed as the Division of Public Procurement. This new name aligns with the division's purpose of serving as the State's central procurement agency. The bill revises certain aspects of the State procurement process. Specifically, the bill amends existing law to:· change the timeframe for submission of the ownership disclosure statement from at the time of bidding to prior to the contract award;· exempt vendors when a single contract, or aggregated contracts in a fiscal year, is 15 percent or less of the amount of the contracting agency's bid threshold from filing the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)/Affirmative Action (AA) form and exempts these vendors from paying the current fee to obtain an EEO/AA certificate;· change the timeframe for submission of financial statements from immediately after bid opening to prior to the contract award; and· provide that in order to bid on a contract for public work a contractor or a subcontractor must be eligible to register as a contractor or subcontractor pursuant to law. Under this bill, the current MacBride principles certification requirement would be repealed. Repealing this certification requirement would reduce the number of statutorily required forms that a bidder is required to submit in response to a proposal or in connection with a contract award. The current certification form requires a bidder to certify that it has no business operations in Northern Ireland or that it will take lawful steps in good faith to conduct any business operations it has in Northern Ireland in accordance with the MacBride principles of nondiscrimination in employment. | In Committee |
| S702 | Adopts Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact. | This bill would adopt the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact in New Jersey, which is an interstate compact that will authorize dentists and dental hygienists licensed in a compact state to practice in any other compact state without being individually licensed in that other state. Licensees in a compact state seeking to practice dentistry or dental hygiene in another compact state will be required to apply for a compact privilege to practice in the other state, including paying any applicable fees. States participating in the compact are required to meet certain requirements related to the licensure of dentists and dental hygienists, require criminal background checks of licensees and applicants for licensure, and participate in a data system that is used to track adverse actions taken against licensees in states participating in the compact. An adverse action against a licensee in a compact state will suspend the licensee's authorization to practice in all other compact states. Licensees are subject to the practice laws and jurisdiction of the state in which the licensee is practicing. The compact will be overseen by a commission comprising one commissioner appointed from each member state. An executive board made up of the chair, vice chair, secretary, and treasurer of the commission, as well as up to three additional commissioners, will be charged with the day-to-day administration of the compact. The bill sets forth specific requirements concerning the operations and authorities of the commission and the executive board, as well as procedures for enforcing compliance with the compact. The compact takes effect when it is adopted in at least seven states. As of May 2023, Iowa and Washington have enacted legislation adopting the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact. | In Committee |
| S1948 | Revises reporting requirements for nursing homes concerning financial disclosures and ownership structure. | This bill revises the reporting requirements for transfers of nursing home ownership and assignments of substantial management control over a nursing home to a third party entity. Specifically, the bill requires nursing home owners and operators, as well as applicants for a transfer of ownership of a nursing home and third party entities exercising substantial management control over the nursing home, to provide an organizational chart identifying: parent entities and wholly-owned subsidiaries; principals that provide a service, facility, or supplies to the nursing home; and unrelated parties that provide a service, facility, or supplies to the nursing home that are paid $200,000 or more by the nursing home. In the case of an applicant for a transfer of ownership of a nursing home, these disclosures will be based on expectations with regard to services, facilities, supplies, and payments. For applications for transfer of ownership of a nursing home, the organizational chart is to be posted on the Department of Health's (DOH's) Internet website, along with a copy of the transfer of ownership application, which is currently required to be posted on the DOH's website. The bill removes a current provision of law that allows applicants for transfers of ownership to prepare and submit a summary of the application information that omits proprietary information and can be used for public disclosure purposes. The bill additionally removes a provision of current law that provides nothing in a transfer of ownership application may be used in an adverse licensure or disciplinary action against the applicant. The bill revises the current requirements for approval of a transfer of ownership application to provide that approval is contingent on review of the applicant's history of disciplinary actions involving facilities owned, operated, or managed by the applicant in both New Jersey and in any other jurisdiction; under current law, this review is limited to New Jersey facilities. Under current law, approval is additionally conditioned on payment of outstanding and issued Medicaid audit claims and penalties issued by the Department of Health (DOH); the bill adds as a condition of approval that there be payment of all Medicaid overpayments, and requires payment of any State-issued penalty, not just those issued by the DOH. The amended bill further specifies that, if any Medicaid overpayments are identified after the transfer of ownership occurs, the new owner will be required to submit an affidavit to the DOH and to the State Comptroller identifying the responsible party for the overpayments. The bill revises the mandatory components of the annual reports nursing homes are required to submit to the DOH to additionally require balance sheets include information concerning equity, and statements of operations include specifically itemized expenses related to leases of land, buildings, and