Legislator
Legislator > Angela Mcknight
State Senator
Angela Mcknight
(D) - New Jersey
New Jersey Senate District 31
In Office - Started: 01/09/2024
contact info
Jersey City Office
2324 John F. Kennedy Blvd.
Jersey City, NJ 07304
Jersey City, NJ 07304
Phone: 201-360-2502
General Capitol Building Address
P.O. Box 068
State House, 145 W. State St.
Trenton, NJ 08625-0068
State House, 145 W. State St.
Trenton, NJ 08625-0068
Phone: 609-847-3905
| Bill | Bill Name | Summary | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | 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. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| 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. | This bill exempts certain contracts awarded for preschool education services from public advertising and bidding and permits the contracts to be awarded by a resolution of the board of education. The bill also extends the maximum length of preschool education services contracts to three years. Under current law, certain contracts under the Public School Contracts Law may be awarded by a resolution of the board of education without public advertising and bidding. The bill permits contracts for preschool education services provided by a licensed childcare provider or Head Start program and supported by preschool education aid to be awarded by a resolution of the board of education without public advertising and bidding. The Public School Contracts Law also limits awarded contracts to no more than 24 consecutive months unless otherwise authorized for a longer term. This bill permits contracts for preschool education services provided by a licensed childcare provider or Head Start program and supported by preschool education aid to be awarded for a period not to exceed three years. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A5736 | Updates certain notification requirements in "Energy Bill Watch" program. | This bill amends certain notification requirements under the "Energy Bill Watch" program. Current law requires electric and gas public utilities to implement programs that notify each smart meter customer on the 10th and 20th day of a billing cycle of the cost in dollars of the smart meter customer's electricity or gas usage and the amount in kilowatt hours or therms of the customer's electricity or gas usage in that billing cycle through text messages or if the electric or gas public utility does not possess the smart meter customer's phone number, through electronic mail messages. This bill clarifies that the "Energy Bill Watch" program pertains to residential customers whose electric or gas usage is measured using a smart meter. The bill further gives smart meter customers the choice between receiving text messages or electronic mail messages on the 10th and 20th day of a billing cycle. Finally, the bill requires the notification provided on the 10th and 20th day of the billing cycle to include the cost in dollars of a smart meter customer's usage and the amount in kilowatt hours or therms of the customer's electricity or gas usage up to the time at most two days before the notification is sent. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S1439 | Requires health benefits coverage for additional orthotic and prosthetic appliances under certain circumstances; requires coverage for orthotic and prosthetic appliances obtained through podiatrists. | Requires health benefits coverage for additional orthotic and prosthetic appliances under certain circumstances; requires coverage for orthotic and prosthetic appliances obtained through podiatrists. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3961 | Requires public and certain nonpublic schools to offer no-fee option to parents for making school lunch and other payments; requires payment processing platforms used by certain schools to provide users with information on user fees. | Requires public and certain nonpublic schools to offer no-fee option to parents for making school lunch and other payments; requires payment processing platforms used by certain schools to provide users with information on user fees. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| 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. | 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. | Passed |
| 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. | Requires school bus personnel members to call 911 emergency line in potential life-threatening emergencies; requires certain school buses transporting students with disabilities to be equipped with certain safety features; makes appropriation. | Crossed Over |
| S3933 | Establishes School Supervisor Mentorship Pilot Program; appropriates $500,000. | Establishes School Supervisor Mentorship Pilot Program; appropriates $500,000. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3891 | Requires EDA to provide grants to certain small businesses affected by State infrastructure and construction projects. | Requires EDA to provide grants to certain small businesses affected by State infrastructure and construction projects. | In Committee |
| S3917 | Makes various changes to school funding law and Educational Adequacy Report; establishes Special Education Funding Review Task Force. | Makes various changes to school funding law and Educational Adequacy Report; establishes Special Education Funding Review Task Force. | Crossed Over |
| A4971 | Requires EDA to provide grants to certain small businesses affected by State infrastructure and construction projects. | Requires EDA to provide grants to certain small businesses affected by State infrastructure and construction projects. | Passed |
| S3769 | Revises law requiring certain student identification cards to contain telephone number for suicide prevention hotline. | Revises law requiring certain student identification cards to contain telephone number for suicide prevention hotline. | In Committee |
| S3776 | Establishes Chronic Absenteeism Task Force. | Establishes Chronic Absenteeism Task Force. | Passed |
| A4603 | Allows commercial farmer to be awarded reasonable costs and attorney fees for defending against bad faith complaints under "Right to Farm Act". | This bill would strengthen the legal protections provided to farmers under the "Right to Farm Act." Specifically, the bill would allow farmers to recover reasonable costs and attorney fees incurred in the defense of bad faith complaints against commercial agricultural operations, activities or structures when a county agriculture development board or the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC), as applicable: 1) finds the farmer is entitled to the irrebuttable presumption established under the "Right to Farm Act"; and 2) determines, supported by a preponderance of the evidence, that the complaint was brought in bad faith and all or a portion of the costs and attorney fees are reasonable. Under the "Right to Farm Act," the established irrebuttable presumption is that a commercial agricultural operation, activity or structure or specific operation or practice does not constitute a public or private nuisance, or does not otherwise invade or interfere with the use and enjoyment of any other land or property, if: 1) the commercial agricultural operation, activity or structure conforms to agricultural management practices recommended and adopted by the SADC, or the specific operation or practice of the commercial agricultural operation has been determined to constitute a generally accepted agricultural operation or practice, either by the appropriate county agriculture development board or the SADC, as applicable; and 2) the commercial agricultural operation, activity or structure or specific operation or practice complies with all relevant federal and State statutes and regulations, and does not pose a direct threat to public health and safety. Under the bill, a farmer seeking an award of reasonable costs and attorney fees would submit an application therefor to the county agriculture development board or the SADC as applicable, after being found entitled to the irrebuttable presumption. The county agriculture development board or the SADC would then determine, whether a preponderance of the evidence supports a determination that the complaint was made in bad faith and if the costs and fees, or a portion thereof, are reasonable. If so, the county agriculture development board or the SADC would issue an order for the person filing the complaint to pay the reasonable costs and fees to the farmer. | Passed |
| 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 |
| 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. | 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. | Passed |
| S3662 | Allows commercial farmer to be awarded reasonable costs and attorney fees for defending against bad faith complaints under "Right to Farm Act". | This bill would strengthen the legal protections provided to farmers under the "Right to Farm Act." Specifically, the bill would allow farmers to recover reasonable costs and attorney fees incurred in the defense of bad faith complaints against commercial agricultural operations, activities or structures when a county agriculture development board or the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC), as applicable: 1) finds the farmer is entitled to the irrebuttable presumption established under the "Right to Farm Act"; and 2) determines, supported by a preponderance of the evidence, that the complaint was brought in bad faith and all or a portion of the costs and attorney fees are reasonable. Under the "Right to Farm Act," the established irrebuttable presumption is that a commercial agricultural operation, activity or structure or specific operation or practice does not constitute a public or private nuisance, or does not otherwise invade or interfere with the use and enjoyment of any other land or property, if: 1) the commercial agricultural operation, activity or structure conforms to agricultural management practices recommended and adopted by the SADC, or the specific operation or practice of the commercial agricultural operation has been determined to constitute a generally accepted agricultural operation or practice, either by the appropriate county agriculture development board or the SADC, as applicable; and 2) the commercial agricultural operation, activity or structure or specific operation or practice complies with all relevant federal and State statutes and regulations, and does not pose a direct threat to public health and safety. Under the bill, a farmer seeking an award of reasonable costs and attorney fees would submit an application therefor to the county agriculture development board or the SADC as applicable, after being found entitled to the irrebuttable presumption. The county agriculture development board or the SADC would then determine, whether a preponderance of the evidence supports a determination that the complaint was made in bad faith and if the costs and fees, or a portion thereof, are reasonable. If so, the county agriculture development board or the SADC would issue an order for the person filing the complaint to pay the reasonable costs and fees to the farmer. | In Committee |
| S3663 | Establishes reproductive health travel advisory. | This bill requires the Department of State to establish the "New Jersey Reproductive Health Travel Advisory" to inform New Jersey residents of the extent to which states within the United States restrict access to reproductive healthcare services. While many pregnancies are safe and uneventful, there is always some risk that a pregnancy will unexpectedly result in a medical emergency endangering the life or health of the patient. The effective treatment of such emergencies sometimes requires termination of the pregnancy. In the states that limit reproductive health care services, it is unclear to what extent necessary medical treatment for pregnancy-related emergencies will be permitted. There is thus a need to create an advisory that will inform New Jersey residents of the extent to which states within the United States limit reproductive health care services so that they may make informed travel decisions while pregnant. Pursuant to this bill, the travel advisory is to provide a description of each state in the United States with respect to reproductive healthcare services, including but not limited to, gestational duration bans, waiting periods, insurance coverage bans, medication restrictions, constitutional protections, reproductive health care funding, and criminal and civil liability for patients and healthcare providers. The travel advisory is required to provide the information according to the following tiered system: (1) "Blue: Exercise normal caution," which signifies that pregnant individuals have access to all forms of reproductive medical care without fear of civil or criminal prosecution; (2) "Yellow: Exercise increased caution," which signifies that pregnant individuals have restricted access to reproductive medical care that could result in civil or criminal prosecution; and (3) "Red: Reconsider travel," which signifies that pregnant individuals have extremely restricted access to reproductive medical care that could result in an adverse medical outcome, pregnant individuals being subject to civil or criminal prosecution, and individuals seeking emergency reproductive medical care not being provided life-saving care due to state law. The Department of State is to publish the travel advisory in a prominent location on its website and update the advisory for each state every time a state experiences a change in its law, rules, or regulations concerning reproductive healthcare services. | Passed |
| A4897 | Revises law requiring certain student identification cards to contain telephone number for suicide prevention hotline. | Revises law requiring certain student identification cards to contain telephone number for suicide prevention hotline. | Passed |
| S3711 | Makes annual allocation of $500,000 from Clean Communities Program Fund for public outreach concerning single-use plastics reduction program permanent. | Makes annual allocation of $500,000 from Clean Communities Program Fund for public outreach concerning single-use plastics reduction program permanent. | Passed |
| S3713 | Requires pay for extracurricular activities to be included in compensation for TPAF purposes. | This bill amends the definition of compensation for purposes of the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) to include additional pay for performing extracurricular duties beyond the regular school day or the regular school year. This additional pay is currently not included in the definition of compensation for pension purposes. Extracurricular duties include, but are not limited to, preparation for and involvement in public performances, contests, athletic competitions, demonstrations, displays, and club activities. | In Committee |
| SJR96 | Permanently designates August 17th as "Nonprofit Day" in NJ. | This resolution designates August 17 of every year as "Nonprofit Day" in New Jersey with the goal of recognizing the over 40,000 nonprofit organizations operating in the State. Nonprofits are organizations that serve different purposes, such as raising awareness and providing a public service. These organizations are not run with the sole purpose of generating a profit which means they rely heavily on donations and volunteers for day-to-day operation. Nonprofit organizations play a crucial role in society by addressing many social and humanitarian issues that impact marginalized communities. To accomplish this, nonprofit organizations provide essential services, such as food assistance, healthcare and educational programming. Through partnerships with both private sector and governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations are able to promote a collective responsibility in every facet of the community. In New Jersey, there are roughly 1.8 million nonprofit volunteers contributing 225 million hours of service every year. In addition to volunteers, nonprofits employ 330,000 members of New Jersey's workforce accounting for 10 percent of private sector workers. The value that nonprofit volunteers and their employees bring to the state New Jersey is valued at over $5.3 billion a year. Throughout the United States, August 17 is already recognized as "Nonprofit Day" in order to acknowledge the contributions these organizations provide to society. By designating August 17 as "Nonprofit Day" in New Jersey, the State of New Jersey will join a broader movement to honor the work of nonprofit volunteers and workers throughout the State. | Crossed Over |
| S2951 | Authorizes provision of monetary awards to whistleblowers who report State tax law violations committed by employers in construction industry. | This bill requires the Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury to provide monetary awards to whistleblowers who report tax law violations committed by employers in the construction industry. The bill defines "employer in the construction industry" as an employer engaging in any activity related to the erection, construction, alteration, demolition, repair or maintenance of buildings, structures, bridges, highways, roadways, dams, tunnels, sewers, underground buildings or structures, pipelines or ducts and all other construction projects or facilities. Under the bill, if the director proceeds with an administrative or judicial action against an employer in the construction industry and determines that the action is based on specific and credible information brought to the director by an individual, the director is required to provide that individual an award of at least 15 percent, but not more than 30 percent, of the proceeds collected as a result of the action or from any settlement in response to that action; provided, however, if the director determines an action is based principally on an individual's disclosure of an allegation resulting from a judicial or administrative hearing, from a governmental report, hearing, audit, or investigation, or from the news media, any award provided by the director to that individual may not exceed 10 percent of the proceeds. The bill requires the director to determine the amount of an award based upon the extent to which any information submitted by an individual contributed to the outcome of an action or related settlement. If the director determines that the claim for an award pursuant to the bill is brought by an individual who planned and initiated the actions that led to the violation resulting in the administrative or judicial action in which that individual is a party, the bill permits the director to reduce the amount of the award. In addition, if such an individual is convicted of criminal conduct arising from the individual's role in the violation, then the director is not permitted to provide an award to that individual. The following individuals are also ineligible to receive an award under the bill: (1) an individual who obtained information through the individual's official duties as an employee of the Department of the Treasury; and (2) an individual who filed a claim for an award based on information obtained from an ineligible individual for the purpose of avoiding the rejection of the claim that would have resulted if the claim was filed by the ineligible individual. The bill provides that any complaint with respect to an award provided, reduced, or revoked pursuant to the bill is to be filed within 30 days after the date of the provision, reduction, or revocation of that award. Finally, the bill protects any employee, as defined by the bill, from retaliatory action under the provisions of the "Conscientious Employee Protection Act," P.L.1986, c.105 (C.34:19-1 et seq.). | Crossed Over |
| S2961 | Establishes minimum qualifications for persons employed on public works contract. | Establishes minimum qualifications for persons employed on public works contract. | Passed |
| SJR100 | Designates July of each year as "Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month" in NJ. | This resolution designates July of each year as "Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month" in New Jersey. Cleft lip and palate, together commonly called orofacial clefts, are birth defects that occur when a baby's lip or mouth do not form properly during pregnancy. A cleft lip occurs when the tissue that makes up the lip does not join completely before birth and results in an opening in the upper lip. The opening in the lip can be a small slit or it can be a large opening that goes through the lip into the nose. A cleft palate occurs when the tissue that makes up the roof of the mouth does not join together completely during pregnancy. Some babies are born with both the front and back parts of the palate open while others only part of the palate is open. Children with a cleft lip with or without a cleft palate or a cleft palate alone often have problems with feeding and speaking clearly and are prone to have ear infections, hearing problems, and problems with their teeth. About one in every 1,700 babies is born with cleft palate in the United States. The causes of orofacial clefts among most infants are unknown and ongoing research is being conducted at the national level to better understand the root causes. Cleft lip and palate affects people worldwide, impacting speech, eating, and overall quality of life. Raising awareness about cleft palate is essential to foster understanding, compassion, and support for New Jersey residents and families affected by this condition, as well as to encourage medical research aimed at identifying the root cause of the orofacial disorder. | Crossed Over |
| 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. | 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. | Passed |
| A4331 | Establishes licensure for cosmetic retail services. | Establishes licensure for cosmetic retail services. | Passed |
| S3227 | Establishes licensure for cosmetic retail services. | Establishes licensure for cosmetic retail services. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| A4544 | Expands eligibility requirements of State's child care assistance program to include full-time graduate and post-graduate students. | Expands eligibility requirements of State's child care assistance program to include full-time graduate and post-graduate students. | Passed |
| S1297 | Requires MVC to create digital driver's licenses and digital non-driver identification cards. | Requires MVC to create digital driver's licenses and digital non-driver identification cards. | In Committee |
| S1784 | 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. | 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. | In Committee |
| A3323 | Requires pay for extracurricular activities to be included in compensation for TPAF purposes. | This bill amends the definition of compensation for purposes of the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) to include additional pay for performing extracurricular duties beyond the regular school day or the regular school year. This additional pay is currently not included in the definition of compensation for pension purposes. Extracurricular duties include, but are not limited to, preparation for and involvement in public performances, contests, athletic competitions, demonstrations, displays, and club activities. | Passed |
| A3128 | Authorizes HMFA to use certain tax credits; directs HMFA to conduct tax credit auctions to provide financial assistance for certain housing purposes. | Authorizes HMFA to use certain tax credits; directs HMFA to conduct tax credit auctions to provide financial assistance for certain housing purposes. | Passed |
| A1948 | Requires VCCO to issue annual report to Governor and Legislature. | This bill codifies the current policy of the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) to issue an annual report summarizing compensation awards granted to eligible victims. Under the bill, the report is to summarize compensation awarded to victims during the previous fiscal year. The report is also to include the number of applications for compensation, the number of applications granted and denied and the reasons for the dispositions, the amount of awards, demographics concerning awards, services for which awards were provided, funding received by the office, and any other information deemed relevant by the Attorney General and the Executive Director of the VCCO. The bill requires the report to be completed within six months following the last day of the previous fiscal year. The report is to be issued to the Governor and the Legislature, as well as made available on the official website of the Department of Law and Public Safety. | Passed |
| A1682 | Requires State Board of Education to adopt New Jersey Student Learning Standards pertaining to labor movement; requires school districts to provide instruction on labor movement. | Requires State Board of Education to adopt New Jersey Student Learning Standards pertaining to labor movement; requires school districts to provide instruction on labor movement. | Passed |
| S1067 | Directs DHS to conduct landscape analysis of available mental health services. | Directs DHS to conduct landscape analysis of available mental health services. | Vetoed |
| S2335 | Requires school districts to provide instruction on history of Latinos and Hispanics as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards. | Requires school districts to provide instruction on history of Latinos and Hispanics as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards. | Passed |
| S2346 | Creates Code Red alert pilot program to shelter at-risk individuals during certain hot weather and air quality events; appropriates $5 million. | Creates Code Red alert pilot program to shelter at-risk individuals during certain hot weather and air quality events; appropriates $5 million. | Crossed Over |
| 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. | 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. | Passed |
| A3518 | Requires MVC to create digital driver's licenses and digital non-driver identification cards. | Requires MVC to create digital driver's licenses and digital non-driver identification cards. | Passed |
| S1054 | Requires State Board of Education to adopt New Jersey Student Learning Standards pertaining to labor movement; requires school districts to provide instruction on labor movement. | Requires State Board of Education to adopt New Jersey Student Learning Standards pertaining to labor movement; requires school districts to provide instruction on labor movement. | In Committee |
| S2167 | Requires public and certain nonpublic schools to comply with breakfast and lunch standards adopted by USDA. | Requires public and certain nonpublic schools to comply with breakfast and lunch standards adopted by USDA. | Passed |
| 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 |
| S2051 | Requires law enforcement officer to conduct risk assessment of and provide assistance to domestic violence victims. | Requires law enforcement officer to conduct risk assessment of and provide assistance to domestic violence victims. | Crossed Over |
| S2223 | Requires VCCO to issue annual report to Governor and Legislature. | This bill codifies the current policy of the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) to issue an annual report summarizing compensation awards granted to eligible victims. Under the bill, the report is to summarize compensation awarded to victims during the previous fiscal year. The number of applications for compensation, the number of applications granted and denied and the reasons for the dispositions, the amount of awards, demographics concerning awards, services for which awards were provided, funding received by the office, and any other information deemed relevant by the VCCO also is to be included in the report. The bill requires the report to be completed within six months following the last day of the previous fiscal year. The report is to be issued to the Governor and the Legislature, as well as made available on the official website of the Department of Law and Public Safety. | In Committee |
| S1403 | Requires employer or contractor engaged in work for public body to submit payroll records to DOLWD. | Requires employer or contractor engaged in work for public body to submit payroll records to DOLWD. | Passed |
| S4532 | Updates certain notification requirements in "Energy Bill Watch" program. | Updates certain notification requirements in "Energy Bill Watch" program. | In Committee |
| S4511 | Authorizes NJ Infrastructure Bank to expend certain sums to make loans for Community Hazard Assistance Mitigation Program projects in FY2026. | This bill would authorize the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (NJIB) to expend up to $6,813,000 to provide low-interest loans to local government units that undertake one of three eligible hazard mitigation and resilience projects listed in the bill. The loans represent the NJIB's implementation of the Community Hazard Assistance Mitigation Program (CHAMP) for fiscal year 2026 (FY 2026). The CHAMP program was established by the "Community Hazard Assistance Mitigation Program Revolving Loan Fund Act," P.L.2023, c.63 (C.58:11B-20.3 et al.), in order to implement the federal "Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation Act" (STORM Act), Pub. L. 116-284, in New Jersey. The bill would permit the NJIB to use any loan repayments received to date, and the amounts for interest accrued pursuant to a loan made to a project sponsor pursuant to the Community Hazard Assistance Mitigation Program, in order to fund the CHAMP program for FY 2026. The bill would also authorize the NJIB to utilize certain funds generated by the operation of the bank, including, but not limited to, proceeds from the sale of bonds, the revenues derived from investments, and loan repayments, to defray the NJIB's FY 2026 operating expenses. Since its creation in 2023, the NJIB, in partnership with the State Office of Emergency Management in the Department of Law and Public Safety, applied for federal STORM Act funds and received approximately $7 million to finance the construction of hazard mitigation and resilience projects with the mission of reducing the cost of financing these projects for New Jersey counties and municipalities. | Passed |
| S4439 | Establishes protections for student-athletes and certain institutions of higher education concerning name, image, or likeness compensation; repeals "New Jersey Fair Play Act." | This bill establishes protections for student-athletes and certain institutions of higher education concerning name, image, or likeness compensation and repeals the "New Jersey Fair Play Act." First, this bill provides that a four-year institution of higher education is not to prohibit or prevent a student-athlete who participates in intercollegiate athletics from earning compensation as a result of the use of the student-athlete's name, image, or likeness. The bill permits a four-year institution of higher education or any related entity of the institution to enter into a contract with a student-athlete to directly compensate the student-athlete for use of the student-athlete's name, image, or likeness. However, the bill prohibits a student-athlete participating in intercollegiate athletics who is under 21 years of age from earning compensation as a result of the use of the student-athlete's name, image, or likeness if it is in connection with any person, company, or organization related to or associated with alcohol products; tobacco and electronic smoking products and devices; and cannabis products. The bill provides that a four-year institution of higher education is not to prevent a student-athlete participating in intercollegiate athletics from obtaining professional representation in relation to contracts or legal matters, including representation provided by athlete agents or legal representation provided by attorneys. The bill clarifies that licensed attorneys and athlete-agents are required to act in a fiduciary capacity when providing representation to a student-athlete. The bill clarifies that any contract a student-athlete enters into that provides compensation to the student-athlete for use of the student-athlete's name, image, or likeness is not subject to public disclosure pursuant to the State's open public records act. The bill also regulates certain athletic associations, conferences, or other groups or organizations with authority over intercollegiate athletics, including the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Under the bill, these organizations cannot: (1) prohibit or prevent a four-year institution of higher education from becoming a member of the organization or from participating in intercollegiate athletics as a consequence of any student-athlete earning compensation for the use of the student-athlete's name, image, or likeness or obtaining representation by an athlete agent or attorney in connection with issues related to name, image, or likeness; (2) take any other adverse action against a four-year institution of higher education or any other related entity of an institution, for activity permitted by the bill; (3) penalize a four-year institution of higher education or a student-athlete, or prevent them from participating in intercollegiate athletics, due to a violation of the organization's rules or regulations concerning name, image, or likeness; (4) prevent a four-year institution of higher education from compensating a student-athlete for the use of the student-athlete's name, image, or likeness; or (5) prevent a four-year institution of higher education or any related entity of an institution from identifying, creating, negotiating, facilitating, supporting, engaging with, assisting with, or otherwise enabling a name, image, or likeness opportunity for a student-athlete. The bill provides that a four-year institution of higher education or any related entity of an institution, that is subjected to any actual or threatened complaint, investigation, penalty, or other adverse action of any organization with authority over intercollegiate athletics for engaging in activities permitted pursuant to the bill, may bring an action to recover actual damages and reasonable attorney fees and may seek injunctive relief and any other remedy available at law or in equity. In each academic year, a four-year institution of higher education that offers academic scholarships is required to make available to all student-athletes participating in intercollegiate athletics at the institution name, image, or likeness programing or educational materials. The programing and educational materials are to provide students with information including, financial literacy; brand management; life skills; and any other programming on skills necessary for success as a student-athlete. NCAA Division I and Division II institutions are permitted to offer athletic scholarships. The bill applies to four-year institutions of higher education that offer athletic scholarships, including Division I and Division II institutions. Finally, the bill repeals the "New Jersey Fair Play Act," which was enacted in 2020 and is first applicable in the academic year beginning in September of 2025. It is the sponsor's intent to strengthen New Jersey's name, image, or likeness law to reflect changes made at the national level since its original enactment in 2020. | Passed |
| S4402 | 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. | 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. | In Committee |
| S4618 | Modifies certain requirements and award availability under film and digital media content production tax credit program. | Modifies certain requirements and award availability under film and digital media content production tax credit program. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A5847 | Extends deadline for completion of school district's annual audit for 2024-2025 school year. | This bill extends the deadline for the completion of a school district's annual audit for the 2024-2025 school year. Under current law, the board of education of every school district is required to complete an annual audit of the school district's accounts and financial transaction completed no later than five months after the end of the school year. The school district's accountant is required to file a report of the annual audit with the board of education, and within five days thereafter, the Commissioner of Education. This bill extends each of these deadlines for the 2024-2025 school year. The provisions of P.L.2023, c.305 similarly extended the deadline for the completion of a school district's annual audit for the 2022-2023 and the 2023-2024 school years. | Passed |
| S4620 | Amends Fiscal Year 2025 annual appropriations act to assign distribution of Old Courthouse asbestos remediation funding from Hudson County to Jersey City. | The Fiscal Year 2025 annual appropriations act currently allocates $2 million to Hudson County for asbestos remediation at the Old Courthouse. This bill amends that appropriation to distribute the funds directly to the City of Jersey City. The project addresses asbestos remediation needs at the Hudson County Administration Building, commonly known as the Old Courthouse, which is located in Jersey City. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S4660 | Promotes equity in health insurance appeal process. | This bill eliminates fees for appeals against health insurance carriers pursuant to the Independent Health Care Appeals Program. This bill is in response to the Governor's Fiscal Year 2026 budget recommendations to enact legislation to permanently eliminate fees for consumer appeals against insurance carriers that deny, reduce, or terminate benefits. | In Committee |
| A5810 | Promotes equity in health insurance appeal process. | This bill eliminates fees for appeals against health insurance carriers pursuant to the Independent Health Care Appeals Program. This bill is in response to the Governor's Fiscal Year 2026 budget recommendations to enact legislation to permanently eliminate fees for consumer appeals against insurance carriers that deny, reduce, or terminate benefits. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S4608 | Extends deadline for completion of school district's annual audit for 2024-2025 school year. | This bill extends the deadline for the completion of a school district's annual audit for the 2024-2025 school year. Under current law, the board of education of every school district is required to complete an annual audit of the school district's accounts and financial transaction completed no later than five months after the end of the school year. The school district's accountant is required to file a report of the annual audit with the board of education, and within five days thereafter, the Commissioner of Education. This bill extends each of these deadlines for the 2024-2025 school year. The provisions of P.L.2023, c.305 similarly extended the deadline for the completion of a school district's annual audit for the 2022-2023 and the 2023-2024 school years. | In Committee |
| S4135 | Provides allowance for certain redevelopment projects undertaken by institutions of higher education under New Jersey Aspire program. | Provides allowances for certain redevelopment projects undertaken by institutions of higher education under New Jersey Aspire Program. | Crossed Over |
| S4147 | Permits up to three credits of continuing medical education on menopause to be used by advanced practice nurses and physicians for license renewal. | Permits up to three credits of continuing medical education on menopause to be used by advanced practice nurses and physicians for license renewal. | In Committee |
| A5309 | Permits up to three credits of continuing medical education on menopause to be used by advanced practice nurses and physicians for license renewal. | Permits up to three credits of continuing medical education on menopause to be used by advanced practice nurses and physicians for license renewal. | Passed |
| S4146 | 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. | 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 | In Committee |
| A5378 | Modifies provisions of Cultural Arts Incentives Program, New Jersey Aspire Program, and Grow New Jersey Program; eliminates Community-Anchored Development Program. | Modifies provisions of Cultural Arts Incentives Program, New Jersey Aspire Program, and Grow New Jersey Program; eliminates Community-Anchored Development Program. | Passed |
| S4071 | Authorizes HMFA to use certain tax credits; directs HMFA to conduct tax credit auctions to provide financial assistance for certain housing puropses. | Authorizes HMFA to use certain tax credits; directs HMFA to conduct tax credit auctions to provide financial assistance for certain housing purposes. | In Committee |
| A5463 | Requires electric public utilities to submit annual report on voting to BPU. | Requires electric public utilities to submit annual report on voting to BPU. | Passed |
| S4219 | Concerns administration of employer payroll tax and permits disclosures of certain State taxpayer information. | Concerns administration of employer payroll tax and permits disclosures of certain State taxpayer information. | In Committee |
| S4255 | Modifies provisions of Cultural Arts Incentives Program, New Jersey Aspire Program, and Grow New Jersey Program; eliminates Community-Anchored Development Program. | Modifies provisions of Cultural Arts Incentives Program, New Jersey Aspire Program, and Grow New Jersey Program; eliminates Community-Anchored Development Program. | In Committee |
| A5563 | Establishes "Summer Termination Program" for certain utility customers. | Establishes "Summer Termination Program" for certain utility customers. | Passed |
| S4363 | Requires electric public utilities to submit annual report on voting to BPU. | Requires electric public utilities to submit annual report on voting to BPU. | In Committee |
| 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. | 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. | Passed |
| S4361 | Establishes "Summer Termination Program" for certain utility customers. | Establishes "Summer Termination Program" for certain utility customers. | In Committee |
| S4376 | Establishes Department of Veterans Affairs. | Establishes Department of Veterans Affairs. | Passed |
| S3319 | Increases personal needs allowance to $140 for low-income persons residing in certain facilities. | This bill increases the monthly personal needs allowance (PNA), from the current rate of $50, pursuant to the FY 2024 Appropriations Act, to $140 for residents of nursing homes, State and county psychiatric hospitals, and State developmental centers. This allowance is intended for residents to spend at their discretion on items such as telephone expenses, a meal out with friends, cards to send to family, reading materials, or hobbies. The PNA provides residents the opportunity to participate in activities beyond those provided by the facility, to remain connected with family and friends, and to obtain basic items such as clothing and shoes. The bill also stipulates that beginning January 1 of the following year after the bill's enactment, the PNA is to be increased annually by the same percentage as the cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security benefits for that year. In the case of residents eligible to receive SSI public assistance, a federal income supplement program designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people with little to no income, the federal government provides up to $30 a month for small comfort items not provided by the facility. The State currently supplements the federal allowance by $20 to ensure that SSI recipients residing in nursing facilities, State and county psychiatric hospitals, and State developmental centers receive a total PNA per month equal to that of Medicaid recipients, or $50. Under the bill, absent any changes in the federal allowance, the State would be responsible for a $90 per month supplemental payment for each SSI recipient. | In Committee |
| S3754 | Establishes "Disability Mortality and Abuse Prevention Advisory Committee" in DHS; makes appropriation. | Establishes "Disability Mortality and Abuse Prevention Advisory Committee" in DHS; makes appropriation. | In Committee |
| SJR30 | Designates June 23 of each year as "International Widows' Day." | This joint resolution designates June 23 of each year as "International Widows' Day." According to the United Nations, there are an estimated 260 million widows around the world, and nearly one in ten live in extreme poverty. In the United States, one million women become widowed each year. Seventy percent of all married women will be widowed in their lifetime. Many widows are far younger than one may guess, as the median age of a widow is 59, according to the United States Census Bureau. Widows are often unsupported by our country's social services, programs, and policies. Many widows face challenges even years after the loss of a loved one, including financial and legal difficulties, mental and physical health issues, and the loss of health insurance. It is important to draw attention to the experiences and realities of widows, including the need for increased bereavement leave, changes to Social Security regulations regarding widows, and the plight of widows in other countries. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S4649 | Changes date of "Juneteenth Day" in NJ to June 19 of each year. | This bill establishes that the "Juneteenth Day" holiday will be observed on June 19 of each year in New Jersey. Under current law, "Juneteenth Day" is observed on the third Friday of June each year in New Jersey. This change will allow the State holiday to correspond to the federal "Juneteenth National Independence Day" holiday. | In Committee |
| SR135 | Affirms support for SNAP and program's progress in reducing hunger among vulnerable populations in New Jersey. | This resolution affirms support for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the program's progress in reducing hunger among vulnerable populations in New Jersey. The resolution condemns the United States House of Representatives for approving, and urges the United States Senate to reject, federal cuts to SNAP. On May 22, 2025, to achieve a minimum $1.5 trillion cut from the federal budget over a ten year period, the House of Representatives voted in favor of a budget bill that included a $300 billion cut in food aid funding, largely aimed at SNAP. In New Jersey, SNAP is a critical resource for residents, with nearly 850,000 individuals, or nine percent of the total population, relying on the program's benefits to feed their families. A significant number of the households that participate in SNAP include some of the State's most vulnerable members: the elderly, disabled, veterans, and children. The New Jersey Senate supports State and federal collaboration to identify programmatic efficiencies within SNAP; however, budgetary cost savings implemented at the expense of stripping income-limited children, seniors, and families of safety net food and nutrition services is unconscionable. The Senate condemns the House for adopting these drastic federal funding reductions, and urges the Senate to reject these, or any subsequent, proposals and to maintain SNAP as an accessible resource for those in need of food assistance. | In Committee |
| S4640 | Establishes employee protections for certain employees of New Jersey City University in event of merger with Kean University. | This bill establishes employee protections for the faculty and staff of New Jersey City University in the event of a merger with Kean University. This bill provides that, as a condition of a merger between New Jersey City University and Kean University, no faculty member or professional staff member who is a member of a recognized collective bargaining unit at New Jersey City University is to be subject to termination, layoff, nonrenewal, involuntary reassignment, reduction in hours, or any other form of separation, diminution of employment status, or adverse action as a result of the merger for a period of three years from the date of the merger. The bill further provides that, during the three-year period following the merger, any position vacancy resulting from retirement, resignation, voluntary departure, or any other form of voluntary separation of an employee who transferred from New Jersey City University to Kean University due to the merger is to first be offered internally to other qualified employees who transferred from New Jersey City University to Kean University due to the merger before the position is advertised externally. Under the bill, each faculty and professional staff member who transferred from New Jersey City University to Kean University due to the merger is to be afforded two years to meet any new requirements for a position that is created or amended as a result of any restructuring of New Jersey City University programs during the three years following the start of the merger. The bill provides that all existing collective bargaining agreements and any other negotiated terms and conditions of employment applicable to faculty and professional staff members of a recognized collective bargaining unit at New Jersey City University are to remain in full force and effect at Kean University for a three-year period beginning on the date of the merger. Under the bill, Kean University is to honor all salary schedules, benefits, workloads, tenure and promotion pathways, grievance procedures, job security provisions, employment contracts, and any other provisions within the New Jersey City University bargaining agreements with a recognized collective bargaining unit during the three-year period beginning on the date of the merger. The bill prohibits the board of trustees of Kean University and its administrators from adopting any policies, making administrative changes, or taking any actions that undermine or negatively affect the terms or conditions of these collective bargaining agreements without the express written consent of the recognized collective bargaining unit.The bill provides that a recognized collective bargaining unit of New Jersey City University retains the right to enforce all terms of this agreement through legal means. The bill provides that any violation of the bill's provisions are to provide a recognized collective bargaining unit the right to seek immediate injunctive relief and binding arbitration to remedy any adverse employment action. The bill also provides that any disputes related to the enforcement of this act are to be expedited, and the Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) is to prioritize the resolution of the dispute to ensure the rights of employees are protected in a timely manner. Under the bill, all collective bargaining units and their respective majority representatives in existence in New Jersey City University prior to the merger with Kean University are to be maintained without change, unless they are otherwise altered through an appropriate petition to the PERC for a change in representation or bargaining units. Any transfer of faculty or professional staff members from New Jersey City University to Kean University due to the merger is to ensure the transfer of seniority and accrued benefits. The bill directs Kean University to implement a clear, transparent, and proactive communication plan for all employees affected by the merger. | In Committee |
| S4615 | "Protection of Homeownership and Limiting Institutional Investor Acquisition Act"; imposes limitations and establishes certain incentives and disincentives concerning acquisition of single-family residences. | This bill, the "Protection of Homeownership and Limiting Institutional Investor Acquisition Act": (1) restricts institutional investor acquisition of single-family homes and imposes certain tax penalties on acquisition of single-family homes by institutional investors; (2) provides down payment assistance and funding for certain homebuyers and developers for the purchase and development of starter homes; (3) reduces the timeframe for the approval of development applications to certain municipal government entities, and expedites starter home inspections; (4) requires the creation of a buyer's home purchasing guide and establishment of a public awareness campaign concerning the impact of institutional investors on the housing market; (5) permits resident taxpayers who are first-time homebuyers to claim certain gross income tax deductions; and (6) establishes the "Starter Home Development Incentive Program" within the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. Restrictions on Institutional Investor Acquisition of Single-Family Homes and Imposition of Certain Tax Penalties: Sections 3 through 6 of the bill prohibit certain institutional investors from placing a bid on or purchasing a single-family home during the first 90 days that the home is available, and subject an institutional investor who owns or acquires a single-family home to certain taxes. Specifically, the bill prohibits an institutional investor, as defined in the bill, from contacting the owner of a single-family home, or the owner's agent, with respect to the single-family home, or soliciting, placing a bid on, or inducing an offer for, a single-family home during the first 90 days that the single-family home is "on the market and available for purchase," as the term is defined in the bill. To discourage circumvention of the bill by institutional investors, the bill provides that an institutional investor that places a bid on, acquires, or purchases a single-family home outside of the 90-day period set forth in the bill is to be subject to an annual State tax in an amount equal to the product of $25,000, and the number of single-family homes owned by the institutional investor as of the last day of the tax year. The State tax revenue collected through the tax is to be credited to the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency to establish new programs or supplement existing programs that award grants to provide down payment assistance to families purchasing single-family homes in the State. The bill authorizes the Director of the Division of Taxation (director) and the Commissioner of Community Affairs (commissioner) to require institutional investors to report certain information provided in the bill. The bill also prohibits an institutional investor from leasing a single-family home acquired or purchased by the institutional investor for a period of five years following the date of acquisition or purchase. The bill would not apply to certain nonprofit organizations; small institutional investors, as defined in the bill; financial institutions owning or acquiring a single-family home through foreclosure or through a secured transaction; institutional investors acting as condemnors; governmental authorities; or other institutional investors excepted from the requirements of the bill by the commissioner. An institutional investor that violates the bill is to be required to alienate the single-family home within six months of acquisition, and any profit received is to be payable to the Attorney General. A violation of the bill is to also constitute an unlawful practice in violation of the New Jersey consumer fraud act. Further, notwithstanding a penalty collected by the Attorney General pursuant to the bill, the bill permits any person or entity directly and adversely affected by a violation to file a complaint against an institutional investor in violation of the bill. The complainant would be permitted to recover $20,000, which is required to be proportionately divided amongst any person or entity, including a small institutional investor, directly and adversely affected by a violation who filed a complaint within 24 months of the date that the violation occurred, in addition to certain fees and expenses incurred in proving a violation of the bill. This portion of the bill would take effect on the first day of the sixth month next following the date of enactment, and sections 5 and 6 of the bill would apply to the tax year beginning on or after January 1 following the date of enactment. Down Payment Assistance, Developer Funding, and the Community Investment Fund: Sections 7 through 11 of the bill provide down payment assistance and developer funding for the purchase and development of starter homes and affordable starter homes. The bill modifies a down payment assistance loan program (loan program), established for the benefit of first-time homebuyers pursuant to a recently enacted statute, P.L.2023, c.78 (C.55:14K-104 et seq.). The bill also modifies the Resilient Home Construction Pilot Program (construction program), established to provide funding for developers to rehabilitate existing homes and construct new affordable homes for sale, changing it from a pilot program to a permanent program in the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (agency). The bill ensures that a portion of the funding for the loan program and construction program, respectively, is to be allocated to provide down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers to purchase starter homes and affordable starter homes, and funding for developers to construct starter homes and affordable starter homes, as those terms are defined in the bill by size and formal price control. In addition to the loan awards already offered through the loan program, the bill authorizes the agency to provide an additional zero-interest, forgivable loan award of up to $5,000 if the first-time homebuyer provides matching down payment funds in an amount to be determined by the Executive Director of the agency. The bill also establishes a revolving fund in the agency, to be known as the Community Investment Fund, for carrying out the purposes of the loan program (fund), and permits moneys held in the fund that are not able to be disbursed immediately to be invested and reinvested. The bill requires that a portion of the money expended from the fund for the loan program be used for down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers to purchase starter homes and affordable starter homes. Sections 7 through 11 of the bill would take effect immediately. Shortened Timeframe for Land Use Applications for Development and Expedited Inspections for Starter Homes: Sections 12 through 16 of the bill reduce certain allowed timeframes under the "Municipal Land Use Law," P.L.1975, c.291 (C.40:55D-1 et seq.) related to the approval of an application for development, an application for certain site plans, or for an application for certain subdivisions, if at least 40 percent of the units to be developed, total acreage, or lots on which residential dwellings are constructed, are to be used for starter homes. Further, for the inspection of any work related to the construction or development of a starter home, the bill permits an owner, agent, or other responsible person in charge of work to contract with and utilize a private on-site inspection agency authorized by the department to conduct on-site inspections, and further permits the private on-site inspection agency to perform any requested inspections related to the development of a starter home, regardless of whether the enforcing agency is able to perform a requested inspection within three business days of the date for which the inspection is requested. Sections 12 through 16 of the bill would take effect immediately. Buyer's Home Purchasing Guide and Institutional Investment Impacts Public Awareness Campaign: Sections 17 and 18 of the bill require the Department of Banking and Insurance, in consultation with the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency and the Department of Community Affairs, to: (1) publish and disseminate a buyer's guide for individuals who are purchasing a home; and (2) undertake a public awareness campaign concerning the impacts of institutional investment in the State housing market and to promote resources available for homebuyers. Sections 17 and 18 of the bill would take effect immediately. Tax Incentives for Individual Homebuyers: Sections 19 through 22 of the bill permit resident taxpayers of this State who are first-time home buyers to claim a gross income tax deduction for certain expenses. Specifically, the bill allows a resident taxpayer who is a first-time home buyer, as defined in the bill, to claim a gross income tax deduction for the amount paid by the taxpayer as a down payment for the purchase of a single-family residence during the taxable year. The bill also allows a first-time home buyer to claim a gross income tax deduction for the amount of mortgage interest paid by the taxpayer to an eligible lender during the taxable year, up to amounts allowable under the federal Internal Revenue Code, on a single-family residence that is purchased and occupied as the owner's primary residence. If applicable, a first-time home buyer would also be allowed to claim a gross income tax deduction for any mortgage insurance payments paid by the taxpayer during the taxable year, up to $3,000. Sections 19 through 22 of the bill would take effect immediately, and apply to taxable years beginning on or after January 1 of the year next following enactment. Tax Disincentives for Business Entities Owning Single-Family Residences: Sections 23 and 24 of the bill prohibit certain business entities from claiming deductions or expenses under the corporation business tax and gross income tax for depreciation allowances and business interest expenses related to single family residences owned by the business. Under the bill, a corporation business taxpayer that owns more than 20 single-family residences, as defined in the bill, during the privilege period would be required to include the amounts of certain deductions specified in the bill, if claimed for federal income tax purposes in connection with a single-family residence owned by the taxpayer, to the taxpayer's entire net income for the privilege period. The bill also prohibits the taxpayer from claiming a deduction for depreciation in relation to single-family residence ownership. Additionally, business interest expenses and depreciation deductions related to single family residences owned by certain pass-through business entities, which own more than 20 single-family residences, are not to be included in the calculation of the various categories of business income, which are calculated net of expenses. As a result, the taxable income generated by these business entities would not be reduced based on these expenses and deductions. Sections 23 and 24 of the bill would take effect immediately, and apply to privilege periods and taxable years beginning on or after the January 1 following the date of enactment. Starter Home Development Incentive Program: Sections 25 through 28 of the bill establish the "Starter Home Development Incentive Program" (incentive program) within the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA). The purpose of the incentive program is to attract developer investment in the development of starter homes in the State. Under the bill, "starter home" means a unit of single-family housing that consists of not more than 1,800 square feet of floor area. The bill defines a "single-family home" as a one- to four-family residence, a condominium unit, or a cooperative unit. Under the program, the EDA would provide tax credits to eligible developers, following the approval of an application by the EDA. Eligible projects would include projects that primarily include the construction or rehabilitation of one or more starter homes. Under the bill, projects that include at least 10 starter homes would receive a tax credit in the amount of 30 percent of the developer's eligible project costs, whereas projects that include less than 10 starter homes would receive a tax credit in the amount of 20 percent of the developer's eligible project costs. Under the bill, "eligible project costs" means the costs to complete the development of an eligible project, which costs are eligible for subsidy pursuant to the federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program, and which costs are incurred by a developer before the issuance of a permanent certificate of occupancy for the eligible project, or before such other time specified by the EDA. The bill provides that an eligible developer that executes an incentive award agreement with the EDA may receive tax credits as authorized under the agreement, subject to the approval of annual compliance reports submitted by the developer to the EDA. After issuance of the certificate of compliance by the EDA, the taxpayer would be permitted to claim the tax credit. Any amount of tax credit that cannot be used on a tax period may be carried forward for use in the seven tax periods following the period for which the credit was issued. The bill also allows a taxpayer to apply for a tax credit transfer certificate so that all or part of the credit awarded may be sold or assigned to a third-party purchaser, as provided for in the bill. Sections 25 through 28 of the bill would take effect immediately. | In Committee |
| S4460 | Requires AG to establish ballistics analysis device pilot program in certain municipalities. | Requires AG to establish ballistics analysis device pilot program in certain municipalities. | In Committee |
| S4148 | Establishes "New Jersey Menopause Coverage Act"; requires health insurance coverage of medically necessary perimenopause and menopause treatments. | This bill establishes the "New Jersey Menopause Coverage Act" and requires health insurance coverage of medically necessary perimenopause and menopause treatments. Under the bill, health insurance carriers (including insurance companies, hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health service corporations, health maintenance organizations authorized to issue health benefits plans in New Jersey, entities contracted to administer health benefits in connection with the State Health Benefits Program and School Employees' Health Benefits Program, and the New Jersey FamilyCare Program) will be required to cover medically necessary treatment for perimenopause, menopause, and symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause, including but not limited to: (1) hormonal therapies such as hormone replacement therapy and bioidentical hormone treatments; (2) non-hormonal treatments, including medications to manage menopausal symptoms; (3) behavioral health care services; (4) pelvic floor physical therapy; (5) bone health treatments, including screenings, medications, and supplements, due to hormonal changes related to perimenopause and menopause; (6) preventative services for early detection and treatment of health conditions related to perimenopause and menopause such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and cancer; and (7) counseling and education regarding menopause management. The bill also requires that carriers are to provide clear and accessible information to covered persons regarding perimenopause and menopause treatments. For the purpose of this bill, "menopause" means the natural and permanent end of a female's menstrual cycle, diagnosed by a licensed medical provider after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. "Perimenopause" means the transitional period leading to menopause, marked by fluctuating hormone levels and changes in menstrual cycles. | In Committee |
| S3920 | Requires State Police to establish recovery leave policy for troopers presenting proof of pregnancy. | Requires State Police to establish recovery leave policy for troopers presenting proof of pregnancy. | In Committee |
| S3895 | Establishes crime of reckless discharge of firearm. | Establishes crime of reckless discharge of firearm. | In Committee |
| S3897 | Requires AG to report data regarding shootings that did not result in bodily injury. | This bill requires each county prosecutor to provide to the Attorney General data pertaining to criminal complaints concerning crimes involving the use of a firearm that did not result in bodily injury. In addition, the bill requires each county prosecutor to report this data to the Attorney General every quarter for three years in a manner prescribed by the Attorney General. At the end of the three years, the Attorney General is to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature and publish the report on the Internet website of the Department of Law and Public Safety. | 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 |
| S699 | Establishes program in SADC for acquisition of development easements on privately-owned woodlands. | Establishes program in SADC for acquisition of development easements on privately-owned woodlands. | Crossed Over |
| 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 |
| S2495 | Requires training of cosmetologists-hairstylists, beauticians, barbers, and hair braiders to include working on textured hair. | Requires training of cosmetologists-hairstylists, beauticians, barbers, and hair braiders to include working on textured hair. | Crossed Over |
| S1312 | Requires State Real Estate Appraiser Board to adopt alternative program to acquire experiential requirements for prospective real estate appraisers attempting to qualify for licensure or certification. | This bill requires the State Real Estate Appraiser Board to adopt an alternative program to acquire experiential requirements for prospective real estate appraisers attempting to qualify for licensure or certification. Under the bill, the board will be required to adopt the Appraisal Qualification Board's practical application of real estate appraisal (PAREA) program as an alternative means of acquiring experiential requirements for a prospective real estate appraiser looking to become a licensed or certified appraiser. Presently, a prospective real estate appraiser must locate a licensed or certified appraiser who is willing to supervise the prospective appraiser as they attain their experiential requirement. The process to find a supervisor is difficult, with no formal process to help aspiring appraisers find a supervisor that can oversee them. Under PAREA, prospective real estate appraisers can fulfill up to 100% of their experience requirements virtually by creating real-world simulations that combine appraisal theory and methodology. PAREA also provides prospective real estate appraisers with mentors to supervise them. | In Committee |
| S1989 | Enhances criminal penalties for persons invloved in certain human trafficking activities. | Enhances criminal penalties for persons involved in certain human trafficking activities. | Crossed Over |
| S3426 | Requires Civil Service Commission establish mentoring program for certain civil service firefighter applicants. | This bill requires the Civil Service Commission to establish and maintain a mentoring program for civil service firefighter applicants. The purpose of the mentoring program would be to assist applicants residing in a municipality with a median income at or below 250 percent of the federal poverty level through the civil service application, examination, and selection process, and to help address obstacles unique to their circumstances. The program will include a study group to help applicants in any municipality with a median income at or below 250 percent of the federal poverty level with the resources needed to compete with applicants in other communities that benefit from outside private study groups. The program may be conducted through mentoring projects, including workshops, group discussions, and dissemination of information about civil service practices which provide assistance in overcoming barriers to employment. The program will be designed to provide mentoring to an applicant for the duration of the exam cycle, until the mentee completes the hiring process. The commission would develop criteria to determine eligibility in the program as a mentor and as a mentee. A mentor may be a current or former firefighter in good standing who obtained a firefighter position through the civil service process, or any other person deemed appropriate by the commission. A mentor or mentee may be removed from the mentoring program for good cause as determined by the commission. A mentee would be removed from the program upon the mentee's acceptance of an offer of employment. An applicant may participate in the program as a mentee a maximum of three times within a 10-year period. A former mentee may be eligible to participate in the program as a mentor. No monies would be provided to a mentor to participate in the program, and no fees would be charged to a mentee to participate in the program. At least once a year, the commission would review the program for its efficacy, and make any necessary adjustments to continue to meet the needs and purpose of the program. | Crossed Over |