equipment, loans of equipment, and contracts in excess of $10,000 per year for any service, as well as details concerning any mortgagee for the land or building used by the nursing home. The reporting requirements will also include information concerning the owners and operators of related parties to the nursing home and entities other than a nonprofit organization that have an ownership interest of five percent or more in a private equity fund that is invested in the nursing home. The bill revises the threshold for reporting certain interested party transactions from $2,500 per year to $10,000 per year. The bill further requires enhanced disclosure of the owners and principals of the owners, management companies, and related parties to a nursing home, including the owners and principals of holding and parent companies and subsidiaries, as well as limited liability companies. The bill further revises the current financial disclosures required for nursing home owners and operators, to require the submission of an owner-certified financial statement that: 1) is reviewed or audited by a certified public accountant and performed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in effect the day the application or statement is submitted; and 2) includes: a balance sheet detailing the assets, liabilities, and equity the end of the reporting entity's fiscal year; a statement of income, expenses, and operating surplus or deficit for the annual fiscal period; a statement of changes in equity; a statement detailing patient revenue by payer, including, but not limited to, Medicare, NJ FamilyCare, and other payers, and revenue center; a statement of cash flows, including, but not limited to, ongoing and new capital expenditures and depreciation; a combined financial statement that includes all entities reported in the owner-certified financial statement; and any other information, data, and documents as may be required by the Commissioner of Health or the State Comptroller. The bill specifies that an owner-certified financial statement required under P.L.2021, c.457 (C.26:2H-46.3 et seq.) is to meet the requirements for owner-certified financial statements established under the bill. The bill further specifies that a health care system consisting of more than one nursing home will be required to submit owner-certified financial statements that consolidate the financial data across all nursing homes that are a part of that health care system, together with a statement of operations or income with respect to each nursing home in the health care system, which statements of operations or income may be submitted in a supplemental schedule. A nonprofit nursing home that files a copy of its most recent Internal Revenue Service Form 990 Public Inspection Copy with the DOH and the State Comptroller, and a nursing home that files with the DOH and the State Comptroller a cost report with an audited financial statement that has been submitted to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, may each be deemed to have satisfied all or part of the requirements of an owner-certified financial statement established under the bill. For applicants for a transfer of ownership and entities seeking to delegate management of a nursing home, this information will be included with certain materials that current law requires be provided to the Department of Health (DOH). The bill expands the disclosure requirements under current law to additionally reference limited liability companies, which will be required to make the required disclosures for each member of the limited liability company. The bill revises a current requirement for nursing homes to submit certain information to the DOH within 90 days after the end of the fiscal year to require the information be submitted 150 days after the end of the fiscal year. The DOH will be required to immediately transmit submitted nursing home reports to the State Comptroller. All information submitted under the bill with regard to transfers of ownership, annual reporting, and delegations of substantial management control, is to be certified under penalty of perjury that the information is accurate and complete. All information submitted will additionally be deemed a public record. The bill revises the current penalties that apply for failure to make a required report or for submitting false information. Current law authorizes a civil penalty of $10 to $100 per day for each day the report is not filed or corrected. The bill revises the civil penalty to up to $200 per day, makes the penalties discretionary, and authorizes the DOH to curtail resident admissions to the nursing home. The bill provides that the State Comptroller, in consultation with the DOH and the Department of Human Services, will be authorized to monitor, review and audit owner-certified financial statements in accordance with certain existing statutory authorities, and will be authorized to obtain information and testimony, issue reports, make referrals, and coordinate with and require the cooperation of State agencies in the same manner as permitted under those existing statutory authorities. The bill grants the DOH and the State Comptroller express authority to promulgate rules and regulations to implement the bill, and the authority to issue temporary notices to implement the bill, which notices will be valid for no more than one year after the date the bill is enacted. | 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 |
| S1314 | Creates requirements for certain long-term real estate listing contracts. | This bill prohibits licensed real estate brokers, salespeople, and broker-salespeople from entering into contracts for the sale of real estate that give the licensee the exclusive right to act as listing agent for the real estate for a period longer than ten years. The bill also requires that such contracts include an option allowing the owner of the real estate to terminate the contract early in exchange for an amount that is not greater than the initial contract price, plus six percent of the initial contract price for each year that elapses following the effective date of the contract. Exclusive listing agreements typically do not last more than one year, and are not entered into unless the owner has immediate plans to sell the real estate. However, some licensees pay real estate owners nominal consideration in the form of cash upfront in exchange for the exclusive right to serve as the owner's listing agent in the event that the owner decides to sell their real estate at any time during a contract period. This contracted period can last for decades, and the contracts contain severe penalties for attempting to terminate the contracts early or list the home with another broker. These contracts may be predatory in nature, and real estate licensees who engage in these contracts have been known to target people in desperate financial situations, including the sick and elderly. This bill protects New Jersey's most vulnerable real estate owners and promotes fair dealing in contracts. | In Committee |