| S3423 | Requires standards for organization and deployment of career fire fighters to be consistent with certain national standards. | This bill requires the Commissioner of Community Affairs to adopt rules for the deployment of career fire fighters that are consistent with the standards promulgated by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), NFPA 1710 (2020 edition). The bill also requires the appointing authority of each career fire department to ensure the deployment of fire fighting personnel, for rescue, fire suppression, and related activities, consistently with the standards set forth in NFPA 1710 (2020 edition) and the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this bill. While a municipality may have authority to determine the overall level of fire protection to provide within its jurisdiction, a municipality that has established and maintains a paid or part-paid fire department and force is to deploy fire-fighting personnel consistently with NFPA 1710, the national standard designed to enhance the safety of the employees of career fire departments. This bill will prevent local units from relaxing fire fighter safety requirements due to possible fiscal constraints or political concerns. | Crossed Over |
| S3890 | Requires public institution of higher education to provide students with information on food assistance programs. | Requires public institution of higher education to provide students with information on food assistance programs. | Crossed Over |
| S4485 | Establishes New Jersey Innovation Authority. | Establishes New Jersey Innovation Authority. | 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 |
| S4477 | Bans carcinogens, reproductive toxicants, flame resistant chemicals, and volatile organic compounds from certain hair products. | This bill bans certain materials from being intentionally added to hair products manufactured, sold, or distributed in this State. The bill defines hair product to mean a product made through the synthesis of artificial materials such as polyester, nylon, acrylic, or cellulose to create fibers that undergo various processes to resemble human hair. Under the bill, carcinogens, reproductive toxicants, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and flame resistant chemicals are prohibited from being intentionally added to hair products. The bill defines a carcinogen as a chemical identified by the World Health Organization as a "Group 1 carcinogen" or "group 2A carcinogen"; a chemical identified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as "known to be a human carcinogen" and "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen"; or a chemical recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency as "group A carcinogens" or "group B carcinogens." The bill also defines reproductive toxicant to mean any chemical identified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as a reproductive or developmental toxicant. The bill provides that it is an unlawful practice and a violation of the consumer fraud act for any person to manufacture, sell, distribute, or offer for sale in this State a hair product that emits VOCs when used as intended, or contains an intentionally added carcinogen, reproductive toxicant, or flame resistant chemical. A violation of the bill's provisions is punishable by a monetary penalty of not more than $10,000 for a first offense and not more than $20,000 for any subsequent offense. In addition, a violation can result in cease and desist orders issued by the Attorney General, the assessment of punitive damages, and the awarding of treble damages and costs to the injured. | In Committee |
| S4601 | Establishes pharmacist licensing exemption for certain dialysis-related drugs and devices. | This bill exempts drug manufacturers and wholesale drug distributors from the requirement of being a licensed pharmacist when they are engaged in the distribution of dialysate drugs or devices to patients with end-stage renal disease under certain circumstances. Under the bill, drug manufacturers and wholesale drug distributors would not be subject to pharmacist licensing requirements to the extent that they are engaged in the distribution of dialysate drugs or devices necessary to perform home dialysis on patients with end-stage renal disease. For the purposes of the bill, the following would be required of the drugs and devices: (1) approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration; (2) be held by an entity that is properly registered; (3) be held and delivered in original, sealed labeled packaging; (4) delivery only by the manufacturer or the manufacturer's agent and only upon receipt of a physician's order; (5) delivery is made to a patient, the patient's designee, a health care provider, or an institution for administration or delivery of the dialysis therapy to the patient; and (6) periodic oversight of manufacturers and distributors by a licensed pharmacist. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| S4050 | Allows follow up communication from operators of telephone number for mental health and suicide crisis resources or 9-8-8 crisis hotline to minors at risk of committing suicide. | Allows follow up communication from operators of telephone number for mental health and suicide crisis resources or 9-8-8 crisis hotline to minors at risk of committing suicide. | In Committee |
| S4030 | Requires health care professionals to report cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and motor neuron disease. | Requires health care professionals to report cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and motor neuron disease. | In Committee |
| S3091 | Requires New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority to establish public awareness campaign on benefits of doula and midwife services. | Requires New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority to establish public awareness campaign on benefits of doula and midwife services. | In Committee |
| S3939 | Requires New Jersey Board of Nursing to establish Nursing Scribe Program. | This bill requires the New Jersey Board of Nursing (board), in conjunction with schools of nursing approved by the board, to establish a Nursing Scribe Program. Under the program, the board is directed to authorize schools of nursing approved by the board to grant academic credit to a nursing student enrolled in the school for the successful completion of a nurse scribe course. At a minimum, the course is to: (1) provide training and instruction in electronic medical records documentation and unit workflows, medical terminology, the applicable provisions of the federal "Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996," and the principles of medical billing, coding, and reimbursement; and (2) require the student to complete practicum hours, in an amount determined appropriate by the board, providing nurse scribe services The bill defines "nurse scribe services" to mean the provision of documentation assistance provided to a nurse licensed by the New Jersey Board of Nursing regarding a patient's encounter with the nurse that is consistent with the scope of the nurse's licensure. It is the sponsor's belief that the provisions of the bill will help support and grow the workforce of nurses in the State. Under the bill, student nurses will gain valuable experience working alongside experienced professionals in the field, while existing nurses will receive much needed clerical assistance, thereby allowing them to focus more on the clinic aspects of their roles and alleviating some of the workload strain challenging nurses since the COVID-19 pandemic. | In Committee |
| S3764 | Codifies early language instruction program for deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind children in DOH. | Codifies early language instruction program for deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind children in DOH. | In Committee |
| S1939 | Requires children's meals served in chain restaurants to meet certain nutritional standards. | Requires children's meals served in chain restaurants to meet certain nutritional standards. | In Committee |
| S1796 | Requires parent or guardian to annually notify school district in writing of intention to home-school child; requires school district to compile and post on district website number of home-schooled children. | This bill requires the parent or guardian of a home-schooled child to submit to the superintendent of the resident school district by August 1 of each school year a letter informing the superintendent of the decision to home-school the child for that school year. The letter must include the name, date of birth, and grade level of the child, and the name of the person who will provide instruction to the child. The bill also requires a school district to annually compile and make available for public inspection on its website information concerning the number of children who reside in the district who are being home-schooled and the grade levels of those children. | In Committee |
| S4004 | Revises law on extended employment programs for persons with disabilities. | Revises law on extended employment programs for persons with disabilities. | In Committee |
| S3865 | Concerns credit inquiries for rental applications. | This bill prohibits landlords from performing, or causing to be performed, hard credit inquiries on prospective tenants who apply for low- or moderate-income housing, defined in the bill as "affordable housing applicants." Landlords may, however, perform soft credit inquiries on affordable housing applicants. Hard credit inquiries can lower an individual's credit score while soft inquiries are conducted with consent of the applicant, and are meant to have no impact on one's credit score. Landlords who violate the provisions of the bill would be subject to a penalty of not more than $100 for the first offense in a one-year period, and up to $200 more for subsequent offenses in a one-year period. This bill also requires a consumer reporting agency that receives multiple hard credit inquiries, concerning the same individual, for the purpose of rental housing applications over a one-month period, to consider those inquiries to be one hard inquiry for purposes a consumer report concerning the individual. This bill requires the Director of the Division of Housing and Community Resources in the Department of Community Affairs, within six months of the bill's enactment, to make information available on its Internet website concerning certain requirements of the bill. | In Committee |
| S2867 | Requires DOE to partner with nonprofit organization to establish central registry of individuals and organizations interested in providing supplemental tutoring support to students. | Requires DOE to partner with nonprofit organization to establish central registry of individuals and organizations interested in providing supplemental tutoring support to students. | In Committee |
| SCR128 | Urges school districts to establish concussion management teams. | This resolution urges school districts to establish concussion management teams. In 2022 the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that roughly 2.3 million children and adolescents had received a diagnosis of a concussion or brain injury in their lifetime. Concussions are one of the most commonly reported injuries in children and adolescents who participate in sports and recreational activities. Students would benefit from having access to support services to optimally function in the learning environment upon sustaining a concussion. A concussion management team is a group of school-based professionals who work together to manage a student's care after a concussion. The team may include school physicians, school nurses, school psychologists, school social workers, athletic trainers, and school administrators. A concussion management team is in the school building during the day and its members have insight into the needs of students recovering from concussions. Additionally, a concussion management team ensures that a student safely returns to classroom and sports-related activity after a brain injury and typically collaborates with the student's family and school staff to coordinate care and support throughout the recovery process. While school districts are currently required to have a written policy on the prevention and treatment of concussions and other sports-related brain injuries, the benefits of a concussion management team include having a highly trained team of professionals readily available to answer the concerns of both educators and parents and knowing that each student with a concussion has the support they need to succeed in the learning environment. There are a number of organizations that provide information on the establishment of concussion management teams, including the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey, which seeks to improve the quality of life for anyone impacted by a brain injury by providing support, advocacy, and information. Organizations like the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey can be a resource to assist school districts in developing concussion management teams. The health and safety of students must remain a priority of the State and its school districts, and the establishment of school concussion management teams would strive to advance the appropriate care of the students with concussions and other brain injuries. | In Committee |
| S4585 | Prohibits charging service fees for NJ EZ-Pass account holders. | This bill prohibits the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, the South Jersey Transportation Authority, or an entity contracted by the lead agency of the New Jersey E-ZPass Group to administer the State's electronic toll collection system (E-ZPass) from charging a service fee to an E-ZPass account holder. Under the bill, "service fee" means an additional amount added to the monthly billing statement of an electronic toll collection system account holder for the primary purpose of having enrolled in the State's electronic toll collection system and not for actual usage of the electronic toll collection system; and "lead agency of the New Jersey E-ZPass Group" means an agency, authority, or political subdivision of this State that has the authority to enter into, manage, or negotiate contracts to provide service to accounts with a New Jersey electronic toll collection system under current law. | In Committee |
| S4586 | Establishes mitigating factor for sentencing of defendants who are victims of domestic violence and provides for resentencing and trauma-informed reentry support services. | This bill revises the law related to sentencing and resentencing of certain defendants who are victims of domestic violence. The bill: (1) adds a new mitigating factor for the court to consider when determining the appropriate sentence, or when imposing a new sentence under the bill for a person who has been convicted of an offense, and who, in addition to other qualifying criteria, is a victim of domestic violence; and for whom the court finds that the domestic violence was a contributing factor in committing the crime; and (2) adds an alternate sentencing structure upon a determination that the new mitigating factor applies. Under the bill, there is no additional requirement that a domestic violence restraining order was in place at the time of the criminal behavior. New mitigating factor criteria The bill amends N.J.S.A.2C:44-1 to add a new mitigating factor: that the defendant was a victim of domestic violence subjected to physical, sexual, or psychological abuse inflicted by a member of the defendant's family or household and such abuse was a contributing factor to the defendant's criminal behavior. Court discretion and alternate sentencing The bill grants the court discretion when sentencing persons convicted of certain crimes who suffered physical, sexual, or psychological abuse inflicted by a member of the defendant's family or household as the defendant and such abuse was a contributing factor to the defendant's criminal behavior. The court, upon a determination that the new mitigating factor was present, may impose a sentence in accordance with new sentencing ranges established under the bill as follows: (1) for a crime of the fourth degree, a term of six months; (2) for a crime of the third degree, a term of up to one year but not more than three years; (3) for a crime of the second degree, a term of up to three years but not more than five years; (4) for a crime of the first degree, a term of up to five years but not more than 10 years. Resentencing The bill allows persons currently incarcerated and serving a sentence of a minimum term of eight years or more for an offense committed prior to the effective date of this act to apply for resentencing pursuant to the new sentencing range. Procedures are established for applying for resentencing, requesting the assistance of appointed counsel through the Office of the Public Defender, and notifying the prosecutor of a defendant's application. The bill provides that the application for resentencing must include corroborating evidence that the defendant was, at the time of the offense, a victim of domestic violence. If the court finds that the applicant has provided the required corroborating evidence, the court is directed to conduct a hearing to aid in the resentencing determination. Under the bill, a person may appeal an order denying resentencing, or a new sentence imposed on the grounds that the term of the new sentence is excessive, or that the term of the new sentence is unauthorized as a matter of law. The applicant may request that the court assign the applicant an attorney for the preparation of and proceedings related to any appeals regarding the application for resentencing. The attorney is to be assigned in accordance with the provisions of P.L.1967, c. 43 (C. 2A:158A-1 et seq.). Trauma-informed reentry survivor support services The bill provides that an individual sentenced, resentenced, or released under the provisions of the bill is eligible for trauma-informed reentry support services which shall include access to mental health counseling, peer recovery support, vocational training, and housing assistance. The Department of Corrections, in collaboration with the Administrative Office of the Courts and the Office of the Public Defender is directed to develop and disseminate implementation guidelines for community-based reentry programs that serve individuals sentenced, released, or resentenced under the bill. The Department of Corrections is directed to establish a grant program to assist community-based reentry programs in providing mental health service providers and expanding the pipeline of trained mental health service providers. "Community-based mental health service provider" is defined under the bill to mean a State-licensed or State-certified counselor, psychologist, social worker, or other State-licensed or State-certified mental health professional qualified under State law to provide mental health services to trauma-involved reentry survivors. In addition to providing sentencing relief, the bill recognizes the critical need for trauma-informed service centered justice through the provision of wraparound reentry services delivered by justice-impacted, trained individuals. This bill is based, in part, on the New York law known as the "Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act," signed into law on May 14, 2019, and Proposed Sentencing Reform B of the New Jersey Criminal Sentencing and Disposition Commission Report, issued in March 2023. | In Committee |
| S4587 | Requires Access Link paratransit vehicle operators to announce stops for passengers. | This bill requires an operator who is actively engaged in operating an Access Link vehicle to announce, or cause to be announced by a recording system, every scheduled stop along the vehicle's route. Under current law, only operators of transportation services along fixed route transportation systems are required to announce stops. A fixed route transportation system operates along a prescribed route according to a fixed schedule. As Access Link is a form of paratransit service, which excludes fixed route transportation services, operators of Access Link are not currently required to make such announcements. | In Committee |
| S4588 | Appropriates $3 million annually to Freedom Schools in New Jersey using funds collected under Social Equity Excise Fee. | This bill appropriates $3 million annually, from funds collected from the Social Equity Excise Fee that is assessed on cannabis, to the Department of State to support funding for Freedom Schools in New Jersey. The Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Fund is the repository of several revenues the State collects within the confines of the regulated cannabis retail program. One of the revenues, the Social Equity Excise Fee, is the particular revenue stream to which the Freedom Schools appropriation would be charged. The New Jersey Office of Faith Based Initiatives Freedom School Project support New Jersey Freedom Schools. Freedom Schools provide education and character-building support to K-12 students and their families by implementing an intensive academic summer program as well as continuous follow up, homework, and tutoring services throughout the academic school year. | In Committee |
| S4440 | Requires key boxes at public school buildings; appropriates $2.5 million. | This bill requires, by June 30th of the 2026-2027 school year, that each board of education of a school district and each board of trustees of a charter school or renaissance school project provide for the installation at each school building of at least one exterior key box that meets or exceeds Underwriters Laboratories Standard 1037. The key box is required to be installed at an appropriate location for permitting emergency responders, including law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services personnel, emergency access to the building. The board of education and board of trustees, in collaboration with emergency responders, is required to determine the precise location of the key box. The key box is required to contain: keys and other access control devices as are necessary to access each building and room located on the entire school grounds; and the most recently updated critical incident mapping data, as defined in section 1 of P.L.2019, c.106 (C.18A:41-7.1), in a printed format. The bill includes a $2,500,000 appropriation to effectuate the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| S4557 | Establishes that State police officers assigned to certain positions are not to be excluded from promotion. | This bill provides that a State law enforcement officer is not to be excluded from promotion or otherwise penalized for engaging in detachment from service or from being assigned to a confidential position. The bill defines "detachment from service" as a temporary separation of a State law enforcement officer from the officer's assigned unit for a specific purpose or duty involving assignment to a different location or unit. "Confidential position" is defined as a position that requires a State law enforcement officer to have access to sensitive information and may include involvement in positions that provide protective services to members of the Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches. Under the bill, detachment from service positions or confidential positions are to be included in the accrued time that a State law enforcement officer earns for promotional purposes. | In Committee |
| S4558 | Establishes "Planning for an Aging Population Task Force." | This bill would establish the "Planning for an Aging Population Task Force." The purpose of the task force would be to study and identify concerns related to the growth of the State's aging population, and develop and recommend a plan of action that is designed to prepare and enable the State to appropriately respond to the ongoing growth in this population and ensure that senior citizens in New Jersey continue to have sufficient access to necessary programs, services, and supports in both the near and long-term future. The Planning for an Aging Population Task Force will consist of 23 members, including 16 ex officio members or their designees, and seven public members, each of whom will have experience and expertise in issues related to aging. The task force may meet and hold hearings at the times and places it may designate, but will be required to hold at least one hearing in each of the northern, central, and southern regions of the State. The Planning for an Aging Population Task Force will have the duty to: 1) Analyze population data, demographic data, and other appropriate data points for New Jersey to: identify the current number, percentage, location, and density of senior citizens residing in the State, and estimate the extent to which the senior citizen population in New Jersey will grow or otherwise change in the near to long-term future; 2) Identify, and compile an inventory of, existing State, local, and non-profit resources, programs, and services that are available to senior citizens in the State; 3) Analyze the nature and severity of illnesses or conditions commonly suffered by senior citizens in the State, and evaluate the State's capacity to timely and humanely provide physical and mental health care, including home health care, and other necessary services to a growing population of senior citizens suffering from such ailments; 4) Consult with, and solicit and review information and data maintained by, the Department of Labor and the Department of Community Affairs, as may be necessary to identify the potential impacts on the State's labor and housing markets that may result from the ongoing growth of the State's aging population. The Departments of Labor and Community Affairs shall provide the task force with any information or data requested thereby for the purposes of this paragraph; 5) Solicit and receive testimony from senior citizens and the caregivers of senior citizens, from health care professionals and other service providers, and from representatives of relevant organizations, associations, and executive departments, on topics related to aging; and 6) Develop and propose a Statewide plan of action that will enable the State to proactively address the problems and concerns identified by the task force and be better prepared to effectively, efficiently, and humanely serve the growing aging population in New Jersey in both the near and long-term future. Not later than 18 months after the task force is organized, it will be required to prepare and submit to the Governor and the Legislature: 1) a written report of its findings and recommendations relating to the growth of the aging population in the State and the problems that may result from this growing population; and 2) a copy of the Statewide plan of action that has been proposed by the task force. The task force will dissolve on the 30th day following the submission of the written report and proposed plan of action. | In Committee |
| S4552 | Establishes Rent Control Enforcement Unit in DCA; authorizes residential tenant to petition for review of alleged violation of local rent restriction. | This bill establishes a Rent Control Enforcement Unit (RCEU) in the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), and authorizes a residential tenant to petition the RCEU to investigate and modify a rent increase, or proposed rent increase, that the tenant believes is in violation of a local rent restriction. As used in the bill, a "local rent restriction" refers to an ordinance, rule, or regulation adopted by the governing body of a municipality, or administrative entity thereof, that limits rent increases on residential tenants. A "local rent restriction" also includes, but is not limited to, a rent increase limit on low- or moderate-income housing established by an administrative agent in compliance with the "Fair Housing Act," P.L.1985, c.222 (C.52:27D-301 et al.). The bill authorizes the RCEU to require a residential tenant to exhaust other avenues for an administrative challenge, made available by the municipality or administrative entity thereof that administers the local rent restriction, before the tenant petitions the RCEU. The bill provides that the director of the RCEU is to be appointed by the Commissioner of Community Affairs (commissioner), to serve at the pleasure of the commissioner. The bill directs the RCEU to receive petitions to investigate violations of local rent restrictions, initiated by tenants, and enforce penalties as appropriate. A penalty enforced by the RCEU for a violation of a local rent restriction may consist of any combination of:· a mandatory rent reduction to an amount as low as the lowest rental rate charged for previous year;· a penalty in an amount of up to four months of rental payments, to be retained by the department to provide for continued enforcement of the bill; or· authorization for the tenant to prematurely terminate the lease. The bill requires the RCEU to provide and administer a dedicated helpline, and a portal on the department's Internet website, to provide assistance to tenants and permit the reporting of violations of local rent restrictions. The bill establishes a nonlapsing fund for penalties retained by the department, and appropriates $3 million from the General Fund to the fund to defray the costs associated with establishing the RCEU. The bill specifies that the Legislature is to annually appropriate the funding necessary for the purposes of the bill to the RCEU, when taking into account the amounts anticipated to be annually collected in penalties. The bill directs the commissioner to adopt rules and regulations necessary to effectuate the purposes of the bill on or before the first day of the fifth month following enactment of the bill. The bill takes effect on the first day of the fifth month following enactment, except that the commissioner is to take such anticipatory actions as are necessary to comply with the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| S4555 | Requires Medicaid coverage for assisted living services for individuals with serious mental illnesses. | This bill requires the State Medicaid program to cover assisted living services for individuals diagnosed with a serious mental illness who do not require assistance with activities of daily living, but who demonstrate the inability to perform the instrumental activities of daily living necessary for independent living, as determined by a licensed mental health professional. The bill defines "activities of daily living" (ADLs) to mean those activities related to basic self-care, whether done independently or with supervision or assistance, such as bathing, dressing, feeding, or walking. "Instrumental activities of daily living" (IADLs) are activities, whether performed independently or with supervision or assistance, that enable an individual to live independently. IADLs typically require more complex organizational and cognitive skills than ADLs and include, but are not limited to, managing medications, following a prescribed medical or mental health treatment plan, managing personal finances, and cleaning personal living spaces. The Commissioner of Human Services will establish a functional assessment process by which a licensed mental health professional will determine whether an individual with a serious mental illness meets the criteria for assisted living services under the bill. The factors to be considered as part of this assessment include the individual's medical records, psychiatric history, functional evaluations, and input from treating physicians, mental health professionals, and family members. The commissioner will apply for any Medicaid State plan amendments or waivers necessary to implement the provisions under the bill and secure federal financial participation for State Medicaid expenditures under the federal Medicaid program. The provisions of the bill will become effective on the first day of the sixth month following the date of enactment. | In Committee |
| S3429 | Expands eligibility requirements of State's child care assistance program to include full-time graduate and post-graduate students. | Expands eligibility requirements of State's child care assistance program to include full-time graduate and post-graduate students. | In Committee |
| S3689 | Allows certain limited liability companies to terminate alternate names before end of five-year registration period. | Allows certain limited liability companies to terminate alternate names before end of five-year registration period. | In Committee |
| SCR114 | Urges Congress to enact "Find It Early Act." | Urges Congress to enact "Find It Early Act." | In Committee |
| S1277 | Establishes centralized directory for affordable housing, and housing for senior citizens and veterans. | Establishes centralized directory for affordable housing, and housing for senior citizens and veterans. | Passed |
| S3317 | Allows each county to create central registry and provide emergency supply kits to distribute to senior residents during emergencies. | Allows each county to create central registry and provide emergency supply kits to distribute to senior residents during emergencies. | In Committee |
| S4540 | Concerns licensure of persons in New Jersey who provide professional barbering services in another state or foreign country. | This bill provides that persons who, prior to moving to New Jersey, rendered barbering services in another state or foreign country that does not issue licenses to provide barbering services, may qualify for a provisional permit under the three-year pilot program, which was established in P.L.2019, c.20 (C.45:5B-28) and is extended for an additional three years. The pilot program is applicable to a pilot city, which is defined to mean Elizabeth, Passaic, Paterson, and Perth Amboy. Under the bill, a provisional permit issued under the pilot program is to be valid for a period of 120 days and is subject to an extension if the applicant continues to meet the criteria of the pilot program and the application for issuance of a license remains pending. Under current law, the three-year pilot program applies only to those persons who possess a license to render barbering services in another state or foreign country and who meet certain other criteria. | In Committee |
| S4538 | Requires certain school districts to hold annual, multi-day program on bullying prevention and intervention. | This bill requires a school district that includes any of the grades four through 12 to annually hold a multi-day program to provide students with age-appropriate educational sessions focused on bullying prevention and intervention. The program is to take place over three to five days and is to provide informational sessions on certain listed topics related to bullying prevention and intervention. All students are required to attend each educational session appropriate for the student's age and grade level. The district is also required to provide educational sessions for school staff focused on bullying prevention and intervention as part of the multi-day program. The bill permits a district to contract with a third-party organization that is recognized as having expertise in bullying prevention and intervention to facilitate the district's development and administration of the program. The bill permits the Commissioner of Education to withhold all or part of a school district's State aid for failure to comply with the provisions of the bill. Under the bill, in the event that the resources necessary to develop and administer the program are not available within the district, the district is permitted to apply to the Department of Education for a grant from the "Bullying Prevention Fund." | In Committee |
| S4541 | Prohibits residential landlord from imposing certain surcharges for rent payments. | This bill prohibits a landlord from imposing certain surcharges on a tenant for an online rent payment method. While section 2 of P.L.2019, c.300 (C.46:8-49.1) currently prohibits a landlord from requiring a tenant or prospective tenant to remit rent due by means of electronic funds transfer, a landlord has discretion to impose certain surcharges on payment by means of electronic funds transfer for an online payment method. Specifically, this bill prohibits a landlord from imposing, passing through, or accepting, whether directly, indirectly, or implicitly through a third-party online rent payment method, a surcharge or other similar cost that exceeds five dollars per monthly rental payment for an online rent payment method (prohibited surcharge). The bill requires that if a third-party online rent payment method utilized by the landlord requires a prohibited surcharge, the landlord is to assume and be responsible for the full cost of the prohibited surcharge or reimburse the tenant. Further, the bill requires that if the landlord uses a third-party online rent payment method that requires a prohibited surcharge, the landlord is to provide to the tenant a document that itemizes all related charges and demonstrates that the landlord assumed the costs of all online rent payment surcharges, as defined in the bill, exceeding five dollars, or that the landlord reimbursed the tenant for the costs of all online rent payment surcharges exceeding five dollars within 10 days of the date of payment by the tenant. The bill requires that the landlord provide an attestation with a receipt, required following all rent payments provided by a tenant, as described in the bill, in which the landlord affirms, under the penalty of perjury, the veracity of the receipt and compliance with certain provisions of the bill. A violation of the bill constitutes an unlawful practice pursuant to the New Jersey consumer fraud act, P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.), and subjects a landlord to the to the penalty provisions of section 5 of P.L.1975, c.310 (C.46:8-47), which the bill increases to $1,000 from $100 to reflect the increase in the average price of rent for residential rental units in New Jersey since the penalty provisions' enactment in 1975. The bill also provides a private cause of action for a tenant whose landlord has violated the requirements of the bill, and specifies that a tenant is to recover the $1,000, in addition to reasonable attorney's fees, court costs, expenses for expert witnesses, and other related fees and expenses incurred in proving a violation of P.L.1975, c.310 (C.46:8-43 et seq.). The bill also authorizes the tenant to recover an amount equal to the surcharge or other similar cost that exceeds five dollars per monthly rental payment, wrongfully charged to a tenant. The bill would take effect on the first day of the third month next following enactment and apply to any surcharge or other similar cost for an online rent payment method that is charged to a tenant on or after the effective date. | In Committee |
| S4539 | Requires Superintendent of State Police to implement policy to diversify State Police Academy civilian instructors and contractors. | This bill requires the Division of State Police to develop a policy to diversify civilian instructor employment at the State Police Academy. Under the provisions of the bill, the Superintendent of State Police is required to create and implement a policy that seeks to recruit and prioritize the selection of women and minorities to serve as civilian instructors and contractors at the State Police Academy in order to diversify the instruction received by State Police recruits. The superintendent is required to review the policy annually, and update it as necessary, to effectuate the purposes of the bill. The bill requires the superintendent to submit an annual report to the Attorney General and the Legislature which is required to include: (1) the age, gender, race, and ethnicity of each civilian instructor or contractor employed or otherwise compensated by the Division of State Police to provide recruit instruction at the State Police Academy; and (2) a summary of the annual review of the policy conducted pursuant to the bill which details any updates to the policy. | In Committee |
| S4401 | Establishes Alternative Responses to Reduce Instances of Violence and Escalation (ARRIVE) Together Program. | This bill codifies in permanent law the ARRIVE Together Crisis Response Pilot Program established pursuant to P.L.2022, c.36. The bill establishes the Alternative Responses to Reduce Instances of Violence and Escalation (ARRIVE) Together Program in the Department of Law and Public Safety (DLPS). The bill requires the Attorney General (AG) to issue guidelines for a mental health services provider or mental health services agency to contract with a law enforcement agency to respond to a request for assistance involving a person alleged, reported or suspected to be experiencing a mental health crisis or substance use crisis. The bill permits an eligible police force to participate in the ARRIVE Together Program, including the Division of State Police, a county police department or force established pursuant to N.J.S.40A:14-106, a municipal police department or force established pursuant to N.J.S.40A:14-118, or any other police department or force the AG deems appropriate. Under the bill, a law enforcement agency that chooses to participate in the ARRIVE Together Program is required to designate at least one person as the crisis response support coordinator to develop and implement the agency's procedures to comply with AG's guidance. The bill also requires the county prosecutors to designate a county crisis response support coordinator to develop and implement county level guidance issued by the AG and to provide documentation or information to the AG as necessary. The bill also provides certain protections for personal identifying information. In the bill, "personal identifying information" is defined as information pertaining to the assessment, diagnosis, treatment or health status of an individual, including but not limited to an individual's name or identity; whether the individual is the subject of an emergency call or other report; whether the individual is alleged or suspected to be experiencing a mental health crisis or substance use crisis or other emergency, incident or distress; and whether the individual is receiving an assessment for crisis intervention, a mental health screening, or other support services through the ARRIVE Together Program. Under the bill, personal identifying information is confidential and is not to be disclosed except upon express consent of the individual subject to an ARRIVE Together response, as determined necessary by the AG to implement the provisions of the bill, or as otherwise required by court or by law. Information and records created by a law enforcement agency solely as a result of the ARRIVE Together Program or maintained by the DLPS for the ARRIVE Together Program are also confidential and exempt from the open public records act, P.L.1963, c.73 (C.47:1A-1 et seq.), under the bill. Finally, the bill supplements the Good Samaritan Act, P.L.1963, c.140 (C.2A:62A-1 et seq.), by providing that a licensed mental health services provider or mental health services agency contracted to provide crisis response services for the ARRIVE Together Program or a substantially similar program would not be liable for any civil damages resulting from any acts or omissions taken in good faith. | In Committee |
| SJR151 | Designates July 30 of each year as "Brian Sicknick Day" in New Jersey. | This joint resolution designates July 30 of each year as "Brian Sicknick Day" in New Jersey. On January 6, 2021, Officer Brian Sicknick was called upon to protect the United States Capitol. Officer Sicknick, who had served with the United States Capitol Police for more than 12 years, lost his life in the line of duty as a direct result of courageously defending Congress and the Capitol. Officer Sicknick was born on July 30, 1978 in New Brunswick, New Jersey. His life can best be described as dedicated to public service. Officer Sicknick joined the United States Capitol Police in July of 2008 and on his most recent assignment he served on the First Responders Unit. During his career, Officer Sicknick became a member of the mountain bike unit. His duties included patrolling the grounds and protecting those he was sworn to serve, as well as the public at large that visited the Capitol on a daily basis. It is altogether fitting and proper to designate July 30 of each year as "Brian Sicknick Day" in New Jersey to recognize Officer Brian Sicknick who lost his life protecting the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. | In Committee |
| S4497 | Imposes restrictions on the use of expunged records. | This bill imposes restrictions on background check providers, increases penalties for the wrongful dissemination of expunged records, and imposes duties on professional boards concerning expunged records. Under current law, N.J.S.A.2C:52-30, the wrongful disclosure of an expunged record is a disorderly persons offense. A disorderly persons offense is ordinarily punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. However, N.J.S.A.2C:52-30 currently limits the fine to $200. Under the bill, a private background check provider is required to ensure that it only reports on information received from the State Bureau of Investigation of the State Police, or the Judiciary, within the last 30 days, promptly delete an expunged record that it knows to be expunged, and provide for a free means by which an individual may request a correction to their background check, including the deletion of an expunged record within 30 days of the request. In addition, the bill eliminates the $200 limit on fines and further provides individuals who are the subject of a wrongfully disclosed expunged records with a civil right of action. The bill also requires the State Police and the Judiciary to adopt rules or regulations to ensure that persons or entities who regularly access criminal history records, which includes but is not limited to private background check providers, comply with N.J.S.A.2C:52-30 concerning the non-disclosure of expunged records. Finally, the bill provides that if a professional licensing board in the Division of Consumer Affairs suspends or revokes a license due to a criminal conviction, and that conviction is later expunged, the professional licensing board is required to redact or seal any reference to the expunged conviction in its records of suspension or revocation; however, the fact of suspension or revocation itself is not expunged. This requirement under the bill is intended to mitigate the effects E.A. v. Real Estate Comm'n., 208 N.J. Super. 65 (App. Div. 1986), concerning licensing records that contain references to expunged convictions. | In Committee |
| S4498 | Establishes Department of State Police. | This bill would establish the New Jersey State Police as the Department of State Police, a distinct department of the Executive Branch of State government. The Division of State Police would no longer be a division of the Department of Law and Public Safety. All functions, powers, and duties of the current division would be transferred to the department pursuant to the "State Agency Transfer Act," P.L.1971, c.375 (C.52:14D-1 et seq.). This bill would ensure that the tenure, retirement, and other rights of employees of this division are maintained and protected. The functions, powers, and duties of the Superintendent of State Police would be transferred to the Commissioner of State Police, who would head the new department. Upon enactment of the bill, the person serving in the capacity of superintendent would assume the position of Commissioner of State Police. Under this bill, the Commissioner of State Police would report directly to the Governor. The Attorney General would no longer exercise supervisory authority over State Police operations. | In Committee |
| S4422 | Requires automatic issuance of credential to provide services in carrier provider network for physicians in good standing in New Jersey. | This bill requires approval of an application submitted for credentialing so a physician can participate in a carrier's provider network if the application demonstrates that the license of the physician issued by the State Board of Medical Examiners in New Jersey is in good standing. This also includes applications for the renewal of a credential. This is intended to streamline the credentialing process for physicians licensed in the State. | In Committee |
| SJR164 | Designates March 17 of each year as "Profound Autism Day." | This joint resolution designates March 17 of each year as "Profound Autism Day." The definition of autism has evolved over time, creating an increasingly heterogeneous spectrum. While the entire spectrum deserves recognition and support, profound autism is a term intended to provide clarification about the autistic people who require care from an adult caregiver throughout their lives, 24 hours a day and seven days a week. People with profound autism can have a severe intellectual disability or have minimal or no language. They are frequently excluded from research and support programs because of their unique needs. The federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released its first prevalence study on profound autism in April 2023. The research concluded that the percentage of 8-year-old children with profound autism among those with autism in the United States was 26.7 percent. The CDC study also found that, compared with children with non-profound autism, children with profound autism were more likely to be female, from racial and ethnic minority groups, of low socioeconomic status, born preterm or with low birth weight, and have self-injurious behaviors, seizure disorders, and lower adaptive scores. | In Committee |
| S4453 | "New Jersey Rent-to-Own Rights Protection Act"; protects tenant-buyers in residential rent-to-own agreements. | This bill establishes the "New Jersey Rent-to-Own Rights Protection Act" for the purpose of protecting tenant-buyers in residential rent-to-own agreements. The bill defines a "rent-to-own agreement" as a lease agreement for residential real property, between a landlord-buyer and tenant-seller, that includes an option or obligation to purchase the property through installments throughout the lease term or at a later date. The bill requires a rent-to-own agreement to be in writing, to be signed by the landlord-seller and tenant-buyer, and to contain a statement of all terms, including:· the total purchase price of the property;· the duration of the lease term before purchase;· the amount of the option fee and whether it is refundable;· the portion of rent payments, if any, credited toward the purchase price;· the party responsible for property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and utility payments;· the conditions under which the tenant-buyer may forfeit the right to purchase; · the rights of the heirs of the tenant-buyer in the event of the tenant-buyer's death or incapacity; and· any other information that the Commissioner of Community Affairs (commissioner) determines necessary to effectuate the purposes of the bill, and that is in the public interest. The bill provides a tenant-buyer with a right to obtain an independent property inspection before signing a rent-to-own agreement and, if the agreement provides an option to purchase at a later date, prior to the tenant-buyer exercising that option. The landlord-seller is also to provide the tenant-buyer with:· a signed property condition disclosure statement, as provided for in section 1 of P.L.1999, c.76 (C.56:8-19.1);· a full accounting of how payments will be applied toward ownership;· a notice of any existing liens or legal claims on the property;· proof of the receipt of a certificate of occupancy for the property, obtained no more than six months prior to entrance into the agreement; and · any other information that the commissioner determines necessary to effectuate the purposes of the bill, and that is in the public interest. The bill provides that a tenant-buyer is not to be required to forfeit payments made toward the purchase price unless the tenant-buyer has defaulted on the agreement after reasonable notice of at least 30 days and an opportunity to cure the default. The bill provides a tenant-buyer with a right to record a rent-to-own agreement with the county recording office, and permits the county recording officer to charge a fee for the recording not to exceed the greater of $1 per page or the actual costs to complete the recording. The bill prohibits a landlord-seller from engaging in certain fraudulent or deceptive conduct, which materially relates to the condition of a property, the terms of the rent-to-own agreement, or the ability, as permitted by the agreement, for the tenant-buyer to obtain financing towards the purchase of the property. The bill prohibits a rent-to-own agreement from containing any waiver of the tenant-buyer's rights as established by the bill, or any other applicable law. Further, the bill prohibits a property owner from entering a rent-to-own agreement if the property is in default on mortgage or property tax payment obligations. The bill prohibits the rights of a tenant-buyer in a rent-to-own agreement from being impaired by the sale of a property by a landlord-seller to a third party, or other form of disposition of the property from the landlord seller. The bill prohibits a landlord-seller from entering a rent-to-own agreement without a homeowner's insurance policy. If compensation is owed to the property owner as a result of eminent domain or an insurance payment, the payment is to be divided between the landlord-seller and tenant-buyer, unless used to reconstruct damage to the property for the tenant-buyer's continued use. The percentage of the value of the property that is represented by the equitable interest, as defined in the bill, is to be paid directly to the tenant-buyer. The bill also prohibits a rent-to-own agreement from impairing the implied warranty of habitability. A violation of the provisions of the bill is to constitute an unlawful practice under the New Jersey consumer fraud act (CFA), and subject to all applicable penalties set forth in the CFA. The bill permits a tenant-buyer who has been harmed by a violation of the bill to initiate a civil action for actual damages, statutory damages of $10,000, attorneys' fees, costs for expert witnesses, other costs incurred in proving a violation of the bill, and injunctive relief. The bill also provides the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety (director) with enforcement authority to investigate violations and impose penalties. The bill provides the Commissioner of Community Affairs with authority, in consultation with the director, to adopt rules and regulations to effectuate the provisions of the bill. The bill is to take effect on the first day of the fourth month following enactment. | In Committee |
| S4441 | Requires State Police to establish community policing unit. | This bill requires the Superintendent of State Police to establish a community policing unit within the Division of State Police. The purpose of the unit would be to promote trust and transparency between the State Police and members of the communities in which they serve. The unit's responsibilities would include, but not be limited to: (1) developing and implementing strategies to increase community engagement by working with other State agencies, community groups, elected officials, the private sector, and local law enforcement agencies to address quality of life and crime issues identified by the residents within the area of each State Trooper road station; (2) establishing community engagement practices for the purpose of increasing gender, racial, and ethnic diversity in State Police recruitment; (3) developing a community policing training curriculum to be administered biennially to each State trooper for the purpose of increasing awareness and understanding of inclusive communities within the State; and (4) developing guidelines that establish a mandatory minimum number of hours of participation in community engagement activities on an annual basis for each State Trooper. The bill requires the superintendent to issue a report annually to the Attorney General and the Legislature which includes a summary of the unit's activities. | In Committee |
| S4438 | Permits waiver of juvenile regardless of age under certain circumstances; makes juveniles eligible for waiver for terrorism and human trafficking. | This bill permits the waiver of juveniles regardless of age under certain circumstances and makes juveniles eligible for waiver for terrorism and human trafficking. Under current law, juveniles 15 years of age and older at the time of the alleged delinquent act who are charged with certain offenses, such as criminal homicide, other than death by auto; first degree robbery; carjacking; and aggravated sexual assault, are eligible to be waived to adult criminal court. Under the provisions of this bill, these juveniles also would be eligible to be waived to adult criminal court for terrorism or human trafficking. The bill further provides that a juvenile, regardless of age, who is charged with terrorism, human trafficking, or certain other offenses, as set forth under current law, is eligible to be waived to adult criminal court if the circumstances and severity of the offense warrant waiver. | In Committee |
| S4443 | Ensures persons interested in filling certain vacancies in nominations for public office have access to certain information and to legal representation throughout selection process. | This bill makes changes to the process for filling vacancies in the nominations of political parties for candidates for public office. The bill allows qualified persons to submit their names for consideration to fill the vacancy, and ensures that all qualified persons who have notified the appropriate political committee or committees of their interest in being selected as a candidate for the nomination for which there is a vacancy will be permitted to seek and retain legal representation throughout the selection process. The bill also extends the timeframe for municipal clerks to certify to their respective county clerks an official list of the duly elected county committee members and an official list of the municipal committee chairs from 20 days after the meeting of each county committee that is held on the first Tuesday following the primary election at which committee members are elected. Under the bill, the municipal clerks will have 45 days following the meeting to certify the official list to the county clerk. This list is considered a government record accessible to the public, and this bill would require that the list include accurate email addresses and phone numbers for all committee members. The bill further requires that the list will be posted on the committee's Internet website and that it be provided to any person who has notified the committee of their interest in being selected as a candidate for a vacancy in a nomination for public office upon the committee's receipt of such notification. The bill also requires that a final and complete list of qualified members be provided to each person who has notified the committee of their interest in being selected as a candidate not later than seven days prior to the committee's vote to fill a vacancy. Any person being considered for selection as a candidate may object to the qualifications of any member appearing on the final list, to the extent permissible and in accordance with the applicable procedures, as established by the committee's bylaws. The bill provides that the meeting held to select a candidate to fill a vacancy in a nomination for public office will be held in accordance with rules for conducting such a meeting as established by the committee's bylaws, and requires that such rules be provided to any person who has notified the committee of their interest in being selected to fill the vacancy not later than 24 hours prior to the vote. Under current law, the rules for conducting such vote to fill a vacancy may be proposed by the chair of the meeting, at the meeting to fill the vacancy. Finally, the bill provides that the conduct of all contested votes to select a candidate for nomination will be held in accordance with ethical standards that ensure the integrity of the nomination process, as provided by the committee bylaws. | In Committee |
| S4482 | Prohibits electric generation service and gas supply service rates from exceeding basic generation service and basic gas supply service rates. | This bill requires electric power suppliers and gas suppliers to charge residential customers no more than the price of basic generation service or basic gas supply service. The Board of Public Utilities (board) approved an increase in electricity rates, which will become effective in June 2025. According to the board, this increase will raise electricity bills by approximately 17 to 20 percent, depending on a ratepayer's electric public utility. Electricity and gas are not luxuries; they are essential services powering homes, schools, medical devices, and transportation. As the cost of living continues to rise and many wages stagnate, New Jersey residents need protection from utility rate increases, which exacerbate the effects of inflation on consumers. This bill aims to safeguard ratepayers by implementing regulatory measures that promote fairness and transparency in pricing. It is the sponsor's intent to prevent excessive rate hikes and unfair or deceptive practices by electric power suppliers and gas suppliers by capping rates charged to residential consumers at the price of basic generation service. This measure is intended to address economic hardships and promote fair electric generation service and gas supply service pricing. New Jersey families, individuals, and businesses deserve reliable, affordable energy without facing undue financial strain. | In Committee |
| S4478 | Requires electric public utilities and gas public utilities to implement or maintain public utility warranty programs that cover full cost to repair or replace covered appliances. | This bill requires electric public utilities and gas public utilities to implement or maintain public utility warranty programs that cover the full cost to repair or replace covered appliances. Under the bill, a "covered appliance" includes, but is not limited to: furnaces, water heaters, HVAC systems, refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, grills, gas fireplaces, and space heaters. The bill also requires electric public utilities and gas public utilities to advertise their public utility warranty program in a bill insert to its customers every billing cycle for one year following the effective date of the bill. | In Committee |
| S4404 | Reinstates automatic COLAs for retirement benefits of certain PFRS members. | This bill reinstates automatic cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for annual pension, ordinary disability pension, or accidental disability pension retirement benefits for certain members of the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). Provisions contained in P.L.2011, c.78 (C.43:3C-16 et al.), signed into law on June 28, 2011, had suspended the automatic annual adjustment for current and future retirees and beneficiaries of PFRS and other State-administered retirement systems until those systems reach a target funded ratio. Decades of underfunding those systems by the State had placed the systems in precarious financial conditions. Although this bill does not reinstate COLAs for other retirees, it serves as the first step in reinstating COLAs for all retirees of the State-administered retirement systems. Through the prioritization of PFRS, the State will begin this process with retired first responders, police and firefighters, to provide them greater financial security and stability at a time when inflation has significantly eroded the value of their retirement benefit payments, which are already based on the lower salaries of years ago. To that end, the bill includes restrictions intended to limit costs and focus on segments among PFRS retirees expected to be most in need of an immediate benefit. Under the bill, members of PFRS will receive automatic COLAs for annual pension, ordinary disability pension, and accidental disability pension benefits if the member has been retired and receiving retirement benefits for a minimum of ten years. Longer-term retirees generally will have lower pension benefits and be less able to obtain employment to offset the erosion of their benefits. Members of PFRS who are hired more than 30 days following the effective date of this act will not be considered eligible to receive these automatic COLAs. Additionally, members who are enrolled in deferred retirement will not be considered eligible for these automatic COLAs, nor will members who retired with 20 or more years of service but less than 25 years of service. The COLAs will only apply to future pension benefit payments. The bill does not provide for retroactive COLAs. The adjustment in eligible members' pension benefits will be calculated based on an amount up to $75,000 of a retiree's benefit for the first year following the enactment of this bill. Eligible members receiving up to $75,000 of pension benefits will receive a COLA tied to the CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers. This will ensure that greater initial benefits will be provided to those likely to be most in need. The adjustment in eligible member's pension benefits will be limited to one percent if the member receives more than $75,000 in benefits for the first year following the enactment of the bill. After the first calendar year following the enactment of the bill, the $75,000 threshold will be adjusted annually according to the CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, except that the adjustment will be calculated at a rate not to exceed three percent. The bill also grants the cost-of-living adjustment to the monthly pension or survivorship benefit of a surviving spouse, child, or beneficiary that is provided by PFRS. Under the bill, if the Board of Trustees of PFRS fails to comply with the provisions of this bill within six months following the effective date, then the State Treasurer will be responsible for implementing the cost-of-living adjustments. The bill requires the Legislature to appropriate monies from the General Fund as necessary to effectuate the cost-of-living adjustments established under the bill that are sufficient to cover both State and local expenses, and to reimburse each PFRS local employer for the full cost incurred. The bill further provides that this appropriation will take precedence over any additional funding added to the annual State budget by the Legislature through non-emergency supplemental appropriations, resolutions or other changes to the Governor's budget message. | In Committee |
| S4442 | Requires that warning notices regarding certain health risks of alcohol consumption be reviewed and updated. | This bill requires the Commissioner of the Department of Health to update the warning notice regarding the adverse effects of alcohol consumption during pregnancy within six months of the effective date of this bill, and at least every five years thereafter, to reflect the most recent information available concerning the health risks of alcohol consumption, including the consequences of prenatal alcohol exposure and the link between alcohol consumption and certain cancers. Under current law, all Class C (retail sales) and club alcoholic beverage license holders, except for plenary retail transit license holders, are to prominently post warnings prepared by the Department of Health about the adverse effects of alcohol consumption during pregnancy in service areas and certain restrooms on their premises. The warning notice is intended to warn patrons regarding the health risks associated with the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. This bill requires the commissioner to update the warning notice in consultation with appropriate medical and scientific experts, appropriate professional organizations, and advocacy groups. According to the sponsor, the current warning notice regarding the health dangers of alcohol consumption has not been updated in over a decade. In that time, scientific and medical understanding has increased substantially. The sponsor provides that it is in the public's best interest to have up-to-date information on health and safety issues. | In Committee |
| S4435 | Establishes luggage donation program for children in resource family care in DCF. | This bill requires the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to establish a luggage donation program to which a person can donate luggage in order for a child in resource family care to transport the child's personal belongings when the child: (1) enters resource family care; (2) is removed from one resource family home and placed into another; (3) moves to attend college; or (4) ages out of resource family care. As defined in the bill, "child" mean any person 21 years of age or under who has been placed in resource family care by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency, and "luggage" means a new or slightly used, durable suitcase, duffle bag, backpack, or similar portable case that is designed to hold a person's clothing and personal articles. The DCF is to contract with community-based, faith-based, and non-profit organizations providing services to children in, or aging out of, resource family care to accept, store, and distribute luggage deemed necessary for a child in resource family care, pursuant to the provisions of the bill, and the contract is to delineate the policies and procedures that will be used to accept, store, and distribute the luggage donated to the program. The luggage accepted, stored, and distributed by the program to children in resource family care is to be clean, in good condition, and the personal belongings of the person donating the luggage must be removed prior to donation. The DCF is to submit an annual report to the Governor and to the Legislature on the effectiveness of providing luggage to children in resource family care through the luggage donation program. | In Committee |
| SJR163 | Designates April 11 of each year as "Black Doula Day." | This joint resolution designates April 11 of each year as "Black Doula Day" in New Jersey to coincide with Global Black Doula Day. Doulas are professionals who provide continuous physical, emotional and informational support to a mother before, during, and after childbirth. Doula care is expanding field found across all 50 states and 50 countries globally. Doula care can improve birth-related outcomes including lowering the rate of cesarean sections, low birth weights and premature labor, and decrease epidural use. New Jersey was the 3rd state to cover doula care under Medicaid, however ranks 25th in maternal mortality with Black mothers being more than seven times more likely to die from maternity-related complications than white mothers. | In Committee |
| S4418 | Establishes 60-day special enrollment period to initiate when provider in carrier's network of providers is leaving carrier's network. | This bill requires a special enrollment period to be initiated if a provider in a carrier's network of providers is to become out-of-network. Under the bill, the special enrollment period is to begin 60 days prior to the expiration of the contract between the carrier and the provider in the carrier's network of providers. Notice of the special enrollment period is to be issued to insured individuals of a carrier in a form and manner as determined by the Department of Banking and Insurance. | In Committee |
| S4445 | Requires DOH to establish public awareness campaign and develop policies and procedures to promote recognition and treatment of perinatal anxiety. | This bill provides for increased public education and patient screening in relation to the perinatal mood disorder known as perinatal anxiety. The bill directs the Commissioner of Health (commissioner), in conjunction with the Board of Medical Examiners and the Board of Nursing, to work with health care facilities and licensed health care professionals in the State to develop policies and procedures to effectuate the following requirements: Physicians, nurse midwives, and other licensed health care professionals who provide prenatal care will be required to provide prenatal patients and their family members with complete information about perinatal anxiety, including the symptoms of the disorder, methods for coping with the disorder, and a list of available treatment resources, and would additionally be required to screen prenatal patients for perinatal anxiety at least once during each trimester of pregnancy; All birthing facilities will be required to provide departing new mothers and fathers, and, as appropriate, other family members, with complete information about perinatal anxiety, including the symptoms of the disorder, methods for coping with the disorder, and a list of available treatment resources; Physicians, nurse midwives, and other licensed health care professionals who provide postnatal care will be required to screen new mothers for perinatal anxiety prior to the mother's discharge from the birthing facility, and again at the first few postnatal check-up visits; and Physicians, nurse midwives, and other licensed health care professionals who provide prenatal or postnatal care will be required to include fathers and other family members, as appropriate, in both the education and treatment processes. Screening would be accomplished either through the use of the Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS) - a recently developed screening test that has been recognized for its ability to correctly identify women with anxiety disorders, and recommended for use by medical professionals in the screening of pregnant women and new mothers for perinatal anxiety - or through the use of another scale or test that has been approved by the commissioner for such screening purposes. Provided there are sufficient funds available, the bill would additionally require the commissioner to develop a public awareness campaign that is designed to inform the general public about the nature and causes of perinatal anxiety and its health implications, including the symptoms of the disorder, methods of coping with the disorder, and the most effective means of treatment. | In Committee |
| S3864 | Allows certain individuals eligible for family support services to set aside unused agency-after school care service hours for use during holiday and weekend hours. | Allows certain individuals eligible for family support services to set aside unused agency-after school care service hours for use during holiday and weekend hours. | In Committee |
| S3600 | Establishes mediation process for school ethics complaints. | This bill establishes a mediation process for school ethics complaints. Under the bill, the School Ethics Commission is required to provide an opportunity for a complainant and any school official named in the complaint to engage in mediation to determine whether the complaint may be dismissed without further proceedings. If the complainant and any school official named in the complaint agree to mediation, the commission is required to assign a mediator to conduct a mediation conference. Prior to commencement of the mediation conference, the mediator is to require the complainant and any school official named in the complaint to sign a confidentiality pledge to ensure that discussions that occur during the mediation remain confidential. If the mediation results in the complainant dismissing the complaint, the complainant and any school official named in the complaint are required to sign a written agreement that memorializes the dismissal of the complaint. However, if the complainant does not dismiss the complaint after the mediation conference, the commission is required to follow the current procedure established by law to determine whether a school official has violated the "School Ethics Act," or a school board member has violated the Code of Ethics for School Board Members. | In Committee |
| S3159 | Establishes consumer-facing portal for elevator maintenance for owners of certain buildings to provide information on elevator servicer; requires certain signage; requires DCA to establish senior housing elevator maintenance loan program. | This bill would require the Department of Community Affairs to establish and maintain a database of elevators and elevator inspections, including elevator identification numbers. It would also require owners of R-2 occupancies, including apartment buildings, to post signage at each door to and inside of an elevator with the information of the elevator servicer. An R-2 occupancy building owner who fails to post such signage would be subject to a fine of $100 for the first offense, $500 for the second offense, and $1,000 for any subsequent offense. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Community Affairs to establish and maintain a loan program for owners of senior housing to perform maintenance on elevators. The bill would take effect on the first day of the seventh month next following enactment. | In Committee |
| S2881 | Authorizes school districts to establish electric vehicle certification programs. | Authorizes school districts to establish electric vehicle certification programs. | In Committee |
| S2818 | "Fentanyl and Xylazine Poisoning Awareness Act"; requires school districts to provide instruction on dangers of fentanyl and xylazine. | "Fentanyl and Xylazine Poisoning Awareness Act"; requires school districts to provide instruction on dangers of fentanyl and xylazine. | In Committee |
| S1021 | Requires MVC to operate call center to assist with online transactions. | This bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (commission) to maintain a telephone call center located within New Jersey where commission employees, or persons under contract with the commission, are available in real-time, at a minimum, during weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., to assist individuals in navigating the commission's Internet website and processing online transactions. The commission is required to offer all call center services in both English and Spanish. In order to reduce total call center staffing needs, the commission may provide additional web-based tutorial support and recorded help messages. The commission is also required to collect and make available on its Internet website quarterly performance metric reports which are required to include, but are not limited to, information pertaining to the number of calls, the length of individual wait times, the call purpose, and the length of calls at the telephone call center. | In Committee |
| S268 | Revises "Homelessness Prevention Program"; requires new charge for filing of eviction action. | Revises "Homelessness Prevention Program"; requires new charge for filing of eviction action. | In Committee |
| S4368 | Establishes public awareness campaign and call center for certain property tax relief programs; requires submission of annual report by Stay NJ Task Force. | This bill would require the establishment of a public awareness campaign and a call center for certain property tax relief programs offered by the State. The bill further requires the Stay NJ Task Force to submit an annual report to both the Governor and the Legislature concerning administration of the ANCHOR, Homestead Property Tax Reimbursement ("Senior Freeze"), and Stay NJ Property Tax Credit ("Stay NJ") programs. Specifically, the Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury, in consultation with the Stay NJ Task Force, would be required to undertake a public awareness campaign concerning certain property tax relief programs, including the ANCHOR program, Senior Freeze program, Stay NJ program, and various property tax exemptions and deductions provided for veterans, seniors, and disabled persons. For each program, the public awareness campaign would provide information concerning: (1) the eligibility requirements, including those related to age, income, residency, and ownership; (2) the application process, including any documentation that is required to be included in each application and the deadlines for application submissions; (3) resources available to assist residents with applications; and (4) any other information the director may deem necessary. The bill would further require the Director of the Division of Taxation to establish a call center to assist individuals in navigating the division's website and submitting applications for property tax relief through certain programs. Call center services would be provided in English and the three most commonly spoken languages in the State besides English. The director would also be required to submit an annual report to the Governor and Legislature concerning the activities and accomplishments of the public awareness campaign. Finally, the bill would require the Stay NJ Task Force to submit an annual report to the Governor and Legislature concerning the administration of benefits under the ANCHOR, Senior Freeze, and Stay NJ programs for the prior tax year. The report would contain information on the number of applications processed and approved, the amount of payments made to eligible applicants for the prior tax year, the total costs of each program, any recommendations concerning legislative or regulatory changes to be made to each property tax relief program, any recommendations concerning system improvements that both the State and local government units should make to provide for continued streamlined application and payment of benefits for each program, and the funding required to implement such system improvements. | In Committee |
| S4347 | The "Safeguarding Livable Units through Municipal Landlord Oversight and Regulation by DCA" or "SLUMLORD Act"; strengthens habitability protections for residential tenants; appropriates $5 million. | This bill, known as the "Safeguarding Livable Units through Municipal Landlord Oversight and Regulation by DCA" or "SLUMLORD Act," strengthens protections for residential tenants for violations of the implied warranty of habitability and other code violations that severely affect the habitability of the tenant's rental unit. The bill requires the Commissioner of Community Affairs (commissioner) to establish a Habitability Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Program (program) in the Department of Community Affairs (department). The bill also: codifies the implied warranty of habitability; authorizes a private cause of action for residential tenants (tenants) for habitability violations and provides certain remedies; imposes personal liability and criminal penalties on certain landlords and their agents for severe habitability violations; extends a tenant's ability to recover attorney's fees and certain costs to actions arising from habitability violations; and establishes a habitability database to enhance the efficacy of the program. Specifically, the bill requires the establishment of the program to: provide information to tenants regarding habitability violations, as defined in the bill; and engage in litigation, through public-private partnerships, on behalf of tenants to enforce habitability violations. The program would consist of a Tenant Advocate Service and Affirmative Litigation Initiative, which are not to expend resources representing residential tenants in defense of an eviction action, unless for certain cases involving reprisal. The bill codifies certain elements of the implied warranty of habitability and provides that the bill would not hinder or limit case law and the development of the common law doctrine of the implied warranty of habitability. The bill requires a landlord to designate at least one principal agent, as defined in the bill, who is to be the primary agent of the landlord for the purposes of complying with the bill, receiving habitability violation complaints from tenants, directing the property management company to abate violations, and, who is to be authorized to accept service of process from the registered agent or process server, receive confidential communications, and be personally and criminally liable for severe habitability violations, as defined in the bill. The bill requires the principal agent to be, in addition to other criteria specified in the bill, a beneficial owner, which the bill defines in a manner similar to the federal "Corporate Transparency Act," pursuant to 31 U.S.C. s.5336(a)(3). The bill requires a written lease to clearly provide certain contact information of the principal agent, and the principal agent to continuously update this information as necessary. The bill provides a private cause of action and permits a tenant to bring an action alleging a habitability violation, which remains unabated following written notice to the landlord and a reasonable opportunity to cure. A tenant is not to bring an action pursuant to the bill if: (1) the tenant is in arrears on rent lawfully due and owing, unless the rent was directly withheld as a result of a habitability violation or a tenant's exercise of lawful statutory claims or defenses; (2) a landlord authorizes a tenant to withhold rent monies necessary and sufficient to repair a habitability violation; or (3) the landlord and tenant agree that rent monies withheld and used by the tenant to repair a habitability violation are sufficient to remedy the violation and in satisfaction of the rent. The bill authorizes the court to award all damages appropriate within the context of the violation, taking into account the duration and severity of the violation, and other factors the court deems relevant. The bill specifies that for habitability violations, the landlord would be subject to the penalties set forth in the bill for each violation against each tenant. The bill further provides that a habitability violation is to constitute an unlawful practice pursuant to the New Jersey consumer fraud act, P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.), and prescribes certain penalties depending on whether there exists a habitability violation or a severe habitability violation. If a court determines that a severe habitability violation exists, the bill requires a court to order the landlord to abate the violation in a specified time period, which, if not timely abated, would enable the program, or the municipality in which the landlord's unit is located, including a municipal enforcing agency or other similar agency of the municipality (municipality), to abate the condition giving rise to the violation, at the landlord's expense, which expense would constitute a lien against the premises. If the lien is held by the municipality, the lien is to be held and enforced in the same manner, time, and proceedings as taxes owed to the municipality pursuant to Title 54 of the Revised Statutes. The bill provides that a court may hold a principal agent personally liable for a severe habitability violation, as specified in the bill, and that such a violation is to be a crime of the fourth degree. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by imprisonment for up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. To facilitate the efficacy of the program, the bill requires the commissioner, in coordination with the Administrative Director of the Courts, to establish and maintain a habitability database, which is required to contain certain information pertaining to habitability violations, as described in the bill. The information and violations would be classified by number, duration, and hazard level. The bill requires the information to be electronically displayed or printed; made available for the court and all litigants for litigation concerning an alleged habitability violation, subject to the redaction of identifying information for those individuals and properties not subject to the pending litigation; and that the contents are to constitute prima facie evidence of any matter stated therein. The bill amends section 2 of P.L.1974, c.50 (C.46:8-28) of the "Landlord Identity Law," to expand the information and individuals required to provide information for purposes of the certificate of registration, to include the principal agent, certain corporate officers and directors, and to facilitate the identification of a beneficial owner, as defined in the bill. Further, the bill amends P.L.2013, c.206 (C.2A:18-61.66), which permits a tenant to recover attorney's fees to the same extent as the landlord, if the residential lease permits the landlord to recover attorney's fees for actions arising out of the lease. The bill extends and modifies the tenant's ability to recover attorney's fees and certain costs to actions arising from habitability violations. The bill appropriates $5 million from the General Fund to the Habitability Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Program to effectuate the provisions of the bill. The bill authorizes the commissioner to promulgate rules and regulations that are necessary to effectuate and administer the provisions of the bill. The bill would take effect on the first day of the fourth month next following enactment, except that the commissioner and the Administrative Director of the Courts would be permitted to take anticipatory action necessary to implement the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| S4320 | Authorizes majority of Commission on Human Trafficking membership to exercise powers and duties of commission. | This bill authorizes a majority of Commission on Human Trafficking (commission) membership to exercise the powers and duties of the commission. The commission is a 17-member commission that was created by the Legislature in 2013 as part of the Human Trafficking Prevention, Protection, and Treatment Act (P.L. 2013, c. 51). The commission is responsible for: evaluating existing law concerning human trafficking and making recommendations for legislation; reviewing existing victim assistance programs and analyzing the costs, organization, and availability of services for victims; promoting a coordinated response by public and private resources for victims of human trafficking; and developing mechanisms to promote public awareness of human trafficking, victim remedies and services, and trafficking prevention. The commission is required to report annually to the Governor and to the Legislature regarding its activities, findings, and recommendations. Under current law, a majority of the commission's "authorized membership" is required to achieve a quorum. Accordingly, nine members must be present in order for the commission to perform its duties. Due to vacancies in the commission, this requirement can make it difficult to achieve a quorum, and can result in an inability of the commission to perform its duties. The provisions of the bill would authorize the commission to exercise its powers and perform its duties when a majority of the commission's current members are present, rather than a fixed number of nine members. | In Committee |
| S4321 | Requires State Board of Education to require school districts to provide age-appropriate financial literacy instruction to students in grades kindergarten through five. | This bill stipulates that the State Board of Education is to require a school district to incorporate age-appropriate financial literacy instruction in an appropriate place in the curriculum of students enrolled in grades kindergarten through five. Current law requires financial literacy instruction to be incorporated in an appropriate place in the curriculum of students enrolled in grades six through eight. The bill provides that the instruction is to be age-appropriate, and is to include content on budgeting, savings, credit, debt, banking, and consumer skills, as appropriate, as well as other issues associated with personal financial responsibility as determined by the State board. The bill requires the Commissioner of Education to provide school districts with sample instructional materials and resources that may be used to support the implementation of the financial literacy instruction required by the bill. | In Committee |
| S4322 | Establishes price preference program on State contracts for minority and women's businesses. | This bill establishes a price preference program for minority businesses and women's businesses that are competing for State contracts. Under current law, certain purchases or contracts payable out of State funds are publicly advertised and competitively bid on by businesses. The State then awards the contract to the lowest bidder. This bill would establish a price preference of up to 10 percent of the amount of the contract to a minority business or a women's business. If the business meets the requirements of the contract solicitation and is the lowest bidder due to the preference, a State agency will enter into a procurement contract with that business. If two or more qualified businesses bid on a contract utilizing the preference program, the business with the lowest bid will be awarded the contract. | In Committee |
| S4319 | Makes human trafficking-related crimes subject to No Early Release Act sentencing. | This bill makes the crimes of human trafficking pursuant to N.J.S.A.2C:13-8, assisting in human trafficking pursuant toN.J.S.A.2C;13-9, and commercial sexual abuse of a minor pursuant to N.J.S.A.2C:13-10, subject to the "No Early Release Act" (section 2 of P.L.1997, c.117 (C.2C:43- 44 7.2)). Under current law, these human trafficking crimes are not subject to the State's No Early Release Act (NERA), which requires the court to fix a minimum term of 85 percent of the sentence imposed for certain first and second degree crimes before being eligible for parole. NERA also requires a court to impose a five-year term of parole supervision if the defendant is being sentenced for a crime of the first degree, or a three-year term of parole supervision for a crime of the second degree. During the term of parole supervision the defendant would remain in the legal custody of the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections and be supervised by the State Parole Board as if on parole. As such, the defendant could be returned to prison for a parole violation. Under current law, a person convicted of the first degree crime of human trafficking pursuant to N.J.S.A.2C:13-8 is to be sentenced to either a term of 20 years, during which the person is ineligible for parole, or a specific term between 20 years and life imprisonment, in which case the person is required to serve 20 years before being eligible for parole. Under the bill, a person convicted of human trafficking is to be sentenced to: a term of 24 years to life imprisonment, of which 85 percent of the sentence would need to be served before being eligible for parole. Under NERA, a life sentence is deemed to be 75 years, so a defendant sentenced to a term of life imprisonment would be required to complete 63.75 years prior to being eligible for parole. Under current law, a person guilty of the second degree crime of assisting in human trafficking is to be sentenced to a term of imprisonment, which includes a period of parole ineligibility of one-third to one-half of the term of imprisonment imposed or three years, whichever is greater. A crime of the second degree is generally punishable by a fine of up to $150,000, a term of imprisonment of five to 10 years, or both. Under the bill, a person guilty of assisting in human trafficking would need to serve 85 percent of the sentence imposed before being eligible for parole. A person convicted of commercial sexual abuse of a minor pursuant under current law is guilty of a crime of the first degree. A crime of the first degree is generally punishable by a fine of up to $200,000, a term of imprisonment of 10-20 years, or both. The provisions of the bill would require a person sentenced for a violation under this section to serve 85 percent of the sentenced imposed prior to being eligible for parole. | In Committee |
| S4323 | Requires health insurance coverage of screening for Alzheimer's disease and related disorders for certain covered persons. | This bill requires health insurance carriers (insurance companies, health, hospital, and medical service corporations, health maintenance organizations, and State and School Employees' Health Benefits Program contracts) to provide coverage for screening for Alzheimer's disease and related disorders for a covered person who is 65 years of age or older. As used in the bill, "Alzheimer's disease and related disorders" means forms of dementia characterized by a general loss of intellectual abilities of sufficient severity to interfere with social or occupational functioning. | In Committee |
| S4188 | Allows certain senior citizens to apply for rent increase limit. | This bill is intended to assure affordable rental housing for a significant portion of New Jersey's senior citizen population. The bill would permit a tenant to apply to the Commissioner of Community Affairs for protected senior citizen tenant status so long as the tenant:· is 55 or more years old;· is not in the federal section 8 voucher program or the State rental assistance program, or a participant in another rental assistance program that disqualifies the resident pursuant to rules and regulations adopted by the commissioner; · has lived in a dwelling unit in a particular building or structure that is not public housing for at least the previous 10 years as their principal residence; and · has an annual household income of $80,000 or less during the calendar year prior to the year the bill takes effect, to be adjusted annually. The bill provides that the annual income limitation for eligibility for protected senior citizen tenant status will be the same as the income limitation for eligibility under the homestead property tax reimbursement program, P.L.1997, c.348 (C.54:4-8.67 et al.). A person meeting those requirements would be granted protected senior citizen status and their landlord would be so notified. A landlord would be required to limit any rent increase to the annual index rate factor promulgated by the commissioner for that particular county. The annual index rate factor would be 75 percent of the increase in the average consumer price index, determined on an annual basis. For each county the commissioner would use the consumer price index applicable either to the New York metropolitan area or the Philadelphia metropolitan area, as appropriate to the location and economic conditions of the county, as determined by the commissioner. A landlord who increases the rent of a protected senior citizen tenant above the allowable amount would be liable for damages in an amount equal to the greater of $500 or three times the rent difference, plus reasonable attorney fees in a summary proceeding. A landlord facing undue hardship as a result of a tenant with protected senior citizen tenant status would be entitled to apply to the commissioner for a hardship waiver of the annual index rate factor. The commissioner could then set the rent at a level to ensure that the landlord does not suffer undue hardship. However, a waiver would have no effect on restrictions established by a municipal rent control or rent leveling ordinance. If a person who has been granted protected senior citizen tenant status resides in a municipality with a rent control or rent leveling ordinance, then this bill only allows the landlord to raise rent on that tenant by the amount permitted under the ordinance, or by the amount permitted by this bill, whichever amount is less. | In Committee |
| S4012 | Establishes "New Economy Opportunity Skills System Pilot Program" to strengthen alignment and collaboration between local workforce development boards, community colleges, and county vocational school districts; makes appropriation. | Establishes "New Economy Opportunity Skills System Pilot Program" to strengthen alignment and collaboration between local workforce development boards, community colleges, and county vocational school districts; makes appropriation. | In Committee |
| S4352 | Prohibits public utilities from assessing surcharges and certain fees. | This bill prohibits public utilities from assessing: (1) a surcharge to any public utility customer; (2) a fee to any public utility customer who has not enrolled in automatic payments through the public utility and, instead, has elected to make one-time payments to the public utility for services rendered to that customer by the public utility; or (3) a fee to any public utility customer who has not enrolled in paperless statements through the public utility company and, instead, has elected to receive paper statements from the public utility. Under the bill, "surcharge" means an additional amount imposed by the public utility at the time of a payment transaction that increases a charge to a public utility customer to recover the cost of the public utility's use of third-party payment processing services. | In Committee |
| SJR102 | Designates May 17 of each year as "Necrotizing Enterocolitis Awareness Day" in New Jersey. | This resolution designates May 17 of each year as NEC Awareness Day in the State of New Jersey. Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating intestinal disease that can affect medically fragile infants. The condition causes inflammation and tissue damage which may lead to systemic infection, neurological complications, and developmental delays. Infants afflicted with NEC often require incubation, and can pass away within hours of a turn in their condition. Symptoms and risk factors may be as innocuous as low birthweight, poor blood circulation, blood oxygenation level, difficulty nursing, and the stress of the birthing process.Despite limited public understanding for the inflammatory disorder, NEC is the third most common cause of hospitalization and death in neonatal infants. NEC affects one in 1,000 premature infants; its mortality rate is 20-30 percent and 42 percent for the smallest premature infants. The condition affects two to five percent of all premature infants but is responsible for up to 20 percent of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit costs.Of those who survive the condition, 89 percent report long term complications including cardiac issues, motor skill loss, respiratory impairment, lost time at work, and hearing and vision challenges. The condition produces an increased risk of later functional impairment including cerebral palsy, fine and gross motor skill loss, and behavioral issues. Survivors experience poor executive function and worse working memory capacity over time.Several social determinants of health contribute to NEC prevalence. Risk factors include maternal cocaine abuse, smoking, and congenital heart disease. Mode of birth delivery and formula feeding are other precursors to the disease.NEC imposes a long-term financial burden on families and medical systems across the state and nation. When considering lifelong medical repercussions, NEC results in approximately $5.8 billion in U.S. hospital expenses each year, or 19 percent of neonatal healthcare expenditures and $200,000 in costs for each infant receiving surgery. NEC is the second most costly morbidity of prematurity in the U.S., impacting families not only financially but emotionally as they cope with challenging pregnancies, unmet rehabilitation needs, frequent hospital readmittance, and repeated medical procedures upon birth. With this in mind, it is in public interest for New Jersey citizens to increase their awareness of Necrotizing Enterocolitis and protective measures. Recognizing May 17 as a commemorative day for this condition, in keeping with the designated World NEC Awareness Day and California's recently proclaimed NEC Awareness Day, would commit public recognition to an under-acknowledged health concern. Designates May 17 of each year as "Necrotizing Enterocolitis Awareness Day" in New Jersey. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3199 | Establishes New Jersey-Haiti Commission. | An Act establishing the New Jersey-Haiti Commission and supplementing chapter 18A of Title 52. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3353 | Directs State Agriculture Development Committee to adopt agricultural management practice for housing resident farm employees on commercial farms, and establishes such housing as eligible for "Right to Farm" protection. | An Act concerning housing for resident farm employees on commercial farms, and amending and supplementing P.L.1983, c.31. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3525 | Requires financial institutions to allow mortgagors to make biweekly and semi-monthly payments and payments to mortgage principal. | An Act concerning financial institutions servicing mortgages and supplementing P.L.2009, c.53 (C.17:11C-51 et seq.). | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A1825 | Establishes certain guidelines for SHBP, SEHBP, and Medicaid concerning step therapy protocols. | An Act concerning step therapy protocols and supplementing Titles 30 and 52 of the Revised Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A2813 | Enters NJ in Social Work Licensure Compact. | An Act concerning the Social Work Licensure Compact and supplementing Title 45 of the Revised Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S2606 | Requires Medicaid reimbursement of mental health rehabilitation services provided via clubhouse program. | Requires Medicaid reimbursement of mental health rehabilitation services provided via clubhouse program. | Crossed Over |
| 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 |
| S3562 | Provides for designation and establishment of Public Health Institute in New Jersey. | An Act concerning public health and supplementing Title 26 of the Revised Statutes. | 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 |
| A3881 | Requires State Police to establish online portal allowing persons to obtain status of expungement orders. | An Act concerning criminal history background information and expungements and supplementing chapter 52 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| SJR140 | Designates month of March of each year as "Amyloidosis Awareness Month." | This joint resolution designates the month of March as "Amyloidosis Awareness Month" in the State of New Jersey in order to educate the public about the signs and symptoms of amyloidosis, extend the life expectancy of those who may be unaware that they are suffering from the disease, and help improve the quality of life of those who have been diagnosed with the amyloidosis. Designates month of March of each year as "Amyloidosis Awareness Month." | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| AJR217 | Designates April 9 of each year as "Paul Robeson Day" in State of New Jersey. | This joint resolution designates April 9 of each year as "Paul Robeson Day" in New Jersey. Paul Leroy Robeson was born on April 9, 1898, in Princeton, New Jersey. As a gifted debater, scholar, linguist, athlete, actor, singer, author, and political activist, Robeson was the quintessential 20th-century renaissance man. Robeson attended Rutgers University on a four-year scholarship, becoming the third African-American student to attend the institution. As a standout student and athlete, Robeson earned his place as class valedictorian and a spot on the All-American football team. Robeson would later attend Columbia University Law School, continuing his success as a professional football player while pursuing a legal education. However, racial tensions and discrimination greatly limited his career as a lawyer, and he instead rose to fame as a widely acclaimed actor and singer in the late 1920s and 1930s. As Robeson's popularity grew, he broke barriers as one of the first African-American men to play significant roles in the predominantly white American theater. Robeson strongly believed in the responsibility of influential figures to advocate for justice and peace. This sense of responsibility led Robeson to advocate for the rights of African-Americans, workers, and colonized peoples around the world. Unfortunately, his political activism led to his blacklisting and the revocation of his passport, significantly hindering his career and obscuring his accomplishments and role in the history of civil rights. Despite these hardships and his death in 1976, Robeson remains a source of inspiration, and his remarkable life and legacy should be remembered and celebrated by the State of New Jersey. Designates April 9 of each year as "Paul Robeson Day" in State of New Jersey. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S4291 | Requires development of online tax training for small and micro-businesses. | This bill requires the Director of the Division of Taxation (division) to develop, and update as necessary to reflect current law, an online training program for the purpose of providing instruction on the process of filing and remitting State taxes, including, but not limited to, the corporation business tax, gross income tax, and sales and use tax. The training program is required to be designed specifically for use by small businesses and micro-businesses and to be made available, free of charge, on the Internet website of the division. | In Committee |
| S4292 | Requires EDA to include social media development services in services offered through Small Business E-commerce Support Program. | This bill requires that the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (authority) include the provision of social media development services among the services offered to eligible small businesses through its Small Business E-commerce Support Program. The authority created the Small Business E-commerce Support Program as a pilot product under the Main Street Recovery Finance Program, established pursuant to the "New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020." Under this pilot product, the authority offers e-commerce and digital marketing consulting services to eligible small businesses, including restaurants, retail stores, and personal care businesses that are situated in a commercial location within the State. Currently, the consultancy services offered through the pilot product generally include assistance related to the development of Internet websites, e-commerce platforms, and digital marketing plans. The bill requires that these services also include assistance related to the development of social media platforms. | In Committee |
| S4297 | Limits estate recovery under Medicaid to federal mandated recovery for nursing home care and other long-term care costs. | This bill amends the law governing the State's Medicaid estate recovery program and limits the authority of the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS) in the Department of Human Services to impose a lien and seek recovery from a Medicaid recipient's estate after death. This bill is designed to allow Medicaid recipients to preserve certain assets and savings for their heirs, while also meeting the minimum federal requirements for the State's Medicaid estate recovery program pursuant to the "Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993," Pub.L.103-66. Currently, New Jersey's Medicaid estate recovery program pursues recovery of payments provided through the Medicaid program for all services received on or after the age of 55. This bill would restrict recovery to the federal required minimum for estate recovery. Specifically, under this bill, the DMAHS would be limited to pursuing recovery for costs associated with nursing facility services, home and community-based services, and hospital and prescription drug services provided concurrently with nursing facility or home and community-based services received on or after the age of 55. Finally, this bill would restrict the definition of "estate" to real and personal property and other assets included in the Medicaid recipient's estate as defined in N.J.S.3B:1-1. In doing so, recovery would be limited to all property and assets that pass from a decedent to his or her heirs under probate law. Currently, the New Jersey Medicaid estate recovery program utilizes an expanded definition of "estate" which enables DMAHS to also recover from some or all property that bypasses probate, such as life insurance, pension benefits, retirement accounts, and jointly owned real estate and accounts. | In Committee |
| S4298 | "Healthy Smiles Act"; increases NJ FamilyCare fee-for-service reimbursement rates for pediatric dental services; requires NJ FamilyCare managed care rates for identical services be no less than fee-for-service rates. | This bill makes certain adjustments to the NJ FamilyCare reimbursement rates for oral health services and supplies. The bill requires that, commencing upon July 1, 2025 or 60 days following the enactment of this bill, whichever is later, the NJ FamilyCare fee-for-service reimbursement rates for covered pediatric oral health services and supplies will be increased by 20 percent from the reimbursement rates in use for identical services at the time of the bill's adoption. Commencing one year after the implementation of the increased reimbursement rates, and annually thereafter, the bill directs the Commissioner of Human Services (commissioner) to adjust the existing fee-for-service reimbursement rates according to changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for All Urban Consumers as published by the United States Department of Labor for the Northeast region of the country in the previous January over the immediately preceding 12-month period. For reference, in November 2024, the most recent time this data was assessed over a 12-month period, the CPI increased by 3.5 percent. Finally, the commissioner is required to ensure that every contract entered into on and after the effective date of this bill between the State and a managed care organization (MCO) for the provision of NJ FamilyCare services provides that the reimbursement rates for pediatric oral health services and supplies are equal to or greater than the NJ FamilyCare fee-for-service reimbursement rates for the identical services and supplies. Under the bill, an MCO in violation of this provision would be liable for a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for each day that the non-compliant reimbursement rate was issued. Any penalties assessed are to be collected by the commissioner in the name of the State in a summary proceeding in accordance with State law. The commissioner's determination regarding violations is the final agency decision, subject to review by the Appellate Division of the Superior Court. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| S4299 | Creates Health Care Cost Containment and Price Transparency Commission, Office of Healthcare Affordability and Transparency, and hospital price transparency regulations; appropriates $5 million. | This bill creates the Health Care Cost Containment and Price Transparency Commission (commission), the Office of Healthcare Affordability and Transparency (office), and hospital price transparency regulations. Under the bill, the purpose of the office is to provide support, staffing, infrastructure, and expertise to the commission, and to comprehensively address health care cost growth while also establishing data analytics and public reporting mechanisms to ensure healthcare affordability, informed policymaking, and access for future generations. The office is to establish guidelines for health care entities to submit necessary data for the yearly evaluation of total health care expenditures, their incremental growth, pricing information, pricing incremental growth, the formulation of the healthcare cost growth benchmark and the hospital price benchmark, and for publishing relevant data publicly. Under the bill, the purpose of the 18 member commission is to: monitor, analyze, and contain health care prices by identifying drivers of health care cost growth including hospital price growth; establishing and adopting a health care cost growth benchmark and a hospital price growth benchmark; identifying health care entities that exceed the benchmark or benchmarks; and addressing increases in excess of the benchmark or benchmarks through public transparency, opportunities for remediation, and other actions, including civil penalties. The commission is to set a cost growth benchmark for health care entities. The commission is to impose civil penalties, pursuant to the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.), on health care entities that either fail to respond to the commission's request to submit a corrective action plan or comply with the requirements of a corrective action plan. The bill provides that the Department of Health is to require hospitals to be in compliance with federal hospital price transparency requirements and provide a written warning notice to or request a corrective action plan from any hospital that is not in compliance with these federal requirements. A hospital is to be prohibited from attempting to collect a medical debt from a patient if the hospital is not, at the time of providing medical services to the patient, in compliance with the provisions of this bill. A hospital that fails to act in accordance with the provisions of this bill is to be liable to a civil penalty of $10 per day per hospital bed for each offense, pursuant to the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.). The bill appropriates to the office such sums as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this bill, as determined by the Commissioner of Health, but in no case is this amount to exceed $5,000,000. | In Committee |
| S3533 | Establishes certain guidelines for SHBP, SEHBP and Medicaid concerning step therapy protocols. | Establishes certain guidelines for SHBP, SEHBP, and Medicaid concerning step therapy protocols. | In Committee |
| S3610 | Requires Department of Treasury and DHS to annually identify State funds available for NJ FamilyCare and child care services, evaluate programs, and create prioritized list of initiatives to improve quality of care under programs. | Requires Department of Treasury and DHS to annually identify State funds available for NJ FamilyCare and child care services, evaluate programs, and create prioritized list of initiatives to improve quality of care under programs. | 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 |
| SJR46 | Designates April 9 of each year as "Paul Robeson Day" in State of New Jersey. | This joint resolution designates April 9 of each year as "Paul Robeson Day" in New Jersey. Paul Leroy Robeson was born on April 9, 1898, in Princeton, New Jersey. As a gifted debater, scholar, linguist, athlete, actor, singer, author, and political activist, Robeson was the quintessential 20th-century renaissance man. Robeson attended Rutgers University on a four-year scholarship, becoming the third African-American student to attend the institution. As a standout student and athlete, Robeson earned his place as class valedictorian and a spot on the All-American football team. Robeson would later attend Columbia University Law School, continuing his success as a professional football player while pursuing a legal education. However, racial tensions and discrimination greatly limited his career as a lawyer, and he instead rose to fame as a widely acclaimed actor and singer in the late 1920s and 1930s. As Robeson's popularity grew, he broke barriers as one of the first African-American men to play significant roles in the predominantly white American theater. Robeson strongly believed in the responsibility of influential figures to advocate for justice and peace. This sense of responsibility led Robeson to advocate for the rights of African-Americans, workers, and colonized peoples around the world. Unfortunately, his political activism led to his blacklisting and the revocation of his passport, significantly hindering his career and obscuring his accomplishments and role in the history of civil rights. Despite these hardships and his death in 1976, Robeson remains a source of inspiration, and his remarkable life and legacy should be remembered and celebrated by the State of New Jersey. | Crossed Over |
| S2688 | Enters NJ in Social Work Licensure Compact. | This bill will enter New Jersey into the Social Work Licensure Compact. The compact establishes a multistate license system in which an individual licensed at the clinical, master's or bachelor's level in social work needs only to obtain licensure in one state that is a party to the compact in order to practice as a social worker in another member state to the compact, so long as certain requirements established under the compact are met by the individual. Under the bill, provisions are established regarding, among other items, the authority of a member state's licensing authority; how an adverse action against a multistate licensee is managed; the set-up of the Social Work Licensure Compact Commission and its Executive Committee; the collection of data on member states; and how to withdraw from the compact, if sought by a member state. | In Committee |
| S3153 | Prohibits DCF from using federal benefits received by a child in out of home placement to reimburse State for cost of child's care, except under certain circumstances. | Prohibits DCF from using federal benefits received by a child in out of home placement to reimburse State for cost of child's care, except under certain circumstances. | Crossed Over |
| S3141 | Establishes Public Education Innovation Fund; provides corporation business tax and gross income tax credits to businesses for making qualified education donations. | This bill establishes the Public Education Innovation Fund ("fund") in the Department of Education and provides corporation business tax and gross income tax credits to businesses for making qualified education donations to the fund. Under the bill, the Commissioner of Education would award grants from the fund to low-performing public schools in this State for the implementation of educational innovation programs. The commissioner would award grants to qualifying schools through a competitive application process, subject to the availability of monies in the fund. The bill defines "educational innovation program" as any program that implements innovative strategies to mitigate or eliminate one or more barriers to academic achievement at a low-performing public school. Under the bill, a "low-performing public school" is defined as a school located in New Jersey, under collegiate grade, that is operated by a school district or a charter school established pursuant to current law, and that meets the following criteria: (1) among all students in that school to whom a State assessment was administered, the sum of the percent of students scoring in the not yet meeting expectations and partially meeting expectations categories in both the language arts and mathematics subject areas of the State assessments exceeded 40 percent in each of the prior two school years; or (2) among all students in that school to whom a State assessment was administered, the sum of the percent of students scoring in the not yet meeting expectations and partially meeting expectations categories in either the language arts or mathematics subject areas of the State assessment exceeded 65 percent in each of the prior two school years. The bill provides that business entities may apply to the commissioner for corporation business tax or gross income tax credits for the amount of qualified education donations made to the fund in any year. For a business entity that is a corporation business taxpayer, the bill caps the amount of the credit at 75 percent of the business's tax liability otherwise due for the privilege period. For a business entity that is a gross income taxpayer, the bill caps the amount of the credit at $10,000 of the business's qualified education donations made during the taxable year. The bill limits the total amount of tax credits approved under the bill at $5,000,000 for each State fiscal year. | In Committee |
| AJR159 | Designates November 14 of each year as Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day. | This joint resolution designates November 14 of each year as Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day in the State of New Jersey. Ruby Bridges was born on September 8, 1954 and was raised in New Orleans, Louisiana by parents Lucille and Abon Bridges. In the same year, the United States Supreme Court issued the landmark ruling in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, ending racial segregation in public schools. However, states across the South, including Louisiana, failed to integrate their public schools. This led to a federal court order for Louisiana to desegregate their public schools beginning on November 14, 1960. On November 14, 1960, Ruby Bridges and her mother were escorted by federal marshals to the William Frantz Elementary School where Ruby faced violent protesters. The violence of the protestors, blatant racism from parents, and forced isolation plagued Ruby Bridges' first year of attendance at William Frantz Elementary. Despite these hardships, Ruby Bridges never missed a day of school and by the end of her first year, the school decided to admit more African American children the following year. Ruby Bridges' act of bravery inspired America and led to a commemorative piece by famous artist Norman Rockwell titled "The Problem We Must All Live With." Ruby Bridges became a lifelong activist for racial equality by establishing The Ruby Bridges Foundation in 1999, which uses educational initiatives to promote tolerance and unity among schoolchildren. Ruby Bridges has also gained numerous accolades for her life's work, including the Carter G. Woodson Book Award and the honorary title of deputy federal marshal. By setting aside November 14 of each year as Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, we can celebrate the courage of young Ruby Bridges and the impact her actions had on African American children across America. Designates November 14 of each year as Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3457 | Establishes "New Jersey Out-of-School Time Advisory Commission" to review before-school, after-school, and summer programs. | Establishes "New Jersey Out-of-School Time Advisory Commission" to review before-school, after-school, and summer programs. | In Committee |
| S3450 | Establishes requirements for on-demand micro transit programs operating within State. | This bill requires the Commissioner of Transportation to establish and issue requirements for the operation of any on-demand micro transit programs operating within the State. These requirements are to provide that: (1) employees of an entity providing on-demand micro transit service are responsible for directly operating these services, with certain exceptions described in the bill; (2) on-demand micro transit drivers hold a valid commercial driver license; (3)on-demand micro transit drivers are compensated at no less than the same wages, hours, working conditions, and benefits as other drivers directly employed by the entity providing on-demand micro transit service; (4) existing employees of an entity that provides on-demand micro transit service are not adversely affected by the establishment and operation of the on-demand micro transit program; (5) each on-demand micro transit program creates additional transit service to transit deserts; and (6) the New Jersey Transit Corporation (corporation), in consultation with the Commissioner of Transportation, may establish any other rules, guidelines, or protocols. The bill also establishes the Micro Transit Oversight Committee (committee), which is required to review each on-demand micro transit plan established by the New Jersey Transit Corporation, a county transit agency, or any other entity and to certify that the plan meets all of the requirements established under the bill. The committee is to be comprised of three members: a representative from the New Jersey Transit Corporation appointed by the Governor upon recommendation of the executive director of the corporation, a member of the New Jersey General Assembly appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, and a member appointed by the President of the Senate upon recommendation of the labor organization representing the plurality of employees of the corporation involved in motorbus operations. Each member is to serve a term of one year. A majority of the membership of the committee constitutes a quorum for the transaction of committee business, and action may be taken at any meeting by the affirmative vote of a majority of the membership of the committee. An entity is prohibited from providing on-demand micro transit service until the entity receives the certification required by the bill. Under the bill, "on-demand micro transit" is defined as publicly available, technology-enabled, shared transportation provided by means of a motor vehicle to individuals selecting a pick-up and drop-off location by telephone or through a mobile application, and which transportation is provided at a time selected by the individual or as soon as possible after the individual selects pick-up and drop-off locations for such transportation. | In Committee |
| S2423 | Renames Juvenile Justice Commission as Youth Justice Commission. | An Act renaming the Juvenile Justice Commission and amending the various parts of the statutory law. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S1778 | Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns to State aid for public schools. | This bill allows taxpayers to contribute a portion of their New Jersey gross income tax refund towards State aid for public schools. Taxpayers may indicate on their gross income tax return that a portion of their tax refund be deposited into the "School Aid Contribution Fund." The Legislature will use the funds collected to supplement State school aid in addition to, and not in place of, the annual appropriation for State school aid. Any funds collected may not be used to supplant the amount of State funds appropriated to State school aid from the prior fiscal year. | In Committee |
| S3934 | Codifies Medicaid coverage for eligible pregnant women for 365-day period beginning on last day of pregnancy. | This bill codifies Medicaid coverage for eligible pregnant women for a 365-day period beginning on the last day of a woman's pregnancy. The Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services in the Department of Human Services has been mandated to provide this benefit, via budget language included in the State's Annual Appropriations Act, since FY 2022. Moreover, the division has included this policy in the NJ FamilyCare 1115 Comprehensive Demonstration, which governs the operations of significant components of New Jersey' s Medicaid program. The current demonstration is effective through June 30, 2028. The State's efforts regarding Medicaid coverage for pregnant individuals are aligned with changes at the federal level. For example, a provision in the "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021" gave states a new option to extend Medicaid postpartum coverage to 12 months, instead of 60 days, via a state plan amendment for the purposes of improving maternal health and coverage stability, and addressing racial disparities in maternal health. This new option took effect on April 1, 2022 and was originally available for five years; however, the option was made permanent by the "Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023." This bill also clarifies that the State's existing coverage of Medicaid services for pregnant individuals is extended to those individuals whose income does not exceed the highest income eligibility level established for pregnant women under the State Medicaid plan. | Crossed Over |
| AJR120 | Designates first full week of May of each year as "Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week" in NJ. | This resolution designates the first full week of May of each year as "Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week" in NJ. Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) is a persistent, irreversible, and potentially disabling neurological condition characterized by uncontrollable repetitive movements of the face, torso, or other body parts. This involuntary movement disorder is caused by medications that help control dopamine, such as antipsychotics prescribed to treat people living with mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression. People with mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder, major depression, schizophrenia, and schizoaffective disorder, or gastrointestinal disorders, including gastroparesis, nausea, and vomiting, may be treated with medications that work as dopamine receptor blocking agents (DRBAs). It is estimated that about 1.1 million adults in New Jersey, or 16.14 percent of adults in the State, are living with a mental illness and as a result are likely to receive DRBAs as a form of treatment, which can lead to the onset of TD. It is vital that people taking DRBAs are monitored for TD through regular screenings as recommended by the American Psychiatric Association because long-term use of DRBAs can lead to the onset of TD. People living with TD face physical, social and emotional barriers due to the stigma associated with uncontrollable movements, which can further lead to worsened mental health symptoms and cause embarrassment or withdrawal from society. It is estimated that TD affects approximately 600,000 people in the U.S. and approximately 70 percent of people with TD have not been diagnosed. Although TD is treatable, many people with the disorder are unaware of the treatment options. Raising awareness about the symptoms and impact of TD will promote the importance of early screening, diagnosis and treatment. Designates first full week of May of each year as "Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week" in NJ. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S1949 | Establishes certain requirements and initiatives related to nurses; appropriates funds. | Establishes certain requirements and initiatives related to nurses; appropriates funds. | In Committee |
| S3616 | Requires health care professionals to perform lead screening on pregnant persons under certain circumstances. | Requires health care professionals to perform lead screening on pregnant persons under certain circumstances. | In Committee |
| S3833 | "Ease of Doing Government Business Act;" requires State and local government entities to simplify procedures and expedite government transactions. | This bill establishes the "Ease of Doing Government Business Act," which requires that, within 180 days of the effective date of enactment of this act, all State and local government entities that provide direct services to the public, including but not limited to, the issuance of licenses, clearances, permits, certifications, and authorizations, undertake a review of its operations and identify steps to streamline and expedite government transactions. This bill requires that at least once each calendar year, the director, commissioner, or chief executive of each State and local government entity review all transactional services provided by the entity to determine the steps that can be taken to simplify, streamline, and expedite the delivery of government services by the entity in a manner that increases efficiency and reduces the time it takes to complete government transactions. The steps are to include, but may not be limited to, simplifying processes and procedures, reducing redundancies, eliminating waste, and increasing efficiency wherever possible, to the extent not inconsistent with the entity's obligations provided for by law. This bill requires that, wherever feasible, each State and local government entity implement online resources, automated services, or any other technologies which may make the delivery of government services more efficient and responsive to the needs of the people of this State. Any such resources, automated services, or technologies are required to utilize plain language that is easily comprehendible, with clear and concise instructions to promote ease of use and, to the extent practicable, provide users with the option to select the language in which they would prefer those services to be delivered. This bill requires that wherever possible, mechanisms are to be provided to permit individuals to provide feedback to the government entity of their transaction experience and submit suggestions for improvement of the delivery of services. Such feedback is to be reviewed by the government entity within 30 days of its submission and considered when adopting plans to increase efficiency of the delivery of services for future transactions. | In Committee |
| S3873 | Requires NJ FamilyCare payment for multiple medical encounters per day for enrollee at federally qualified health center. | This bill provides for NJ FamilyCare reimbursement for multiple medical encounters with federally qualified health center (FQHC) specialists on a single day for an enrollee, provided: 1. the referring provider documents the reason for referring the patient to each specialty provider; 2. each of the enrollee's medical encounters is with different specialty provider; and 3. NJ FamilyCare reimbursement for multiple medical encounters per day at a FQHC does not violate federal statute. The bill defines a "federally qualified health center" as a community-based health care provider that delivers integrated primary care services in medically underserved areas, and meets the criteria established under section 1905(l)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. s.1396(d)). The bill defines a "specialty provider" as a licensed physician who: (1) is a diplomate of a specialty board approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties or the Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA); (2) is a fellow of the appropriate American specialty college or a member of an osteopathic specialty college; (3) is currently admissible to take the examination administered by a specialty board approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties or the Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists of the AOA, or has evidence of completion of an appropriate qualifying residency approved by the American Medical Association or the AOA; (4) holds an active staff appointment with specialty privileges in a hospital which is licensed pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.) and which is approved for training in the specialty in which the physician has privileges; or (5) is recognized in the community as a specialist by his or her peers. Nothing in this bill should be construed to authorize the Commissioner of Human Services to waive or limit any provisions of federal statute or any other State reimbursement methodologies governing NJ FamilyCare reimbursement to federally qualified health centers. State regulations, found at N.J.A.C.10:66-4.1, generally limit NJ FamilyCare coverage for medical encounters at a FQHC to one encounter per NJ FamilyCare beneficiary per day. Additional encounters in a given day are covered if: 1. the NJ FamilyCare enrollee is seen by more than one provider for the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of different illnesses or injuries; or 2. the enrollee leaves the FQHC following an encounter with one practitioner, and subsequently returns to the FQHC and is seen by another practitioner on the same day. Under N.J.A.C.10:66-4.1, if an NJ FamilyCare enrollee has more than two medical encounters at a FQHC in a given week, the FQHC must document the medical necessity of the encounters in the enrollee's medical record. | In Committee |
| S2963 | Creates "New Jersey Private Contractor Registration Act"; makes an appropriation. | This bill establishes the "New Jersey Private Contractor Registration Act." The bill prohibits contractors and subcontractors from engaging in private construction work, unless they are registered pursuant to the bill. Under the bill, "private construction work" means all building or work on a building, structure, or improvement of any type, as well as related building or work on a building, done within the State under an express or implied contract on behalf of another entity or individual. Private construction work does not include "public work" as that term is defined in the prevailing wage law, or "home improvement," as that term is defined in the "Contractors' Registration Act." As part of the registration, the contractor is required to include the following information: (1) the name, principal business address and telephone number of the private contractor; (2) whether the private contractor is a corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or other form of business entity; (3) if the private contractor's principal business address is not within the State, the name and address of the private contractor's custodian of records and agent for service of process in the State; (4) the name and address of each person with a financial interest in the private contractor and the percentage interest, except that if the private contractor is a publicly-traded corporation, the private contractor is required to supply the names and addresses of the corporation's officers; (5) the private contractor's tax identification number and unemployment insurance registration number; (6) a certification form provided by the commissioner, with documentation satisfactory to the commissioner, that the private contractor has all valid and effective licenses, registrations or certificates required by State law, including registrations or certifications required to do business in the State of New Jersey; (7) disclosure of any administrative merits determination, arbitral award or decision, or civil judgment, for violations of any of the certain federal and State labor laws or executive orders; and (8) any other relevant and appropriate information as determined by the commissioner. The bill requires a private contractor to pay an initial non-refundable registration fee of $750 to the commissioner. Upon successful completion of an initial two year registration, a private contractor is thereafter required to register for a two-year period and pay a non-refundable registration fee of $500. The bill provides that reduced fee schedules based upon an entity's annual revenue or non-profit status may be prescribed by regulation. The bill provides for penalties and fines for noncompliance with its provisions, including but not limited to the suspension of a contractor's registration. The bill appropriates from the General Fund to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development $2,000,000 to effectuate the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| S3950 | Revises licensure requirements for residential substance use disorders treatment facilities or programs. | This bill revises licensure requirements for residential substance use disorders treatment facilities or programs. Under the bill, the Department of Health (department) is to require an applicant for licensure to operate as a residential substance use disorders treatment facility or program to submit to the department a financial audit that is conducted by an independent, certified public accountant, who is chosen by the department. The applicant is to bear the cost of the audit. The department is to deny an application for licensure if the financial audit reveals business practices or financial activities that are deemed improper or questionable by the department. The bill provides that the department is to require an applicant for licensure to operate as a residential substance use disorders treatment facility or program to complete a criminal history record background check and submit to being fingerprinted. The department is to deny an application for licensure if the results of the criminal background check reveal a conviction involving dishonesty or fraud. Finally, the bill requires the department to periodically conduct unannounced inspections of residential substance use disorders treatment facilities or programs. | In Committee |
| S4172 | Requires online portal to report law enforcement officer misconduct; establishes duty to report by law enforcement officers. | This bill requires the Attorney General to create, maintain, and update, as appropriate, an online portal, in the form of an Internet website, to be used by law enforcement officers to report the misconduct of other law enforcement officers. The bill provides that, in addition to any other reporting requirements set forth in law, regulation, or policy, a law enforcement officer who observes any of the following actions committed by another law enforcement officer would be required to report the action to the Attorney General using the online portal established in the bill: (1) unjustifiable use of force, pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.2C:3-7; (2) deprivation of civil rights, pursuant to section 2 of P.L. 2003, c.3 (C.2C:30-6); or (3) any other act which constitutes a criminal offense in this State. Additionally, the bill provides that a law enforcement officer who observes another law enforcement officer committing an act that does not constitute a criminal offense, but violates any policy or other regulation to which the other law enforcement officer is subject, may use the portal to report the act to the Attorney General. The bill also provides that the portal is required to operate so that submission of a report may be completed anonymously. In the case of an anonymous submission, the portal would create an identifier using a series of random characters in place of the personal identifying information of the reporting law enforcement officer. | In Committee |