| S662 | Eliminates requirement to submit sales tax exemption form for textbook purchases. | This bill eliminates the requirement that, for a purchase to be eligible for the sales tax exemption for textbooks, purchasers must provide the seller with a tax exemption form. In addition, the school will no longer need to declare the textbooks required for school, and the school will not need to be a school approved by the Department of Education or Secretary of Higher Education. Currently, sales and rentals of textbooks for use by students are exempt from sales tax. However, the purchaser must provide the seller with a form stating that the purchaser is a student and the particular book is required for school. When purchasing textbooks at a school bookstore, the process is usually streamlined as the bookstore has access to enrollment data and syllabi. In contrast, when purchasing from online sellers the requirement to supply the seller with a form can be particularly onerous. Pursuant to this bill, school textbooks will not need to be accompanied by a form for the purchase to be exempt from sales tax. In addition, the bill clarifies that rentals are included in the exemption, and regardless of what condition or form the book is in, the exemption will apply. | In Committee |
| S1393 | Authorizes home cultivation of medical cannabis. | This bill authorizes the home cultivation of medical cannabis for a registered qualifying patient's personal medical use. Specifically, the bill provides that a registered qualifying patient who is 21 years of age or older who provides notice to the Cannabis Regulatory Commission of the intent to home cultivate medical cannabis will be allowed to either home cultivate medical cannabis himself or herself, or authorize a designated caregiver to home cultivate medical cannabis on the patient's behalf. A home cultivator will be allowed to cultivate and possess up to four mature cannabis plants and up to four immature cannabis plants. Medical cannabis may only be home cultivated at the residence of the authorized home cultivator that is on file with the commission. The notice of intent to home cultivate medical cannabis provided to the commission is to specify which individual will home cultivate the medical cannabis. In no case may more than one individual home cultivate medical cannabis for a registered qualifying patient at one time. A patient may change the designated home cultivator upon providing 10 days' notice to the commission. At least 10 days after providing the notice of change, but no more than 30 days after providing notice, any medical cannabis plants in the former home cultivator's possession may be transferred to the new designated home cultivator. Any plants that are not transferred to the new home cultivator are to be promptly surrendered to law enforcement for destruction. The failure to provide notice of a change in designated home cultivator will result in the patient's registration with the commission being deemed null and void. The commission will be required to promptly update the registry information for the patient and any affected designated caregiver upon receiving notice of the patient's intent to home cultivate medical cannabis or of a change in who is authorized to home cultivate medical cannabis for the patient. Any designated caregiver of a patient who elects to home cultivate medical cannabis will be authorized to possess, transport, and assist the patient with the administration of home-cultivated medical cannabis in dried form or in any other consumable form, regardless of whether the designated caregiver is designated as the patient's home cultivator. In addition to any other civil or criminal penalties as may apply, any individual in possession of home-cultivated medical cannabis in the form of a mature or immature plant or in any consumable form, who sells, donates, or furnishes the home-cultivated medical cannabis to any individual who is not authorized to be in possession of the home-cultivated medical cannabis under the bill, will be liable to a civil penalty of up to $1,000. In addition, the individual's registration with the commission will be deemed null and void, and the individual will be permanently ineligible for re-registration with the commission as a qualifying patient, a designated caregiver, or an institutional caregiver. It is the sponsor's intent to expand access to medical cannabis for registered qualifying patients who may find the medical cannabis that is available through a medical cannabis dispensary unaffordable, or who may otherwise benefit from the convenience of home cultivation or the ability to readily access medical cannabis in the strain and form appropriate to the patient's individual treatment needs. Of the 36 states that have approved a comprehensive medical cannabis program, 17, or nearly half, currently allow for home cultivation of medical cannabis: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. | In Committee |
| S3116 | Establishes New Jersey Homebuyer Tax Credit Program under gross income tax for certain home purchases during qualified periods by first-time homebuyers. | Establishes New Jersey Homebuyer Tax Credit Program under gross income tax for certain home purchases during qualified periods by first-time homebuyers. | Introduced |
| 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 |
| Committee | Position | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detail | New Jersey Joint Housing Affordability Committee | 2 | |
| Detail | New Jersey Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee | 6 | |
| Detail | New Jersey Senate Economic Growth Committee | Chair | 1 |
| Detail | New Jersey Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee | Vice Chair | 2 |
| Detail | New Jersey Senate Select Committee | 5 |
| State | District | Chamber | Party | Status | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NJ | New Jersey Senate District 05 | Senate | Democrat | In Office | 12/15/2014 | |
| NJ | District 5 | House | Democrat | Out of Office | 02/27/1995 | 01/21/2024 |