| S4179 | Establishes "New Jersey Eviction Crisis Task Force." | This bill establishes the "New Jersey Eviction Crisis Task Force." The purpose of the task force is to study recent trends in eviction actions against residents of this State, identify the impact of evictions on renters, landlords, local governments, and the State, and make recommendations for legislation and strategies to create more effective and efficient policies regarding housing and evictions in the State. The task force will consider: (1) the causes and consequences of eviction at the State and local level; (2) the prevalence of eviction actions throughout the State; (3) the unmet legal needs of New Jersey residents facing eviction, including the costs associated with legal assistance and any funding mechanisms that may be utilized for the provision of legal assistance; (4) existing laws, rules, or regulations in this State that govern housing in general, and the eviction process in particular; (5) pending legislation in this State that addresses the eviction process; (6) pending legislation and existing programs in other states or jurisdictions that address the eviction crisis in the United States; (7) how affordable housing issues may exacerbate the eviction epidemic in this State; (8) how the eviction crisis may impact rates of homelessness in this State; (9) how the eviction process can be made more transparent, fair, and equitable for both residents and landlords; and (10) any other considerations the task force deems appropriate towards improving the eviction crisis in this State. The task force will be comprised of 23 members as follows: (1) the Commissioners of Community Affairs, Human Services, and Health, and the Attorney General, or their designees, who will serve ex officio; (2) two members of the Senate, to be appointed by the President of the Senate, who will each be of different political parties; and two members of the General Assembly, to be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, who will each be of different political parties; (3) two members appointed by the Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court, including one who is the dean of a law school located in this State; and (4) 13 public members, to be appointed by the Governor no later than the 60th day after the effective date of this bill, as follows: one person upon the recommendation of the New Jersey Apartment Association; one person upon the recommendation of the Fair Share Housing Center; one person upon the recommendation of the Legal Services of New Jersey; one person upon the recommendation of the New Jersey Tenants Organization; one person upon the recommendation of the Bergen County Housing, Health, and Human Services Center; one person upon the recommendation of the Fair Housing Council of Northern New Jersey; one person upon the recommendation of the New Jersey Coalition to End Homelessness; one person upon the recommendation of the Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey; one person upon the recommendation of the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey; one person upon the recommendation of Family Promise of New Jersey; and three members of the public who have a demonstrated expertise in issues relating to the work of the task force. The bill provides that the Commissioner of Community Affairs or the commissioner's designee will serve as chairperson of the task force. The members will service without compensation, but will be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties and within the limits of funds available to the task force. The task force may call to its assistance and avail itself of the services of the employees of any State, county, or municipal executive department, board, bureau, commission, or agency as it may require and as may be available to it for its purposes. The task force may meet and hold hearings at the places it designates during the sessions or recesses of the Legislature. The bill directs the Department of Community Affairs to provide staff support to the task force. Finally, the task force is to report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature, along with any legislation that it desires to recommend for adoption by the Legislature, no later than 18 months after the date of organization of the task force, at which point the task force will expire. | In Committee |
| S4202 | Allows for the establishment of a "County Tenant Legal Assistance Program" in each county; requires portion of the administrative fee for residential mortgage execution sales fund the program. | This bill would allow the governing body of each county to establish a county tenant legal assistance program for low-income families to provide legal representation in landlord-tenant proceeding. In addition, the bill would provide funding for the program by using a portion of the sheriff's fee for execution sales. Under the provisions of N.J.S.22A:4-8, the sheriff, as his fee, receives a percentage of the sale when property is sold in an execution sale. The percentage is as follows: (1) on all sums not exceeding $5,000.00, 6%; (2) on all sums exceeding $5,000.00 on such excess, 4%; and (3) the minimum fee to be charged for a sale by virtue of an execution, $50.00. This bill would provide that if the county has a established a county legal assistance program then a portion of that fee would be allocated to that program. The bill provides that $300 from each residential mortgage execution sale exceeding $7,000 that is conducted by the sheriff would be used by the county for the operation of the "County Tenant Legal Assistance Program." Monies would be deposited into the "County Tenant Legal Assistance Program Fund" which would be created by each county. The fund would provide a source of funding for the county legal assistance programs. By allowing counties to establish a trust fund for revenue generated from the sheriff's fee in residential mortgage foreclosure actions, this bill permits these revenues to be dedicated to covering the costs of the program beyond the one-year budget cycle otherwise provided for in the "Local Budget Law." Without providing this change in the local budget law, these funds would lapse into the county budget surplus at the end of any given budget year. In addition, the bill provides that if the county establishes a "County Tenant Legal Assistance Program" persons hired for that purpose would considered county employees and serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority. The bill would also require that the governing body of each county that has established a "County Tenant Legal Assistance Program" to establish a public awareness campaign in order to promote public awareness of the program and to promote public awareness of the services provided by Legal Services of New Jersey and its affiliates. If a governing body of a county has chosen not to establish a "County Tenant Legal Assistance Program" the governing body of that county would also be required to establish a public awareness campaign to promote awareness of the services provided by Legal Services of New Jersey and its affiliates. | In Committee |
| S4168 | Establishes the "Safe and Sanitary Rental Housing Act." | Too many residents of the State of New Jersey are currently residing in rental housing units that fail to meet minimum standards of safety and sanitation. Landlords should be held accountable for the health and safety of their tenants with respect to their housing, and should be required to provide safe and sanitary housing accommodations. Accordingly, this bill implements various changes to State rental housing laws in the areas of landlord registration requirements, inspection of multiple dwellings, warranty of habitability, and distribution of certain information. Warranty of Habitability Section 3 of the bill provides that in any action before the court in which a tenant asserts a warrant of habitability violation by a landlord who accepts a rental subsidy, the court is required to notify The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) within two business days. Upon notice to DCA, the Bureau of Housing Inspection (BHI) is required to inspect the property within 10 days. A hearing to determine violation of the warranty of habitability may not be set by the court prior to the completion of the inspection by the BHI. If it is determined by the court that failure to pay rent was due to a significant violation of the warranty of habitability of the premises, the court will direct the deposit of the tenant portion of rental payments with a court-appointed administrator for use in remedying the defective condition. The State or public housing authority, as the case may be, will retain the discretion to withhold any portion of the rental subsidy until a reinspection by BHI determines every significant violation has been remedied. Landlord Registration Sections 4, 5, 6, and 7 address issues related to registration of landlords. Current law requires landlords to register with the municipality in which the rental premises is located, or with DCA, depending on circumstances. Section 4 of the bill prohibits the entering of a judgment of possession by any court unless the landlord has been registered for at least 90 days. Under section 5 of the bill, landlords are required to include the following additional information in a landlord registration: (1) in the case of a record owner that is a corporation, limited liability company, or other legal or commercial entity, the names and Social Security numbers of residence of the members, directors, officers, and registered agents, as applicable; and (2) for each person required to be named in the registration, a telephone number where someone can be reached at all times; a street address of residence; and an active email address. Section 5 also requires that a landlord who accepts rental subsidies may not be granted State funding, or a tax abatement or exemption, for rehabilitation of a premises unless the landlord has been registered for at least 90 days. "Rental subsidy" is defined as funds paid to a landlord pursuant to federal project-based or tenant-based federal Housing Choice Voucher (section 8) Program rental assistance or paid as a rental assistance grant pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2004, c.140 (C.52:27D-287.1). Section 6 of the bill requires landlords to annually certify, by July 1, that the certificate of registration is accurate, and contains current information. Under section 7 of the bill, a landlord who fails to register as required by law shall be liable for a penalty of not more than $500 for each offense. Inspections Sections 8, 9, 10, 11 and 15 of the bill pertain to the inspection, and reinspection, of multiple dwellings. Section 8 of the bill permits the Commissioner of Community Affairs, by rule or regulation, to establish a classification of multiple dwellings in which properties are divided into tiers delineating the frequency of inspections based on criteria set forth in the regulation. Under the provisions of section 9 of the bill, within 30 days of the most recent inspection of a hotel or multiple dwelling, the owner must file with the commissioner an application for a certification of inspection, together with the required fee. A certificate of inspection and the fees would not be required more often than the schedule of inspections set by the commissioner pursuant to section 8 of the bill. Section 10 of the bill pertains to significant violations found following an inspection or reinspection. A significant violation is defined as a lack of running water, or adequate sewage disposal facilities; infestations, excluding infestations without associated health impacts; structural deficiency; or any other condition that the commissioner may, by rule, identify as a significant violation, that does not constitute an imminent hazard, and which is not caused by, or within the control of, the tenant. If a significant violation is found following an inspection or reinspection, the commissioner must notify, if applicable, the public housing authority that operates the multiple dwelling within 48 hours of the inspection or reinspection. In the case of a multiple dwelling that participates in federal section 8 housing, the commissioner must notify the Department of Housing and Urban Development New Jersey field officer of the complaint and violation. If the commissioner determines as the result of an inspection of a hotel or multiple dwelling that one or more significant violations exist, the written order served on the owner must identify each violation. If an application for a hearing is filed pursuant to section 18 of P.L.1967, c.76 (C.55:13A-18), the hearing shall be held within 30 days of the receipt of the application, and the commissioner must render a final decision within 60 days of the date of the hearing. Section 11 of the bill requires the commissioner to establish a program to assist municipalities in making inspection records and landlord information records available to the public on the Internet. Section 12 of the bill requires that the commissioner promulgate regulations to effectuate the provisions of the "Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law," P.L.1967, c.76 (C.55:13A-1 et seq.) pursuant to the provisions of the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.). Section 15 of the bill requires that a landlord post in every common area of a tenant-occupied multiple dwelling, and include in a printed notice in the lease, instructions on how to file a tenant complaint with the BHI, and instructions on how to access and use the instructions on how to access and use the comprehensive social services information toll-free telephone hotline service, established pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1991, c.524 (C.30:1-1.1) Eviction Proceedings Section 13 of the bill requires that if a landlord enters any information into a shared database concerning eviction proceedings brought against a residential tenant for non-payment of rent, the landlord must include the following information, which shall be permanently attached to the tenant's record in the database: (1) whether a finding was made on the record that the non-payment of rent was due to a violation of the warranty of habitability of the premises; and (2) the disposition of the proceedings. A landlord or an owner of the shared database who violates this requirement will be liable to a penalty of $500 for each offense. Mail Delivery Section 14 of the bill would permit DCA to mail notices, orders, rules, and decisions, by certified mail, with return receipt requested, and regular mail, and makes other procedural changes to the process of serving those documents. | In Committee |
| S4167 | Removes initial mortgage period on new construction from exemptions to municipal rent control and rent leveling ordinances. | This bill would repeal sections 1 through 7 of P.L.1987, c.153 (C.2A:42-84.1 et seq.) in order to remove the initial mortgage period on new construction from the exemptions that are required by State law to be applied to municipal rent control and rent leveling ordinances. The bill would take effect immediately, and would apply to new construction for which an application for development is submitted subsequent to the effective date of this act. | In Committee |
| S4214 | Increases FY2025 Grants-in-Aid appropriation to DCA for "NJSHARES - S.M.A.R.T. Program" by $5 million. | This bill amends the FY 2025 Appropriations Act to increase the Grants-in-Aid appropriation to the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) for NJSHARES - S.M.A.R.T. Program by $5 million, from $5.5 million to $10.5 million, to fund utility assistance for homeowners and tenants of residential property throughout the State suffering financial difficulties. The bill directs the commissioner to design and establish program criteria and guidelines consistent with the bill in order to award grants to eligible homeowners and tenants in an expeditious manner to enable them to comply with their utilities obligations. To be eligible for a grant under this program a homeowner or tenant may not be eligible for, or a recipient of funding from, private insurance or from any other available funding opportunity. The bill authorizes the commissioner to implement this program through the award of contracts, or through the delegation of its authority to award grants, to private nonprofit organizations, public agencies, or both. | In Committee |
| S4197 | Requires employer to allow employee suffering from menstrual disorder to work remotely in certain circumstances. | This bill provides that employers are required to provide not less than two full days per month of remote work accommodations to an employee experiencing qualifying conditions and symptoms related to the employee's menstrual cycle. The specific conditions and symptoms covered by the bill include but are not limited to: (1) uterine fibroids; (2) endometriosis; (3) polycystic ovary syndrome; (4) adenomyosis; (5) premenstrual syndrome; (6) premenstrual dysphoric disorder; (7) dysmenorrhea; (8) menorrhagia; or (9) any condition arising from the employee's menstrual cycle that causes discomfort to the employee but does not debilitate the employee to the extent that the employee would be unable to perform the essential duties of the employee's position. The bill permits an employer to require an employee requesting remote work in accordance with the bill to provide a note from a medical provider to substantiate that the employee meets the conditions set forth in the bill to qualify for a remote work accommodation. The bill prohibits an employer from penalizing the employee in terms, conditions, or privileges of employment for requesting to work remotely or working remotely in accordance with the bill. Under the bill, if an employer can demonstrate that the employee working remotely would create an undue burden on the employer or that the employee cannot perform the essential duties of the position on a remote basis, then the employer would not be required to provide remote accommodations under the bill. However, the employer bears the burden of proving either circumstance by a preponderance of the evidence. An employer who violates the bill will be liable for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $1,000 for the first violation, $5,000 for the second violation, and $10,000 for each subsequent violation collectible by the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development in a summary proceeding. | In Committee |
| S4165 | Directs DOH to establish food bank for pets pilot program; appropriates $1 million. | This bill directs the Department of Health (DOH) to develop and implement, in cooperation with, and with the participation of, selected non-profit organizations and volunteer groups or organizations, a "Food Banks for Pets Pilot Program" to provide food for cats and dogs to pet owners who are facing financial challenges in providing for their pets without assistance. The bill provides for the pilot program to be operated for at least a one-year period after it is implemented, but the bill would also authorize the DOH to extend the term of the pilot program if funding permits or if the DOH determines that the pilot program, after one-year of operations, continues to be operable and is achieving its goals. The bill directs the DOH, no later than one year after the pilot program is implemented, to submit to the Governor and the Legislature a written report on the implementation of the pilot program, including a recommendation on establishing the Food Banks for Pets Pilot Program as a permanent program, in, but not of, the Department of Health, or disbanding the program. The bill authorizes the DOH to select non-profit organizations and volunteer groups or organizations for participation in the pilot program, to delegate implementation of the pilot program to those selected groups and organizations, to coordinate the establishment and operation of food banks for pets with municipalities and selected non-profit organizations and volunteer groups or organizations, and to take any other actions necessary to implement the bill's provisions. The bill further authorizes the DOH to collect and deposit moneys necessary to fund the costs of implementing the pilot program, including, among other expenses, the costs of awarding grants to selected non-profit organizations and volunteer groups or organizations to finance their delegated implementation of the pilot program. The bill provides that persons donating pet food, in good faith, and selected non-profit organizations and volunteer groups or organizations receiving and distributing donated pet food, in good faith, pursuant to the bill's provisions, will be immune from liability for damages resulting from consumption of the donated pet food. The bill appropriates $1 million to the DOH for the purposes of the pilot program. | In Committee |
| S4227 | Establishes "LGBTQIA+ Pride Month" in New Jersey. | Since January 2025, several federal executive orders have been signed aiming to end diversity, equity, and inclusion programs within the federal government. Subsequently, several federal agencies have taken actions to comply with the executive orders, including the Defense Intelligence Agency, which has ordered a pause of all events related to several special observances. These special observances include Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday, Black History Month, Women's History Month, Holocaust Remembrance Day, Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Pride Month, Juneteenth, Women's Equality Day, National Hispanic Heritage Month, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and National American Indian Heritage Month. These federal executive orders have also resulted in the removal of certain terms related to gender identity. The removal is evidenced through actions taken by the federal government, such as updated forms replacing the term "gender" with "sex," websites related to diversity, equity, and inclusion being shut down, and health resources for transgender individuals being taken down from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website. In addition, since the Stonewall National Monument is funded by the National Park Service, the monument's website removed any references to transgender or queer individuals. Federally funded research projects have also been required to pause while staff at the National Science Foundation search the research projects for dozens of words that could violate the executive orders, including "women," "disability," "bias," "status," "trauma," "Black," "Hispanic," "socioeconomic," "ethnicity," and "systemic." The State of New Jersey currently celebrates commemorative days and months including, but not limited to, Black History Month, Women's History Month, Holocaust Remembrance Day, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Juneteenth, Women's Equality Day, Hispanic Heritage Month, and Disability Employment Awareness Month. It is appropriate for the State of New Jersey to acknowledge the importance of promoting the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion by additionally commemorating "LGBTQIA+ Pride Month." Therefore, this bill designates the month of June of each year as "LGBTQIA+ Pride Month" in New Jersey. LGBTQIA+ individuals have historically been persecuted by discriminatory laws and policies that denied access to rights, programs, benefits, and services otherwise guaranteed to the general population. Commemorating "LGBTQIA+ Pride Month" is imperative to acknowledge the contributions LGBTQIA+ individuals, including those who identify as transgender or queer, have made and continue to make to strengthen the fabric of American society, as well as to celebrate authenticity, acceptance, inclusion, and love. | In Committee |
| S4189 | Creates program for installing standby emergency power generators in new senior housing. | This bill creates a standard under the State Uniform Construction Code for those newly-constructed residential multiple dwellings in which at least 90 percent of the units will be occupied by seniors, and for which an application for a construction permit has not been declared complete by the enforcing agency before the effective date of the bill, requiring such housing units or complexes to be equipped with standby emergency power generators. Seniors are defined under the bill as persons age 62 or older. The bill directs that the use of standby emergency power generators required under the bill is to comport with the regulations of the Department of Environmental Protection concerning air pollution and are to be tested regularly. | In Committee |
| S4242 | Establishes Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in each State department or agency. | This bill establishes an Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in each State department or agency. The head of each State department or agency, or the Governor, as appropriate, will appoint a Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, and the officer will be the administrator and head of the office. The bill requires the office to serve as a centralized location for expertise and data on diversity, equity, and inclusion and to engage in programs, initiatives, and policies to support cross-cultural education and employee engagement. The office will analyze and report on data relevant to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and identify and advise on improvements to operational processes and systems within the State department or agency to align with diversity, equity, and inclusion best practices with the goal of facilitating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. The office will also develop and deliver diversity, equity, and inclusion training tailored to the State department or agency's functions and requirements. The bill also requires the office to use its data for informing the State's efforts only as authorized under State and federal law to advance equity and inclusion for the diverse communities in this State. The office will not use or share data for the use of civil immigration enforcement. | In Committee |
| S4171 | Establishes "Guaranteed Income Pilot Program" in DOLWD for residents of certain cities. | This bill establishes a "Guaranteed Income Pilot Program" in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. This pilot program is to study the effect of unconditional disbursement of funds on individual spending habits and on the economic status of the municipality in which the individual resides. The pilot program shall operate for a period of two years. It shall provide its recipients with $500 per month for eighteen months. The pilot program shall be established in the cities of Paterson, Passaic City, Jersey City, Plainfield, Newark, Trenton, and Camden. The program shall select at random 500 residents of each city as participants, provided that no participant shall have reported an annual household income of greater than $80,000 in the previous year, and provided that there is not more than one selected individual per household. No other criteria shall be necessary for receipt of the funds provided by the pilot program. The Department of the Treasury, in consultation with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, shall study economic data from the cities affected by the pilot program, and collect voluntary survey data from the participants in the pilot program regarding their spending habits and personal financial situation, as well as any other data or information relevant to the pilot program that they see fit to gather, and shall submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Governor and to the Legislature no later than the first day of the tenth month following the conclusion of the two-year pilot program. | In Committee |
| S4241 | Clarifies power of court to limit restrictions by guardian concerning visitation of ward by family and interested parties; directs 10 day return to court on matters concerning visitation in some instances. | This bill clarifies the authority of the court in guardianship matters where an application for visitation of the incapacitated individual is before the court. The court, in guardianship matters, pursuant to its parens patriae authority, has broad powers and discretion in the oversight of incompetency matters, including the power to limit the authority conferred upon an appointed guardian. Under the bill, where an application has been made to the court to obtain family or other interested party visitation rights, the court is directed to set the date on which the order to show cause is heard and for which a temporary order will be issued no more than ten days from the date of the signing of the order. The bill establishes a rebuttable presumption in favor of visitation and provides that visitation should only be denied upon clear and convincing evidence that it is not in the best interest of the incapacitated individual, such determination by the court to be on the record, or by written decision. The court retains the discretion to provide any limitations the court deems appropriate, including but not limited to, supervised visitation. | In Committee |
| S4245 | Extends regulatory power of State Long-Term Care Ombudsman to senior housing. | This bill extends the regulatory power of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman to senior housing. The bill amends current law to require the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman to elicit, receive, process, respond to, and resolve complaints involving the abuse or exploitation of elderly persons who reside in age-restricted developments. The bill defines "age-restricted development" to mean a community that complies with the "housing for older persons" exception from the federal "Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988," Pub.L.100-430 (42 U.S.C. ss.3601 et seq.) for that community as set forth in section 100.301 of Title 24, Code of Federal Regulations. | In Committee |
| S4226 | Revises SNAP application process to include certain notices, and certification and recertification requirements. | This bill requires the Division of Family Development in the Department of Human Services to create a notice that informs a State Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) applicant of the household eligibility and verification requirements that must be met as part of the SNAP application process. The notice is also required to include information on a county SNAP agency's responsibility in assisting the applicant throughout the application process. This notice is required to be provided in English and written at a fourth-grade reading level. In accordance with the provisions of P.L.2023, c.263 (C.52:14-40 et seq.), the notice will be translated into the top seven most common non-English languages, and in any additional languages necessary as determined by the Commissioner of Human Services. Additionally, the bill states that applicants, during certification or recertification, can self-attest to:1. dependent care expenses; 2. SNAP household composition; 3. financial resources; 4. shelter expenses; and5. citizenship status. Pursuant to federal regulations, immigration status must be verified; however, additional verification of the above-mentioned self-attestations will not be required unless the information is deemed questionable. If additional verification is required, the SNAP agency must provide the applicant with a written notice: (1) explaining why the information is questionable; and (2) containing examples of the types of documents the applicant may provide for verification of the questionable information. Lastly, the bill provides that the Assistant Commissioner of the Division of Family Development promulgate rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of this bill. | In Committee |
| SJR155 | Designates the month of September as "National Obesity Awareness Month" in New Jersey. | This joint resolution designates the month of September of each year as "National Obesity Awareness Month" in New Jersey to promote awareness of the problems associated with obesity and encourage healthy living habits. The resolution requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation calling on public officials and the citizens of New Jersey to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs. Obesity is a national epidemic which can have adverse effects on peoples' health and economic well-being. The percentage of New Jersey citizens who are considered obese has increased from 12.3 percent in 1995 to 25.6 percent in 2015; at the current rate of increase, an estimated 48.3 percent of New Jersey adults will be obese by the year 2030. Obesity is associated with increased risk of developing heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. | In Committee |
| S4244 | Requires school districts receiving preschool education aid to establish mixed delivery system for preschool education. | This bill requires school districts that are in receipt of preschool education aid to establish and utilize a mixed delivery system for the provision of free preschool opportunities. The bill defines a mixed delivery system as a partnership between a school district and licensed child care providers and Head Start programs in the same community or neighboring communities, which is formed for the purpose of providing free preschool opportunities. Additionally, the bill requires a school district that is in receipt of preschool education aid to provide preschool education in a manner that: (1) to the greatest extent feasible, maximizes the number of free preschool opportunities provided through licensed child care providers and Head Start programs in the community or neighboring communities that are willing and able to meet all preschool program requirements; and (2) does not selectively assign a preschool pupil to either a district program, licensed child care provider program, or Head Start program based on age or any other characteristic or factor that affects the cost of educating the pupil. Finally, the bill provides that it is to be the responsibility of the Department of Education to ensure that school districts are in compliance with the mixed delivery system requirements set forth in the bill. The department is also required to provide guidance and technical assistance to school districts, licensed child care providers, and Head Start programs in the implementation of a mixed delivery system of preschool education. | In Committee |
| S4175 | Clarifies procedures for restoration of driver's license after suspension or revocation; concerns waiver of penalties for operating vehicle while license is suspended or revoked under certain circumstances. | This bill requires certain drivers whose driver's licenses are suspended or revoked to receive notice and receipt of payment concerning license restoration, and concerns penalties for operating a vehicle while a person's license is suspended or revoked under certain circumstances. Current law provides that a person is required to act affirmatively in order to restore a suspended or revoked license by paying a restoration fee. A person who fails to pay the restoration fee will not have their license restored. When a driver has been issued an additional period of suspension for driving while suspended or revoked, the bill requires the Chief Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission to provide notice: (1) of the period of the additional suspension or revocation term; (2) that the driver is required to pay the restoration fee once the period of suspension or revocation has ended; and (3) that the driver's license will remain suspended or revoked until the restoration fee is paid and any additional conditions ordered by the court for restoration of the driver's license or registration are satisfied. The bill further requires the chief administrator to provide a licensee with proof of payment of the restoration fee upon receipt of the payment. The proof of payment is required to include a disclaimer notifying a licensee that license restoration is subject to payment of the restoration fee and satisfaction of any conditions ordered by the court. Current law also provides that a person operating a vehicle while the person's license is suspended or revoked may incur penalties including additional suspensions, fines, and terms of imprisonment. Under the bill, the court would not be permitted to impose a term of imprisonment, fine, or period of suspension, or revocation for a violation of driving while suspended or revoked if: (1) the original period of suspension or revocation is complete; (2) the person has no other outstanding suspensions or revocations for which the period of suspension or revocation is incomplete or the restoration fee has not been paid; (3) the person does not have any unsatisfied conditions ordered by the court for restoration of the person's driver's license or registration; and (4) the person provides proof of payment of the restoration fee. Lastly, current law provides for extended terms of imprisonment for certain violations involving the operation of a motor vehicle when a driver's license or registration is suspended or revoked. This bill makes the imposition of an extended term discretionary in certain circumstances. | In Committee |
| S4203 | Creates domestic violence Internet registry for certain public access; mandates counseling and community service and increases fines for certain domestic violence offenders. | This bill requires the Administrative Office of the Courts in conjunction with the Superintendent of State Police and the Attorney General to develop and maintain a system to make certain domestic violence registry information publicly available over the Internet. This registry would be separate from the central domestic violence registry maintained by the Administrative Office of the Courts established pursuant to N.J.S.A.2C:25-34. Under the bill, the public would be able to gain access through the Internet to all available information concerning an individual record, any part of, or the entire domestic violence Internet registry concerning, all persons who have been convicted of one or more offenses or crimes involving domestic violence. In the case of a person who has been convicted of offenses or crimes involving domestic violence, the public may, without limitation, obtain access to the domestic violence Internet registry to view an individual record, any part of, or the entire domestic violence Internet registry including: the defendant's name and any aliases the defendant has used or under which the defendant may be or may have been known; any crime or offense involving domestic violence for which the defendant was convicted; the date and location of disposition; a brief description of any such offense, a general description of the defendant's modus operandi, if any; the defendant's age, race, sex, date of birth, height, weight, hair, eye color and any distinguishing scars or tattoos; a photograph of the defendant and the date on which the photograph was entered into the registry; the make, model, color, year and license plate number of any vehicle operated by the defendant; and the defendant's last address. Under the bill, a defendant whose name is included in the database may petition the Administrative Office of the Courts for removal of their name from the database as follows: after two years for a first crime or offense involving domestic violence; after seven years for a second crime or offense involving domestic violence; and after 20 years for a third or subsequent crime or offense involving domestic violence. The Administrative Office of the Courts would remove the person's name from the database if the person has not been found guilty of an offense or crime related to domestic violence during the period preceding the petition. If applicable, the period would be measured from the date of the person's satisfactory completion of probation or parole, or release from incarceration, whichever date is later. However, any defendant who has been convicted of a domestic violence-related homicide, sexual assault or aggravated assault or a conspiracy or attempt to commit a domestic violence-related homicide, sexual assault or aggravated assault would not be eligible to have their name removed from the database. In addition, on the website through which a person may search the database described in the bill, the Administrative Office of the Courts would include the following information: the manner in which a person may petition the Administrative Office of the Courts for removal of their name from the database, the circumstances under which the Administrative Office of the Courts would grant the petition, and the manner in which a person may update their address. The bill also provides that no person would be held liable for failure to investigate or disclose any information from the domestic violence Internet registry that is compiled or made available to the public as provided in this bill. The bill also requires the court to order any person found by the court in a final hearing pursuant to N.J.S.A.2C:25-29 to have committed an act of domestic violence to undergo professional domestic violence counseling as follows: for a first act of domestic violence, a minimum of six months; for a second act of domestic violence, a minimum of one year; and for a third or subsequent act of domestic violence, a minimum of two years. In addition, the court would require the defendant to perform community service for a minimum of one year. The bill also increases the civil penalty for a person found by the court in a final hearing pursuant to N.J.S.A.2C:25-29 to have committed an act of domestic violence to pay from $50 to as follows: $500 for a first act of domestic violence; $1,000 for a second act of domestic violence; and $5,000 for a third or subsequent act of domestic violence. The bill would take effect on the 90th day following enactment. | In Committee |
| S4253 | Establishes "Artificial Intelligence Innovation Partnership"; provides funding for certain nonprofit partnerships to promote certain emerging technology businesses. | This bill establishes the "Artificial Intelligence Innovation Partnership," (partnership) to be administered by the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (commission), which is to include one or more independent nonprofit organizations (partners) working to support emerging artificial intelligence (AI) technology businesses and to create collaborative innovation ecosystems across New Jersey. Under this bill, the goals and policies of the partners include: (1) identifying, developing, adapting, and implementing advanced technologies to enable the growth and competitiveness of emerging AI technology businesses through technology development, commercialization, and implementation; (2) acting as regional facilitators and managers for interactions, programs, and initiatives by and among the commission, emerging AI technology businesses, economic development organizations, the corporate community, private and public institutions of higher education, research institutions, government, organized labor, and other interests working collaboratively to advance the development of specialized innovation-based science and technology ecosystems in this State; (3) directly providing, and serving as the conduit to, early-stage and later-stage private and public capital for emerging AI technology businesses; (4) providing training or technical assistance to help emerging AI technology businesses apply to federal programs for the purpose of attracting federal investment funds to this State; (5) developing, providing, or supporting business incubation resources and spaces and facilitating the development of emerging AI technology business campuses, including discounted laboratory space to academic or executive emerging AI technology business spin-out companies; (6) coordinating marketing efforts concerning existing State and local financial and material resources for emerging AI technology businesses; (7) establishing and administering a research grant fund for the economic impact assessments of AI technology development projects conducted by private or public institutions of higher education that seek grant funding through the commission; (8) establishing partnerships to support and enhance the scale, scope, and impact of initiatives that support the purpose and mission of the commission and the partners; (9) encouraging the advancement, development, and support of underrepresented emerging AI technology businesses to expand diversity and opportunity within that sector, with priority given to emerging AI technology businesses that demonstrate diversity in ownership or leadership. The commission is to establish the exact geographical boundaries for the northern, central, southern, and shore regions of the State, and the partners are to be responsible for achieving specific goals in the respective regions. A nonprofit organization established as of the date of the bill's enactment and meeting one of the regional requirements may apply to the commission, in a form and manner determined by the commission, for certification as a partner. Once certified, a partner may apply to the commission, in a form and manner determined by the commission, to receive grant funds from the fund established pursuant to this bill. Upon receipt of a grant, a partner is to implement the terms of the grant agreement. Failure to comply with the grant agreement will result in the forfeiture of the grant. In selecting and certifying a nonprofit organization as a partner, the commission is to give priority to a nonprofit organization with diverse leadership and organized with at least one location in a municipality that meets the criteria for State aid pursuant to State law. If the commission is unable to certify a nonprofit organization as a partner for a certain region, the commission may establish and incorporate an independent nonprofit organization to serve as a partner for that particular region. In appointing the board for the nonprofit organization, the commission is to consider the ethnic, racial, and gender diversity of the community in which the partner is located. The commission may modify or revoke a partner's participation in the partnership if the commission determines the partner does not achieve the goals or does not implement the policies of this bill. Lastly, this bill directs partners to annually submit certain information to the commission and the commission to annually issue a report to the Governor and the Legislature describing the activities of the commission and each partner. | In Committee |
| S4243 | Renders contracts to provide criminal assistance unlawful; creates civil right of action for victims of certain criminal conduct. | This bill renders void certain agreements, and creates a statutory right of action for certain crime victims. Under the bill, an act of concealment, alteration, or destruction of evidence that is intended to thwart law enforcement detection of an alleged offender in exchange for money or non-monetary compensation is defined as rendering criminal assistance. The agreement itself, whether written or oral, express or implied, is rendered void. Moreover, the victim of the crime is granted a private right of action against the person or private entity who entered into the agreement. Under the bill, a person or private entity "renders criminal assistance" when, with the intent to prevent, hinder, or delay the discovery or apprehension of an alleged offender who such person or private entity knows or believes has committed a crime or is being sought by law enforcement for the commission of a crime, commits any act of concealment, alteration, or destruction of any physical evidence which might aid in the discovery or apprehension of the alleged offender in exchange for money or non-monetary compensation. This bill is based on legislation pending in the New York Legislature known as "Cassie's Law." | In Committee |
| S4169 | Establishes certain notice and compensation requirements for residential tenant displaced for purpose of renovation. | This bill establishes certain notice and compensation requirements for residential tenants displaced for the purpose of renovation. The bill would require a landlord to compensate a displaced residential tenant for the reasonable rental cost of a moving truck or van, and the value of 12 months' rent, if: (1) the landlord has given a written notice to quit to the tenant or filed an eviction action against the tenant, alleging that the owner or a buyer seeks to personally occupy the unit; and represented to the tenant that possession is sought for renovation or construction purposes; or (2) the residential tenant has been displaced for the purpose of personal occupancy by the owner or a buyer, and the owner or buyer has represented to the tenant that possession was sought for purposes of renovating or engaging in construction work on the unit; or such renovation or construction work has been performed within six months following the tenant's displacement. If the tenant has not vacated the unit as described in paragraph (1) above, payment by the owner would be due five days prior to the tenant vacating the unit. If the tenant has vacated the unit as described in paragraph (2) above, payment would be due within five days of the tenant's displacement. If payment is not made within these proscribed time periods, interest would accrue and be due to the tenant at an annual interest rate of 18 percent. If the landlord does not provide compensation for displacement in full within 30 days of removal, the unpaid balance and interest would be a lien on the property for the benefit of the tenant. The bill requires the lien to be recorded, as specified in the bill. The lien would have the priority of a mortgage lien. This bill also requires that if a landlord requests, or otherwise attempts to persuade a residential tenant to vacate the tenant's dwelling unit, so that the landlord may renovate the unit or by representing that the landlord intends renovate or engage in construction work on the unit, the landlord would be required to provide the tenant with a written notice. The landlord would be required to give the notice to the tenant at least one month prior to the requested departure date, provided that where there is a written lease in effect, the departure date shall not be instituted until the written lease expires. The written notice is required to state the circumstances that permit a landlord to evict a residential tenant for purposes of renovation, and stating that the landlord is not permitted to evict the tenant unless those circumstances are present. The bill requires the Commissioner of Community Affairs to, on or before the first day of the fourth month next following enactment, prepare and make available, on the Internet website of the Department of Community Affairs, a model statement for the purposes of this requirement. The Anti-Eviction Act, P.L.1974, c.49 (C.2A:18-61.1 et seq.) does not permit a landlord to evict a residential tenant so that the landlord may renovate the housing unit, except in particular circumstances. However, it has become common for landlords to notify a tenant that the tenant needs to move out of their home because the landlord intends to renovate. Frequently, if the landlord initiates an eviction action for stated renovation purposes, the cause of action for the eviction provided by the landlord is that the landlord intends to personally occupy the unit, or has contracted to sell to a buyer who seeks to personally occupy the unit. This bill intends to protect faultless residential tenants from being persuaded to vacate a residential unit without understanding their rights, and compensate tenants who are evicted for causes associated with a stated intent to renovate. | In Committee |
| SCR127 | Supports Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility initiatives in higher education and private businesses. | This resolution supports Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) initiatives in higher education and private businesses. The State of New Jersey is one of the most diverse states in the nation, with more than 45 percent of its population composed of people of color, and is home to some of the most culturally diverse cities in the United States. Further, New Jersey has one of the largest immigrant populations in the country, with over two million foreign-born residents representing more than 100 different nationalities, and where nearly one-third of the State's population speaks a language other than English at home. New Jersey's institutions of higher education reflect this diversity, with Rutgers University consistently ranking among the most diverse public institutions of higher education in the country, and many of the State's two- and four-year institutions serving high percentages of first-generation college students, as well as students from historically marginalized communities. DEIA programs in higher education have been shown to increase student success, including higher retention, graduation, and completion rates, by providing mentorship, financial assistance, culturally inclusive curricula, and campus resources that foster belonging and academic achievement. Additionally, New Jersey's workforce is strengthened by its diversity, with industries such as healthcare, technology, pharmaceuticals, finance, and logistics benefiting from a multilingual and multicultural talent pool that enhances innovation and economic competitiveness. Businesses in New Jersey that implement strong DEIA policies experience greater employee engagement, stronger financial performance, and increased innovation, reinforcing the State's position as an economic leader in an increasingly globalized market. New Jersey has a long history of advancing civil rights and social justice, as reflected in its strong anti-discrimination laws, LGBTQ+ protections, and efforts to promote economic and educational equity for all residents. The New Jersey Legislature recognizes the importance of continuing to support DEIA initiatives in both higher education and private industry to ensure that the State remains a model of inclusion, equity, and opportunity. | In Committee |
| S4151 | Establishes certain requirements for public utility rate increases. | This bill establishes certain requirements for public utility rate increases. Specifically, the bill requires a public utility that files a petition with the Board of Public Utilities (board) for a rate increase to notify the public utility's affected customers of the filing by bill insert or by publication in newspapers published and circulated in the affected service area or areas. The notice is to include, at a minimum: (1) a summary of the contents of the filing; (2) the reasoning for the filing; and (3) a statement of the filing's impact on affected customers. In addition, the bill requires a public utility that files a petition with the board for a rate increase to send a written, plain language summary of the board order with the board's final decision on the public utility's petition to the public utility's affected customers. If the board order results in an increase to the public utility's existing individual rate, joint rate, toll, charge, or schedule thereof, the public utility is to send the summary to its affected customers 30 days prior to the effective date of the new rates. If the board order does not result in an increase to the public utility's existing individual rate, joint rate, toll, charge, or schedule thereof, the public utility is to send the summary to its affected customers within 14 days after the issuance of the board order. Finally, the bill amends current law to require the board to respond in writing to any questions submitted by a member of the public during a hearing held by the board or the Office of Administrative Law on a public utility's filing to significantly increase, change, or alter its rate schedule, provided that the questions pertain to the filing being considered at the hearing. Under the bill, the board is to respond to these questions no later than 14 days after the final hearing on a public utility's application to significantly increase, change, or alter its rate schedule. | In Committee |
| S4150 | Establishes limits for electric public utility rate increases for low- and middle-income households. | This bill establishes limits for electric public utility rate increases for eligible households. Specifically, under the bill, an electric public utility is prohibited from increasing its rates for low- and middle-income households that are also residential households by more than the all-items index for the previous calendar year. The bill provides that an electric public utility that fails to comply with this prohibition is to be fined an amount and subject to any other penalties to be determined by the board. Finally, the bill requires an electric public utility to report the following information to the board: (1) the number of eligible households that benefit from the program; (2) the financial impact of the program on the electric public utility; and (3) recommendations for adjustments to the program. The board is then required, on an annual basis, to issue a report to the Legislature that summarizes the information it receives from an electric public utility under the bill. Under the bill, "all-items index" means the rate of inflation for all items, as determined by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics in its Consumer Price Index reports; "low-income household" means a household with a total, annual household income that is equal to or less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level, as that level is updated annually by the United States Department of Health and Human Services; and "middle-income household" means a household with a total, annual household income that is equal to or less than 400 percent of the federal poverty level, as that level is updated annually by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. | In Committee |
| S4155 | Requires Office of Homelessness Prevention to contract with county agencies or nonprofits to issue certain identification and birth certificates to individuals experiencing homelessness; appropriates $2 million. | This bill requires the Office of Homelessness Prevention (OHP) in the Department of Community Affairs to contract with a county agency or nonprofit in each county of the State that administers homelessness programs to issue personal identification, in a form and manner as determined by the director, and to coordinate provision of copies of birth certificates to individuals experiencing homelessness. A county agency or nonprofit is to be permitted to directly access and issue a birth certificate maintained by the State Office of Vital Statistics and Registry and shall notify the State Office of Vital Statistics and Registry of each issuance. This bill appropriates $2 million from General Fund, which shall be divided among the contracted county agencies or nonprofits pursuant to the bill, prorated based on the homeless population of each county, to the Office of Homelessness Prevention in the Department of Community Affairs, to effectuate the purposes of the bill. | In Committee |
| SR100 | Urges federal government to raise federal poverty line for public assistance programs. | This resolution urges the federal government to raise the federal poverty line for public assistance programs. The current federal poverty line was developed in the 1960s and was based on a household's ability to afford basic foodstuffs alone; it did not account for other living expenses such as housing, transportation, child care, and health care, which have all risen exponentially in price over the past sixty years. The federal government has not changed the original calculation for the poverty line since its inception, aside from adjusting for inflation. Consequently, nearly 53 million households cannot afford basic necessities such as food, housing, and health care, but only 37.9 million are officially recorded as living in poverty, as of 2022. The poverty threshold is used to determine eligibility for public assistance programs. As a result, the individuals and households who do not earn enough money to support their basic needs but do not meet the stringent limits of the current federal poverty line are without access to public assistance. Since 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic and the rampant rate of inflation have only worsened the cost-of-living crisis, increasing the financial burden on many poor Americans who cannot access social welfare. In addition, recent policies to raise the minimum wage across the country have had unintended consequences for low-wage earners who have lost access to public assistance in exchange for a marginal, and often insufficient, increase in pay, resulting in a benefits cliff. By raising the federal poverty line, the federal government can more accurately report the number of impoverished Americans and, therefore, expand access to public assistance programs for the individuals and households who need it. [CM1]This number increased from 51 million when I first researched and drafted this assignment in July 2023. [CM2]This number decreased from 38.1 million when I first researched and drafted this assignment in July 2023. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S2386 | Provides gross income tax credit to active members of volunteer emergency service organizations for use of personal motor vehicle in performance of active duty. | This bill establishes a refundable gross income tax credit to provide reimbursement to active members of volunteer fire departments and first aid squads for the use of their personal vehicle in the performance of active duty. The amount of the credit is determined by multiplying the business standard mileage rate set by the Internal Revenue Service for transportation or travel expenses by the number of miles the taxpayer actually and necessarily traveled by the taxpayer in the tax year using their personal vehicle in the performance of active duty. The maximum amount of the credit would be $500. If married individuals filing a joint return both qualify, they would be allowed a joint credit of up to $1,000. To be eligible for the credit, a taxpayer would, in the taxable year for which the credit was claimed, have to: (1) have been an unpaid member in good standing of the organization; and (2) have completed "qualifying service" with the organization. The bill defines "qualifying service" as: (a) for a volunteer who does not have duty hours, (i) active participation in at least 60 percent of the regular alarms or other calls to active duty to which the organization responds during the taxable year, (ii) recorded attendance at not less than 60 percent of the organization's mandatory meetings during the year, (iii) participation in all of the organization's mandatory meetings during the year, and (iv) performance during the year of not less than 60 percent of any other miscellaneous duty required by the organization; or (b) for a volunteer who does have duty hours, performance of at least 400 duty hours during the year, of which no more than 50 percent could be for drills or other training classes or exercises. The bill requires each volunteer emergency services organization to certify to the Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury, on or before January 15 of each year, a list of the active members of the organization during the prior tax year. The certification will assist the Division of Taxation in verifying a taxpayer's eligibility for a gross income tax credit under the bill. | Crossed Over |
| S1791 | Requires Attorney General to establish and maintain domestic extremist organization database. | This bill requires the Attorney General, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, to establish and maintain, at a publicly accessible location on its Internet website, a searchable database of information concerning domestic extremist organizations operating within or with any known connection to the State. The bill defines a "domestic extremist organization" as a group formed or individuals associated for the purpose of engaging in domestic extremism. "Domestic extremism" is defined as the activity of groups or individuals who commit or plan violent criminal acts motivated by a political or ideological viewpoint. The bill requires the database to include, but not be limited to, the following information concerning each domestic extremist organization: any name or nickname associated with the organization; a description of the organization's purpose and objectives; information concerning membership and recruiting tactics of the organization, including whether the organization is known to recruit current or former members of law enforcement agencies or the military; and any known criminal activities of the group. | In Committee |
| S1773 | Requires law enforcement officers to have updated photograph. | Requires law enforcement officers to have updated photograph. | In Committee |
| S3536 | Concerns distribution of 9-1-1 System and Emergency Response Trust Fund Account. | This bill expands the purposes funded by the "9-1-1 System and Emergency Response Trust Fund Account." Under this bill, funds credited to the account are to be annually appropriated to pay any costs associated with the recruitment and retention of first responders. The bill also allocates, annually, five percent of funds credited to the account to the New Jersey EMS Task Force, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides emergency medical services throughout New Jersey and regularly collaborates with the State. | In Committee |
| S3558 | Requires health insurance and Medicaid coverage for the treatment of stuttering. | 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) and the State Medicaid program to provide coverage for medical expenses incurred in the treatment of stuttering, including habilitative speech therapy and rehabilitative speech therapy. Whether treatment is a medical necessity is to be determined by the covered person's medical doctor. The bill requires coverage to be provided whether the services are delivered in-person or through telemedicine or telehealth, without the imposition of any prior authorization or other utilization management requirements, and without cost-sharing. Pursuant to the bill, "habilitative speech therapy" means speech therapy that helps a person keep, learn, or improve skills and functioning for daily living; and "rehabilitative speech therapy" means speech therapy that helps a person restore or improve skills and functioning for daily living that have been lost or impaired. | In Committee |
| S3694 | Prohibits cryptocurrency automatic teller machines. | This bill prohibits any business entity from owning, controlling, installing, or managing a cryptocurrency automatic teller machine (ATM) in this State. Under the bill, cryptocurrency is defined as any digital form of currency that functions as a medium of exchange through a decentralized computer network without reliance on any central authority such as a government or financial institution. In addition, a cryptocurrency ATM means a physical, internet-connected kiosk allowing users to buy, sell, send, or receive cryptocurrency by depositing money using a debit card, credit card, or cash. Under the provisions of the bill, owning, controlling, installing, managing, selling, or offering for sale a cryptocurrency ATM in this State is an unlawful practice under the consumer fraud act, punishable by a monetary penalty of not more than $10,000 for a first offense and not more than $20,000 for any subsequent offense. In addition, violations may result in cease and desist orders issued by the Attorney General, the assessment of punitive damages, and the awarding of treble damages and costs to the injured party. While cryptocurrency ATMs offer a convenient way for individuals to buy, sell, send, or receive digital currencies, there has been a significant rise in scams associated with their use. According to the United States Federal Trade Commission's Consumer Sentinel Network, fraud losses linked to these cryptocurrency automatic teller machines have surged nearly tenfold since 2020 to more than $110 million in 2023 and exceeded $65 million in just the first half of 2024. Since many incidents of fraud go unreported, these figures likely represent only a portion of the overall impact. It is the sponsor's intent to protect consumers from falling victim to financial losses associated with the use of cryptocurrency automatic teller machines. | In Committee |
| S3771 | Creates Task Force on Higher Education Governance and Funding; appropriates $200,000. | Creates Task Force on Higher Education Governance and Funding; appropriates $200,000. | In Committee |
| S3751 | Revises definition of child abuse or neglect to include persons between 18 and 21 years of age in certain settings. | This bill revises the definition of child abuse or neglect to include persons between 18 and 21 years of age in certain settings. Specifically, the bill amends the definition of "child" in section 1 of P.L.1974, c.119 (C.9:6-8.21) to mean any (1) person less than 18 years of age alleged to have been abused or neglected, or (2) any person less than 21 years of age alleged to have been abused or neglected, or subject to exploitation by a teacher, employee, contractor, or volunteer, whether compensated or uncompensated, of an institution responsible for the care or supervision of that person, as regulated by the Department of Children and Families (department), including employees of day schools. The bill also amends the definition of "abused or neglected child" in section 1 of P.L.1974, c.119 (C.9:6-8.21), so that the term will also apply to persons between 18 and 21 years of age. Although the department regulates and funds services for individuals with disabilities under the age of 21, the Office of Program Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) in the Department of Human Services currently conducts investigations involving persons between the age 18 and 21 in department-regulated facilities on behalf of the department and forwards all investigatory materials and findings to the department. This bill will transfer full investigatory responsibility to the department for the populations served and settings regulated by the department, which is accomplished by revising definitions and other provisions in the statute pertaining to the department and child abuse to reflect the full range of ages under the department's jurisdiction for persons up to 21 years of age in regulated facilities. The bill also updates section 3 of P.L.2010, c.5 (C.30:6D-75) to eliminate conflicting and superfluous references to the department, since the statute applies to individuals receiving services from the Department of Human Services. | In Committee |
| S3643 | Requires ingredients of menstrual products to be listed on package. | Requires ingredients of menstrual products to be listed on package. | In Committee |
| S3438 | Requires Medicaid coverage for motorized wheelchairs for nursing facility residents under certain circumstances. | Requires Medicaid coverage for motorized wheelchairs for nursing facility residents under certain circumstances. | In Committee |
| S2873 | Requires DHS and DOH, respectively, to provide information on SNAP, WFNJ, and WIC recipients regarding card skimming, cloning, and similar fraudulent activities and to replace stolen benefits; makes appropriation. | This bill directs the Commissioners of Human Services and Health, respectively, to provide information to certain benefit recipients regarding card skimming and cloning and to replace stolen benefits under fraudulent circumstances. Specifically, the Commissioner of Human Services is responsible for implementing these provisions for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Work First New Jersey Program (WFNJ), while the Commissioner of Health is responsible for implementing the provisions for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The bill also appropriates the necessary funds to the departments to support the provisions of the bill. As used under the bill, "skimming" means the illegal installation of devices on point-of-sale or automatic teller machine terminals to capture a cardholder's personal identification number and other data stored on the magnetic strip of the electronic benefits transfer card; and "card cloning" means making an unauthorized copy of an electronic benefits transfer card. Under the bill, each commissioner is to provide information to program recipients regarding the: risks of card skimming, card cloning, and similar fraudulent methods; precautions a recipient can take to avoid falling victim to fraudulent methods; claims process, established under the bill, through which a recipient can have stolen benefits replaced; and process by which a recipient can report stolen to the appropriate department or to local law enforcement agencies. This information is to be distributed to recipients, at a minimum, at the point of enrollment and recertification in the program and with the issuance of the recipient's electronic benefits transfer card. Each commissioner is also required to post the information on the department's website and at eligibility determining offices. The bill mandates the commissioners to establish a claims process, that mirrors the provisions of federal law regarding the replacement of stolen SNAP benefits, by which a recipient's stolen program benefits can be replaced by either federal or State funds, subject to availability. The bill also directs the commissioners to coordinate with vendors to implement available precautions to reduce the vulnerability of electronic benefits transfer cards to theft, such as the inclusion of an embedded microchip in all electronic benefits transfer cards Finally, the commissioners are required to report to the Governor and the Legislature, 18 months following the effective date of the bill, and annually thereafter, data regarding stolen and replaced program benefits, as collected under the bill, as well as any other information that demonstrates the departments' efforts to protect recipients from fraud. | In Committee |
| S1626 | Requires DHS and State Board of Medical Examiners to develop and implement process to improve efficiency of reviewing NJ FamilyCare provider applications. | Requires DHS and State Board of Medical Examiners to develop and implement process to improve efficiency of reviewing NJ FamilyCare provider applications. | In Committee |
| S1416 | Requires DOH to develop Statewide Emergency Medical Services Plan. | This bill requires the Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) in the Department of Health (DOH) to develop a Statewide Emergency Medical Services Plan that provides for a comprehensive, coordinated, emergency medical services (EMS) system in New Jersey. The plan is to include both short-term and long-term goals and objectives, and may incorporate the use of regional emergency medical services plans tailored to the specific needs of regions within the State as may be designated by the OEMS. If used, regional plans are to be jointly developed by each county board of health within the designated region, and will be developed in consultation with local boards of health, as needed. Regional plans will be subject to approval by the OEMS; upon receiving such approval, the regional plan will be deemed to be part of the Statewide plan. The OEMS will be required to review and update the Statewide plan triennially, and to make such changes to the plan as may be necessary to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the State's EMS system of care. The DOH will be required to make the Statewide Emergency Medical Services Plan available on its Internet website. In developing and updating the Statewide Emergency Medical Services Plan, the OEMS will be required, at a minimum, to: (1) conduct an inventory of EMS resources available within the State; (2) conduct an assessment of the current effectiveness of the EMS system of care in the State; (3) determine the need for changes to the current EMS system of care, including any changes as may be needed to improve access to EMS in a given region of the State or for a given population within the State; (4) develop performance metrics with regard to the delivery of EMS, establish a schedule for achieving the performance metrics, develop a method for monitoring and evaluating whether the performance metrics are being achieved, and prepare a cost estimate for achieving the performance metrics; (5) work with professional medical organizations, hospitals, and other public and private agencies to develop approaches whereby individuals who presently use the existing emergency department for routine, nonurgent, primary medical care will be served more appropriately and economically; and (6) consult with and review, with appropriate EMS agencies and organizations, the development of applications to governmental or other appropriate sources for grants or other funding to support EMS programs. The bill additionally requires the Statewide Emergency Medical Services Plan to: (1) establish a comprehensive Statewide EMS system, incorporating facilities, transportation, manpower, communications, and other components as integral parts of a unified system that will serve to improve the delivery of EMS and thereby decrease morbidity, hospitalization, disability, and mortality; (2) seek to reduce the time period between the identification of an acutely ill or injured patient and the provision of definitive treatment for the illness or injury; (3) increase access to high quality EMS for all citizens of New Jersey; (4) promote continuing improvement in system components, including: ground, water, and air transportation; communications; hospital emergency departments and other emergency medical care facilities; health care provider training and health care service delivery; and consumer health information and education; (5) ensure performance improvement of the EMS system and of the emergency services and care delivered on scene, in transit, in hospital emergency departments, and within the hospital environment; (6) conduct, promote, and encourage programs of education and training designed to upgrade the knowledge and skills of EMS personnel, including expanding the availability of paramedic and advanced life support training throughout the State, with particular emphasis on regions underserved by EMS personnel having such skills and training; (7) maintain a process for designating appropriate hospitals as trauma centers, certified stroke centers, and specialty care centers based on an applicable national evaluation system; (8) maintain a comprehensive EMS patient care data collection and performance improvement system, which is to incorporate certain EMS data currently reported to the DOH; (9) collect data and information and prepare reports for the sole purpose of designating and verifying trauma centers and other specialty care centers, which data, information, and reports will not be considered a government record for the purposes of open public records access laws; (10) establish and maintain a process for crisis intervention and peer support services for EMS personnel and public safety personnel, including Statewide availability and accreditation of critical incident stress management or peer support teams and personnel. The accreditation standards are to include a requirement that a peer support team be headed by a clinical psychologist, psychiatrist, clinical social worker, or professional counselor who: (a) is licensed pursuant to Title 45 of the Revised Statutes; and (b) has at least five years of experience as a mental health consultant working directly with EMS personnel or public safety personnel; (11) coordinate with the Emergency Medical Services for Children Program to maintain, and update as needed, the Statewide program of EMS for children developed under current law; (12) establish and support a Statewide system of health and medical emergency response teams, including EMS disaster task forces, coordination teams, disaster medical assistance teams, and other support teams that will assist local EMS providers at their request during mass casualty events, disasters, or whenever local resources are overwhelmed; (13) establish and maintain a program to improve dispatching of EMS personnel and vehicles, including establishing and supporting EMS dispatch training, accrediting 911 dispatch centers, and establishing and maintaining public safety answering points; and (14) identify and establish best practices for managing and operating EMS providers, improving and managing EMS response times, and disseminating such information to the appropriate persons and entities. In developing the Statewide Emergency Medical Services Plan, the OEMS will be required to coordinate with the Emergency Medical Services for Children program and the State trauma medical director, both of which will be required to revise any plans, programs, protocols, or other requirements related to EMS as may be necessary to bring those plans, programs, protocols, or other requirements into conformity with the Statewide Emergency Medical Services Plan. | In Committee |
| S653 | Allows certain persons with developmental disabilities 21 years of age and older to simultaneously participate in adult day and employment programs. | Allows certain persons with developmental disabilities 21 years of age and older to simultaneously participate in adult day and employment programs. | In Committee |
| S1572 | Increases amount of cigarette and other tobacco products tax revenues dedicated to anti-smoking initiatives from one to three percent. | This bill increases, from one to three percent, the amount of cigarette and other tobacco products tax revenues dedicated to anti-smoking initiatives. Under existing law, these revenues are to be directed to the Department of Health to fund tobacco control programs to prevent youth initiation of tobacco usage, reducing exposure to secondhand smoke, and promotion of cessation. Moreover, priority for the funding is to be given to programs that aim to reduce the incidence of smoking among the State's Medicaid population and youth. In FY 2023, these revenues are projected to provide approximately $5 million for anti-smoking initiatives. Under the bill, that amount would increase to approximately $15 million. | In Committee |
| A3414 | Modifies regulation of student permits by NJ State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling and establishes oversight of individuals seeking employment as shampoo technicians. | An Act concerning student permits for certain cosmetology and hairstyling students and amending and supplementing P.L.1984, c.205 (C.45:5B-1 et seq.). | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S4108 | Requires appointment of State Dementia Services Coordinator; appropriates $150,000. | This bill requires the Commissioner of Human Services to appoint a State Dementia Services Coordinator. The State coordinator is to be qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of the position. The duties of the State coordinator is to include: 1) developing and coordinating the implementation of a master plan to address the impact of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders or other forms of dementia; 2) coordinating with existing State programs, services, facilities, and agencies that provide services and other assistance to persons with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders or other forms of dementia; 3) developing procedures to facilitate communication, collaboration, coordination, and information sharing between, and prevent the duplication of dementia care services provided by, State departments, offices, divisions, agencies, and community-based organizations; 4) identifying service gaps in the provision of appropriate dementia care services and other assistance by State departments, offices, divisions, agencies, and community-based organizations; and 5) increasing awareness of, and facilitating access to quality, coordinated treatment and dementia care for persons with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders or other forms of dementia. The appointed State Dementia Services Coordinator: is authorized to call upon any department, office, division, or agency of the State to supply the coordinator with data and any other information necessary to discharge the coordinator's duties; and may consult with experts or other knowledgeable individuals in the public or private sector on any aspect of the coordinator's mission. The provisions of the bill also require each department, office, division, or agency to cooperate fully with, and provide assistance to, the coordinator to perform the coordinator's duties. The bill appropriates $150,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Human Services to effectuate the purposes of the bill. | In Committee |
| S4107 | Permits spouses of certain State officers or employees to hold interest in certain regulated businesses. | This bill would permit the spouse of any State officer or employee who does not have responsibilities for matters affecting or regulating medical cannabis, personal use cannabis activities, or casinos to hold interest in those, directly or indirectly. Under current law, the "New Jersey Conflict of Interest Law" does not apply to the spouse of a State officer or employee who does not have responsibilities for matters affecting the cannabis market or casinos, and who becomes the spouse subsequent to the State officer's or employee's appointment or employment as a State Office or employee. The bill removes the requirement that the individual become spouses after the State officer or employee appointment or employment and clarifies that the State officer or employee spouse does not have responsibilities for matters regulating the cannabis markets or casinos. The bill would be retroactive to the effective date of the "Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act," P.L.2021, c.16. | In Committee |
| S4106 | Requires Division of Developmental Disabilities to create and distribute satisfaction survey. | This bill would require the Division of Developmental Disabilities in the Department of Human Services to create and distribute a satisfaction survey. The survey would be distributed to clients who utilize the division's support coordination services. Each support coordination agency would be given a rating out of five stars. A support coordination agency is an agency that provides assistance for individuals with developmental disabilities in accessing medical, social, educational, and other services. | In Committee |
| S4073 | Authorizes creation of US Navy Veteran license plates. | This bill authorizes the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (commission) to issue special United States Navy Veteran license plates to honorably discharged United States Navy veterans. The bill provides that the design of the United States Navy Veteran license plate is to display the words, "U.S. Navy Retired" along with an image or other pictorial designation of Navy insignia. The chief administrator, in consultation with the Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs (department), is to select the design and color scheme of the United States Navy Veteran license plates. In addition to all fees otherwise required by law for the registration of a motor vehicle, there is an application fee of $50 and an annual renewal fee of $10 for the United States Navy Veteran license plates. After the deduction of the cost of designing, producing, issuing, renewing, and publicizing the plates and of any computer programming changes that are necessary to implement the license plate program, additional fees will be deposited into a special non-lapsing fund known as the "United States Navy Veteran License Plate Fund." The proceeds of the fund are to be annually appropriated to the department and are to be used to support programs benefiting Navy veterans. The chief administrator is required to annually certify the average cost of producing, issuing, renewing, and publicizing the availability of the specialty license plates. If the average cost per plate exceeds $50 in two consecutive fiscal years, the chief administrator may discontinue the license plate program. The bill also requires that the adjutant general appoint a liaison to represent the department in all communications with the commission regarding the United States Navy Veteran license plates. The bill provides that State or other public funds are not to be used by the commission for the initial cost to implement the United States Navy Veteran license plate program. The bill requires an individual or entity designated by the department to contribute non-public monies, not to exceed $25,000, to offset the initial costs to design, produce, issue, and publicize the license plates and for computer programming changes which may be necessary to implement the program. The bill authorizes the department to receive funds from private sources to be used to offset the initial costs. The commission is not required to design, produce, issue, or publicize the availability of the license plates, until: (1) the individual or entity designated by the department has provided the commission with the money necessary to offset the initial costs incurred by the commission in establishing the license plate program; and (2) the department liaison has provided the commission with a minimum of 500 completed applications for the license plates. The provisions of the bill will remain inoperative until the first day of the 13th month after the appropriate applications and fees required to offset the initial costs incurred by the commission are provided to the commission. The bill expires on the last day of the 12th month after enactment if sufficient applications and fees to offset the initial costs are not received by that date. | In Committee |
| S4061 | Directs DHS to establish three year advertising campaign to attract certified home health aides to health care professions; appropriates $3 million. | This bill directs the Department of Human Services (DHS), in consultation with the Department of Health (DOH), to establish a three year advertising campaign to attract certified home health aides to health care professions. The campaign will promote: health care professions as engaging, dynamic, and rewarding career opportunities; and available scholarships, student loan redemption programs, and other available financial support opportunities for certified home health aides seeking careers in health care professions. The DHS, in developing and administering the advertising campaign, is also required to create targeted advertising to increase the recruitment of certified home health aides to health care professions: (1) from underrepresented racial groups; (2) with expertise in providing care to senior citizens; and (3) into certain high-demand fields. The bill requires the DHS, in consultation with the DOH, to submit a report to the Governor and to the Legislature on the implementation and effectiveness of the advertising campaign. The report must include the commissioner's recommendation on the advisability of the advertising campaign's continuation. The bill takes effect immediately and expires upon submission of the report required to be prepared under the bill. | In Committee |
| S3959 | Concerns New Jersey Redevelopment Authority; changes quorum requirements from 11 members to majority of voting members. | Under current law, 11 members constitutes a quorum for any action taken by the New Jersey Redevelopment Authority (authority). This bill amends the law to provide that a majority of the voting members of the authority constitutes a quorum. The bill also amends the law to make technical corrections, including: replacing the term "special needs districts" with "SDA districts" to reflect the terminology used in section 3 of the "Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act," P.L.2000, c.72 (C.18A:7G-3); and replacing the Department of Commerce and Economic Affairs with the Department of Community Affairs. | In Committee |
| S4064 | Allows public bodies to provide required notices to newspapers distributed online and establishes related publication requirements; establishes rates that newspapers may charge for each notice posted online. | Under current law, public bodies must provide notice to newspapers 48 hours prior to holding a meeting to conduct official business, under certain circumstances. This bill amends the definition of "adequate notice" for a public meeting to allow public bodies to satisfy their meeting notice requirements by publishing the notice in newspapers that are published in part or in whole electronically via the Internet and on online news publications. This bill also amends the definition of "newspaper" for the publication of all official notices and advertisements to allow the State or local bodies to publish in qualified or previously qualified newspapers that are now published electronically on the Internet and on online news publications. The bill also adds definitions for "designated public address," "original content," and "paid online content." In cases where there is no qualified newspaper or the State or local body is unable to identify a qualified newspaper, the State or local body may publish on their publicly accessible Internet website. The bill establishes rates for publishing official advertising for newspapers and online news publications based on the number of bona fide net paid subscribers. | In Committee |
| S2331 | "Equitable Outcomes in Child Support Collection Act"; establishes procedures regarding collection of child support on behalf of children in custody of DCPP. | An Act concerning the liability for maintenance costs of children in the care or custody of the Division of Child Protection and Permanency and amending and supplementing P.L.1962, c.142. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| SJR76 | Designates second Friday in December of each year as "PSRPs in Our Schools Day" in New Jersey to recognize contributions of paraprofessionals and school-related personnel (PSRPs). | Designates second Friday in December of each year as "PSRPs in Our Schools Day" in New Jersey to recognize contributions of paraprofessionals and school-related personnel (PSRPs). | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S1783 | Requires instruction on cursive handwriting in public school curriculum. | Requires instruction on cursive handwriting in public school curriculum. | In Committee |
| S1253 | Establishes pilot program in DOE to use therapy dogs in public elementary school wellness programs. | This bill establishes a three-year pilot program to assess the academic and health benefits associated with the use of therapy dogs in public elementary school wellness programs. A therapy dog is a dog that has been trained, evaluated, and registered with a handler to provide animal assisted therapy and other animal assisted activities within a school or other facility. Some research suggests that the use of therapy dogs in schools is associated with improvements in school attendance, confidence, motivation, and reading and writing skills. Under the bill, a school district that wants to participate in the pilot program is required to submit an application to the commissioner. The application is required to include, but need not be limited to: the number of elementary schools in the school district; the number of students enrolled in each elementary school; information on student participation in wellness programs at each elementary school; and information on how the school district plans to use therapy dogs to promote student wellness. The commissioner will select two districts in each of the southern, central, and northern regions of the State to participate in the program and will seek a cross section of school districts from urban, suburban, and rural areas of the State. The commission will provide pilot districts with guidance regarding the use of therapy dogs in schools including: examples of activities that students may engage in with a therapy dog; recommended training requirements for therapy dog handlers; recommended measures to evaluate the health and appropriate behavior of therapy dogs; and insurance issues relevant to having therapy dogs on school district property. No later than June 30 of the third school year following the establishment of the pilot program, the commissioner will submit to the Governor and to the Legislature a report that evaluates the effectiveness of the pilot program in improving the academic performance and health outcomes of students in elementary schools. | Crossed Over |
| S290 | Extends protected tenancy period for certain tenants who are senior citizens and certain tenants with disabilities. | This bill extends the protected tenancy period for certain tenants who are senior citizens and certain tenants with a disability pursuant to the "Senior Citizens and Disabled Protected Tenancy Act," N.J.S.A.2A:18-61.22 et al. ("act"). The bill extends the protected tenancy period to the lifetime of those tenants who are senior citizens and those tenants with a disability. The extension of the protections provided pursuant to the bill are necessary in the service of the public interest, as life expectancies have continued to increase in the United States since the initial enactment of the act, in order to protect senior citizen tenants and tenants with a disability from harmful disruptions in their living conditions later in life. These protections are especially imperative during a time when economic dislocations have sharply increased as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and as recent evidence has proven that relocation at older age has been related to declines of both physical and cognitive functions. | Crossed Over |
| S720 | Requires DCPP to consult with Division of Developmental Disabilities following finding of child abuse or neglect to create services plan for person with developmental disability under certain circumstances. | An Act concerning the Division of Child Protection and Permanency and amending P.L.1974, c.119. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S2844 | Establishes Jersey Strong Public Service Scholarship Program. | This bill establishes the Jersey Strong Public Service Scholarship Program. The program is to provide scholarships to eligible students who are employed in a public service sector experiencing critical workforce shortages. To be eligible to participate in the program, a student is required to: have graduated from a public or nonpublic high school in the State in the past year or plan to graduate within six months of the date of application; be a resident of the State; be a United States citizen; be employed full-time in a paid position in an eligible public service sector providing, at a minimum, an hourly wage commensurate with the State minimum wage or be placed in an open position in a public service sector; and meet any other minimum qualifications as determined by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. Placement positions are required to, at a minimum, pay an hourly rate commensurate with the State's minimum wage. The bill requires the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce development to establish a list of eligible public service sectors experiencing critical workforce shortages, which may include employment in hospitals or public schools or employment as a crossing guard or first responder. Under the bill, an eligible student who completes one-year of full-time employment in a public service sector experiencing critical workforce shortages is to receive a scholarship toward the cost of attendance for study at a public institution of higher education in the State for two academic years, not to exceed $25,000 total. An eligible student who completes two-years of full-time employment in a public service sector experiencing critical workforce shortages is to receive a scholarship toward the cost of cost of attendance for study at a public institution of higher education in the State for four academic years, not to exceed $50,000 total. To be eligible to receive the scholarship upon completion of each year of full-time employment as required by the program, a program participant is required to: maintain residency in the State; apply and be accepted to a full-time degree granting program at a public institution of higher education; and have applied for all other available forms of State and federal financial aid, excluding loans. Finally, the bill stipulates that a program participant's scholarship be terminated and required to be repaid if a program participant is dismissed from the public institution of higher education for academic or disciplinary reasons, or withdraws from the institution without approval from the authority. The bill also stipulates that the scholarship is to be terminated if the program participant who has received approval from the authority and withdraws due to illness, the illness of a member of the student's immediate family, or a family emergency, and the program participant would not be required to repay the scholarship. Under the bill, scholarship funds that exceed a program participant's cost of attendance are permitted to be remitted to the program participant. | In Committee |
| SJR93 | Designates first full week of May of each year as "Teacher Appreciation Week." | Designates first full week of May of each year as "Teacher Appreciation Week." | In Committee |
| SJR109 | Designates November 14 of each year as Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day. | This joint resolution designates November 14 of each year as Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day in the State of New Jersey. Ruby Bridges was born on September 8, 1954 and was raised in New Orleans, Louisiana by parents Lucille and Abon Bridges. In the same year, the United States Supreme Court issued the landmark ruling in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, ending racial segregation in public schools. However, states across the South, including Louisiana, failed to integrate their public schools. This led to a federal court order for Louisiana to desegregate their public schools beginning on November 14, 1960. On November 14, 1960, Ruby Bridges and her mother were escorted by federal marshals to the William Frantz Elementary School where Ruby faced violent protesters. The violence of the protesters, blatant racism from parents, and forced isolation plagued Ruby Bridges' first year of attendance at William Frantz Elementary. Despite these hardships, Ruby Bridges never missed a day of school. By the end of her first year, the school decided to admit more African American children the following year. Ruby Bridges' act of bravery inspired America and led to a commemorative piece by famous artist Norman Rockwell titled "The Problem We Must All Live With." Ruby Bridges became a lifelong activist for racial equality. She established The Ruby Bridges Foundation in 1999, which uses educational initiatives to promote tolerance and unity among schoolchildren. Ruby Bridges has also gained numerous accolades for her life's work, including the Carter G. Woodson Book Award and the honorary title of deputy federal marshal. By setting aside November 14 of each year as Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, the citizens of New Jersey can celebrate the courage of young Ruby Bridges and the impact her actions had on African American children across America. | In Committee |
| S715 | Requires AG to establish rape kit tracking system. | An Act concerning sexual assault forensic evidence kits and supplementing Title 52 of the Revised Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S2498 | Requires Commissioner of Education to establish and maintain educator common application and web portal. | Requires Commissioner of Education to establish and maintain educator common application and web portal. | Crossed Over |
| S2513 | Prohibits dissemination of certain criminal history background information. | Prohibits dissemination of certain criminal history background information. | In Committee |
| SJR110 | Designates first full week of May of each year as "Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week" in NJ. | This resolution designates the first full week of May of each year as "Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week" in NJ. Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) is a persistent, irreversible, and potentially disabling neurological condition characterized by uncontrollable repetitive movements of the face, torso, or other body parts. This involuntary movement disorder is caused by medications that help control dopamine, such as antipsychotics prescribed to treat people living with mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression. People with mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder, major depression, schizophrenia, and schizoaffective disorder, or gastrointestinal disorders, including gastroparesis, nausea, and vomiting, may be treated with medications that work as dopamine receptor blocking agents (DRBAs). It is estimated that about 1.1 million adults in New Jersey, or 16.14 percent of adults in the State, are living with a mental illness and as a result are likely to receive DRBAs as a form of treatment, which can lead to the onset of TD. It is vital that people taking DRBAs are monitored for TD through regular screenings as recommended by the American Psychiatric Association because long-term use of DRBAs can lead to the onset of TD. People living with TD face physical, social and emotional barriers due to the stigma associated with uncontrollable movements, which can further lead to worsened mental health symptoms and cause embarrassment or withdrawal from society. It is estimated that TD affects approximately 600,000 people in the U.S. and approximately 70 percent of people with TD have not been diagnosed. Although TD is treatable, many people with the disorder are unaware of the treatment options. Raising awareness about the symptoms and impact of TD will promote the importance of early screening, diagnosis and treatment. | 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 |
| S4025 | Requires signs to be posted and pamphlets to be distributed in emergency rooms regarding VCCO. | This bill requires signs to be posted and pamphlets to be distributed in emergency rooms regarding Victims of Crime Compensation Office. Under the bill, the Commissioner of Health (commissioner), in collaboration with the Attorney General, is to develop, prepare, and produce pamphlets and signs containing and displaying information relating to the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO). The pamphlets and signs are to be clearly written and readily comprehensible, and are to provide information concerning: (1) the services and benefits offered by the VCCO; (2) contact information for the VCCO; and (3) the procedures for filing a victim's compensation claim. In every emergency department of a general hospital, and in every satellite emergency department licensed pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.), the commissioner is to require pamphlets to be distributed to victims of crime and signs to be posted in conspicuous locations, as necessary. | 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 |
| S4040 | Requires public entities purchase five percent of goods and services from Central Nonprofit Agency; requires Division of Purchase and Property establish training protocols for all purchasing agents; grants Central Nonprofit Agency right of first refusal. | Under current law, State and local government agencies and political subdivisions of the State that are authorized to purchase goods and services are required to make a good faith effort to purchase five percent of such goods and services through the Central Nonprofit Agency, an agency established by the "Rehabilitation Facilities Set-Aside Act." Under the bill, such State and local government agencies and political subdivisions of the State will be required to purchase five percent of goods and services through the Central Nonprofit Agency. The bill clarifies reporting and oversight requirements. Under the bill, the Division of Purchase and Property in the Department of the Treasury must submit a report of purchasing data to the Central Nonprofit Agency for the Rehabilitation Facilities Set-Aside program no more than six months after the effective date of this bill, and on a quarterly basis thereafter. In addition, the Department of the Treasury will be required to report annually to the Governor and the Legislature detailing the compliance of State and local government entities and political subdivisions with the purchasing thresholds. The bill also provides that the Division of Purchase and Property, in collaboration with the Central Nonprofit Agency, must establish training protocols for all purchasing agents employed by State or local government entities or political subdivisions required to meet the purchasing thresholds. The bill also provides that the Central Nonprofit Agency will have a right of first refusal for all goods and services that may otherwise be purchased through a cooperative purchasing agreement catalog so long as the Central Nonprofit Agency can deliver the goods or services that would otherwise be purchased through a cooperative purchasing agreement catalog at a price that is within 15 percent of fair market value. The "Rehabilitation Facilities Set-Aside Act" assists persons who are blind or have a severe disability with achieving maximum personal independence through productive employment by assuring a continuous market for their goods and services, which are produced at qualified rehabilitation facilities and distributed through the Central Nonprofit Agency. The Central Nonprofit Agency is designated by the Commissioner of the Department of Human Services to facilitate the distribution of orders received from various State agencies as provided in the "Rehabilitation Facilities Set-Aside Act." This bill furthers the goals of the "Rehabilitation Facilities Set-Aside Act" to assist in the productive employment of individuals with special needs. | In Committee |
| S4044 | Requires DHS to request approval from federal government to provide rental assistance benefits to certain NJ FamilyCare beneficiaries. | This bill directs the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services in the Department of Human Services, no later than six months after the effective date of the bill, to apply to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in the United States Department of Health and Human Services for approval to amend the State's federal waiver under section 1115 of the "Social Security Act" to include the provision of rental assistance benefits to certain NJ FamilyCare beneficiaries for up to six months. In New Jersey, this federal waiver is known as the NJ FamilyCare 1115 Comprehensive Demonstration and, with federal approval, it governs the operations of significant components of New Jersey's Medicaid program and Children's Health Insurance Program. New Jersey's current waiver provides certain housing related services to a variety of populations, but does not provide for direct payment of rental subsidies. Populations eligible for the existing benefits include individuals who are: transitioning from an institution to the community setting, being released from correctional facilities, transitioning out of high-risk or unstable housing situations, and homeless or at risk of becoming homeless; however, the waiver does not cover direct housing subsidies. This bill would expand the services provided under the waiver to include rental assistance benefits, which the bill defines as financial assistance issued to a housing provider that allow an eligible NJ FamilyCare beneficiary to secure or maintain housing for up to six months. However, unlike the existing benefits, eligible beneficiaries would be limited to those who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or transitioning out of an emergency shelter; and who have been diagnosed with a serious mental illness or substance use disorder. | 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 |
| 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 |
| S3158 | Revises licensing requirements and out-of-State reciprocity for elevator, escalator, and moving walkway mechanic's licenses. | Revises licensing requirements and out-of-State reciprocity for elevator, escalator, and moving walkway mechanic's licenses. | Crossed Over |
| S3753 | Requires DHS and DCF to employ, or contract with, Director of Medical Services; appropriates $480,000. | Require DHS and DCF to employ, or contract with, Director of Medical Services; appropriates $480,000. | In Committee |
| SJR50 | Designates November of each year as "Caregivers Awareness Month." | This resolution designates November of each year as "Caregivers Awareness Month" and recognizes the 65 million voluntary family caregivers in the United States. Caregiving is not a "one size fits all" obligation, and caregivers find themselves caring for individuals of all ages and various needs. Conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and dementia are commonly the basis for caregiving for the elderly, with five million individuals in the U.S. suffering from Alzheimer's disease alone. Additionally, the incidence of various childhood conditions is increasing, and therefore many parents are caregivers for children with special needs. Further, many veterans of the armed forces, including those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries, require the assistance of caregivers. The value of the services provided by these caregivers, which often involves complex medical or nursing tasks, is approximately $450 billion per year. Despite providing such complex care, most caregivers have not obtained formal training. Moreover, the average amount of time spent by caregivers for their caregiving duties is 20.4 hours per week, and as the majority of caregivers are also employed, this commitment is quite considerable. The commitment of these caregivers to their loved ones often comes at a price to the caregivers themselves. Many caregivers find their duties to be emotionally stressful and highly burdensome. The longer an individual acts in a caregiver capacity, the more likely it is that individual will experience a deterioration of health. More than three-quarters of all caregivers feel that they need more help or information with respect to various caregiving topics. | In Committee |
| S361 | Establishes "New Jersey Target Zero Commission." | Establishes "New Jersey Target Zero Commission." | In Committee |
| S2245 | Modifies regulation of student permits by NJ State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling and establishes oversight of individuals seeking employment as shampoo technicians. | Modifies regulation of student permits by NJ State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling and establishes oversight of individuals seeking employment as shampoo technicians. | In Committee |
| S2295 | Concerns pretrail and post-trial considerations for certain crimes involving operation of vehicles, including rebuttable presumption for pretrial detention, pretial recommendation of no release from detention, suspension or revocation of license, and vehicle forfeiture. | Concerns pretrial and post-trial considerations for certain crimes involving operation of vehicles, including rebuttable presumption for pretrial detention, pretrial recommendation of no release from detention, suspension or revocation of license, and vehicle forfeiture. | In Committee |
| S3617 | Requires county clerks to send applications for mail-in ballots to registered voters upon their 18th birthday. | Requires county clerks to send applications for mail-in ballots to registered voters upon their 18th birthday. | 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 |
| S3927 | Establishes penalties for appraisers who engage in discriminatory real estate appraisals and requires certain information to be provided to present and prospective owners or occupants of real estate. | Establishes penalties for appraisers who engage in discriminatory real estate appraisals and requires certain information to be provided to present and prospective owners or occupants of real estate. | In Committee |
| SJR103 | Declares NJ "Purple Heart State." | This resolution declares New Jersey a "Purple Heart State." New Jersey veterans and active duty military members have fought selflessly to preserve our nation's freedom, with many being wounded or killed while in the line of duty. The Purple Heart Medal is awarded in the name of the President to veterans and active duty military members who have been wounded or killed while serving in our nation's Armed Forces. The recipients of the Purple Heart Medal deserve recognition and honor for the bravery that recipients have shown while serving our nation. Three states, including West Virginia, Virginia, and Washington, are declared "Purple Heart States." Parts of 45 states are part of the "Purple Heart Trail," a symbolic and honorary system of roads, highways, bridges and other monuments that give tribute to the veterans and active duty military members who have been awarded the Purple Heart Medal. New Jersey has multiple counties, cities, and locations that are part of the "Purple Heart Trail." The "Purple Heart Trail" was established at the 1992 Military Order of the Purple Heart convention, which was held in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Declaring New Jersey a "Purple Heart State" honors the contributions and sacrifices of the New Jersey service members who have received the Purple Heart Medal. Purple Heart Medal recipients from the State have been vital in maintaining the freedoms and way of life enjoyed by the State's citizens. The people of New Jersey have great respect, admiration, and the utmost gratitude for all of the service members who have selflessly served our country and the State. Therefore, it is altogether fitting and proper to declare New Jersey a "Purple Heart State." Declares NJ "Purple Heart State." | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4148 | Requires DOH to develop informational materials on type 1 diabetes and DOE to distribute to parents and guardians of enrolled students. | An Act concerning information provided on type 1 diabetes in public schools and supplementing chapter 40 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4047 | Revises unemployment compensation law. | An Act concerning unemployment compensation and amending various parts of the statutory law. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4043 | Redirects portion of worker's unemployment compensation trust fund contribution to unemployment compensation administration fund. | An Act concerning worker contributions for unemployment insurance and amending R.S.43:21-7. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S1430 | Provides for expanded use of affordable housing voucher program funding. | An Act concerning use of affordable housing vouchers for homeownership expenses, amending P.L.2004, c.140, and supplementing P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-1 et seq.). | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S354 | Updates scope of practice of optometrists. | Updates scope of practice of optometrists. | In Committee |
| SJR29 | Designates August of each year as "Professional Engineers Month" in NJ and first Wednesday in August of each year as "Professional Engineering Day." | This joint resolution designates the month of August each year as "Professional Engineers Month" in New Jersey and first Wednesday in August of each year as "Professional Engineering Day." The licensing of professional engineers in the United States began in August 1907 to ensure that the engineering profession is practiced by qualified and ethically accountable professionals. Professional engineers are dedicated to applying scientific knowledge, mathematics, and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical, societal, and commercial problems while holding the public health, safety, and welfare paramount. Nearly 10,000 professional engineers in New Jersey contribute significantly to the technological growth and economic well-being of the State through their work in manufacturing, engineering services, scientific research and development, construction, education, government, industry, and private practice. The designated month and day will reflect that professional engineers should be recognized for their many achievements on behalf of the industries, commerce, and the people of New Jersey, and their commitment to protect the health, welfare, and safety of the public above all other considerations. The designated month and day will also highlight that the engineering profession offers a unique and publicly oriented vocation for young people in the State to be educated and trained to continue the work, innovation, and accomplishments of their predecessors in improving the health, welfare, and safety of the public. The joint resolution also respectfully requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation calling upon the citizens of the State to participate fittingly in the observance of "Professional Engineers Month" and "Professional Engineering Day." | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S2693 | Establishes interagency council on menopause in DOH and requires certain lincensed health care professionals to distribute menopause informational pamphlets under certain circumstances. | Establishes interagency council on menopause in DOH and requires certain licensed health care professionals to distribute menopause informational pamphlets under certain circumstances. | In Committee |
| SJR85 | Designates October of each year as "Menopause Awareness Month" October 11 of each year as "Perimenopause Day," and October 18 of each year as "Postmenopause Day" in New Jersey. | Designates October of each year as "Menopause Awareness Month," October 11 of each year as "Perimenopause Day," and October 18 of each year as "Postmenopause Day" in New Jersey. | In Committee |
| A3446 | "Freedom to Read Act"; establishes requirements for library material in public school libraries and public libraries; protects school library staff members and librarians. | An Act concerning public school libraries and public libraries and supplementing Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| SJR49 | Designates March 30th of each year "Menstrual Toxic Shock Syndrome Awareness Day." | Designates March 30th of each year "Menstrual Toxic Shock Syndrome Awareness Day." | In Committee |
| S1097 | Requires health insurance carriers and Medicaid to provide coverage for home childbirth. | Requires health insurance carriers and Medicaid to provide coverage for planned home childbirth. | In Committee |
| S286 | Permits certain local units and authorities to reduce water, sewer, and stormwater fees and other charges for low-income persons. | Permits certain local units and authorities to reduce water, sewer, and stormwater fees and other charges for low-income persons. | Crossed Over |
| 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 |
| SJR145 | Establishes "Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizen Transportation Services Task Force" to study and make recommendations concerning ways to improve transportation services for persons with disabilities and senior citizens. | This joint resolution establishes the "Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizen Transportation Services Task Force" to study and make recommendations concerning ways to improve transportation services for persons with disabilities and senior citizens. Specifically, the task force is required to consider the following issues and services: 1) transportation obstacles for persons with disabilities and senior citizens and solutions for mitigating those obstacles; 2) ways to improve infrastructure and technology and to coordinate and connect transportation systems to create seamless mobility; 3) ways to improve independent travel training; 4) ways to improve real-time transit technology in order to inform passengers of delays or cancellations; and 5) ways in which automated and connected vehicle technology can improve transportation accessibility for persons with disabilities and senior citizens. The task force is required to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including legislative proposals, to the Governor and the Legislature within 18 months of its organizational meeting. The task force will expire upon submission of the report. | In Committee |
| SJR144 | Designates October 12 of each year as "Jump4Jerry Day" in New Jersey. | This joint resolution designates October 12 of each year as "Jump4JerryDay" in New Jersey. Jump4Jerry is a nonprofit youth development organization founded in memory of Jeremiah "Prince Bee" Grant. Jeremiah, also known as Jerry, was a pillar of his community and a championship Double Dutch jumper. His life was tragically cut short in October 2017 at the young age of 8 years old when he was struck and killed by a car. Although Jerry was only 8 years old, he did outstanding work in and out of his community that gave him a sense of pride and made him realize his potential. He was a champion jumper who left his mark on the world of Double Dutch, highlighted by a performance on the Jimmy Fallon TV show. Jerry had a passion and joy for serving his community and jumping rope. Jump4Jerry was created to carry on his passion and commitment and ensure his memory lives on. The mission of Jump4Jerry is to honor Jerry by enabling children of different ages and backgrounds to acquire life skills, build confidence and strong character, and to realize their potential as leaders and active members of their community. On June 2, 2018, Jerry was posthumously inducted into the Trailblazer Wall of Fame at the Mary McLeod Bethune Center in Jersey City, New Jersey. | In Committee |
| S3869 | Requires DOH to study racial aspects of ovarian cancer. | This bill requires the Department of Health (DOH) to study racial aspects of ovarian cancer. The bill requires the DOH to evaluate strategies to mitigate disparities in ovarian cancer effects, rates, risk factors, symptoms, and outcomes among women who are members of racial and ethnic groups that are to include but not be limited to: Asian, African-American, Caucasian, Hispanic, Native American, and Pacific Islander. Within one year after the bill's date of enactment, the DOH is to prepare and submit to the Governor and the Legislature a report containing the study's findings and recommendations to address the impact of racial disparities on ovarian cancer rates among women who are members of racial and ethnic minorities. The bill is to take effect immediately and expire upon the submission of the report. | In Committee |
| S3496 | Provides for voluntary contributions for taxpayers on gross income tax returns to support reproductive health care services. | This bill establishes the "New Jersey Reproductive Health Care Equitable Access Fund" and provides for a designation on the State gross income tax return that will permit taxpayers to make voluntary contributions to the fund to support equitable access to reproductive health care services for individuals who cannot afford them. Under the bill, the State would be required to annually appropriate the amounts deposited into the "New Jersey Reproductive Health Care Equitable Access Fund" for distribution, in equal amounts, to the three largest providers of reproductive health care services to Medicaid patients in the State during the previous calendar year, as determined by the Commissioner of Health. The bill requires these monies to be used to provide reproductive health care services to individuals who cannot afford such services. The bill defines "reproductive health care services" to mean medical, surgical, counseling, or referral services relating to the human reproductive system, including services relating to pregnancy or the termination of a pregnancy. | In Committee |
| S3492 | Creates "Reproductive Health Care Access Fund" to strengthen access to reproductive health care. | This bill implements various measures to strengthen access to reproductive health care services in the State and establishes the "Reproductive Health Care Access Fund" to address those purposes. The fund will be used for the following purposes: (1 "Reproductive Health Care Clinical Training Program"; (2) "Reproductive Health Care Security Grant Program"; and (3) "Reproductive Health Care Facility Loan Program". The purpose of the "Reproductive Health Care Clinical Training Program" established in the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety will be to protect access to reproductive health care by ensuring that there are sufficient number of health care professionals to provide reproductive health care services. For instance, the program will ensure that the coordinating organization has demonstrated experience in coordinating health care training programs for reproductive health care services and family planning services. The coordinating organization will also be responsible for administering grants to develop and sustain reproductive health care services. The bill provides that the "Reproductive Health Care Security Grant Program" in the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness will make available grants to eligible reproductive health care facilities which the Director of the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness determines are at a high risk of being the target of unlawful activity, including acts of violence, property damage, vandalism, cyber attacks, and harassment. Grants provided under the program will be used to hire security personnel and target-hardening equipment. Further, the "Reproductive Health Care Facility Loan Program" will award loans to eligible reproductive health care facilities that provide reproductive health care services. Under the bill, loans awarded will be used to support establishing or renovating existing health care facilities, investments in technology to facilitate care, the recruitment and retention of staff, and other operational needs that increase reproductive health care services. The bill requires that the Department of Health conduct a Statewide needs assessment to examine the gaps in access and delivery of reproductive health care services in the State, including the impact that out-of-State restrictions have had on the need for reproductive health care services and the provider network in the State. Finally, the bill appropriates monies from the General Fund, subject to availability, to the "Reproductive Health Care Access Fund." The FY 2024 Appropriations Act includes a $5 million appropriation for OBGYN Clinical Training Program to provide training to licensed members of the health care community. Another $5 million in FY 2024 is appropriated for the Reproductive Health Security Grant Program toward securing clinics. These grants support reproductive health care facilities that provide reproductive health care with target hardening support. The FY 2024 Governor's Budget recommends language in which the Office of Homeland Security Preparedness will receive reimbursement to administer the grant. | In Committee |
| S3493 | Requires affirmative written consent for certain entities to disclose individual's medical information regarding reproductive health care services, with limited exceptions, unless disclosure is necessary to provide those services. | This bill requires health care providers, business associates of a covered entity, and carriers to receive affirmative written consent in order to disclose a patient's or covered person's medical information regarding reproductive health care services, with limited exceptions, unless disclosure is necessary to provide those services. Under the bill: "health care provider" means an individual or entity which, acting within the scope of its licensure or certification, provides a health care service; a "business associate of a covered entity" means the same as those terms are defined under federal "Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act" rules, or a person or entity that performs certain functions or activities that involve the use or disclosure of protected health information on behalf of, or provides services to, health plans, health care clearinghouses, and health care providers; "carrier" means an insurance company, health service corporation, hospital service corporation, medical service corporation, or health maintenance organization authorized to issue health benefits plans in this State; and "reproductive health care services" means all medical, surgical, counseling, or referral services relating to the human reproductive system including, but not limited to, services relating to pregnancy, contraception, or termination of a pregnancy. Specifically, this bill prohibits a health care provider, a business associate of a covered entity, or carrier from intentionally sharing, selling, using for marketing, or otherwise disclosing any personally identifiable medical information regarding reproductive health care services for any purpose not necessary to provide, or pay benefits for, those services, without the affirmative written consent of the patient or the covered person, or an authorized legal representative. Under the bill, "Medical information" includes information that is acquired using in-person or telephone communication, submitted documentation, a mobile application, an Internet website, or a wearable device. Further, "affirmative written consent" means a freely given, specific agreement collected on a standalone form, which clearly states to the patient how records containing medical information could be used and to whom the contents of the records could be disclosed, and allows the patient to refuse consent for specific disclosures. The bill further mandates that a health care provider, a business associate of a covered entity, or carrier are required to inform a patient or a covered person, or authorized legal representative, of the right to withhold such affirmative written consent at or before the time reproductive health care services are rendered or at such time as the covered person discloses any information relating to reproductive health care services that have been previously rendered. The bill allows for disclosure without affirmative written consent under certain circumstances. These exceptions include when disclosure is: 1) to medical personnel to the extent necessary to meet a bona fide medical emergency; 2) to the extent that the health care provider or carrier is a covered entity and the disclosure is made to a business associate under a valid business associate agreement; 3) as required to comply with the laws of this State, federal law, or the Rules of Court; 4) pursuant to a court order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction in this State upon a showing of good cause; 5) by a health care provider or carrier against whom a claim has been made, for use in the defense of the action or proceeding; 6) to certain State entities or licensing boards for records of a patient or covered person in connection with an investigation of a complaint, if the records are related to the complaint; 7) to a federal or State agency charged with investigating known or, in good faith, suspected child abuse, abuse of an elderly individual, abuse of an individual who is incapacitated, or abuse of an individual with a physical or mental disability, if such disclosure is requested in connection with an investigation of abuse that would constitute a crime under the laws of this State and such records are related to such investigation; and 8) pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Commissioners of Health and Banking and Insurance. Under the bill, if a court of competent jurisdiction finds that a health care provider or carrier has violated the provisions of this bill, the court may award damages, computed at a rate of $1,000 per violation, reasonable attorney's fees, and the costs incurred in maintaining that civil action. Finally, nothing contained in the bill is to be construed to limit, diminish, or abrogate the rights of a person under the federal "Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996," Pub.L.104-191 or the obligations of a health care provider or carrier under that law. | In Committee |
| S3494 | Requires four-year public institution of higher education to develop and implement reproductive health services plan; requires county college to develop referral network for reproductive health care services. | This bill requires four-year public institutions of higher education to develop and implement a reproductive health services plan. Pursuant to the bill, the plan is required to include: making available on-campus services provided by health care professionals, or referrals to off-campus services provided by health care professionals or health care facilities, for: obtaining contraception, including non-prescription and prescription emergency contraception and pharmacist authorized, self-administered hormonal contraceptives; services for preventing, testing for, and treating sexually transmitted infections, including HIV; prenatal care; and abortion. The plan is also required to include: methods to provide students with 24-hour access to over-the-counter contraception through the student health center, on-campus retail establishments, or vending machines; the provision of evidence-based reproductive health education services provided by the student health center, peer educators, or other health education programs; and the development of a referral network of verified health care professionals, health care facilities, and pharmacies that provide off-campus health care services located within the county that the four-year institution of higher education is located. The bill also requires county colleges to develop a referral network of verified health care professionals, health care facilities, and pharmacies that provide off-campus reproductive health care services in the county in which the county college is located in. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of Higher Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Health and the Commissioner of Human Services, to develop guidelines to assist public institutions of higher education in developing and implementing a reproductive health services plan and county colleges in developing the referral network. Finally, the bill stipulates that the provisions of the bill are not to be construed to require a public institution of higher education to be a direct provider of reproductive health care services, including abortion. | In Committee |
| SJR143 | Designates July 30 of each year as "Clarence 'Coach C' Collins Day." | This joint resolution designates July 30 of each year as "Clarence 'Coach C' Collins Day." Coach C, a beloved member of the Jersey City community, served for 13 years at the University Academy Charter High School at New Jersey City University in Jersey City, where he was a beacon of hope, wisdom, and unwavering support for the students. While at the charter school he developed various workshops and seminars designed to offer solutions to problems encountered by youth in today's complex and stressful society. He also served in the Department of Recreation, where he reformed the hiring process which allowed children from all corners of the City to receive internships. He has been recognized for his extraordinary contributions to his community and his unwavering commitment to improving the lives of the youth of Jersey City. Clarence "Coach C" Collins had a profound impact on the countless lives he touched in his community. The legacy of compassion, dedication, and love he leaves behind should be remembered and honored among all citizens of residents of this State. | 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 |
| S3497 | Requires high school students to receive financial literacy instruction. | Requires high school students to receive financial literacy instruction. | In Committee |
| S3919 | Requires establishment of municipal animal control programs and DOH oversight over such programs; appropriates $500,000 for grants to municipalities for associated costs. | This bill requires each municipality to establish a municipal animal control program that provides animal control services in the municipality, implements the provisions and requirements established in the bill, and enforces State laws, rules, and regulations concerning animal control and animal cruelty. The bill also establishes additional requirements and components for municipal animal control programs and establishes Department of Health (DOH) oversight over municipal animal control programs. In addition, the bill: (1) requires each municipality to prioritize funding of its municipal animal control program when allocating municipal funds for the purpose of animal control; (2) establishes a grant program administered by the DOH to assist with funding the requirements established by the bill; and (3) makes an initial appropriation of $500,000 for these grants. The bill requires each municipality to appoint a municipal health officer to oversee the municipal animal control program and coordinate services in the municipality between certified animal control officers, contracted animal control services, shelters, pounds, kennels operating as shelters or pounds, foster homes, animal rescue organizations and their animal rescue organization facilities, and the veterinarians who provide care for animals placed in or impounded in these facilities. The municipal health officer is required to: (1) advise the governing body of the municipality concerning the implementation of the municipal animal control program and its compliance with State laws and regulations concerning animal control; and (2) provide a quarterly report to the governing body of the municipality and the State Office of Veterinary Public Health in the Department of Health concerning the implementation of the municipal animal control program and its compliance with the applicable State laws and regulations. The bill directs the DOH to consult with the municipal health officers and oversee the enforcement of municipal animal control programs through the municipal health officers. If a complaint concerning animal control is not addressed satisfactorily by the municipality, a complaint may be filed with the State Office of Veterinary Public Health and addressed through a process developed by that office. The bill establishes requirements concerning the municipal response to reports of an animal outside of the control of an owner, creating a threat to public health or safety, or interfering with the enjoyment of property, and provision for compliance with these requirements in any contract of a private animal control service or a certified animal control officer, as enumerated in sections 2 and 3 of the bill. The bill authorizes the State Office of Veterinary Public Health to intervene in the contracting of a private animal control service or certified animal control officer by a municipality, if the municipal health officer or the municipality do not comply with the contract requirements in the bill. The bill further authorizes the State Office of Veterinary Public Health to revise as necessary, provisions of the contract concerning impoundment of animals and animal control officer response to reports of an animal outside of the control of an owner, animals creating a threat to public health or safety, or interfering with the enjoyment of property, if the revision is required by a lack of funding which the municipality demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Department of Health. In addition, the bill requires each municipal animal control program to include implementation of a homeless cat program through the enactment of an ordinance or resolution. The homeless cat program may implement any humane method of addressing homeless cats in the municipality, but if the municipality chooses to permit cat colonies in the municipality, the bill establishes additional requirements. If a cat colony is permitted, the municipal ordinance or resolution is required to provide for the assignment of care for the cat colony to vetted individuals or representatives of an animal rescue organization contracted by the municipality, or the certified animal control officer or the private animal control services contracted by the municipality, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the ordinance or resolution shall provide for the management of veterinary care for the cat colony, oversight of the administration of veterinary care, and the person assigned care of the cat colony is required to maintain records on its care and report annually to the governing body of the municipality and the State Office of Veterinary Public Health concerning the oversight of the cat colony. The bill also provides that any cat in the cat colony that is not ear-tipped must be captured, spayed or neutered, ear-tipped, vaccinated, and returned to the cat colony. Finally, the bill authorizes the DOH to adopt rules and regulations necessary to implement the bill's provisions and coordinate the implementation of municipal animal control programs to ensure uniform enforcement of animal control and concerns related to animal control throughout the State. | In Committee |
| S3743 | Expands financing opportunities for low and moderate income housing. | This bill revises certain aspects of the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (agency) laws to encourage participation by certified minority-, women-, and veteran-owned development firms. The bill directs the agency to establish incentives and priorities to promote participation by minority-, women-, and veteran-owned businesses, so that a realistic opportunity exists for these firms to successfully participate in providing low- and moderate-income housing options to residents of the State. The bill also specifically encourages the development of multi-family rental housing and home ownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income families by allowing participating developing firms to satisfy existing bonding requirements through a valid letter of credit or traditional performance bonding. The bill also makes various procedural changes to help the agency carry out its housing priorities. | In Committee |
| S2826 | Provides certain resources to county prosecutors for enforcement of law regarding failure to pay wages; makes appropriation. | This bill requires the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD), for purposes of supporting the enforcement of the provisions of State wage and hour laws, to provide funds and training to each county prosecutor's office for the investigation and prosecution of the abovementioned laws and worker exploitation. The bill requires the county prosecutor of each county to establish and assign an assistant prosecutor to the investigation and prosecution of violations of the State wage and hour laws. The bill makes an appropriation from the General Fund to the DOLWD, not to exceed $2,000,000, for purposes of effectuating the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| S2978 | Establishes protected leave under "Family Leave Act" and family temporary disability leave benefits for bereavement for death of child, miscarriage, stillbirth, and certain other circumstances. | Establishes protected leave under "Family Leave Act" and family temporary disability leave benefits for bereavement for death of child, miscarriage, stillbirth, and certain other circumstances. | In Committee |
| S3170 | Increases annual limit of total tax credits certified for qualified projects under Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit Program. | Increases annual limit of total tax credits certified for qualified projects under Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit Program. | In Committee |
| S1777 | Establishes three-year pilot program for school-based mentoring in public schools located within 1,000 feet of gunfire. | Establishes three-year pilot program for school-based mentoring in public schools located within 1,000 feet of gunfire. | In Committee |
| S1797 | Prohibits transportation network companies from engaging in surge pricing during state of emergency. | Prohibits transportation network companies from engaging in surge pricing during state of emergency. | In Committee |
| S1780 | Prohibits school district from denying admittance to student due to tardiness or violation of dress code or school uniform policy. | Prohibits school district from denying admittance to student due to tardiness or violation of dress code or school uniform policy. | In Committee |
| S3608 | Permits restaurants and certain alcoholic beverage retailers and manufacturers to conduct business within designated outdoor space or on public sidewalk. | An Act concerning outdoor sale of food and alcoholic beverages and supplementing Title 40 of the Revised Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3876 | Requires school districts to provide instruction on artificial intelligence; requires Secretary of Higher Education to develop artificial intelligence model curricula. | This bill requires instruction on artificial intelligence. Under the bill, school districts are required to incorporate instruction on artificial intelligence in an appropriate place in the curriculum of students in grades kindergarten through 12 as part of the district's implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Computer Science and Design Thinking. The bill also requires the Commissioner of Education to provide school districts with age-appropriate sample learning activities and resources designed to implement the artificial intelligence curriculum requirement. Additionally, the bill requires each public institution of higher education to offer certificate and degree programs in artificial intelligence. The bill requires the Secretary of Higher Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education, the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development, the Economic Development Authority, the New Jersey Council of County Colleges, the New Jersey Presidents' Council, and the Chief Innovation Officer for the State, to develop an artificial intelligence model curriculum for use by public four-year institutions of higher education in the State and an artificial intelligence model curriculum for use by county colleges in the State. The model curricula developed is to be made available to assist public four-year institutions of higher education and county colleges in implementing the certificate and degree programs requirement established in the bill. Under the bill, the artificial intelligence model curricula is to account for academic quality and other applicable standards required for accreditation of artificial intelligence-related degree programs. Additionally, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the Economic Development Authority, in consultation with the New Jersey Council of County Colleges, the New Jersey Presidents' Council and the Chief Innovation Officer for the State, is required to develop and distribute to public institutions of higher education artificial intelligence career pathway marketing materials that provide descriptions of artificial intelligence careers and the benefits of pursuing those careers. | In Committee |
| SR117 | Urges President and Congress of United States to enact federal legislation providing proportional property tax relief for honorably discharged veterans having a service-connected permanent disability. | This resolution urges the President and Congress of the United States to enact federal legislation to provide proportional property tax relief for honorably discharged veterans having a service-connected permanent disability. The United States of America and the State of New Jersey are forever grateful to the men and women who serve in the Armed Forces of the United States and who sacrifice their lives to protect the freedoms enjoyed by all citizens of this nation. However, in the course of their selfless sacrifice for this nation, many veterans unfortunately experience permanent disabilities that can limit their ability to support themselves and their families. In recognition of the sacrifice and service of these veterans, it is the responsibility of the federal government to ensure that veterans with service-connected disabilities receive the benefits necessary to enjoy a stable quality of life, without the fear of suffering catastrophic financial hardship. While the State of New Jersey currently provides crucial tax relief to these veterans in the form of a total property tax exemption for veterans with 100 percent service-connected disabilities, this assistance is unfortunately unavailable to veterans who live with similar disabilities in other states. To ensure that all veterans throughout the country receive property tax relief commensurate with the severity of their disabilities, there is an urgent need for the federal government to enact legislation to provide proportional property tax relief for honorably discharged veterans having a service-connected permanent disability. The provision of proportional property tax relief would entitle veterans with a service-connected disability to an annual property tax benefit based on a designated percentage of the property taxes paid by the veteran, as determined by the veteran's disability rating assigned by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. However, to ensure that these benefits target the veterans most in need of assistance, this proportional property tax relief should be limited to those veterans with annual income up to $200,000, and the federal benefits should only be provided for the principal residences of eligible veterans. In providing this proportional property tax relief, the federal government would honor its duty and obligation to support the selfless men and women who sacrificed their well-being for the betterment of this great nation. | In Committee |
| S3872 | Prohibits procurement of opioid antidotes from certain entities. | This bill prohibits the procurement of opioid antidotes from certain pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors. Under the bill, the Division of Purchase and Property (division) in the Department of the Treasury, or any State agency having authority to contract for the purchase of goods or services, may only issue a request for proposal for the procurement of opioid antidotes to entities that have not been parties to any settlement with any state government over legal claims against those entities for actions that contributed to the opioid epidemic. An entity that has been a party to a settlement with any state government over a legal claim against the entity for an action that contributed to the opioid epidemic, including any of the entity's affiliates or subsidiaries, will be precluded from participating in the solicitation. Following the selection and awarding of any request for proposal for the procurement of opioid antidotes issued pursuant to this bill, the division, or any State agency having authority to contract for the purchase of goods or services, will only purchase, or use available federal funding to purchase, opioid antidotes from selected and awarded vendors that have not been parties to any settlement with any state government over legal claims against those vendors for actions that contributed to the opioid epidemic. Under the bill, any entity that has been a party to a settlement with any state government over a legal claim against the entity for an action that contributed the opioid epidemic, including any of the entity's affiliates or subsidiaries, will be precluded from selling the State opioid antidotes. However, if the entity, in a settlement entered into prior to September 1, 2024, agreed to provide the State opioid antidotes as a part of the settlement, the entity will continue to provide the State opioid antidotes until the existing settlement obligations are fulfilled | In Committee |
| S3871 | Establishes Artificial Intelligence Apprenticeship Program and artificial intelligence apprenticeship tax credit program. | This bill establishes an Artificial Intelligence Apprenticeship Program in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Under the bill, the program will collaborate with companies in the artificial intelligence industry to offer apprenticeship opportunities that focus on artificial intelligence technology, data analytics, and automation; facilitate partnerships between employers and educational institutions; assist employers in establishing and administering apprenticeship programs; and inform employers of the artificial intelligence apprenticeship tax credit program. The bill also establishes an artificial intelligence apprenticeship tax credit program under the gross income tax and corporation business tax. The bill gives employers with qualified artificial intelligence industry apprenticeship programs the lesser of $5,000 per apprentice or one-half of an apprentice's wages. To qualify for credit, an apprenticeship must employee an unskilled or semi-skilled person in the artificial intelligence industry, including data analytics and automation, that is employed by the taxpayer for no less than 20 calendar weeks in the privilege period as part of a term of artificial intelligence industry training not exceeding four tax years. | In Committee |
| S3868 | Requires cosmetology and hairstyling licensees to complete domestic violence sensitivity and response training. | This bill requires any person who holds a license to practice cosmetology and hairstyling, barbering, beauty culture, manicuring, hair braiding, or skin care specialty to complete one hour of domestic violence sensitivity and response training prior to the completion of a course of instruction, vocational program, or other approved program in cosmetology and hairstyling. The bill requires the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling to establish criteria and standards for domestic violence sensitivity and response training for practicing licensees. The training is required to include, but shall not be limited to, information concerning recognizing the signs of abuse and assault and the resources available to victims of domestic violence. The bill requires the board to issue regulations regarding the additional requirements for, and the approval of providers of, domestic violence sensitivity and response training. In addition, the bill requires the board, in conjunction with a provider of domestic violence sensitivity and response training, to develop, regularly update, and make available on the Division of Consumer Affairs website in English, Spanish, Korean, and the three languages next most commonly spoken in the State, a presentation on domestic violence prevention and intervention appropriate for those licensed by the board and to notify applicants for renewal of licensure of how to access the presentation. The bill also requires the board to provide information to licensees on where to obtain materials to educate consumers domestic violence. Pursuant to the provisions of the bill, a practicing licensee or the practicing licensee's employer will not be civilly or criminally liable for acting in good faith or failing to act on information obtained during the course of employment concerning potential domestic violence or sexual assault. | In Committee |
| S3874 | Establishes multiple sclerosis public awareness campaign. | This bill establishes a multiple sclerosis public awareness campaign in the Department of Health (DOH) in order to promote among the citizens of the State an understanding of MS, including its causes and health effects, and to deliver information on how the disease can impact an individual's quality of life. The campaign may provide for the development of print and electronic media in languages including, but not limited to, English and Spanish. The public awareness campaign is to include, but not be limited to: (1) a comprehensive description of MS, including a discussion of causes, symptoms, and treatment options; (2) information about educational resources available to, and research being conducted to develop effective therapies and find a cure for, those with MS; and (3) materials on how MS can impact an individual's quality of life and ways in which those with MS can maintain the best health possible, live well with the disease, and make educated decisions about their health care. The DOH is to make available to the public information about MS, informational literature concerning the signs, causes, health effects of the disease, and any other information that the department deems to be necessary, and the information may be revised whenever new information about MS becomes available. | In Committee |
| S3875 | Requires access to certain assistive services for students with disabilities at public institutions of higher education. | This bill requires an institution of higher education to provide a student with a disability access to assistive services during class for purposes of recording course material, including note-taking software or a scribe, provided that use of any recording is limited for personal use. Under the bill, course material does not include any test or graded assignment completed during class time. | In Committee |
| S2962 | Requires contractor subject to prevailing wage law to provide orientation meeting to new employee on prevailing wage project. | An Act concerning the rights of employees under the prevailing wage law and amending P.L.1963, c.150. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S2652 | Revises statutory terms pertaining to sexual exploitation or abuse of children. | An Act concerning certain criminal offenses involving sexual exploitation or abuse of children and amending various parts of the statutory law. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S912 | Establishes requirements concerning provision of postpartum care, pregnancy loss, and stillbirth information and development of personalized postpartum care plans. | An Act concerning postpartum care, pregnancy loss, stillbirth, and supplementing Title 26 of the Revised Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| AJR46 | Designates October of each year as "Hindu Heritage Month" in New Jersey. | This joint resolution designates January of each year as "Hindu Heritage Month" in the State of New Jersey in recognition of the many Hindu residents of this State and their rich and noteworthy history and cultural contributions to this State. Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world, dating back to a time between 3000-8000 BCE. Sacred texts have been passed on through generations for thousands of years, creating a strong following of 1.1 billion Hindus in the 21st century. Hindus believe in a variety of deities, each representing different concepts and values within Hinduism. Different sects of Hindus emphasize particular deities and practices over others, depending on their beliefs. Various Hindu gods and goddesses can be traced to origin points spanning several thousand years, making the traditions surrounding Hinduism and the Hindu deities rich and storied. Some deities have holidays celebrated in their honor, such as Diwali, the Festival of Lights, which celebrates Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and fortune. Another well-known Hindu holiday is Holi, the Festival of Colors. It is a holiday celebrating the coming of spring, famous for colorful paste and water thrown on those celebrating. Hindus have made enormous contributions to cultural development throughout history across the globe. Significant achievements in math, science, and medicine used in the modern world can be traced to Hindus. New Jersey is lucky enough to be the state with the highest percentage of Hindu residents in the United States. The Hindu community has shown others the beauty of their beliefs, including though the establishment of the largest Hindu temple in the world, now located in Robbinsville, New Jersey. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3670 | Provides for mortgage payment relief and foreclosure protection for certain homeowners impacted by remnants of Hurricane Ida. | An Act to provide mortgage payment relief and foreclosure protection in response to the remnants of Hurricane Ida and supplementing Title 52 of the Revised Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3843 | Requires continuation of health benefits dependent coverage for certain children with disabilities who are 26 years of age or older. | This bill requires health insurers (health, hospital and medical service corporations, commercial group health insurers; health maintenance organizations, and health benefits plans issued pursuant to the Individual Health Coverage Program and the Small Employer Health Benefits Program) and group health plans that provide dependent coverage of children to continue to make that coverage available for adult children who are 26 years of age or older if the child is: (1) incapable of self-sustaining employment by reason of intellectual disability or physical handicap; (2) and is chiefly dependent upon the subscriber for support and maintenance. | In Committee |
| S3846 | Makes certain amendments to expungement statutes to reduce filing burdens and expand eligibility. | This bill makes certain procedural and substantive reforms concerning expungements of criminal records. First, the bill amends the special probation statute (also known as Recovery Court) to allow a person who successfully completes the Recovery Court program to have their entire record expunged, including convictions for indictable crimes, disorderly persons offenses, municipal ordinance violations, and juvenile offenses. The bill also removes the requirement that a person not be convicted of any new crimes while in Recovery Court in order to be eligible for an expungement, but any new convictions will not be expunged. Under current law, Recovery Court expungements only cover indictable crimes, and a person is eligible for a Recovery Court expungement only if they have not been convicted of any new crimes during their participation in the program. Second, the bill allows an expungement petitioner to include all municipal ordinance violations and juvenile delinquency adjudications that may also be eligible to be expunged on a single petition, along with their other expungeable convictions. Under current law, a person must file up to three separate petitions for expungement to cover indictable crimes and disorderly persons offenses, ordinance violations, and juvenile records. Third, the bill amends the list of crimes for which convictions may not be expunged. Under the bill, robbery in the second degree becomes expungeable, but robbery in the first degree remains non-expungeable. Also under the bill, endangering the welfare of a child, where the offense did not involve sexual conduct, becomes expungeable, but convictions involving sexual conduct or child pornography remain non-expungeable. Additionally under the bill, a conviction for possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a public housing facility, public park, or public building, which would otherwise be a non-expungeable second degree crime, becomes expungeable. Fourth, the bill eliminates a barrier to expungement posed by out-of-state or federal convictions. Under current law, when calculating a person's eligibility for an expungement, out-of-state and federal convictions are counted against the total number of convictions a person may have on their record. However, at present, there is no expungement available for federal convictions, and expungement laws vary from state to state. Therefore, the bill amends the statutes so that eligibility is determined only under the laws of this State. Fifth, the bill amends the electronic filing and review process by which a person seeks an expungement through the courts. Under current law, the e-filing system automatically sends a copy of the petition to the State Police, the Attorney General, and county prosecutors so that they can review the petition for accuracy and completeness and, if appropriate, file objections to the expungement. However, although these agencies are required to notify the court of any inaccurate or missing information, they are presently not required to provide copies of the correct or missing documentation to the petitioner. The bill requires these agencies to make copies of these documents available to the petitioner and the court. Sixth, the bill harmonizes the provisions concerning court-ordered financial assessments across all types of expungements. Under current law, a person becomes eligible for an expungement after a statutory waiting period, which begins to run from the date of release from incarceration, probation, or parole, or the date that a court-ordered financial assessment is satisfied, whichever is later. In 2023, the statutes concerning expungements for indictable crimes, disorderly persons offenses, and "Clean Slate" expungements were amended to allow a person to become eligible for an expungement so long as the statutory waiting period is met, even if the court-ordered financial assessment is satisfied at a later time. Alternatively, the 2023 statute revisions also allow a person to become eligible for an expungement by demonstrating compelling circumstances for non-payment. Under the bill, these court-ordered financial assessment provisions are extended to expungements for municipal ordinance violations and juvenile delinquency adjudications. Seventh, the bill expands the eligibility of persons with juvenile delinquency records to receive an expungement. Under current law, a juvenile who is adjudicated delinquent for an offense which, if committed by an adult, would constitute a crime that cannot be expunged would also not be eligible for an expungement. However, the New Jersey Supreme Court has recognized, in cases such as State v. Zuber, 227 N.J. 422 (2017), and State v. Comer, 249 N.J. 359 (2022), that juvenile offenders should not be subject to the same lifetime bars to post-conviction relief as adult offenders. Therefore, the bill eliminates this barrier to expungement for juveniles. Eighth, the bill expands the availability of "Clean Slate" expungements. The "Clean Slate" expungement law passed in 2019 called for the eventual adoption of a system to automatically expunge convictions after ten years. Under the bill, the "Clean Slate" law is extended to include automatic expungement of juvenile adjudications. Additionally, under the bill, the waiting period for a "Clean Slate" expungement is reduced from ten to seven years. The 2019 "Clean Slate" law also established a task force to make recommendations concerning how an automatic expungement system could be implemented. Because the automatic system is not yet operational, and in light of revisions to the expungement laws since 2019, the bill calls for the re-establishment of the task force, with an expanded membership, to provide the Governor and the Legislature with updated recommendations. | In Committee |
| S3845 | Requires BPU to consider affordability to ratepayers before approving base rate cases for electric public utilities. | This bill requires the Board of Public Utilities (board) to consider affordability to ratepayers as a factor in determining whether an electric utility rate increase proposed as part of a base rate case is found to be just and reasonable. Under current law, the board may approve a petition by an electric public utility to increase, change, or alter any existing utility rates upon determination that the increase, change, or alteration is just and reasonable. Currently, the primary factors considered by the board in the determination of justness and reasonableness include the public utility's property valuation (i.e., the rate base), the public utility's expenses, and the public utility's rate of return. | In Committee |
| S3057 | Requires DOH to develop informational materials on type 1 diabetes and DOE to distribute to parents and guardians of enrolled students. | Requires DOH to develop informational materials on type 1 diabetes and DOE to distribute to parents and guardians of enrolled students. | In Committee |
| S2949 | Revises unemployment compensation law. | This bill amends the State law regarding unemployment insurance (UI) to: 1. Add any disabled, unmarried adult child of a UI benefit claimant, whose disability began before the age of 22, to the dependents counted for the purpose of calculating weekly UI benefit amounts. 2. Provide that an individual otherwise eligible for UI benefits is not deemed ineligible for the benefits solely because the individual is a student in full-time attendance, or on vacation from, at an educational institution, so long as the individual remains available for work, eliminating the current benefit eligibility requirement for the individual to have earned sufficient wages while enrolled in full-time in education. 3. Shift the current provisions of the UI law that permit the payment of UI benefits to a claimant who is a participant in a department-approved training program from being an exception to the disqualification from benefits when enrolled in full-time education to being a circumstance under which a claimant is eligible, and specify that the claimant's participation in the program is required to be in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (4) of subsection (c) of R.S.43:21-4, which states that a claimant is not disqualified for benefits for failing or refusing to accept work while attending the program. 4. Permit a claimant to request that the department make its notification of its initial determination of the benefit claim by electronic means. 5. Provide that the current requirement that benefits paid pending an appeal be paid according to the initial determination applies only to the period before the appeal tribunal makes a decision regarding the appeal and provide that the benefits then will be paid according to the decision of the appeal tribunal, pending any appeal of the appeal tribunal decision made to the board of review. 6. Remove the requirement in the current law that in cases where an appeal made by an employer of a charge to its UI tax account results in a reduction of benefits to a claimant, any overpayment of benefits paid before the resolution of the appeal is charged to the employer's UI tax account. 7. Require the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to develop a mechanism for claimants to have electronic access to their own benefit payment status and history. 8. Remove the provision of current law that a claimant is not required to repay any of an overpayment of UI benefits if the overpayment is not caused by a knowing, fraudulent nondisclosure or misrepresentation by the claimant or representative of the claimant, and is not required to repay more than 50 percent of the overpayment if it was made because of both claimant error and department error or employer error or nondisclosure, but without knowing, fraudulent nondisclosure or misrepresentation by the claimant. Instead, the bill provides that if a claimant requests a waiver of the repayment, the department is required to provide a full waiver repayment if the claimant did not withhold or misrepresent any material fact to obtain benefits and the overpayment is due to an error of the department or an error of the employer or failure of the employers to provide information, or also if the claimant has died or become disabled, or recovery is determined to be contrary to equity and good conscience. The bill also requires the department to provide a waiver, even if the claimant makes no request, for an overpayment caused by department error, employer error, or employer failure to provide information, if the department has determined that the claimant did not misrepresent or withhold any material fact to obtain benefits. 9. Provide that the calculation of the claimant's average weekly wage used to determine a claimant's weekly benefit amount is based on wages with all base year employers, not just the wages of the most recent employer before the layoff, but with the total number of base weeks limited to 52. The bill also prevents a base-year employer's UI tax account from being charged for UI benefits paid to a claimant while the claimant continues to work for that employer but is laid off by another base year employer. 10. Remove, in the case of joint State-federal extended UI benefits, the requirement that a claimant who has been disqualified because of misconduct or failure to apply for or accept suitable work not receive benefits until the claimant is reemployed and earns at least four times the claimant's weekly benefit rate, and replace that by providing that the claimant need only complete the period of regular UI disqualification to be eligible for the extended benefits. The provisions of sections 4 and 6 of the bill apply retroactively back to July 21, 2023. Because all of the provisions of the current law which are removed by section 4 and 6 of the bill were added by P.L.2022, c.120 which went into effect on that date, having those sections apply retroactively to that date would make it as if those provisions had never been allowed to take effect. | In Committee |
| S3278 | Extends permission to administer glucagon and blood glucose tests to EMTs. | Extends permission to administer glucagon and blood glucose tests to EMTs. | Crossed Over |
| S3310 | Redirects portion of worker's unemployment compensation trust fund contribution to unemployment compensation administration fund. | This bill requires that a portion of what would have been the worker contribution to the unemployment compensation trust fund instead be collected and deposited directly into the unemployment compensation administration fund. Under current law, workers who are either employed by nongovernmental employers, including non-profit employers, or who are employed by governmental employers that elect or are required to pay contributions, contribute 0.3825 percent of their wages to the unemployment compensation trust fund. The bill reduces this worker contribution to the unemployment compensation trust fund to 0.3625 percent of wages and requires that 0.0200 percent of wages be collected and deposited directly into the unemployment compensation administration fund. Under current law, workers who are employed by the State of New Jersey or any other governmental entity or instrumentality that elects or is required to make payments in lieu of contributions, contribute 0.0825 percent of their wages to the unemployment compensation trust fund. The bill reduces this worker contribution to the unemployment compensation trust fund to 0.0625 percent of wages and requires that 0.0200 percent of wages be collected and deposited directly into the unemployment compensation administration fund. The bill's redirection of funds is less than the amount that is not committed to separate trust funds of self-insured employers, so the amount that goes to the separate funds, and consequently employer contributions, will not be affected by the bill's provisions. The unemployment compensation trust fund provides the funding for unemployment benefits for workers. While the unemployment compensation trust fund is adequately funded, the unemployment compensation administration fund does not have adequate funding to maintain efficient operations of the unemployment compensation system. The unemployment compensation administration fund is funded by contributions from the federal government, but these contributions do not provide sufficient resources to maintain the State system. This redirection of contributions from the unemployment compensation trust fund to unemployment compensation administration fund will provide needed resources to the unemployment compensation administration fund. | In Committee |
| S1887 | Creates offense of financial exploitation of the elderly. | Creates offense of financial exploitation of the elderly. | Crossed Over |
| SJR12 | Designates October of each year as "Hindu Heritage Month" in New Jersey. | Designates October of each year as "Hindu Heritage Month" in New Jersey. | In Committee |
| S2421 | "Freedom to Read Act"; establishes requirements for library material in public school libraries and public libraries; protects school library staff members and librarians. | "Freedom to Read Act"; establishes requirements for library material in public school libraries and public libraries; protects school library staff members and librarians. | In Committee |
| S2437 | Directs Office of Public Defender to provide legal representation for certain criminal contempt violations. | Directs Office of Public Defender to provide legal representation for certain criminal contempt violations. | Crossed Over |
| S1087 | Requires midwives and physicians to provide pregnant women information on birthing options prior to delivery. | Requires midwives and physicians to provide pregnant women information on birthing options prior to delivery. | Crossed Over |
| 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 |
| SJR142 | Designates last full week of September of each year as "Frontotemporal Degeneration Awareness Week" in NJ. | This resolution designates the last full week of September of each year as "Frontotemporal Degeneration Awareness Week" in New Jersey. Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), or frontotemporal degeneration, refers to a group of disorders caused by progressive nerve cell loss in the brain's frontal lobes or temporal lobes. FTD is a terminal and incurable neurodegenerative disease that causes impairments to speech, personality, behavior, and motor skills. Approximately 40 percent of individuals living with FTD have a family history of the disease or a related condition like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Due to its broad range of cognitive and behavioral symptoms, FTD is often misdiagnosed as a psychiatric condition or another neurodegenerative disease. An individual living with FTD may lose their sense of social propriety and experience significant changes in their personality. They might also struggle with understanding grammar, lose the meaning of words, become hesitant in their speech, and may eventually become mute. A person living with FTD may also experience physical changes such as muscle weakness which can lead to loss of balance and increased falls. Research at both the national and global level is needed to enhance our understanding of FTD and ultimately discover a cure. In New Jersey there are an estimated 185,000 people living with Alzheimer's dementia. It is unknown how many New Jerseyans are living with FTD. Increasing FTD awareness through public events focused on the impact that FTD has on communities is key to informing New Jerseyans of this often overlooked and incurable terminal neurodegenerative medical condition. Designating the last full week of September as "Frontotemporal Degeneration Awareness Week" would provide New Jerseyans with an annual reminder on the effects that FTD has on New Jerseyans diagnosed with FTD. | In Committee |
| S3823 | Creates separate crime for items depicting sexual exploitation or abuse of children; concerns computer generated or manipulated sexually explicit images. | This bill amends and updates the law prohibiting child pornography in two important respects. First, under the bill, the statute concerning child pornography is separated from its current placement within the statute concerning child endangerment, so as to create a separate and distinct crime. This is intended to provide clarity in law enforcement and court documents, and the analysis and tracking of crime statistics, when referring to child pornography rather than the broader crime of child endangerment. Because of this recodification of the statute, it is necessary to also update the cross references in other sections of law that refer to either child pornography or child endangerment. Second, under the bill, the crime of child pornography is expanded to include manipulated depictions, also known as "deepfakes," that by means of image manipulation, creation, or modification, appear to show an identifiable child or a purported child engaging in a prohibited sexual act or in the simulation of such an act. The bill also amends the statutes concerning obscenity to include manipulated depictions, also known as "deepfakes," that by means of image manipulation, creation, or modification, appear to show a purported child engaging in a prohibited sexual act or in the simulation of such an act. Under current jurisprudence, the distinction between child pornography and obscenity is that child pornography involves the depiction of an actual victim (i.e., an identifiable child), while obscenity does not require the depiction of an actual victim. The bill also amends the statute concerning leaders of child pornography networks to bring that statute into conformity with the provision of the child pornography statute concerning possession with intent to distribute. Under current law, leader of a child pornography network is a crime of the first degree if the offense involves 100,000 or more items depicting the sexual exploitation or abuse of a child, a crime of the second degree if the offense involves at least 1,000 but less than 100,000 items, and a crime of the third degree if the offense involves less than 1,000 items. Under the bill, leader of a child pornography network is a crime of the first degree if the offense involves 1,000 or more items; otherwise it is a crime of the second degree. These are the same thresholds as the crime of possession with intent to distribute child pornography. A crime of the first degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of 10 to 20 years, a fine of up to $200,000, or both. A crime of the second degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of five to ten years, a fine of up to $150,000, or both. A crime of the third degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of three to five years, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. Finally, the bill also amends the invasion of privacy statute in two important respects. First, the statute is amended to include manipulated depictions, also known as "deepfakes," that by means of image manipulation, creation, or modification, appear to show an intimate or sexually explicit image of a person who did not in fact consent to such depiction or engage in the depicted conduct. Second, the statute is amended to clarify that a person's consent to being photographed, filmed, or recorded in an intimate or sexual manner does not imply consent to the distribution of such images. | In Committee |
| S3820 | Requires certain institutions of higher education and degree-granting proprietary institutions to submit certain documentation on online program managers to Secretary of Higher Education. | This bill requires each institution of higher education and degree-granting proprietary institution that contracts with an online program manager (OPM) to submit an annual expenditure report to the Secretary of Higher Education concerning the spending activities of the company. To assist in the preparation of this report, the bill requires the OPM to submit an annual report to the institution detailing all expenditures made on behalf of the institution during the prior academic year. In addition to any other information required by the Secretary of Higher Education, this report would be required to specify the amounts expended by the OPM on each of the following categories of expenditure: (1) advertising and marketing services; (2) recruiting, admissions, and financial services; (3) instruction services; (4) student support services; (5) technology resources and support services; and (6) curriculum development materials. Under the bill, the annual expenditure report submitted by the institution to the secretary would be required to include, at a minimum, the following information: (1) the information provided in the OPM's annual report; (2) the total payments made by the institution to the OPM during each semester of the prior academic year; (3) the number of students who received State financial assistance during the prior academic year and were enrolled in each academic program for which the OPM provided services; and (4) the amount of State operating aid received by the institution on a per-student basis during the prior academic year, and the per-student amount provided to the OPM. The bill also requires the Secretary of Higher Education to publish each annual expenditure report on the Internet website of the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education. Under this bill, an institution of higher education and proprietary degree-granting institution are required to submit a copy of any contract between the institution and an online program manager to the Secretary of Higher Education for review within 60 days following: (1) the execution of a new contract; (2) any substantive change in contractual terms; (3) the renewal of a contract; and (4) for any contract currently in effect, the effective date of this bill. The bill further provides that any information filed with the secretary pursuant to the bill's provisions may be disclosed in accordance with P.L.1963, c.73 (C.47:1A-1 et seq.), commonly referred to as the open public records act. An institution of higher education or proprietary degree-granting institution will be required to separately identify any confidential information filed with the office pursuant to the bill, and any information that is not identified as confidential information will be considered public information and subject to disclosure. As used in the bill, "confidential information" is defined to include information contained in a report or contract filed with the office pursuant to the bill that has been certified by the General Counsel or Chief Financial Officer preparing the filing as confidential or proprietary information. | In Committee |
| S3821 | Requires institutions of higher education and proprietary degree-granting institutions that have agreements with online program managers to disclose online program information. | This bill requires an institution of higher education or proprietary degree-granting institution to make publicly available on its website certain information on its online programs if the institution has entered into an agreement with an online program manager. An online program manager (OPM) is defined under the bill as an entity that enters into a contract or agreement related exclusively to online degree and certificate program delivery, including online programs with required in-person clinical and other instruction, with an institution of higher education or proprietary degree-granting institution to provide one or more of the following services on behalf of the institution in exchange for financial compensation: advertising and marketing services; recruiting, admissions, and financial services; instruction services; student support services; technology resources and support services; and curriculum development services. The institution of higher education or proprietary degree-granting institution is required to make publicly available on its website the following information on the online programs that are supported by the online program manager: (1) the name of the online program manager; (2) admission requirements; (3) the online program's tuition costs compared to on-campus program tuition costs; (4) the financial aid available for the online program; (5) the average financial aid amount provided to students in the online program; and (6) the percentage of students in the online program that receive financial aid. | In Committee |
| S3836 | Requires DOH to develop shared decision-making tool and establish maternal health care pilot program. | This bill requires the Commissioner of Health to develop a shared decision-making tool for use by maternity care hospitals and licensed birthing centers. Use of the shared decision-making tool will be voluntary. The purpose of the shared decision-making tool will be to: improve knowledge of the benefits and risks of, and best practice standards for, the provision of maternity care; increase collaboration between a maternity care patient and the patient's health care provider to assist the patient in making informed decisions about the maternity care the patient receives; improve patient experiences during, and reduce adverse outcomes related to, or associated with, pregnancy; and encourage maternity care patients to create a birth plan stating the patient's preferences during the stages of labor, delivery, and postpartum. The shared decision-making tool will consist of patient decision aids including, but not limited to: electronic or printed standardized patient questionnaires designed by hospitals and birthing centers, which will be made available to maternity care patients; educational fact sheets providing information on a broad range of maternity care issues, including choosing a caregiver and hospital or birthing center, early labor support techniques, potential maternal and neonatal complications relating to pre-term labor induction, the benefits of carrying pregnancies full term, the benefits of operative vaginal deliveries, and the risks associated with cesarean section procedures; and brochures and other multimedia tools that inform and educate maternity care patients about critical maternal conditions and the available treatment options and interventions for such events, along with the advantages, disadvantages, and risks associated with each treatment option and intervention. The bill directs the commissioner to implement a three-year pilot program, under which a select number of maternity care hospitals and birthing centers may utilize and evaluate the shared decision-making tool developed pursuant to the bill. The commissioner will develop a process for hospitals and birthing centers that are interested in participating in the pilot program to request to participate. The commissioner will determine the total number of participating hospitals and birthing centers, except that, at a minimum, the commissioner will be required to select at least one hospital or birthing facility from each of the northern, central, and southern regions of the State. The hospitals and birthing centers selected by the commissioner to participate in the pilot program will use a standardized, comprehensive evaluation process, to be designed by the commissioner, that will assess the effectiveness of the shared decision-making tool in improving maternal care and reducing adverse outcomes related to, or associated with, pregnancy by collecting and analyzing information, during the pilot program period, about maternal outcomes including. The data to be collected using the evaluation process will include, but will not be limited to, the number and percentage of maternity care patients who: underwent non-medically indicated and medically-indicated labor induction procedures; underwent non-medically indicated and medically-indicated cesarean section procedures; underwent vaginal delivery; delivered at 41 or more weeks of gestation and delivered between 34 and 41 or more weeks of gestation; and created a birth plan. The evaluation process data will additionally include any other information related to a maternity care patient's prenatal, postnatal, labor, and delivery care that the commissioner deems necessary. The bill requires the hospitals and birthing centers participating in the pilot program to prepare and submit a report to the commissioner, to the Governor, and to the Legislature, within one year after the pilot program established pursuant to the bill expires, on the effectiveness of the shared decision-making tool developed pursuant to the bill. The report would be based on the information collected as part of the evaluation process designed as part of the pilot program, and would make recommendations on improvements to the shared decision-making tool and recommendations regarding Statewide implementation of the shared decision-making tool. The bill provides that it will expire upon the submission of all of the reports required from participant hospitals and birthing centers. | In Committee |
| S3822 | Requires online program manager providing marketing services for institution of higher education or proprietary institution licensed to offer academic degrees to self-identify as third party to prospective students. | This bill provides that an institution of higher education or proprietary degree-granting institution that retains an online program manager to provide marketing services for its academic degree programs must require that: (1) the online program manager self-identifies as a third party entity that is separate from the institution at the beginning of any communication with a prospective student; and (2) any digital or print advertising provided by the online program manager for an academic program of the institution includes a clear disclosure of the relationship between the online program manager and the institution. Under the bill, a violation of the bill's requirements will constitute an unlawful practice in violation of P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.), and will be subject to all remedies and penalties available pursuant to the provisions of that act. The bill defines "online program manager" to mean an entity that enters into a contract or agreement related exclusively to online degree and certificate program delivery, including online programs with required in-person clinical and other instruction with an institution of higher education or proprietary degree-granting institution to provide one or more of the following services on behalf of the institution in exchange for financial compensation: advertising and marketing services; recruiting, admissions, and financial services; instruction services; student support services; technology resources and support services; and curriculum development services. | In Committee |
| S3831 | Requires Medicaid coverage for fertility preservation services in cases of iatrogenic infertility caused by medically necessary treatments. | This bill requires the State Medicaid program and the Plan First program to cover standard fertility preservation services in cases in which a medically necessary medical treatment may directly or indirectly cause iatrogenic infertility. The State's Plan First program provides a benefit package of family planning and family planning-related services and supplies for individuals whose annual incomes are below 205 percent of the federal poverty level and who are not otherwise eligible for Medicaid or the NJ FamilyCare program. The bill defines "iatrogenic infertility" as an impairment of fertility caused by surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or other medical treatment affecting reproductive organs or processes. The bill further defines "standard fertility preservation services" as procedures which are consistent with established medical practices and professional guidelines published by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, or as defined by the New Jersey Department of Health, including the storage of sperm, oocytes, embryos, and cryopreserved ovarian tissue. Subsequent to enactment of P.L.2019, c.306, State-regulated health insurers, the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP), and the School Employees Health Benefits Program (SEHBP) cover standard fertility preservation services if a medically necessary treatment may, directly or indirectly, cause iatrogenic infertility. This statute, however, specifies that standard fertility preservation services for individuals insured by the SHBP, the SEHBP, and State-regulated health insurers does not include storage of sperm or oocytes. The bill will provide Medicaid and Plan First participants who face iatrogenic infertility with access to fertility preservation services that are frequently cost-prohibitive for low-to-moderate income patients. | In Committee |
| SJR79 | Designates month of September of each year as "Emergency Preparedness Month" in New Jersey. | This joint resolution designates the month of September of each year as "Emergency Preparedness Month" in New Jersey to raise awareness of the importance of preparing ourselves and our families now and throughout the year for emergencies and disasters. Prior to declared emergencies, New Jersey residents should establish a family preparedness plan in case of an emergency or disaster which should include establishing evacuation and meeting locations, creating communication and financial plans, determining how the family could best shelter in place, and evaluating property insurance needs. Preparedness plans should consider the medical and physical needs of all family members and pets. | In Committee |
| S3795 | Permits certified nurse aides to be employed as personal care assistants. | This bill allows a licensed health care facility to be permitted to employ a certified or conditionally certified nurse aide (CNA) in the capacity of a personal care assistant. | In Committee |
| S3791 | Requires DOT to ensure electric vehicle charging stations are accessible to disabled drivers. | This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to require, no later than 18 months after the effective date of the bill, that electric vehicle charging stations in the State are accessible to allow for independent use by drivers with disabilities. The bill requires electric vehicle chargers to be located on an accessible route for drivers with mobility devices. The bill requires the DOT to adopt technical requirements for accessible routes established under federal law. The bill establishes that a charging space with mobility features shall provide a vehicle space with a minimum width of at least 11 feet and a minimum length of at least 20 feet, and that chargers provide a clear floor or ground space which meet the federal "Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990" (ADA) requirements for ground and floor surfaces, including criteria for firmness, stability, and slip resistance. Further, under the bill, a reasonable number of chargers, as determined by the DOT, are required to comply with ADA operable parts requirements, including technical requirements for clear floor or ground space, reach ranges, and operation and a connector is required to allow operation with one hand and no tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist, and with no more than five pounds of force. Finally, the bill directs that all chargers operated or maintained by any entity within the State are required to comply with the technical requirements for hardware under the federal "Rehabilitation Act of 1973." | In Committee |
| SR115 | Commemorates anniversary of October 7th attack on Israel. | On October 7, 2023, just after the 50th anniversary of the start of the multi-front 1973 Yom Kippur War against Israel, the terrorist organization Hamas carried out a brutal attack against the Jewish people and the State of Israel. The attack began in the early morning when Hamas launched thousands of rockets from the Gaza Strip that reached as far as Tel Aviv and the outskirts of Jerusalem, and then infiltrated Israeli towns and army bases in the south, including a gathering of young people at a music festival. The armed terrorists launched a coordinated strike arriving in boats, paragliders, motorcycles, and other vehicles. News reports, survivor accounts, images, and videos from the scenes of this horrific attack show that Hamas terrorists slaughtered ordinary civilians and entire families, including babies and elderly people, set houses on fire, raped women, and took hostages. In the immediate aftermath of the attack, 1,200 people were confirmed dead in Israel, including American citizens, and another 3,400 were injured. The October 7th attack was one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in modern history, resulting in more Jews killed that day than on any single day since the Holocaust. On October 7th, Hamas took 251 men, women, and children hostage from Israel into Gaza, including American citizens, and kept them in inhumane and torturous conditions, including in cramped underground tunnels, since their kidnapping. One of the American hostages taken into captivity by Hamas, Edan Alexander, is a resident of Tenafly, New Jersey, and is still being held in captivity. Hamas has executed many of these hostages, including six individuals who were shot at close range on August 29, 2024 as Israeli Defense Forces approached their location. Israeli authorities believe that 101 of the hostages who were kidnapped on October 7th remain in captivity, and it is believed that only 64 individuals remain alive. The October 7th terror attack prompted a defensive war against Hamas by the Israeli Defense Forces. Many thousands of innocent Palestinian civilians have been wounded and killed by Israeli strikes targeting Hamas leaders, militants, and command and control positions. A large percentage of Palestinian civilians have been displaced and are now living in makeshift shelters with limited access to food, clean water, and medical care. The suffering and death which has occurred as a result of the October 7th attacks are tragic and horrific. It is therefore fitting and proper for New Jersey to commemorate the anniversary of the October 7th attack by Hamas against Israel, to mourn the lives that were lost as a result, condemn any and all acts of terrorism, stand in solidarity with the people of Israel and the Palestinian people, call for the release of all hostages, and support efforts seeking a peaceful resolution to the conflict. | In Committee |
| S3796 | The "Certified Medication Aide in Nursing Homes Staffing Support Act;" authorizes certified medication aides to administer medications to nursing home residents. | The bill authorizes medication aides, who are certified by the Department of Health (DOH), to administer medications, as delegated by and under the authority of a registered professional nurse, in State licensed nursing homes. Current law and regulations authorize certified medication aides to practice in assisted living facilities, comprehensive personal care homes, dementia care homes, and assisted living programs. Under the bill, an individual seeking certification from the DOH as a medication aide, must first be a nurse aide certified by the DOH for employment in a long-term care facility, as provided under regulations found at N.J.A.C. 8:39-43.1 through N.J.A.C. 8:39-43.9; a homemaker home health aide certified by the Board of Nursing in the Division of Consumer Affairs, who also meets statutory requirements for employment as a certified nurse aide in a long-term care facility; or a personal care assistant certified by the DOH. Individuals seeking certification as a medication aide in a nursing home will also be required to successfully complete a DOH approved training course on medication administration in a long term care setting, and within six months of completing the training course, attain a passing score on a DOH designated standardized examination on the administration of medication for personal care assistants. DOH certification for medication aides will be valid for two years, under the bill. Medication aides seeking to renew their certification must complete at least 10 hours of continuing education courses, seminars, or in-service training. The bill provides that the continuing education requirement will be in addition to any continuing education requirements for certified personal care assistants or certified nurse aides, as provided by the DOH, or for certified homemaker home health aides, as required by the Board of Nursing. The facility employing the certified medication aide, additionally, will maintain the continuing education records for all current and former certified medication aides for at least a two year period. The bill provides for the suspension, denial, or revocation of a medication aide's certification under circumstances outlined in the bill. The bill additionally establishes a process by which the DOH will notify the certified medication aide of any pending disciplinary action, and a process by which the medication aide may request an administrative hearing to appeal the department's determination. The bill amends section 2 of P.L.1997, c.100 (C.26:2H-83), which requires the DOH to conduct criminal history record background checks on applicants for initial and renewal certification as nurse aides and personal care assistants, to now require background checks for applicants for initial and renewal certification as medication aides. The bill additionally establish certain crimes for which a medication aide will be disqualified from certification. The bill further amends section 3 of P.L.1997, c.100 (C.26:2H-84) to include provisions for establishing a process by which a medication aide may be temporarily employed by a facility while the criminal history record background check on the medication aide is pending. The bill, finally, amends this statute to require the DOH to establish a registry of certified medication aides, in addition to the existing registries for DOH certified nurse aides and personal care assistants. | In Committee |
| S3784 | Requires State agencies to make good faith effort to increase awarding of contracts procured without advertisement to minority- and women-owned businesses. | This bill requires State agencies, the Director of the Division of Purchase and Property, and the Director of the Division of Property Management and Construction, as the case may be, to make a good faith effort to achieve a goal of increasing the awarding of goods and services contracts procured without advertisement to certified minority-owned and women-owned businesses by 30 percent in the aggregate within five years of the effective date of the bill. The State Treasurer will develop guidelines and directives for State agencies and directors that will be used toward the effort to achieve such goal. Each State agency will submit a report to the State Treasurer detailing the efforts made by that agency to achieve such goal every 30 days. The State Treasurer will submit a report to the Governor and to the Legislature detailing the efforts made by all State agencies and the directors to achieve such goal every six months. | In Committee |
| SJR139 | Designates November 21 of each year as "Urinary Tract Infection Awareness Day" in NJ. | This resolution designates November 21 of each year as "Urinary Tract Infection Awareness Day" in New Jersey. A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of the urinary system. The urinary tract system includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. UTIs typically occur when bacteria enters the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to spread in the bladder. In older adults, UTIs may be overlooked or mistaken for other conditions. UTIs can cause sudden confusion, also known as delirium, in older adults. If an older adult has a sudden and unexplained change in their behavior, such as increased confusion, agitation, or withdrawal, this may be because of a UTI. Formulation of a successful diagnostic and treatment plan is based on determining the location of the UTI and identifying underlying physical impairments of the patient, such as diabetes. UTIs do not always cause symptoms, but when symptoms do arise they may include a strong urge to urinate that does not go away, a burning feeling when urinating, urinating often, passing small amount of urine, urine that looks cloudy, and strong-smelling urine. UTI infections that go untreated can spread from the bladder to the kidneys and ultimately lead to a life threatening infection known as sepsis. The best way to prevent a UTI is to urinate every few hours, empty ones bladder completely, drink plenty of water, and practice good genital and urinary hygiene. Designating November 21 of each year as "Urinary Tract Infection Awareness Day" would provide New Jerseyans with an annual reminder on the negative health effects that UTIs have on the New Jerseyans across the State. | In Committee |
| SJR138 | Designates October 1 of each year as "All Hair is Good Hair Day" in New Jersey. | This joint resolution designates October 1 of each year as "All Hair is Good Hair Day" in the State of New Jersey. Hair is a significant aspect of cultural identity, self-expression, and personal dignity for people of all backgrounds and New Jersey is home to a diverse population with various hair types and textures, all contributing to the rich cultural fabric of the State. Throughout history, certain hair types and styles, particularly those associated with Black, and other marginalized communities, have been subject to stigmatization, discrimination, and exclusion in various social, professional, and educational settings. This resolution recognizes and celebrates the beauty and diversity of all hair types and encourages the acceptance of all hair types as equally valid and beautiful. | In Committee |
| S3785 | Creates Office of Nonprofit Ombudsperson in Department of Treasury; appropriates $329,000. | This bill creates the Office of the Nonprofit Ombudsperson in but not of the Department of the Treasury. The purpose of the ombudsperson is to provide information and assistance to, and act as an advocate for, nonprofit organizations interacting with State agencies. The office will be independent of any supervision or control by the Department of the Treasury or any board or officer thereof, or any other cabinet-level department, board, or officer thereof. Under the bill, the Governor will appoint a Nonprofit Ombudsperson, who is qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of the office, and be a person of recognized judgment, integrity, and objectivity who is skilled in communication, conflict resolution, and professionalism. The ombudsperson will organize and direct the work of the office, including creating and maintaining a website, and serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The ombudsperson will: 1) participate in, monitor, and report on the participating State agencies' compliance with the nonprofit information center portal established in the Department of State that provides information accessible on the internet for nonprofit organizations regarding various resources available to assist them in their daily operations; 2) communicate and consult regularly with nonprofit organizations operating in the State and associations representing these nonprofit organizations; 3) provide technical assistance to nonprofit organizations to assist in compliance with the regulations of State agencies; 4) investigate complaints from nonprofit organizations about State agencies, and assist these nonprofit organizations in seeking a resolution; 5) report nonprofit organizations' concerns and recommendations to the heads of the various State agencies; and 6) develop and share innovative procurement and contracting practices to increase opportunities for nonprofit organizations. The bill also amends the law that created the nonprofit information center portal in the Department of State to provide information accessible on the internet for nonprofit organizations. The bill requires the Office of the Nonprofit Ombudsperson to participate in the nonprofit information center portal and monitor the designated home website of each department and agency participating in the nonprofit information center portal. The bill requires the Office of the Nonprofit Ombudsperson to submit an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature detailing the activities and compliance issues of State agencies with respect to the requirements of the law establishing the nonprofit information center portal. Finally, the bill appropriates $329,000 from the General Fund to the Department of the Treasury to support the costs of establishing and operating the Office of the Nonprofit Ombudsperson. | In Committee |
| S3786 | Establishes certain requirements for State and local governments awarding contracts or grants to nonprofit organizations. | This bill establishes certain requirements for the State and local governments awarding contracts or grants to nonprofit organizations. This bill establishes a de minimis indirect cost rate of 15 percent of the modified total direct costs to nonprofit organizations that have been awarded a contract by a State agency or local government agency. This rate will apply when the source of funding is from federal funds or State funds. Any State agency or local government agency will be prohibited from limiting reimbursements of indirect, administrative, or overhead costs for nonprofit organizations participating in a contract or grant with such agency on or after the effective date of this bill. The Department of the Treasury will be required to oversee and manage the development and maintenance of a database which can be used by nonprofit organizations that intend to participate in contracts or grants offered by State agencies or local government agencies. All such organizations can submit to the database any general documents specified under this bill that are required for State or local contracts or grants. The State Treasurer can permit the submission of other documents relevant to bids for and awards of public contracts and grants as the State Treasurer determines to be appropriate for the purpose of the database. The information maintained in the database will exclude personal identifying information of individuals to prevent compromising personal privacy and security. State agencies or local government agencies seeking to award a contract or grant will be required to utilize the documentation submitted to the database by a nonprofit organization, unless the documentation is not available, in which case the agency can request the document from such nonprofit organization. This bill also requires State agencies and local government agencies to review and adopt the cost principles and federal grant reforms contained in the federal Office of Management and Budget's Uniform Guidance standards with regard to nonprofit organizations to the extent permitted by law. This bill permits the State Treasurer and local government agencies to create a list of common terminology relevant to contracts or grants for nonprofit organizations to define services, processes, and client populations and a list of common terminology for contracts or grants to be accessible to all State and local agencies. This bill also requires the amount of any contract, awarded by a State agency or local government agency, determined for the prior calendar year to be adjusted annually in direct proportion to the percent change in the Consumer Price Index over a 12-month period beginning November 1 and ending October 31. This bill also requires a contract awarded by a State agency or local government agency to be automatically extended for a period of three months if the extension or renewal process is not completed within 10 days of expiration of such contract. This bill prohibits any unilateral change of contract language or terms by a State agency or local government agency for a contract awarded to a nonprofit organization. This bill requires the State Treasurer and local government agencies to develop procedures to reduce redundant monitoring of nonprofit organizations that have been awarded contracts or grants by standardizing and integrating reporting procedures across all State or local agencies. This bill also requires that, if goods and services are rendered, a State agency or local government agency will be required to pay a nonprofit organization 30 calendar days from the date specified in the contract. If no required payment date is specified in the contract, then the required payment date is 30 calendar days from the receipt of a properly executed State agency or local government agency contract, or 30 calendar days from the receipt of goods or services, whichever is later. This bill requires interest on required payments that are not made on or before the required payment date pursuant to a properly executed State agency or local government agency to be paid at a rate of 1 percent of any amount approved and unpaid. Interest can be paid by separate payment to a nonprofit organization, but must be paid within 30 days of the late payment. This bill defines "local government" to mean a municipality, county, or other political subdivision of the State. This bill defines "nonprofit organization" to mean a private nonprofit organization that is exempt from federal taxation pursuant to section 501(c)(3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. s.501(c)(3). This bill defines "State agency" to mean any of the principal departments in the Executive Branch of the State Government, and any division, board, bureau, office, commission, or other instrumentality within or created by such department and any independent State authority, commission, instrumentality, or agency which is authorized by law to award contracts or grants. | In Committee |
| S3775 | Grants court discretion to adjust, reduce, or waive certain mandatory legal financial obligations based on ability of defendant to pay. | This bill grants the court the discretion to adjust, reduce, or waive certain fines, fees, penalties, assessments, and legal financial obligations (collectively referred to as "LFOs") of criminal defendants based on ability of the defendant to pay. Under the bill, the court may exercise its discretion to adjust, reduce, or waive any mandatory LFOs imposed on a defendant convicted of a crime or offense, including a non-indictable offense, based on the defendant's inability to pay, the interests of justice, or if the LFO would be contrary to the purposes of rehabilitation. The bill requires the court to state, on the record, the factors that resulted in the adjustment, reduction, or waiver of a mandatory fines, fees, penalties, assessments, or other legal financial obligations. The bill incorporates recommendation D of the New Jersey Criminal Sentencing and Disposition Commission's third report, dated March 2023, except that the bill includes a requirement that the court state, on the record, the factors that resulted in the adjustment, reduction, or waiver of a mandatory fines, fees, penalties, assessments, or other legal financial obligations. | In Committee |
| S3783 | Prohibits municipalities, school districts, and State departments and agencies from purchasing, installing, or using artificial turf. | This bill would prohibit the purchase, installation, or use of artificial turf by a municipality, school district, or State department or agency for a new or existing field. This bill permits the continued use of artificial turf fields that have been already installed. Synthetic turf contains a myriad of chemicals known to be harmful to humans, including carcinogens, neurotoxicants, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, as well as microplastics, nanoplastics, and perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Natural grass is free of the health and environmental hazards associated with synthetic turf. While synthetic turf is often touted as cost-effective, low-maintenance, and water-saving, the environmental, health, and safety risks greatly outweigh the intended benefits. | In Committee |
| S3043 | Revises provisions of "Dry Cell Battery Management Act." | This bill would revise the provisions of the "Dry Cell Battery Management Act," P.L.1991, c.521 (C.13:1E-99.59 et seq.) to expand the types of batteries and consumer products that are covered under this law. The bill would amend most of the provisions of the "Dry Cell Battery Management Act" to provide that the law would apply to "covered batteries," rather than to mercuric oxide batteries, nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries and sealed lead rechargeable batteries, as in current law. The bill would define a "covered battery" as a rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery that weighs up to 25 pounds or a rechargeable battery that stores up to 2000 watt-hours of energy, whether embedded in a product or sold separately. This would entail, among other things, that persons would be prohibited from selling a covered battery or a battery-embedded product unless the manufacturer of the battery or product, as applicable, has developed a battery management plan, which has been approved by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The bill would require each manufacturer of a covered battery to submit a battery management plan to the DEP no later than nine months after the bill's enactment. The bill would also modify the provisions of the "Dry Cell Battery Management Act" to prohibit the use of curbside recycling for the collection of covered batteries, and to require additional items be included in a battery management plan, including a requirement that each manufacturer provide for at least one permanent collection site for used, portable, covered batteries within a 15-mile radius of no less than 95 percent of the residents of the State, and within a 25-mile radius of each resident of the State. The bill would delete a provision of current law that requires retailers to accept used nickel-cadmium and sealed lead rechargeable batteries from customers. The bill would also delete a provision in current law that requires retailers to post certain signage regarding nickel-cadmium and sealed lead rechargeable batteries in their retail establishments. In addition, the bill would repeal section 6 of P.L.1991, c.521 (C.13:1E-99.64), which prohibits persons from selling certain rechargeable consumer products, unless certain conditions are met, including that the rechargeable battery is readily removable from the product. | In Committee |
| S3372 | Prohibits delivery of electronic smoking devices and tobacco products to individuals under 21 years of age. | Prohibits delivery of electronic smoking devices and tobacco products to individuals under 21 years of age. | In Committee |
| S3140 | Requires eligible children from birth to five to receive early intervention services. | Requires eligible children from birth to five to receive early intervention services. | In Committee |
| SJR137 | Declares March of each year as "Blood Clot Awareness Month." | This Joint Resolution declares March of each year as "Blood Clot Awareness Month" in the State of New Jersey. A blood clot is a mass of blood that forms when platelets, proteins, and cells in the blood stick together. The body naturally forms blood clots after an injury to stop bleeding and to help the wound heal. Sometimes, however, blood clots form where they should not, the body makes too many blood clots or abnormal blood clots, or blood clots formed to stop bleeding do not break down. These blood clots are dangerous and can form throughout the body. They can lead to illness, disability, and even death if not treated early, and do not discriminate by age, gender, ethnicity, or race. As indicated by the public education campaign "Stop the Clot, Spread the Word," up to 900,000 people are negatively affected by blood clots every year. Moreover, an estimated 60,000 to 100,000 Americans die annually due to blood clots and many others have long-term complications. The negative consequences of blood clots are preventable, and the best ways to avoid them include: knowing the risks factors, recognizing the signs and symptoms, informing a medical professional of any risk factors, speaking with a medical professional about blood clots before any surgical procedure, and seeing a medical professional as soon as possible when symptoms emerge. To better inform the public of the risks, signs, and symptoms of blood clots, this resolution joins the National Blood Clot Alliance in annually promoting March as "Blood Clot Awareness Month." | In Committee |
| S3757 | Requires hospitals and birthing facilities to request new parents watch water safety video prior to discharge. | This bill requires the Commissioner of Health (DOH) to prepare and make available to each hospital and birthing facility in the State an informational video on water safety for children, including, but not limited to, information on the risks to children of drowning in bathtubs, pools, and other bodies of water, the importance of receiving instruction on basic swimming, water safety, water rescue, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills; the use of life jackets and other age appropriate flotation devices for children; and anti-entrapment drain covers, safety release systems, and pool fences. The video is to be shown to a new parent and any other adult family member present at the infant's birth, prior to an infant's birth or the new parent's discharge from a hospital or birthing facility. The commissioner may make the informational video available to hospitals and birthing facilities by posting it on the DOH's Internet website or by other electronic means. The bill also stipulates that the DOH mandate that each hospital and birthing facility in the State require new parents to watch the informational video specified in the bill, which is to be shown to a new parent and any other adult family member present at an infant's birth, prior to the parent's discharge, as part of the hospital or birthing facility's discharge procedures. As used in bill "birthing facility" means an inpatient or ambulatory health care facility licensed by the DOH that provides birthing and newborn care services. | In Committee |
| S3723 | Prohibits public institutions of higher education from increasing resident undergraduate tuition by more than two percent over prior academic year. | This bill prohibits a public institution of higher education from increasing the institution's resident undergraduate tuition rates for any academic year by more than two percent over the institution's resident undergraduate tuition rates for the prior academic year. | In Committee |
| S3763 | Requires physicians and certain hospital employees to complete training on communication with and treatment of persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. | This bill requires physicians and certain hospital employees to complete training on communication with and treatment of persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. Under the bill, the State Board of Medical Examiners is to require that the number of credits of continuing medical education required of each person licensed as a physician include one credit of educational programs or topics concerning communication with and treatment of persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. The bill provides that the Division of Deaf and Hard of Hearing in the Department of Human Services is to create a dedicated training and outreach unit to develop and administer a training program on communication with and treatment of persons who are deaf or hard of hearing for individuals who work in the emergency department of a general hospital licensed pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.). In consultation with the Division of Deaf and Hard of Hearing in the Department of Human Services, the emergency department of a general hospital licensed pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.) is to develop a training protocol on proper communication and treatment of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing for employees who may interact with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing during the course of employment in the emergency department. | In Committee |
| S3759 | Concerns discrimination in housing and employment, including source of lawful income and age discrimination. | This bill amends the "Law Against Discrimination," P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-1 et seq.) (LAD), to make existing provisions consistent, where appropriate, in prohibiting discrimination based on the source of a person's lawful income. Although currently prohibited by the LAD, this form of discrimination is not articulated consistently throughout this existing statute. This bill clarifies the LAD's prohibition on discrimination based on the source of a person's lawful income by defining the term "source of lawful income" and expressly stating that the prohibition applies to the income that would be used for either rental or mortgage payments. The bill also adjusts current law to provide that it does not constitute unlawful employment practice to require, in certain instances, the retirement of an employee if the employee is entitled to an immediate retirement benefit of at least $44,000. The bill increases this limit from $27,000, and removes a provision that expressly permits an employer to restrict employment to United States citizens when the restriction is required by federal law or necessary to protect national security. This bill also makes certain adjustments to current law to make the language gender neutral, and makes certain technical changes. This bill takes effect immediately. | In Committee |
| S3758 | Extends anti-SLAPP protections to complainants of sexual assault, harassment, and discrimination. | This bill extends the State's anti-SLAPP law, P.L.2023, c.155 (N.J.S.A.2A:53A-49 et seq.), to protect persons who make a report or complaint of sexual assault, harassment, or discrimination. A SLAPP (strategic lawsuit against public participation) is typically a lawsuit, such as a defamation lawsuit, filed in retaliation against a victim, complainant, witness, whistleblower, advocate, or journalist in order to intimidate or silence the person from speaking out. As demonstrated by the #MeToo movement, victims of sexual assault, harassment, and discrimination may be reluctant to come forward due to fear of retaliation, including fear of SLAPP suits. Under existing law, a person facing a SLAPP suit can file an order to show cause with the court to dismiss the SLAPP claim if it can be shown that the SLAPP claim was asserted based on the person's (1) communication in a legislative, executive, judicial, administrative, or other governmental proceeding; (2) communication on an issue under consideration or review in a legislative, executive, judicial, administrative, or other governmental proceeding; or (3) exercise of the right of freedom of speech or of the press, the right to assembly or petition, or the right of association, guaranteed by the United States Constitution or the New Jersey Constitution, on a matter of public concern. If the SLAPP claim is dismissed, the person can recover litigation costs and reasonable attorneys' fees. Under the bill, anti-SLAPP protections are extended to persons who make a report or complaint, in good faith and without malice, of: a sexual offense pursuant to chapter 14 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes or N.J.S.2C:24-4, or a violation of the Law Against Discrimination, N.J.S.10:5-1 et seq., or an incident of retaliation for the making of such a report or complaint, where the person has, or at any time had, a reasonable basis to make such a report or complaint, whether or not a criminal prosecution or civil or administrative action was actually initiated. The bill also allows a person who successfully dismisses a SLAPP claim to be awarded compensatory and punitive damages, in addition to litigation costs and attorneys' fees. | In Committee |
| SJR136 | Designates first Sunday of May of each year as "National Centenarian Day" in New Jersey. | This joint resolution designates the first Sunday of May of each year as "National Centenarian's Day" in New Jersey in order to celebrate and honor those among us who have lived an entire century and to share in their wisdom, joys, and life as a whole. | In Committee |
| S3767 | Requires development of educational fact sheet on water safety for public and nonpublic schools; requires school district provide information to parents and guardians on swim lessons. | This bill requires the Commissioner of Education to develop an educational fact sheet on water safety. The fact sheet is to include information on: (1) how parents and guardians can reduce their child's risk of injury or drowning while in, on, and around bodies of water; (2) the role water safety education courses and swimming lessons play in preventing incidents of injury or drowning; (3) the proper use of flotation devices; and (4) the importance of monitoring water conditions and swimming in areas monitored by a lifeguard. The fact sheet is to be developed in consultation with, and utilizing resources provided by, water safety organizations. Pursuant to the provisions of the bill, a school district is required to annually distribute the fact sheet to parents and guardians in a manner prescribed by the commissioner. A nonpublic school is encouraged, but not required, to distribute the fact sheet to parents and guardians in a manner determined by the nonpublic school. Additionally, the bill requires each school district to develop a list of local locations where swimming lessons and age-appropriate water safety courses providing instruction to promote safety in, on, and around bodies of water to reduce the risk of injury and drowning are offered, including courses and lessons that are offered for free or reduced prices. The list is to be made available on the district's website and is required to be updated annually. | In Committee |
| S3768 | Requires AG to establish uniform police training curriculum. | This bill requires the Attorney General to develop a uniform basic course curriculum to be implemented at each police training school in the State. The bill provides that in consultation with the Police Training Commission, the Attorney General would be required to develop a uniform basic course curriculum, which the commission would implement at each approved school in the State. The bill requires the Attorney General to review the curriculum annually and make updates as appropriate or required, in the Attorney General's discretion. For the purposes of the bill, a "basic course" is defined as an entry-level police training course designed for trainees, and an "approved school" is defined as a school approved and authorized by the commission to give police training courses. | In Committee |
| S3766 | Enters NJ in Cosmetology Licensure Compact. | This bill will enter New Jersey into the Cosmetology Licensure Compact. The compact establishes a multistate license system in which an individual licensed as a cosmetologist needs only to obtain licensure in one state that is a party to the compact in order to practice as a cosmetologist in another member state to the compact, so long as certain requirements established under the compact are met by the individual. Under the bill, provisions are established regarding, among other items, the authority of a member state's licensing authority; how an adverse action against a multistate licensee is managed; the set-up of the Cosmetology Licensure Compact Commission and its Executive Committee; the collection of data on member states; and how to withdraw from the compact, if sought by a member state. | In Committee |
| S3760 | Establishes central registry for, and provides for informational outreach to, senior citizens living in New Jersey. | This bill requires the Division of Aging Services (division) in the Department of Human Services to establish and maintain a voluntary central registry of senior citizens residing in this State. The information in the central registry will be used for the purposes of compiling statistical information on the number of senior citizens living in the State and providing wellness check calls during emergencies and information on services and programs for senior citizens. The division will be authorized to receive death record notifications from the New Jersey Electronic Death Registration System concerning the death any of individual registered with the division pursuant to this bill for the purposes of updating the central registry. A person who is 65 years or older may apply to the division for inclusion in the registry and will provide the division with the following information: the person's name, date of birth, address, income level, and contact information. A person who registers pursuant to this bill may subsequently request through the registry to have the person's information removed from the registry. The Commissioner of Human Services will not remove the information until 21 days following the person's request. The commissioner will subsequently destroy all records associated with that person's registration and remove that person's name from the registry. Information on senior citizens compiled pursuant to this bill may be used by the division and agencies designated by the commissioner for the purposes of carrying out this bill, but otherwise the information will be confidential and not divulged or made public so as to disclose the identity of any person to whom it relates, except as provided by law. Information regarding a person's inclusion in the registry will not be deemed a public record. The division will conduct a Statewide multi-media public awareness campaign in English and Spanish to raise awareness among individuals, age 64 years and older, regarding the central registry established pursuant to this bill. | In Committee |
| SJR135 | Designates October 24th of each year as "National Senior UTI Awareness Day." | This joint resolution designates October 24th of each year as "National Senior UTI Awareness Day" in New Jersey. A urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common form of bacterial infection occurring in the United States. A UTI is an infection of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra. Common symptoms of a UTI include the repeated urge to urinate, a burning sensation when urinating, and pain in the pubic bone or back. Urinary tract infections are also becoming increasingly antibiotic resistant while proper diagnosis of a UTI, especially in the elderly population, remains difficult. Diagnosis of UTIs among the elderly remains difficult due many factors, including a slower or suppressed immune system, increasing the likelihood of a missed or delayed diagnosis. There also has not been much research focused on UTIs among the elderly; it was not until the 2000s that medical researchers focused their research specifically on UTI manifestation within the elderly population. Finally, there is still unwarranted stigma associated with UTIs, with many seniors unwilling to openly discuss or seek medical care for UTIs. The establishment of October 24th of each year as "National Senior UTI Awareness Day" will help to bring awareness of and destigmatize conversations surrounding UTIs. | In Committee |
| S3742 | Requires artificial intelligence companies to conduct safety tests and report results to Office of Information Technology. | This bill requires the Office of Information Technology to establish minimum requirements for an artificial intelligence safety test and requires artificial intelligence companies to subject artificial intelligence technology to a safety test and report the safety test results to the Office of Information Technology. The bill also requires the Office of Information Technology to review each annual report submitted by an artificial intelligence company. An "artificial intelligence company" is defined as a private entity or public agency that sells, develops, deploys, uses, or offers for sale artificial intelligence technology in the State of New Jersey. Under this bill, artificial intelligence companies are required to annually subject all artificial intelligence technology sold, developed, deployed, used, or offered for sale in the State to a safety test and submit a report to the Office of Information Technology containing: (1) a list of all artificial intelligence technologies tested; (2) a description of all safety tests conducted; (3) a list of all third parties used to conduct safety tests, if any; and (4) the results of all safety tests administered. | In Committee |
| S2505 | Requires Commissioner of Education to establish and maintain an educator common application and web portal. | This bill directs the Commissioner of Education to establish and maintain an educator common application and web portal, which is required to be fully operational within 90 days of the bill's effective date. The purpose of the web portal is to allow an educator to submit a single common application to apply for employment at the public schools of the State. Under the bill, the common application and web portal will: (1) maximize the ability of educators to connect with public schools that have employment openings; (2) increase the degree of information sharing regarding employment opportunities for educators; and (3) maintain high standards for data privacy and security. The bill permits the commissioner to contract with a private vendor to effectuate the bill's purposes. The bill also clarifies that nothing in the bill will be construed to prevent a school district or public school employer from using its own application process or web portal or from requiring additional materials from applicants who apply for employment using the common application and web portal established pursuant to the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| S2306 | "New Jersey Works Act"; permits businesses to apply for tax credits for establishing approved pre-employment and work readiness training programs in partnership with schools, nonprofit organizations, or educational institutions. | "New Jersey Works Act"; permits businesses to apply for tax credits for establishing approved pre-employment and work readiness training programs in partnership with schools, nonprofit organizations, or educational institutions. | In Committee |
| S2015 | Concerns prevailing wage law requirements for public institutions of higher education. | Concerns prevailing wage law requirements for public institutions of higher education. | In Committee |
| SJR55 | Designates July of each year as "Self-Care Awareness Month" in New Jersey. | This joint resolution designates July of each year as "Self-Care Awareness Month" in New Jersey. Self-care is a lifelong daily habit of making healthy lifestyle choices, practicing good hygiene, preventing infection and illness, avoiding unhealthy choices, monitoring for signs and symptoms of changes in health, knowing when to consult a healthcare practitioner, and knowing when it is appropriate to self-treat conditions. Self-care also involves engaging in activities that promote well-being and reduce stress. New Jersey benefits when its citizens practice appropriate self-care and are subsequently empowered by higher self-esteem and improved health. Practicing proper self-care also reduces health care visits and cost. According to an Information Resources, Inc. study, each dollar spent on over-the-counter medicines saves the healthcare system more than seven dollars, resulting in more than $146 billion in annual savings. Over-the-counter medical items such as bandages, menstrual products, face masks, and at-home test kits used for prevention, testing, and treatment result in cost savings for the healthcare system. Consumption of vitamin and mineral supplements can fill critical nutrient gaps, particularly for lower income families that may experience food insecurity. New Jersey encourages its citizens to take advantage of the potential of self-care to improve personal and public health, save personal and public monies, and strengthen the sustainability of New Jersey's health care system. Achieving the potential of self-care is a shared opportunity for consumers, healthcare practitioners, policymakers, and regulators. | In Committee |
| S1768 | Requires certain providers of transportation services to develop and publish route schedules. | Requires certain providers of transportation services to develop and publish route schedules. | 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 |
| S2640 | Concerns discrimination based on membership in a labor organization. | This bill extends protection under the Law Against Discrimination (LAD) to members of a labor organization. The LAD, P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-1 et. seq.), provides protections for those who are members of a protected class, including protection against discrimination in employment, public accommodations, housing, land use, lending, and association membership. Under current law, a member of a protected class includes an employee who has one or more characteristics, including race, creed, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, affectional or sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, sex, gender identity or expression, disability or atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait of any individual, or liability for service in the armed forces. This bill provides that members of a labor organization also are members of a protected class who are entitled protection under the LAD. In addition, the bill revises the definition of "labor organization" to include any organization of any kind, including a labor union or any agency or employee representation committee or plan, in which public or private employees participate and which exists and is constituted for the purpose, in whole or in part, of collective bargaining, or of dealing with public or private employers concerning grievances, terms or conditions of employment, or of other mutual aid or protection in connection with employment. | In Committee |
| S3709 | Requires Chief Diversity Officer in Department of Treasury and other State officers to conduct certain outreach events, training workshops, and educational programs for minority and women-owned businesses. | This bill requires the Chief Diversity Officer in the Department of the Treasury, in partnership with the Business Action Center and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, to conduct regular outreach events, training workshops, seminars, and other such educational programs virtually and throughout the State to promote awareness, access, and utilization of women-owned and minority-owned businesses in State contracting and subcontracting. Under the bill, these events can be held at community locations deemed suitable by the Chief Diversity Officer, which may include, but are not limited to, locations provided by non-profit organizations and faith-based entities. Additionally, the bill requires the Chief Diversity Officer in the Department of the Treasury, in partnership with the Business Action Center and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, to conduct regular outreach events, training workshops, seminars, and other such educational programs virtually and throughout the State to provide women-owned and minority-owned businesses with technical, managerial, and financial training, including marketing assistance, personnel skill development, project management assistance, technology assistance, and financing assistance. | In Committee |
| S3692 | Requires certain consumer disclosures relating to rabies testing and establishes optional training for veterinarians. | The bill provides that it is a violation of the consumer fraud act for a veterinarian to intentionally misrepresent, including through the use of euphemisms, code words, or otherwise, the information required under current law to be provided to the owner of a dead domestic companion animal undergoing testing for rabies. An unlawful practice is punishable by a monetary penalty of not more than $10,000 for a first offense and not more than $20,000 for any subsequent offense. In addition, a violation can result in cease and desist orders issued by the Attorney General, the assessment of punitive damages, and the awarding of treble damages and costs to the injured party. In addition, the bill requires the Division of Consumer Affairs to develop a poster and pamphlet with information relating to rabies vaccines and quarantine and testing protocols. Veterinarians are required to display the poster in office reception areas and to distribute the pamphlets to certain customers. Lastly, the bill requires the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services to develop a trauma-informed mental health protection training certification program for veterinarians and staff. The program is optional, and those who complete it are to receive a certification from the division. | In Committee |
| S3691 | Requires State agencies to make good faith effort towards certain goals to use certified minority and women-owned businesses as prime contractors and subcontractors. | This bill requires State agencies to make a good faith effort towards goals to use certified minority and women-owned businesses as prime contractors and subcontractors in the State procurement process. In January 2024, a New Jersey Disparity Study was conducted on the availability and utilization of small, minority, women, and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses and their experience in the State procurement process. Across all types of contracts, minority and women-owned businesses received about 10 percent of prime contract dollars and about 36 percent of subcontract dollars. The study determined that minority and women-owned businesses are capable of fulfilling large State contracts if they were to be awarded the contracts and there are measurable differences for minority and women-owned businesses across all types of contracts. Under this bill, the Chief Diversity Officer is required to recommission the statewide disparity study regarding the participation of minority and women-owned businesses in State contracts. The study and its findings must be completed by August 15, 2029. Each State agency is required to structure procurement procedures for contracts made directly or indirectly to minority and women-owned businesses to attempt good faith effort towards increased utilization of minority and women-owned businesses with regard to total annual statewide procurement across all types of contracts. Each agency is also required to develop and adopt agency specific goals based on the findings of the most recent disparity study and must be consistent with the findings of the disparity study. The bill requires each contractor to develop a utilization plan on the use of minority and women-owned businesses as subcontractors during the bidding process. The bill also establishes a waiver procedure for contractors who have made a good faith effort to comply with the minority and women-owned business participation requirements. The bill establishes a complaint procedure for State agencies who have reason to believe that a good faith effort was not made by the contractor. The bill contains a sunset provision and will expire on December 31, 2029 if the required recommissioned disparity study does not indicate a measurable disparity for minority and women-owned businesses in the State contract procurement process. | In Committee |
| S3659 | Limits amount of residential rental property application fee; establishes penalty. | Limits amount of residential rental property application fee; establishes penalty. | In Committee |
| S3705 | Increases cap on personal care assistant services from 40 hours to 91 hours per week for Medicaid beneficiary determined clinically eligible for nursing facility level of care. | This bill increases the cap on personal care assistant (PCA) services from 40 hours to 91 hours per week for a Medicaid beneficiary determined clinically eligible for nursing facility level of care. The bill defines "personal care assistant services" to mean health related tasks associated with the cueing, supervision, or the completion of activities of daily living, as well as related tasks. PCA services are certified as medically necessary; delivered in accordance with a beneficiary's written plan of care; and performed by a qualified individual, typically in a beneficiary's home, and under the supervision of a registered professional nurse. Currently, pursuant to State regulation, the Medicaid program limits PCA services to a maximum of 40 hours per week per beneficiary. Additional hours of service may be approved by the Department of Human Services on a case-by-case basis and based on exceptional circumstances. The sponsor believes that the existing policy puts pressure on seniors who need nursing facility level of care to leave their homes and seek care in long-term care facilities, a policy that is more expensive for the State and unfair to seniors who have worked all their lives to maintain the independence and dignity of living in their own home. In addition, 40 hours per week of PCA services is insufficient to supplement care from a beneficiary's family and friends. Since New Jersey's cost of living is one of the highest in the country, these caregivers often need more hours of PCA services for their loved one in order to maintain their own employment. Increasing the service cap for the State's most vulnerable Medicaid beneficiaries will ensure that they can thrive within the community for additional years. Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Human Services to approve, as medically necessary, up to 91 hours of PCA services per calendar week for any eligible Medicaid beneficiary who is clinically eligible for nursing facility level of care. The department is also required to modify the existing assessment tool for PCA services to reflect the provisions of this bill. | 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 |
| S3657 | Makes use of algorithmic systems to influence price and supply of residential rental units unlawful. | This bill makes it unlawful to use algorithmic systems to influence the price and supply of residential rental units. Under the bill, it is unlawful and a violation of the "New Jersey Antitrust Act" for a rental property owner, or any agent, representative, or subcontractor thereof, to subscribe to, contract with, or otherwise exchange any form of consideration in return for the use of services of a coordinator and for a coordinator to facilitate an agreement among rental property owners that restricts competition with respect to residential dwelling units, including by performing a coordinating function. A "coordinator" is defined in the bill to mean any person who operates a software or data analytics service that performs a coordinating function for any rental property owner, including a rental property owner performing a coordinating function for their own benefit. "Coordinating function" is defined to mean (1) collecting historical or contemporaneous prices, supply levels, or lease or rental contract termination and renewal dates of residential dwelling units from two or more rental property owners; (2) analyzing or processing of the information described in paragraph (1) through use of a system, software, or process that uses computation, including by using the information to train an algorithm; and (3) recommending rental prices, lease renewal terms, or ideal occupancy levels to a rental property owner. | In Committee |
| S3658 | Establishes Statewide limitation on rent increases. | This bill would establish a Statewide limitation on rent increases. Specifically, the bill would prohibit a residential landlord from increasing rent a dwelling unit by more than 5 percent plus inflation, or 10 percent, whichever is lower, of the lowest rental rate charged for that dwelling unit at any time during the 12 months prior to the date when the increase takes effect. The rent increase limitation established by this bill would not apply to the following: (1) Non-residential real property.(2) A dwelling unit restricted by deed, regulatory restriction contained in an agreement with a government agency, or other recorded document as affordable housing for persons and families of very low, low, or moderate income.(3) A dormitory constructed and maintained in connection with an institution of higher education for the use and occupancy of students in attendance at the institution.(4) A dwelling unit subject to a "Notice of Rent Protection Emergency," established pursuant to P.L.2002, c.133 (C.2A:18-61.62 et seq.), the application of which results in a lower permitted rent increase for the specified year than that permitted by this bill.(5) A dwelling unit that has been newly constructed, and issued a certificate of occupancy as a result of its completion, within the previous 15 years.(6) A single family dwelling unit, provided that (a) the landlord is not a real estate investment trust, as defined in the federal Internal Revenue Code, a corporation, or a limited liability company in which at least one member is a corporation; and (b) the tenant has been provided written notice that the residential real property is exempt from the requirements of this bill, if the tenancy has been established on or after the first day of the third month next following enactment.(7) A duplex in which the landlord occupies one of the units as the landlord's principal place of residence at the beginning of the tenancy. Additionally, the rent increase limitation established by this bill would not apply to a dwelling located in a municipality that enforces a local rent control, rent leveling, or rent stabilization ordinance, the application of which results in a lower permitted rent increase for a 12-month period than this bill would. Furthermore, the rent increase limitation established by this bill would not apply to a new tenancy in which no tenant from the prior tenancy remains in lawful possession of the dwelling unit. This bill would function in addition to, and not in place of, the existing statutory prohibition on unconscionable rent increases. A violation of this bill would constitute an unlawful practice pursuant to the New Jersey consumer fraud act, P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.) and would subject the offending landlord to all remedies and penalties available to an aggrieved consumer, in this case the tenant, under that statute. Additionally, the bill permits a tenant to petition a court of competent jurisdiction to terminate a lease containing a provision in violation of this bill. Finally, in accordance with the Anti-Eviction Act, P.L.1974, c.49 (C.2A:18-61.1), a tenant would be authorized to assert a violation of this bill as a defense to an eviction action. The bill authorizes the Commissioner of Community Affairs to adopt the rules and regulations necessary to effectuate its purposes. In order to avoid the creation of an incentive for landlords to increase rents substantially prior to this bill's enactment, the bill would apply retroactively to rent increases established on or after September 1, 2024. | In Committee |
| S3660 | Limits use of restrictions on telephone calls as discipline measure during incarceration. | This bill is in response to the recommendations made by the New Jersey Office of the Corrections Ombudsperson in its April 2024 report titled, "Visits and Phone Calls," and provides for limiting the use of suspension of telephone privileges as a disciplinary measure for incarcerated persons. The bill establishes rules and regulations concerning disciplinary sanctions that limit the use of telephone privileges of an incarcerated person. Pursuant to the bill, in instances where a disciplinary sanction suspending telephone privileges is imposed on an incarcerated person, the Administrator of the correctional facility will allow the incarcerated person at least one opportunity every two weeks to place a telephone call. The Administrator will also either notify the emergency contact of the incarcerated person, or allow the incarcerated person to notify the emergency contact, that telephone access has been suspended. Further, no suspension of telephone privileges will exceed 90 consecutive days and will not exceed 180 days in a given year of incarceration. The Commissioner must also ensure that suspension of telephone privileges will not be imposed on an incarcerated person who has been placed in a Restorative Housing Unit. Finally, no telephone sanctions will be imposed within 60 days of the date that the incarcerated person is scheduled to be released. If sanctions were imposed prior to 60 days before release date, the sanctions will be terminated for the 60 day period before release. The Commissioner may adopt rules and regulations as necessary to implement this act. | In Committee |
| SR112 | Expresses support for "Breakfast Bowl" held by Montclair State University and Rowan University and recognizes food insecurity efforts of these institutions. | This Senate resolution expresses support for the annual "Breakfast Bowl" between Montclair State University and Rowan University, which aims to bring attention to the fight against food insecurity many residents in this State endure. The winner of the annual event, along with receiving a trophy, will have the privilege of determining whether New Jersey's famous breakfast meat is to be called "Pork Roll" or "Taylor Ham" until the teams meet for the next year's "Breakfast Bowl." Montclair State University and Rowan University both operate food pantries that seek, in part, to provide fresh produce as part of their efforts to combat food insecurity. With successful football programs that enjoy strong alumni connections and widespread stakeholder support, the "Breakfast Bowl" provides a unique opportunity for the Montclair and Rowan communities, corporate sponsors, State residents, and elected officials to come together in the fight against food insecurity across New Jersey. This resolution also recognizes the significant contributions Montclair State University and Rowan University have made in higher education through academics, community development, and athletics. | In Committee |
| S3665 | Requires certain State employees to receive training in cybersecurity best practices. | This bill requires State employees to receive training regarding using best safety practices while utilizing State computers. The bill requires the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC) in the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, to establish the cybersecurity training program for all State employees in the Executive and Legislative Branch of government who have access to a State computer. The bill requires the Director of the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness to adopt guidelines to implement the program. The training should include a review of best practices for using State computers including updating passwords; detecting phishing scams; preventing ransomware, spyware infections, and identity theft; and preventing and responding to data breaches. The NJCCIC provides cybersecurity information sharing, threat analysis, and incident reporting. Located at the Regional Operations Intelligence Center (ROIC), the NJCCIC promotes Statewide awareness of local cyber threats and widespread adoption of best practices. Cybersecurity is a growing concern for State government and the private sector. It has enormous implications for government security, economic prosperity, and public safety. | In Committee |
| SJR132 | Designates May of each year as Haitian Heritage Month. | This joint resolution designates May of each year as Haitian Heritage Month. Haitian Heritage Month, recognized globally during the month of May, celebrates the rich culture of Haiti and its people, including their history, language, distinctive art, and cuisine. The purpose of Haitian Heritage Month is to raise awareness and understanding about Haitian culture, history, and traditions by educating the public about the historical global contributions Haitian people have made and to celebrate these Haitian achievements worldwide. Haiti's history is of vital significance and pride for its people and has crucial global importance, representing a new concept of human rights, universal citizenship, and participation in government through the Haitian Revolution, which occurred from 1791 to 1804. The Haitian Revolution is one of the largest and the first successful slave rebellions in the Western Hemisphere. Haitian Heritage Month is an expansion of Haitian Flag Day, a national Haitian Holiday celebrated annually on May 18th, serving as a major patriotic celebration in Haiti and the Diaspora to encourage patriotism. Haitian Flag Day serves as a reminder of the struggle to freedom and the Haitian Flag symbolizes the unity that borne the Haitian nation through the alliance of the Blacks and mulattoes during the Revolutionary war. Haitian American immigrants have come to the United States bringing their own influences and cultural traditions to a variety of spheres including the arts, business, sports, literature, science, and law. Today, New Jersey has the fourth largest Haitian-American population in the United States, with nearly 69,000 Haitian-American residents. For decades, Haiti has faced significant challenges, including natural disasters that have devastated the land and disrupted the lives of millions. However, the Haitian people have demonstrated resilience throughout history. It is time to officially recognize the Haitian people and all of their achievements. | In Committee |
| S3605 | Requires DOH and DEP to develop best practices, and certain health care providers to develop plan, concerning medical waste management. | This bill requires the Departments of Health and Environmental Protection to identify and develop best practices for hospital and medical offices concerning medical waste management that promote public health and environmental stewardship. The bill requires each hospital and medical office to develop a written plan on medical waste management based on the best practices developed pursuant to the bill. The plan will include, but not be limited to: guidelines for the rational use of personal protective equipment; methods to implement effective waste sorting; and instructions for accurately identifying and sorting waste at the point of generation. Each hospital and medical office will be required to ensure that the hospital's and medical office's employees receive training on the implementation of the plan developed pursuant to the bill to the extent that such training is necessary to comply with the bill's provisions. | In Committee |
| S3641 | Increases income and resource threshold limit for certain Medicaid eligibility groups. | This bill increases income and resource threshold limits for certain Medicaid eligibility groups. Specifically, the bill increases the income eligibility for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (ABD) eligibility group from 100 percent of the federal poverty level to 138 percent of the federal poverty level, which, in 2024, would increase the income threshold from $15,060 per year to $20,783 per year for an individual. In doing so, the bill provides for an identical income threshold under Medicaid for the ABD population as is currently used for individuals under 65 years of age without disabilities. The Medicaid ABD pathway provides medical coverage to individuals who are age 65 years or older as well as individuals determined blind or disabled by the federal Social Security Administration or by the State. The bill also increases the Medically Needy Income Limit, which allows an income ineligible applicant for ABD benefits to deduct certain medical expenses from the applicant's income in order to become eligible for Medicaid. Under the bill, this threshold would also be 138 percent of the federal poverty level. In 2024, the State's Medically Needy Income Limit is $367 per month for an individual, which would increase to $1,732 under the bill. Finally, the bill increases the resource eligibility limit for the ABD eligibility group and the Medically Needy eligibility group, as well as for qualified applicants for the State's Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) Program and Medicare Savings Programs, to $40,000 for an individual and $60,000 for a couple. The current resource thresholds for an individual under these eligibility pathways are as follows: $4,000 for the ABD and Medically Needy; $2,000 for the MLTSS; and $9,090 for the Medicare Savings Programs. The MLTSS program provides access to Medicaid long-term care benefits, in addition to all other covered services, for older adults and people with disabilities who require a skilled nursing facility level of care. Medicare Savings Programs - such as the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program, the Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary Program, and the Qualifying Individual Program - assist low-income individuals with Medicare costs via the Medicaid program. The bill aligns these programs' resource standards with the State's current resource threshold under the Jersey Assistance for Community Caregiver, or JACC, program. JACC provides non-Medicaid recipients access to a range of home and community-based services. | In Committee |
| S3576 | Requires NJTA, SJTA, EDA, CRDA, PANYNJ, and DRPA to consider minorities and women when hiring or awarding contracts. | This bill requires the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA), South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA), New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA), Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA), Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), and Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA), when offering employment, to consider, and when feasible prioritize, individuals who are minorities and women. The bill also requires the NJTA, SJTA, EDA, CRDA, PANYNJ, and DRPA, when awarding contracts for service, to consider, and when feasible prioritize, minority businesses and women's businesses. Finally, the bill requires the NJTA, SJTA, EDA, CRDA, PANYNJ, and DRPA to publish on their respective Internet websites information concerning: (1) the number of employees employed by the entity by gender, race, and ethnicity, and the average salary range for each group; and (2) the number of contractors the entity has contracted with by gender, race, and ethnicity, and the average contract awarded for each group.The bill requires the information to be maintained and updated on a quarterly basis. The enactment of substantially similar legislation by New York and Pennsylvania, respectively, is required before the bill's provisions concerning the PANYNJ and the DRPA become operative. | In Committee |
| S3612 | Requires DOH to provide grants for women's health research and innovations. | The bill revises the duties of the Office of Women's Health (office) in the Department of Health to provide that the office is to provide grants to organizations, including, but not limited to, community-based organizations and small businesses, to advance innovation and to conduct research and demonstration and evaluation projects concerning women's health. At a minimum, the grants provided under the bill can be used for: (1) research aimed at expanding knowledge and data collection of women's health across their lifespans, which includes the study and analysis of conditions specific to women, conditions that disproportionately impact women, and conditions associated with women's midlife health or that are more likely to occur after menopause, and the treatment of these conditions; (2) research that promotes collaboration across fields and areas of expertise, addresses health disparities and inequities affecting women, and supports the translation of research advancements into improved health outcomes; (3) projects that would develop and strengthen research and data standards concerning women's health; (4) projects that would use innovation funds, challenges, prizes, and other mechanisms to spur innovation in women's health; and (5) investments in innovation to accelerate women's health research including, but not limited to, investments in translational science to convert research findings and discoveries into treatments and interventions that improve women's health outcomes and reduce health disparities. | In Committee |
| S3613 | Requires senior housing applications be made available by mail and email. | This bill requires applications for age-restricted senior housing to be made available by mail or email, upon request. Housing access is essential for New Jersey seniors, but online applications and hard copies which must be collected in person are not accessible to many seniors. Applications available in requested formats will facilitate access to dedicated age-restricted housing for New Jersey seniors. The bill authorizes the Commissioner of Community Affairs to adopt rules and regulations to effectuate the provisions of the bill. The bill is to take effect on the first day of the second month next following enactment. | 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 |
| S3603 | Requires State Long-Term Care Ombudsman to include memory care training in annual long-term care training program. | This bill requires the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman to include memory care training in the ombudsman's annual long-term care training program. The ombudsman is responsible for securing, preserving, and promoting the health, safety, and welfare of New Jersey's long-term care residents, through investigations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation; legislative and regulatory advocacy; policy work; and education and outreach. Under current law, the ombudsman is required to establish, in consultation with the Department of Health, an annual long-term care training program which, at a minimum, is to address the following subjects: the rights of residents of long-term care facilities; fostering choice and independence among residents of long-term care facilities; identifying and reporting abuse, neglect, or exploitation of residents of long-term care facilities; long-term care facility ownership; updates on State and federal guidelines, laws, and regulations that pertain to long-term care facilities; and issues, trends, and policies that impact the rights of long-term care residents. This bill expands the required list of subjects to include the needs and rights of long-term care residents who have Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, and methods to deal with the specific problems encountered by such residents. This annual training program is required to be completed by the ombudsman's investigative and advocacy staff, the ombudsman's volunteer advocates, and Department of Health long-term care facility surveyors, inspectors, and complaint investigators. Subject to the availability of staff and funding, the training program is offered to residents of long-term care facilities, those residents' family members, advocacy organizations, government agencies, and long-term care facility employees. The bill further provides that, if the annual long-term care training program does not include memory care training within one year after the effective date of the bill, the ombudsman may be required to appear before one or more legislative standing reference committees to explain why the bill has not been implemented as enacted and the steps the ombudsman is taking to implement the bill. This provision will remain in effect until the training program includes the memory care component, at which time the provision will expire. | In Committee |
| SR110 | Urges Congress and President enact "Social Security Fairness Act." | This resolution urges Congress and the President of the United States to enact the "Social Security Fairness Act," currently pending in Congress. Many of New Jersey's law enforcement officers, firefighters, and certain local governmental employees are unfairly penalized by Social Security offsets that reduce or eliminate the earned Social Security benefits of these employees or their spouses. Social Security was enacted in 1935. Initially, state and local governments and their employees were prohibited from participating. Over the years, federal laws were passed allowing these employers and employees the opportunity to elect to join the program. Most public employees in New Jersey retirement systems contribute to Social Security with the exception of law enforcement officers, firefighters, correctional officers, and others in certain local retirement systems. The windfall elimination provision (WEP) reduces benefits that were paid for as part of the Social Security payroll tax. The WEP can lead to a significant reduction of the Social Security benefit and can deprive a retiree of up to $587 per month of the Social Security that was earned and paid. The survivor benefit was paid for by the Social Security earner as part of the Social Security payroll tax. The survivor benefit was created to ensure the surviving spouse was not left without adequate financial support. The government pension offset (GPO) eliminates the survivor benefit even with a modest public pension. These provisions cause first responders and certain local governmental employees to prematurely retire and discourage qualified individuals from entering into government service. The "Social Security Fairness Act" would repeal these provisions. | In Committee |
| S3156 | Permits boards of education to lease certain school property to federally qualified health centers without bidding. | Permits boards of education to lease certain school property to federally qualified health centers without bidding. | Crossed Over |
| A4534 | Revises definition of qualified assistance fund expenses under UEZ program to include costs of transportation infrastructure projects and related debt service. | An Act concerning urban enterprise zones and amending P.L.1983, c.303. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3368 | Concerns law protecting residential tenants from lead-based paint hazards. | An Act concerning lead-based paint hazards in residential rental property, including establishing lead-based paint hazard programs, amending P.L.2021, c.182, and repealing section 1 of P.L.2007, c.251. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3235 | Regulates production and sale of certain intoxicating hemp products. | An Act concerning intoxicating hemp products, supplementing Title 24 of the New Jersey Statutes, and amending various sections of statutory law. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S2607 | Requires private bus operators to provide notice and hold public meetings for certain service changes. | An Act concerning requirements for certain private bus operators and supplementing Title 27 of the Revised Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| 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 |
| S3534 | Reduces membership of State Real Estate Appraiser Board and prohibits discriminatory practices in property appraisals. | This bill reduces the membership of State Real Estate Appraiser Board and prohibits discriminatory practices in property appraisals. Under the bill, the State Real Estate Appraiser Board will be reduced from its present composition of 11 members to seven members. The form in which appointments to the board are handled will change as well, with the Governor appointing the public members, real estate appraiser members, and representatives of the appraisal management company industry only upon recommendation of the Senate President and Speaker of the General Assembly. The Senate President and Speaker of the General Assembly will each be able to recommend the appointment of three board members. The bill also prohibits discriminatory practices in property appraisals and requires the Department of Law and Public Safety to investigate and resolve complaints against a real estate appraiser or appraisal management company. The bill additionally provides that the department direct the State Real Estate Appraiser Board to take disciplinary action against any real estate appraiser or appraisal management company found by the department to have discriminated in the appraisal of real estate. The board will be directed by the department to void any appraisal found to be discriminatory and require that the violating appraiser or appraisal management company make restitution of the cost of the discriminatory appraisal. The board will also be directed to require a violating appraiser, for their first violation, to attend an anti-bias seminar and, depending on the number of violations committed, suspend the license, certificate, or registration of the appraiser or appraisal management company for a certain period of time. An appraiser or appraisal management company with multiple violations will also be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $5,000 for a second violation occurring within five years of the first, and $10,000 for a third and subsequent violation. | In Committee |
| S3569 | Establishes "New Jersey Cybersecurity Grant Program"; appropriates $5 million from General Fund. | This bill establishes the "New Jersey Cybersecurity Grant Program" in the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness and appropriates $5 million from the General Fund. The "New Jersey Cybersecurity Grant Program" will award grants to sensitive businesses seeking to defray the costs, either in whole or in part, of acquiring target hardening equipment to mitigate cybersecurity risks. Sensitive businesses seeking a grant under the program will only be awarded once per fiscal year, with a maximum award amount of $100,000 per business. Sensitive businesses awarded under the program must be determined by the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness to be at high risk of a cybersecurity incident that affects its operations within the State. Applications for the program will be submitted through the Internet website of the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness. Grant funds under the program will be administered on a reimbursement basis and will require the sensitive businesses awarded under the program to submit documentation of purchase orders, invoices, cancelled checks, or other transactional documents to the office prior to receiving reimbursement. For the purpose of this bill, "sensitive business" means a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, association, or other for-profit or not-for-profit entity that is engaged in the financial or healthcare industries and does business in New Jersey. The term "sensitive business" includes a financial institution organized, chartered, or holding a license or authorization certificate in New Jersey or in any other state in the United States or in any other country, and includes the parent or the subsidiary of a financial institution. | In Committee |
| S3563 | Creates New Jersey Board of Paramedicine. | This bill establishes the New Jersey Board of Paramedicine. Current law governing mobile intensive care paramedics and emergency medical technicians are repealed and the board is assigned oversight of these professions, in addition to mobile intensive care nurses, flight paramedics, and flight nurses. "Paramedicine" is defined in the bill to mean the practice of basic life support and advanced life support. "Basic life support" or "basic life support services" means, in the bill, a basic level of pre-hospital care which includes the use of procedures, medications, and equipment established by the National EMS Scope of Practice Model from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and other techniques, therapies, and procedures authorized by the board. "Advanced life support" is defined, under the bill, to mean an advanced level of emergency medical care, including specialty care transport and air medical ambulances, which includes the use of procedures, medications, and equipment established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's National EMS Scope of Practice Model for paramedics, and any other such procedures, therapies, medications, and as otherwise authorized in rules or regulations promulgated by the board. The board is to consist of 15 members to include: (1) five actively practicing as New Jersey-licensed mobile intensive care paramedics; (2) three New Jersey-licensed emergency medical technicians; one of whom is to be a board-certified emergency medical services physician; (3) one board-certified trauma surgeon; (4) one board-certified pediatric emergency medicine physician; (5) one representative from the New Jersey Emergency Nurses Association; and (6) three public members. The bill authorizes the board to, among other items: (1) prescribe standards and requirements for individuals seeking licensure as a mobile intensive care paramedic, mobile intensive care nurse, flight paramedic, flight nurse, or emergency medical technician; (2) establish standards for and accredit schools to train individuals overseen by the new board; (3) develop a registry of all individuals who have successfully completed training and a competency evaluation program; (4) conduct investigations and research to determine if new information will help advance the profession of paramedicine; and (5) establish an Alternative to Discipline Program for licensees dealing with a chemical dependency or other impairment. The bill also establishes two separate funds - one a "Board of Paramedicine Fund" to, in part, fund research related to paramedicine and support operations of the board and the other an "Emergency Medical Technician Training Fund" to assist certain individuals training to be an emergency medical technician. The bill also creates an "Emergency Medical Services for Children Advisory Council" to advise the board on emergency medical services for minors. The bill also updates current laws to reflect the changes regarding the creation of the board. | In Committee |
| S3571 | Creates Health Care Cost Containment Commission; appropriates $5 million. | This bill creates the Health Care Cost Containment Commission (commission) in the Department of Health and appropriates $5 million. Under the bill, the purpose of the commission is to: establish data analytics and reporting mechanisms to ensure healthcare affordability, informed policymaking and access for future generations; review health care expenditures in New Jersey; identify trends in health care cost growth and hospital price growth; identify drivers of health care cost growth including hospital price growth; establish and adopt a health care cost growth benchmark; consider factors in health care cost growth; and identify health care providers and insurance companies that exceed the health care cost growth benchmark. The commission is to consist of 15 members as provided for in the bill, and is to set a cost growth benchmark that may be charged by health care facilities for health care services. In addition, the commission is to establish goals of reducing the rate of growth in per capita total health care spending, promoting an affordable pricing environment that maintains access to high quality care, health equity, and lowering consumer spending on premiums and out-of-pocket costs. The bill appropriates from the General Fund to the Department of Health such sums as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this bill, but not to exceed $5 million. | In Committee |
| A2294 | Establishes mortgage payment relief and foreclosure protection for certain homeowners impacted by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. | Establishes mortgage payment relief and foreclosure protection for certain homeowners impacted by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. | Vetoed |
| S2188 | Requires DEP, DOH, owners or operators of certain public community water systems, and owners or operators of certain buildings or facilities to take certain actions to prevent and control cases of Legionnaires' disease. | An Act concerning Legionnaires' disease and supplementing P.L.1977, c.224 (C.58:12A-1 et seq.) and Title 26 of the Revised Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A2280 | Codifies prohibition of discriminatory practices in real estate appraisals and requires real estate appraisers to complete anti-bias training. | An Act concerning discriminatory practices in real estate appraisals and supplementing and amending P.L.1991, c.68. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S1017 | Establishes right of sexual assault victim to notification of certain developments in criminal case. | An Act concerning the rights of victims of sexual assault and amending and supplementing P.L.2019, c.103 (C.52:4B-60.1 et seq.). | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S2644 | Requires DOE to establish working group on student literacy; mandates universal literacy screenings for kindergarten through grade three students; requires professional development for certain school district employees. | An Act concerning student literacy and supplementing chapter 6 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A2288 | Establishes Office of Learning Equity and Academic Recovery in DOE. | An Act establishing the Office of Learning Equity and Academic Recovery and supplementing Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S2869 | Establishes penalties for employers who disclose or threaten to disclose employee's immigration status for purpose of concealing violation of State wage, benefit or tax laws. | This bill provides that if the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development finds that an employer has, for the purpose of concealing any violation of State wage, benefit and tax laws, disclosed or threatened to disclose to a public body an employee's immigration status, the commissioner is, in addition to imposing any other remedies or penalties authorized by law, authorized to assess and collect an administrative penalty against the employer. Specifically, the bill provides for administrative penalties as follows: (1) for the first violation, an administrative penalty not to exceed $1,000; (2) for the second violation, an administrative penalty not to exceed $5,000; and (3) for any subsequent violation, an administrative penalty not to exceed $10,000. When determining the amount of the administrative penalty imposed pursuant to the bill's provisions, the commissioner may consider factors which include the history of previous violations by the employer, the seriousness of the violation, the good faith of the employer and the size of the employer's business. The commissioner may not levy an administrative penalty pursuant to the bill's provisions unless the commissioner provides the alleged violator with notification of the violation and of the amount of administrative penalty, and unless the commissioner provides the alleged violator an opportunity to request a hearing before the commissioner or the commissioner's designee. Establishes penalties for employers who disclose or threaten to disclose employee's immigration status for purpose of concealing violation of State wage, benefit or tax laws. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3432 | Establishes Next New Jersey Program for artificial intelligence investments. | An Act concerning the development of artificial intelligence innovations, ventures, and facilities, and amending and supplementing P.L.2020, c.156. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A3861 | "Louisa Carman Medical Debt Relief Act." | An Act concerning the report and collection of medical debt and supplementing P.L.1997, c.172 (C.56:11-28 et seq.). | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A3772 | Revises process for property tax lien holder to foreclose right to redeem a property tax lien; allows property owner to protect remaining equity. | An Act revising the process for a property tax lien holder to foreclose the right to redeem a property tax lien, amending various parts of the statutory law, and supplementing chapter 5 of Title 54 of the Revised Statutes and P.L.1948, c.96 (C.54:5-104.29 et seq.). | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4425 | Authorizes NJ Infrastructure Bank to expend certain sums to make loans for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2025. | An Act authorizing the expenditure of funds by the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank for the purpose of making loans to eligible project sponsors to finance a portion of the cost of construction of environmental infrastructure projects, and making an appropriation. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3275 | Revises various provisions of film and digital media content production tax credit program. | This bill revises certain provisions of the film and digital media content production tax credit program to include eligibility for wages and salaries paid to persons who are not subject to tax under the "New Jersey Gross Income Tax Act" due to a tax reciprocity agreement with another state. Under the film and digital media content production tax credit program, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority awards corporation business tax and gross income tax credits to eligible taxpayers based on the qualified film production expenses or qualified digital media content production expenses incurred for use within certain parts of the State. In addition to certain other eligibility requirements, at least 50 percent of the qualified digital media content production expenses incurred by a taxpayer are required to be for wages and salaries paid to full-time or full-time equivalent employees in New Jersey in order to qualify for the digital media content production tax credit. Under current law, the terms "qualified film production expenses" and "qualified digital media content production expenses" are defined to include, among other expenses, the wages and salaries paid to individuals who are employed for the purposes of the production and who are subject to the tax imposed by the "New Jersey Gross Income Tax Act." Current law also defines the term "full-time or full-time equivalent employee" to include persons working not less than 35 hours per week, or other standard of service accepted by custom or practice as full-time or full-time equivalent employment, and whose wages and salaries are subject to withholding as provided in the "New Jersey Gross Income Tax Act." This bill expands the scope of qualified film production expenses and qualified digital media content production expenses to include wages and salaries that are paid to individuals who are employed for the purposes of the production and who are not subject to tax under the "New Jersey Gross Income Tax Act" due to the provisions of a tax reciprocity agreement with another state. The bill also provides that these expenses would include any payments made by the taxpayer to a loan out company for services performed in New Jersey by individuals who are employed by the loan out company and whose wages and salaries are not subject to tax under the "New Jersey Gross Income Tax Act" due to the provisions of a tax reciprocity agreement with another state. Additionally, the bill amends the definition "full-time or full-time equivalent employee" to include otherwise eligible persons whose wages and salaries are not subject to tax under the "New Jersey Gross Income Tax Act" due to the provisions of a tax reciprocity agreement with another state. Currently, the State has entered into a reciprocal income tax agreement with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Under the terms of this agreement, compensation paid to Pennsylvania residents who are employed in New Jersey is not subject to tax under the "New Jersey Gross Income Tax Act." Accordingly, the bill provides that wages and salaries paid to certain Pennsylvania residents may be included as qualified film production expenses and qualified digital media content production expenses, provided that these persons are employed in the New Jersey for the purposes of the film or digital media content production. The provisions of this bill would take effect immediately and apply retroactively beginning on January 1, 2024 to any taxpayer who has not received a tax credit certificate or tax credit transfer certificate from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority before this date. However, any taxpayer that has previously received a tax credit certificate, but has not used such tax credit certificate before January 1, 2024, would be allowed to surrender the tax credit certificate to the authority and receive a new tax credit certificate in accordance with the provisions of this bill. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4587 | Increases hours required for individual to obtain licensure as teacher in cosmetology and hairstyling or as massage and bodywork therapist. | An Act concerning requirements for teaching in certain professions and amending and supplementing P.L.1984, c.205 and amending P.L.1999, c.19. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3451 | Increases hours required for individual to obtain licensure as teacher in cosmetology and hairstyling or as massage and bodywork therapist. | This bill increases the hours required to obtain licensure as a teacher in cosmetology-hairstyling or as a massage and bodywork therapist. Current regulation for cosmetology-hairstyling and current law for massage and bodywork therapy requires 500 hours. This bill increases each requirement to 600 hours. The increase allows individuals seeking the respective license to qualify for certain federal aid. | In Committee |
| S3439 | Revises definition of qualified assistance fund expenses under UEZ program to include costs of transportation infrastructure projects and related debt service. | Revises definition of qualified assistance fund expenses under UEZ program to include costs of transportation infrastructure projects and related debt service. | In Committee |
| S3383 | Authorizes NJ Infrastructure Bank to expend certain sums to make loans for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2025. | This bill would authorize the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (NJIB) to expend up to $2.73 billion to provide loans to local governments and privately-owned water companies (project sponsors) for a portion of the costs of water infrastructure projects, for the purpose of implementing the State fiscal year 2025 New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Financing Program (NJEIFP). A companion bill, Senate Bill No. 3384 of this session, would appropriate certain federal and State moneys to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for the purpose of partially funding the costs of the clean water and drinking water projects enumerated by the bill. The bill would authorize the NJIB to provide loans to fund the following projects: (1) in subsection a. of section 2 of the bill, a list of six projects to improve water discharge and treatment systems that had previously received a loan and require supplemental loans, representing $77.3 million in estimated total loan amounts; (2) in subsection b. of section 2 of the bill, a list of two projects to improve drinking water systems that had previously received a loan and require supplemental loans, representing $26.5 million in estimated total loan amounts; (3) in subsection c. of section 3 of the bill, a list of four projects in the Pinelands area that are receiving funding under the "Pinelands Infrastructure Trust Bond Act of 1985," P.L.1985, c.302 to improve water discharge and treatment systems, representing $15.3 million in estimated total loan amounts; (4) in subsection a. of section 4 of the bill, the "Storm Sandy and State Fiscal Year 2025 Clean Water Project Eligibility List," a list of 156 projects to improve water discharge and treatment systems, representing $1.9 billion in estimated total loan amounts; and (5) in subsection b. of section 4 of the bill, the "Storm Sandy and State Fiscal Year 2025 Drinking Water Project Eligibility List," a list of 72 projects to improve drinking water systems, representing $714.9 million in estimated total loan amounts. The bill would also appropriate to the NJIB an amount up to $1.5 billion, as necessary, to make short-term or temporary loans to project sponsors on the "Interim Environmental Financing Program Project Priority List," which is required to be submitted to the Legislature by the DEP Commissioner. The bill would also appropriate to the NJIB the amount needed to fund project sponsors on the "Environmental Disaster Relief Emergency Financing Program Project Priority List," which is also required to be submitted to the Legislature by the DEP Commissioner. In addition, the bill would appropriate available funds from the "Economic Development and Infrastructure Improvement Revolving Fund" created pursuant to the annual appropriations act for State fiscal year 2021, P.L.2020, c.97, to provide debt service reserves or guarantees to certain local government units for the purpose of making them eligible to receive a loan from the NJIB to finance the environmental infrastructure component of a redevelopment project. The bill would also authorize the NJIB to transfer moneys between various State funds, for the purpose of funding the NJEIFP and providing the State match for federal funding provided under the federal laws, including the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act, as detailed in subsection c. of section 1 of the bill. The bill would establish certain requirements on loans to project sponsors made by the NJIB pursuant to the bill, as enumerated in section 6 of the bill. The bill would also authorize the NJIB to decrease or increase the loan amounts it provides, subject to certain conditions enumerated in sections 7 and 8 of the bill. Finally, the bill would authorize the NJIB to utilize certain moneys to fund its annual operating expenses. | In Committee |
| SJR122 | Designates month of July as "Diverse Business Month" in New Jersey. | Designates month of July as "Diverse Business Month" in New Jersey. | Crossed Over |
| S2806 | "Louisa Carman Medical Debt Relief Act." | "Louisa Carman Medical Debt Relief Act." | In Committee |
| S2647 | Establishes Office of Learning Equity and Academic Recovery in DOE. | Establishes Office of Learning Equity and Academic Recovery in DOE. | In Committee |
| S2334 | Revises process for property tax lien holder to foreclose right to redeem a property tax lien; allows property owner to protect remaining equity. | Revises process for property tax lien holder to foreclose right to redeem property tax lien; allows property owner to protect remaining equity. | In Committee |
| S2330 | Establishes One-Year State Work First New Jersey Menstrual Hygiene Benefit Pilot Program and State Work First New Jersey Diaper Benefit Pilot Program; appropriates $2.5 million to DHS. | Establishes One-Year State Work First New Jersey Menstrual Hygiene Benefit Pilot Program and State Work First New Jersey Diaper Benefit Pilot Program; appropriates $2.5 million to DHS. | In Committee |
| A2027 | Establishes One-Year State Work First New Jersey Menstrual Hygiene Benefit Pilot Program and State Work First New Jersey Diaper Benefit Pilot Program; appropriates $2.5 million to DHS. | An Act concerning a monthly State benefit for menstrual hygiene products and diaper products under the Work First New Jersey Program, supplementing P.L.1997, c.38 (C.44:10-55), and making an appropriation. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S1443 | Establishes mortgage payment relief and foreclosure protection for certain homeowners impacted by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. | Establishes mortgage payment relief and foreclosure protection for certain homeowners impacted by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. | In Committee |
| SJR45 | Designates June of each year as "Gun Violence Awareness Month." | Designates June of each year as "Gun Violence Awareness Month." | Crossed Over |
| S3502 | Establishes sheltered market program for certain business enterprises seeking State contracts. | This bill establishes a sheltered market program that allows for State agencies, with the approval of the Chief Diversity Officer, to designate certain public contracts for availability to contractors who have been certified by the Department of the Treasury. This program will be available to contractors who are certified as a disabled veterans' business, minority business, women's business, small business, economically or socially disadvantaged business, LGTBQ+-owned business, or veteran-owned business. The bill directs the Chief Diversity Officer to establish criteria for determining which contracts should be designated for this program, including the degree of historical underutilization of qualified business enterprises based on a review of qualified business enterprises in the State's central certification registry or a State-commissioned disparity study. State agencies will be permitted to object to the designation of certain contracts for the program if they determine such designation would be contrary to an important State public policy, the practical limitations of the agency or contract, or an applicable legal order. The bill also requires that State agencies publish all contracts or categories of contracts approved for the sheltered market program on their respective websites prior to opening such contracts for bidding, and the chief publishes such contracts on the department's website. The bill further requires State agencies and the chief to conduct outreach regarding available contracts under the sheltered market program to qualified business enterprises and State agencies to conduct general or pre-bid submission conferences or workshops to help potential bidders understand the bidding process for the sheltered market program. State agencies will also be required to offer each bidder to a contract designated for the sheltered market program the option to debrief on the process following the award of the contract and conclusion of any challenges to contract awards after the expiration of the time period for challenges to be filed. This bill will require each State agency to submit an annual report to the chief on the implementation of the sheltered market program, including: (1) the number and dollar value of contracts awarded to qualified business enterprises under the sheltered market program; (2) the total number, the percentage, the total dollar value, and the percentage dollar value of contracts awarded by State agencies to qualified business enterprises eligible for participation in the sheltered market program; (3) recommendations for continuing, modifying, or terminating the sheltered market program; and (4) a description of efforts undertaken to increase contracting with qualified business enterprises. The bill provides that a State contract will not be awarded under the sheltered market program for a term to exceed three years, and that each contract will include termination for cause and termination for convenience clauses, consistent with the State agency's standard terms and conditions. Finally, the bill requires that prime contractors awarded contracts under the terms of the bill make a good faith effort to offer subcontracting opportunities to qualified business enterprises. The bill provides that failure on the part of a contractor to demonstrate a good faith effort may be cause for the rejection of bids made by that contractor. In determining whether a good faith effort has been made, the State agency and the chief will consider whether the contractor has advertised the opportunity to qualified business enterprises and (1) whether qualified business enterprises exhibited interest in working with the prime contractor on a particular project by attending, or having attended, a pre-bid conference, if any, scheduled by the State agency awarding the contract; and (2) whether qualified business enterprises, which have been solicited by the contractor, have responded in a timely fashion to the contractor's request to engage qualified business enterprises prior to the State agency's bid date. The chief and the State agency will also consider whether the contractor provided timely written notification of subcontracting opportunities to qualified business enterprises that appear in the State's central certification registry and whether the contractor can reasonably structure the amount of work to be performed under subcontracts to increase the likelihood of participation by qualified business enterprises. | In Committee |
| S3505 | Modifies title and role of Chief Diversity Officer; establishes New Jersey Office of Supplier Diversity and Business Opportunities. | This bill modifies the title and role of the Chief Diversity Officer and establishes the New Jersey Office of Supplier Diversity and Business Opportunities. Under current law, the Chief Diversity Officer monitors 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, the total value of all contracts, and the percentage of the value of those contracts awarded to minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises. This bill changes the title of Chief Diversity Officer to Chief Equity Officer and requires the Chief Equity Officer to monitor and publicly report the State's public contracting process for the purpose of compiling information on the awarding of contracts to small and diverse business enterprises, and to monitor the total value of all contracts and the percentage of the value of those contracts awarded to all small and diverse business enterprises. Each State agency will be required to submit the necessary data and information to the Chief Equity Officer. The Chief Equity Officer will be required to report directly to the State Treasurer. This bill also establishes the New Jersey Office of Supplier Diversity and Business Opportunities in the Department of the Treasury. The office will be under the immediate supervision of the Chief Equity Officer, who can, within the limits of funds appropriated by the Legislature, hire and employ staff. The office must: (1) support the Chief Equity Officer in achieving their mission; (2) review existing State procurement policies and practices; (3) expand outreach to, and develop capacity-building opportunities for, small and diverse business enterprises; (4) process and manage business certifications for minority businesses, female businesses, economically disadvantaged businesses, socially disadvantaged businesses, and disabled veterans' businesses; (5) monitor the awarding of contracts to small and diverse business enterprises, and measure progress towards lawfully established and implemented contracting and subcontracting programs; (6) provide ongoing and relevant training to State agencies to assist with the State's public procurement process; and (7) evaluate the feasibility of establishing a cloud-based data management system for all State agencies to utilize for awarding and providing payments for State contracts. Each State agency will be required to develop, and submit to the office within not less than 180 calendar days prior to the end of each State fiscal year, a plan for the following fiscal year to comply with the certification programs for small and diverse business enterprises. The office will analyze these plans and provide feedback and guidance to the State agencies as may be necessary. | In Committee |
| S3495 | Establishes Reproductive Health Care Professionals Loan Redemption Program; appropriates $5 million. | This bill establishes the Reproductive Health Care Professional Loan Redemption Program in the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA). The loan redemption program is to provide for the redemption of a portion of a program participant's State, federal, or commercial student loans in exchange for the program participant's service at a site providing reproductive health care services, as approved by the authority. Under the bill, the sites may include sites operated by a nonprofit organizations, hospitals, clinics, physicians' offices, and other facilities providing reproductive health care services. An approved site under the bill includes sites providing abortion care. To be eligible to participate in the program, an applicant is required to: (1) be a resident of the State; (2) be employed as an eligible reproductive health care professional, defined as a person who is licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized to provide health care services and who is providing reproductive health care services in the State; and (3) submit an application in a manner determined by the executive director of the HESAA. In selecting program participants, the executive director is required to give preference to applicants employed as an eligible reproductive health care professional in a county facing a shortage of reproductive health care professionals. The bill stipulates that a selected program participant is to enter into a written contract with the authority. The contract is to specify the duration of the program participant's required service and the total amount of student loans to be redeemed in return for the service. Under the bill, loan redemption is to amount to 18 percent of a program participant's qualifying loan amounts in return for one full year of service at an approved site, an additional 26 percent for a second full year of service, an additional 28 percent for a third full year of service, and an additional 28 percent for a fourth full year of service. The total loan redemption for a program participant is not to exceed $200,000. Finally, the bill stipulates that a reproductive health care professional, who is participating in the National Health Services Corps Loan Repayment Program or any other loan redemption program administered by the authority, is not eligible to simultaneously participate in the Reproductive Health Care Professional Loan Redemption Program. | 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 |
| S3490 | Codifies authority for certain health care providers to provide abortions and clarifies certain operational requirements for abortion facilities. | This bill codifies the authority of physician assistants, certified nurse midwives, certified midwives, and advanced practice nurses to provide abortions. Under the bill, physician assistants can perform aspiration abortions consistent with the physician assistant's scope of practice, which can include the administration of sedation consistent with the physician assistant's scope of practice and training and a physician assistant can order, prescribe, dispense, and administer medication abortions. Under the bill, certified nurse midwives and certified midwives can perform aspiration abortions, which may include the administration of moderate sedation, consistent with their scope of practice and training and consistent with regulations of the applicable licensing board. A certified nurse midwife authorized to prescribe drugs pursuant to section 2 of P.L. 1991, c. 97 (C.45:10-18), may order, prescribe, dispense, and administer medication abortions. A certified nurse midwife who is not authorized to prescribe drugs pursuant to section 2 of P.L. 1991, c. 97 (C.45:10-18) or a certified midwife may provide medication abortions if the use of the medication is authorized by a standing order issued by a physician. Under the bill, advanced practice nurses may perform aspiration abortions, which may include the administration of moderate sedation, and administer medication abortions consistent with the advanced practice nurse's scope of practice and training and consistent with regulations of the New Jersey Board of Nursing. The bill provides that an abortion facility will not be required to be an ambulatory surgical facility or a surgical practice license, to the extent that the facility performs abortion procedures that do not require general anesthesia or an operating room, and such services may be performed in procedure rooms. An entity seeking licensure as an ambulatory care facility or a surgical practice at which early aspiration abortions would be performed will not be subject to certain limitations under current law for ambulatory care facilities, so long as the facility or surgical practice adheres to all applicable regulations with respect to the standard of care. | In Committee |
| S2970 | Lowers age requirement of compulsory school attendance from six to five years old. | This bill lowers the age requirement for compulsory school attendance from six to five years of age. The bill also includes technical corrections to sections of law regarding student truancy to reflect the lower age for compulsory school attendance established by the bill. | In Committee |
| S249 | Requires BPU to establish beneficial building electrification and decarbonization program and requires electric public utilities to prepare and implement beneficial building electrification and decarbonization plans. | Requires BPU to establish beneficial building electrification and decarbonization program and requires electric public utilities to prepare and implement beneficial building electrification and decarbonization plans. | In Committee |
| S2472 | Establishes minimum Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare reimbursement rate for pediatric special care nursing facilities. | This bill requires the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS) within the Department of Human Services to establish a minimum Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare reimbursement rate of $950.00 per day for pediatric special care nursing facilities (SCNFs). Pediatric SCNFs provide specialized, long-term care and rehabilitation to medically fragile children and youth, up to 21 years of age. The bill, however, conditions the provision of this minimum reimbursement rate upon a facility's compliance with applicable State and federal laws and regulations concerning licensure, patient safety, and quality of care. The bill additionally appropriates from the General Fund to the Department of Human Services such sums as are necessary to implement this reimbursement rate increase. New Jersey currently has four pediatric SCNFs that participate in the State Medicaid program and the NJ FamilyCare program: the Pediatric Long Term Care Center at Children's Specialized Hospital (Mountainside and Toms River), the Phoenix Center for Rehabilitation and Pediatrics (Haskell), and the Voorhees Pediatric Facility (Voorhees). | In Committee |
| S2646 | Requires school districts to provide training and coaching to certain teachers on student literacy and reading interventions; requires DOE to establish program for literacy coaches. | This bill requires school districts to provide training and coaching to teachers regarding student literacy and reading interventions necessary for students with reading deficiencies. Under the bill, a school district is required to annually provide training to any teacher in grades kindergarten through 12 who provides reading interventions to students that exhibit a reading deficiency, and any teaching staff member holding an educational services certificate with a reading specialist endorsement. The training is required to include information on: (1) the science of reading; (2) reading intervention techniques; and (3) distinguishing between identification of a student who may be eligible for special education and related services in accordance with the "Individuals with Disabilities Education Act," and a student who may exhibit signs of a reading deficiency. The bill requires the Department of Education, in consultation with Commissioner of Education-approved educator preparation program providers in the State, to establish and implement a "train the trainer" program for the creation of literacy coaches in public schools. Reading specialists are to provide instruction to interested teachers on the science of reading and reading interventions. The department is required to issue a literary coach certificate to any teacher who completes the training, provided the teacher submits proof of completion on a form as determined by the department. Under the bill, a literacy coach is to receive a one-time stipend from the department. The stipend is to be in an amount determined by the department and subject to available funds. Additionally, the bill requires a school district to provide kindergarten through grade 12 teachers with ongoing coaching support to aid in the delivery of reading interventions. The support is required to include: (1) on-site teacher training on evidence-based reading instruction and data-based decision making; (2) example lessons; (3) classroom observance during the delivery of reading interventions; and (4) immediate feedback for improving reading instruction, if applicable. A literacy coach can conduct this training, provided the training does not conflict with the other job responsibilities of the teaching staff member. Within the limit of available funds, the literacy coach is eligible for a stipend from the department for any school year in which the literacy coach conducts the training. The training and coaching established by this bill are to count towards the current professional development requirement on reading disabilities for certain public school teaching staff members. The bill defines the "science of reading" as evidence-based reading instruction practices that address the acquisition of language, phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics and spelling, fluency, vocabulary, oral language, and comprehension that can be differentiated to meet the needs of individual students. "Reading deficiency" is defined as scoring below grade level or being determined to be at risk of scoring below grade level on a screening assessment, diagnostic assessment, standardized summative assessment, or progress monitoring. "Reading intervention" is defined as an evidence-based strategy frequently used to remediate reading deficiencies that include, but are not limited to, individual instruction, tutoring, or mentoring that target specific reading skills and abilities. | In Committee |
| S3459 | Establishes Task Force on Aging in State of New Jersey in DOH. | This bill establishes the 17-member Task Force on Aging in New Jersey in the Department of Health. The task force is study the State resources available for older residents of the State and to identify, prioritize, make recommendation on ways to improve the services needed to support an aging population so that individuals may grow old with dignity and independence. The task force is to consist of the following members: the Commissioners of Health and Human Services, the Public Guardian, and the New Jersey Long Term Care Ombudsman, or their designees, who are to serve ex-officio; four public members appointed by the Governor, two to be appointed on recommendation of the Senate President and two to be appointed on recommendation of the Speaker of the General Assembly, who represent organizations that advocate for the aging community or provide programs or services to senior citizens; and nine public members, including, representatives of various organizations that advocate for older adults, a health care provider specializing in geriatric services, a family caregiver, an individual 65 years of age or older who lives in a long-term care facility, and an individual who is 65 years of age or older living at home. The duties of the task force are to: (1) review all policies, procedures, programs, and practices relating to the provision of services to the older residents of New Jersey by State, county, and municipal agencies and for community-based organizations; (2) study, analyze, and monitor information and data collected by State agencies and community-based organization relating to the aging processes and the needs of the older residents of New Jersey; (3) examine State activities, processes, and strategies that support family caregivers of older adults; (4) evaluate State policies and procedures that support quality of care in long-term care facilities; (5) establish an educational program to inform senior citizens about consumer rights, social isolation and loneliness, elder abuse, elder theft and scams, the availability of affordable, quality housing options, transportation services, and other issues that affect the quality of life of older New Jerseyans; and (6) ensure all State policies relating to aging are inclusive of race, gender, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, and other characteristics that reflect the State's population. Under the bill's provisions, the task force is also to issue a report of its recommendations to the Governor and Legislature no later than 18 months after the organization of the task force and biannually, with any new or updated recommendations. | In Committee |
| S3443 | Requires State Contract Managers to monitor work conducted by subcontractors on State contracts. | This bill requires State Contract Managers to monitor the use of subcontractors that are certified businesses on State contracts. Under this bill, the State Contract Manager is responsible for monitoring that all certified businesses formally identified as subcontractors by prime contractors on State contracts are contracted to complete work within their identified area of expertise. During the execution of the State contracts, the State Contract Manager is responsible for monitoring and documenting the use of the identified certified businesses as subcontractors. If the prime contractor decides to discontinue their utilization of the certified business as a subcontractor, the State Contract Manager must require a formal explanation from the prime contractor. Each State Contract Manager is required to notify the Chief Diversity Officer on a quarterly basis of the number of instances when certified businesses formally identified as subcontractors by prime contractors are contracted to complete work outside their identified area of expertise. The report must include the name of the prime contractor, a description of the work of the certified business as a subcontractor, and how the work was outside the area of expertise of the certified business. As used in the bill, certified business means a small business, minority business, women's business, veteran business, disabled veteran business, LGBTQ+ business, economically disadvantaged business, or socially disadvantaged business as certified by the Division of Revenue Business Certification program in the Department of the Treasury. | In Committee |
| S3458 | Establishes standards for court-ordered counseling for domestic violence offenders. | This bill establishes standards for court-ordered counseling for domestic violence offenders. Under current law, the court may order a defendant charged with a crime or offense involving domestic violence who has been released pending trial, or as part of a final restraining order issued by the court in a domestic violence matter, to receive professional domestic violence counseling from either a private source or a source appointed by the court. If ordered to participate in this counseling, the defendant would be required to provide the court with documentation of attendance. Under the bill, any domestic violence counseling program in which a defendant participates based on a court order issued in a domestic violence matter would be required to facilitate defender accountability and include the following components: (1) risk assessments that identify dynamics of domestic violence and escalating risk factors, and include information provided by the courts; (2) information and education concerning the tactics of power and control and the understanding of domestic violence as a domination and control issue; (3) a protocol to demonstrate the defendant's attendance in programming, and additional reporting as requested by the court to support a prompt and effective review by the court for noncompliance; and (4) regular reviews of the program and compliance by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families for Batterers' Intervention Programs funded by the Department of Children and Families. This bill implements Recommendation #28 of the June 2023 report of the Reconvened Joint Committee on Criminal Justice. | In Committee |
| S3328 | Establishes crime of fertility fraud. | The bill establishes the crime of fertility fraud. Under the bill, a person commits fertility fraud if the person is a health care practitioner and knowingly performs an assisted reproduction treatment on a patient that results in a pregnancy using the person's own human reproductive material without the written informed consent of the patient, or using the human reproductive material of another person without the written informed consent of the patient. Fertility fraud is a crime of the third degree. A crime of the third degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of three to five years, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. The bill also requires the court to order the permanent revocation of any license or certification related to the provision of health care services that is held by the defendant. Under the bill, a prosecution for fertility fraud is required to be commenced within 20 years of the date the assisted reproduction treatment was conducted, or within 10 years of the date that the victim became aware that the crime occurred. | In Committee |
| S2050 | "Stephanie's Law"; Requires AOC to establish publicly-accessible domestic violence registry; requires law enforcement officer to search State's domestic violence registries when conducting arrest. | This bill establishes "Stephanie's Law," to require the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), in conjunction with the Attorney General, to develop and maintain a publicly-accessible domestic violence Internet registry, and require law enforcement officers to search the State's domestic violence registries upon arresting a person. This registry established under the bill is to be separate from the domestic violence central registry maintained by the AOC pursuant to N.J.S.A.2C:25-34, which is not accessible to the public. Under the bill, the public is to be able to access the registry to obtain all available information concerning any person who has been convicted of a crime or offense involving domestic violence; has had a final domestic violence restraining order issued against them; or has committed contempt of a temporary or final domestic violence restraining order. The Internet registry is to contain the following information for any person to be included in the registry: (1) the person's name and any aliases the person has used or under which the person may be or may have been known; (2) a brief description of any crime or offense involving domestic violence for which the person was convicted; the date and location of each disposition; and a general description of the person's modus operandi, if applicable; (3) the person's age, race, gender, date of birth, height, weight, hair, eye color, and any distinguishing scars or tattoos; (4) a photograph of the person and the date on which the photograph was entered into the registry; (5) the make, model, color, year, and license plate number of any vehicle operated by the person; (6) and the person's last known address. A person whose name is erroneously included in the registry established under the bill may petition the AOC for removal of the person's name. The AOC is required to remove the person's name from the registry if the person has not had a final domestic violence restraining order entered against them, has not been found guilty of contempt of a temporary or final domestic violence restraining order, or has not been found guilty of a crime or offense involving domestic violence. Within five days of a change of address, a person whose name is included in the registry is required provide the AOC with the new address. On the website through which a person may search the registry established under the bill, the AOC is required to include information regarding: the manner in which a person may petition the AOC to remove their name; the circumstances under which the AOC would grant a petition to remove their name; and the manner in which a person may provide an updated address to the AOC. In addition, the provisions of the bill require a law enforcement officer to determine, upon an arrest, if there is a domestic violence restraining order entered against the person. This determination is to include a search of the central domestic violence registry maintained by the AOC established pursuant to N.J.S.A.2C:25-34, as well as the publicly-accessible central registry established under the bill. This bill, designated "Stephanie's Law," is named after a domestic violence victim, Stephanie Nicole Parze, who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend. The Stephanie Nicole Parze Foundation was created in her memory to provide support to victims of domestic violence. This bill, which is intended to provide additional protections for victims of domestic violence, is named in her honor. | In Committee |
| S3223 | Permits greater diversity in creation of new health sharing ministries and establishes and exempts certain mandates and reporting requirements. | This bill permits greater diversity in the creation of new health sharing ministries and establishes and exempts certain mandates and reporting requirements. Under the bill, a participant in a health care sharing ministry established after December 31, 1999 will not be considered an applicable individual subject to the State's minimum essential coverage requirement, which requires that every applicable individual maintain health insurance coverage. Currently, a participant in a health care sharing ministry established after December 31, 1999 is considered an applicable individual subject to the State's minimum essential coverage requirements and must maintain health insurance coverage or pay a State-imposed tax. Additionally, the bill establishes certain reporting requirements for health care sharing ministries and organizations that offer or intend to offer a plan or arrangement to facilitate payment or reimbursement of health care costs or services for residents of this State. The reporting requirements include the total number of individuals and households that participated in the plan or arrangement in the immediately preceding calendar year and the total amount of fees, dues, or other payments collected by the ministry or organization in the immediately preceding calendar year, among other requirements. Ministries or organizations that fail to comply with the reporting requirements under the bill may be subject to certain monetary penalties or other administrative or legal actions. As used in this bill, "health care sharing ministry" means a not-for-profit organization pursuant to 26 U.S.C. s.501(c)(3) that is exempt from federal income taxes under 26 U.S.C. s.501(a), whose members: (1) share a common set of ethical or religious beliefs and share medical expenses among members in accordance with those beliefs, without regard to the state in which a member resides or is employed; and (2) retain membership even after they develop a medical condition. The term "health care sharing ministry" excludes ministries that do not conduct an annual audit that: (1) is performed by an independent certified public accounting firm; (2) follows generally accepted accounting principles; and (3) is made available to the public upon request. | In Committee |
| S3397 | Provides corporation business tax and gross income tax credits for employers of certain persons with disabilities. | This bill provides corporation business and gross income tax credits to taxpayers that employ certain persons with disabilities. The credit would be for up to 15 percent of the wages paid by the taxpayer during a taxable year to a qualifying employee with a disability, not to exceed $2,000 per qualified employee. To claim the credit, a taxpayer would be required to submit an application to the Director of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development for certification that the employee has a disability for purposes of qualifying for the credit. A copy of the certification would be included with the taxpayer's tax return. The contents of the certification would only state the fact the employee has a qualifying disability and not disclose any private or confidential health information. The bill requires the director to establish an application process and prescribe the form and manner through which a taxpayer may submit an application to obtain a certification from the director that an employee is a qualified employee with a disability for purposes of the tax credit. The bill provides that applications would be deemed approved and written authorizations are deemed issued if the director fails to make a determination regarding within 90 calendar days of the date a complete application is received or if the director fails to issue a written authorization within five calendar days of the date a determination is made. The bill defines a "qualified employee with a disability" as a person with a disability recognized under the federal "Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990," Pub.L.101-336 (42 U.S.C. s. 12102). A qualified employee is also required to be employed by the taxpayer for at least 35 hours a week and paid wages at a rate of no less than $15 per hour. A taxpayer would be unable to claim the credit for the wages paid to a person with a disability who works for the taxpayer as an independent contractor or on a consulting basis. | In Committee |
| S2535 | Establishes minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate for structured day program services provided to beneficiary eligible for brain injury services. | This bill amends existing law, which established minimum Medicaid reimbursement rates for brain injury services, to include structured day program services. Current law is limited to community residential services. Under existing law, "brain injury service" means community-based services, residential services, day care services, and home care services provided to a Medicaid beneficiary requiring treatment for traumatic or non-traumatic brain injuries, regardless of whether such services are provided through the Medicaid fee-for-service delivery system or the managed care delivery system. Specifically, the bill requires the Medicaid per diem or encounter reimbursement rates for Structured Day Program Services provided to a Medicaid beneficiary requiring treatment for a brain injury, currently at $3.65 for every 15 minutes of services, when such services are provided by an approved brain injury service provider, to be equal to the average of the reimbursement rates for Day Habilitation Services - Tiers D and Tier E provided to a Medicaid beneficiary eligible for services provided by the Division of Developmental Disabilities in the Department of Human Services, currently at $9.09 for every 15 minutes of service. | In Committee |
| S2010 | Requires minimum annual State appropriation of $10 million for Public Health Priority Funding. | This bill supplements the "Public Health Priority Funding Act of 1977" and requires a minimum annual State appropriation of $10 million for Public Health Priority Funding, thereby reinstating New Jersey's only State appropriated, unrestricted fund for local health departments. Such appropriation will be expended in accordance to the provisions of the "Public Health Priority Funding Act of 1977." From 1966 to 2010, under the "State Health Aid Act" and later amended as the "Public Health Priority Funding Act of 1977," the State provided local health departments with flexibility to address local needs, emerging threats, and other priorities via the appropriation of dedicated funds. The State eliminated Public Health Priority Funding in the FY 2011 Appropriations Act. For context, in FY 2010, Public Health Priority Funding amounted to approximately 15 percent of the total funding for local health departments. Currently, local health departments in New Jersey are funded via local property taxes and State and federal funding that is designated for specific purposes, such as vaccines or environmental health services. | In Committee |
| S1032 | Requires DHS and DCF to conduct study on service provider workforce, and to evaluate rates paid to, and assess cost of living adjustments for, service providers. | Requires DHS and DCF to conduct study on service provider workforce, and to evaluate rates paid to, and assess cost of living adjustments for, service providers. | In Committee |
| S3376 | Establishes "Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act." | This bill establishes the "Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act" (act). The act was promulgated by the Uniform Law Commission in 2009. The act permits an individual to transfer property to one or more designated beneficiaries at the transferor's death by means of a transfer on death (TOD) deed. A "designated beneficiary" means a person designated to receive property in a TOD deed. A transfer on death deed is a revocable instrument and is nontestamentary. Further, the instrument is required to contain the essential elements and formalities of a properly recorded inter vivos deed and be acknowledged in accordance with State law. A transfer on death deed is effective without notice or delivery to the designated beneficiary, acceptance by the designated beneficiary, or consideration. The bill applies to all TOD deeds made before, on, or after the effective date of the bill by a transferor dying on or after the effective date of the bill. The following rules apply to the property that is subject of a TOD deed and owned by the transferor at death: (1) the interest in the property is transferred to the designated beneficiary in accordance with the deed. The interest of a designated beneficiary is contingent on the designated beneficiary surviving the transferor. The interest of a designated beneficiary that fails to survive the transferor lapses. (2) concurrent interests are transferred to the beneficiaries in equal and undivided shares with no right of survivorship. If the transferor has identified two or more designated beneficiaries to receive concurrent interest in the property, the share of one which lapses or fails for any reason is transferred to the other, or to the others in proportion to the interest of each in the remaining part of the property held concurrently. An individual may revoke a recorded TOD deed, or any part of the deed, if the instrument: (1) is one of the following: (a) a subsequent TOD deed that revokes the deed in whole or part expressly or by inconsistency; (b) an instrument of revocation that expressly revokes the deed in whole or part; or (c) an inter vivos deed that expressly revokes the TOD deed in whole or in part; and (2) is acknowledged by the transferor after the acknowledgement of the deed being revoked and recorded in accordance with State law. A TOD deed prepared under the bill does not: (1) affect an interest or right of the transferor or any other owner, including the right to transfer or encumber the property; (2) affect an interest or right of a transferee, even if the transferee has an actual or constructive notice of the deed; (3) affect an interest of right of a secured or unsecured creditor or future creditor of the transferor, even if the creditor has actual or constructive notice of the deed; (4) affect the transferor's or designated beneficiary's eligibility for any form of public assistance; (5) create a legal or equitable interest in favor of the designated beneficiary; or (6) subject the property to the claims or process of a creditor of the designated beneficiary. If a transfer is made by more than one transferor: (1) revocation by a transferor does not affect the deed as to the interest of another transferor; and (2) a deed of joint owners is only revoked if it is revoked by all of the living joint owners. If a transferor is a joint owner and is: (1) survived by one or more other joint owners, the property that is subject to the TOD deed belongs to the surviving joint owners or owners with right of survivorship; or (2) the last surviving joint owner, the TOD deed is effective. Finally, the bill provides that if a transferor's probate estate is insufficient to satisfy allowed claims, the estate is permitted to enforce the liability against the property transferred. | In Committee |
| S3336 | Establishes food rescue hotline. | This bill requires the Food Security Advocate to establish and maintain, in the Office of the Food Security Advocate, a food rescue hotline that is designed to: (1) receive and respond to requests, whether by telephone, in-person, or via electronic or other means, as authorized by the Food Security Advocate, from individuals or organizations that are seeking to donate large quantities of food; and (2) direct each such individual or organization requesting hotline assistance to an appropriate food bank, and to other appropriate community resources and organizations, in order to facilitate the delivery of the donated food to an appropriate location. The bill requires the Food Security Advocate to engage in a public awareness campaign, using all available media, including television, radio, print, the Internet, and social media, to inform the public about the availability and purpose of the food rescue hotline. | In Committee |
| S3334 | Establishes pilot program to provide Medicaid coverage of remote maternal health services for eligible beneficiaries. | This bill establishes a voluntary, three-year pilot program to provide certain pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries with remote maternal health services, upon referral by the beneficiaries' health care provider. It is the intent of the bill's sponsor to expand access to obstetric care for pregnant patients who live in the State's rural communities or in medically underserved communities. The bill provides that the Commissioner of Human Services, based upon clinical evidence and the recommendations of experts in the fields of obstetrics and maternal-fetal medicine, will determine the remote services to be provided through the pilot program. At minimum, the program will provide remote patient monitoring, remote non-stress tests, and tele-ultrasound services for pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries. The bill defines "remote maternal health services" as the use of digital technology to collect medical and health data from a pregnant patient and securely transmit this information to a health care provider at a distant site for interpretation and use as part of a diagnosis or a treatment plan. "Remote patient monitoring" is defined as the use of digital technology to collect and transmit patient health data to a healthcare provider at a distant site for review and treatment management. The bill stipulates that the devices and digital technologies used to provide remote maternal health services must comply with the requirements of the federal "Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996," and be used in an FDA-approved capacity. The bill provides that State licensed physicians, certified nurse midwives, professional midwives, or midwives may refer a pregnant Medicaid beneficiary to the pilot program if the health care provider determines that remote maternal health services are in the beneficiary's best interests; or that the beneficiary has an increased likelihood of a high-risk pregnancy due to: pre-existing medical conditions; age; lifestyle factors; or a diagnosed pregnancy-related condition, such as preeclampsia. The bill also provides that remote maternal health services will be available to a pregnant Medicaid beneficiary whose pregnancy is not high-risk, but who resides in a community that lacks a sufficient number of health care providers who offer obstetric care and participate in the Medicaid program. Eligibility for the pilot program will also be extended to a pregnant Medicaid beneficiary who is unable to access consistent obstetric care due to socioeconomic factors, such as the beneficiary's work schedule, a lack of reliable transportation, or a lack of reliable child care. Pursuant to the bill, the establishment of the remote maternal health services pilot program is contingent upon federal approval of the State's Medicaid waiver application or State plan amendment, in order to ensure federal financial participation for State Medicaid expenditures under the federal Medicaid program. | In Committee |
| S3357 | Establishes NJ Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council. | This bill establishes the New Jersey Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council to study artificial intelligence and the advantages and disadvantages of State agencies procuring, developing, and implementing artificial intelligence (AI). The council is to consist of seven members: the Chief Technology Officer, two members of the General Assembly appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, two members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, and two public members appointed by the Governor who have expertise in the use or design of AI. The council is required to: (1) assess the need for a State code of ethics for AI used by State agencies and develop the code of ethics, if needed; (2) identify advantages and disadvantages of State agencies procuring, developing, and implementing AI; (3) recommend guidelines for State agencies to safely and ethically procure, develop, and implement AI; (4) develop strategies to deliver and support AI and other similar emerging technologies; and (5) review AI systems used by State agencies for ethical concerns. The council is required to, within one year of its first meeting, issue a report to the Governor and Legislature concerning its findings and recommendations. The council is to expire upon submission of its report. | In Committee |
| SJR118 | Designates calendar week that includes September 10th of each year as "Suicide Prevention Week" in NJ. | This joint resolution designates the calendar week, beginning on Sunday, which includes September 10th of each year as "Suicide Prevention Week." Suicide is a public health issue that requires vigilant attention and preventative action. With almost 45,000 lives lost to suicide in 2016, 687 of which were lost in New Jersey, it is clear that suicide affects not only the victim's family and friends, but also entire communities. While New Jersey has a number of suicide prevention resources, it is important to remember that no single suicide prevention effort will be sufficient or appropriate for all populations or communities. New Jersey is committed to raising awareness, providing education and training, and reducing stigma related to suicide. By ensuring that those in need have access to services and educating families to help reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues and suicide, New Jersey can help individuals struggling with thoughts of suicide and promote an environment of inclusivity and support throughout the State. | In Committee |
| S3348 | "Securing Access to Funding for Educating Drivers (SAFE) Act"; establishes NJ Behind-The-Wheel Driver Education Scholarship Program; appropriates $1 million. | This bill establishes the New Jersey Behind-The-Wheel Driver Education Scholarship Program (program) within the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (commission). The purpose of the program is to provide scholarships to eligible individuals from low-income households to cover the costs of the six-hour behind-the-wheel driver education course. As defined in the bill, "six-hour behind-the-wheel driver education course" means the six-hour behind the wheel driver education course conducted by a drivers' school duly licensed by the commission that is required for individuals between the ages of 16 and 17 to obtain a special learner's permit. Scholarships awarded under the program are required to be in an amount to cover the full cost of the six-hour behind-the-wheel driver education course or $500, whichever is less. To qualify for a scholarship under the program an individual is required to demonstrate to the commission that the individual: (1) is a resident of the State; (2) is between the age of 16 and 17; (3) is from a low-income household; (4) has passed the required written examination, which may be offered as part of a course of driving education approved by the State Department of Education and conducted in a New Jersey public, parochial, or private school; and (5) meets any other eligibility criteria that the commission deems appropriate. Interested individuals that meet the eligibility requirements are required to submit an application to the commission in a form and manner determined by the commission. The commission is required to provide scholarships on a rolling basis, subject to the availability of funds, to individuals who have submitted an application to the commission and meet the eligibility criteria for a scholarship under the program. The bill requires the commission to submit an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature containing certain information as described in the bill. Finally, the bill appropriates from the General Fund to the commission the sum of $1 million to provide scholarships under the program. | In Committee |
| S3297 | Promotes trauma-informed care in State to mitigate negative effects of adverse childhood experiences and toxic stress. | This bill requires the Department of Children and Families (department) to develop and implement a program to promote trauma-informed care in order to mitigate the negative effects of adverse childhood experiences and toxic stress in this State. In implementing the program, the department will, at a minimum: a. develop a trauma-informed care toolkit of resources that provide trauma awareness and self-care education for State employees, increase recognition of signs of adverse child experience exposure, and offer effective interventions to mitigate trauma and build resilience, which toolkit is to be shared across all State agencies and organizations for use at service delivery access points; b. promote a Trauma Awareness Month in New Jersey with appropriate events to be held across the State; c. share information with State employees and community partners on educational and professional development opportunities related to adverse childhood experiences and building resilience; d. create a recognition program for individuals who work in the prevention and early intervention-treatment continuum, which may include individuals, divisions within an agency, and community partners, such as schools and school districts; e. identify gaps in available services or service capacity along the prevention and early intervention-treatment continuum for children and their caregivers Statewide; f. develop a comprehensive plan focused on early intervention for children and their caregivers exposed to adverse childhood experiences in order to help prevent, and remedy the impact of, abuse and neglect; and g. coordinate the collection, evaluation, and reporting of adverse childhood experience data in the State. The bill requires each State agency that provides services for children and adults to implement best practices for providing trauma-informed care, which will include, but not be limited to: offering regularly scheduled training to staff to increase their knowledge about the impact of adverse childhood experiences and toxic stress on short-term and long-term health outcomes; promoting strategies to enhance staff resilience and self-care; using trauma-specific language in requests for proposals and in service contracts with providers, when appropriate; and implementing evidence-informed services to prevent and respond to toxic stress and build resilience in children, adults, and communities. | In Committee |
| S3304 | Allows certain municipalities to establish lower property tax rate on improvements than land. | This bill would direct the Legislature to allow certain municipalities to establish a "land-based property tax system," in which a lower property tax rate is set for improvements than for land. An improvement refers to a building or other man-made condition located on a parcel of real property. Historically, New Jersey municipalities have been required to apply a single value-based tax rate to both land and improvements. Land-based property tax systems have been employed by municipalities in several other states in order to discourage land speculation, while encouraging the redevelopment of vacant land in urban areas. The bill allows current and former urban enterprise zone municipalities to adopt an ordinance providing for a land-based property tax system upon the bill's operative date, without any application process Beginning seven years later, the bill allows municipalities, other than current and former UEZ municipalities, to apply to the Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury ("director") for approval to adopt an ordinance to implement a land-based property tax system. The bill requires the director to adopt rules and regulations to establish appropriate standards for approval. These standards must prohibit approval of a municipality if its developable and re-developable lands are used substantially for the preservation of open space, farmland, or environmentally sensitive land. The bill permits the adjusted tax rates of a land-based property tax system to be phased in such that the difference between the rates grows only gradually each year. The bill also directs that a municipality employing a land-based property tax system may return to a single-rate property tax system if the governing body adopts an ordinance directing this return. This ordinance may also phase in these adjusted tax rates such that the difference between the rates narrows only gradually in any given year. The bill would become operative upon the adoption by the voters of the State of an amendment to the State Constitution authorizing municipalities, by ordinance, to adopt a property tax system under which taxable improvements are taxed at a lower rate than taxable land. | In Committee |
| S3306 | Establishes two-generational school readiness and workforce development pilot program for certain low-income households. | This bill establishes in the Department of Education a five-year two-generational school readiness and workforce development pilot program. The purpose of the program is to foster family economic self-sufficiency in low-income households by delivering academic and job readiness support services across two generations in the same household. The Commissioner of Education will designate the municipalities that participate in the pilot program which must be municipalities that have a poverty rate that is at least twice the Statewide average poverty rate. Under the bill, the pilot program will include services such as: early learning programs; adult education; child care; housing; job training; transportation; financial literacy; and other related support services such as health and mental health services. The program will include a long-term plan to adopt a model for the delivery of these services on a Statewide basis. The pilot program will foster partnerships between State and national philanthropic organizations to provide technical assistance in the phase-in and design of the two-generational programs and practices model, an evaluation plan, and a Statewide replication and implementation of the program. The pilot program will include a workforce liaison to gauge the needs of employers and households in each community and help coordinate the two-generational program to meet the needs of these employers and households. The bill establishes an interagency working group to oversee the pilot program that will include:· the Commissioners of the Departments of Education, Labor and Workforce Development, Human Services, Children and Families, Community Affairs, Transportation, and Health and the Secretary of Higher Education, or their designees;· four members of the New Jersey State Legislature; · one public member representing a business or trade organization, appointed by the Majority Leader of the Senate;· one public member with expertise on issues concerning children and families, appointed by the Majority Leader of the General Assembly; · not more than a total of six persons from low-income households from the pilot sites; · representatives of nonprofit and philanthropic organizations and scholars; and · other business and academic professionals as needed to achieve goals for two-generational systems planning, evaluations, and outcomes. The coordinators of the program sites and any organization serving as fiduciary for the program will report on a quarterly basis to the working group on such information as the working group deems necessary. The working group will submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature that includes information on program outcomes and a recommendation on program expansion. | In Committee |
| S3305 | Makes FY 2025 supplemental appropriation of $587,450 to DCF for HomeFront NJ - Diaper Access Expansion Pilot Program. | This FY 2025 supplemental appropriation provides $597,450 to the Department of Children and Families for a grant to HomeFront NJ for a Diaper Access Expansion Pilot Program. HomeFront's mission is to end homelessness in Central New Jersey by harnessing the caring, resources, and expertise of the community. After decades of informally providing diapers to the families, the organization began planning in 2016 for a more formalized Diaper Program. In the years since, the demand for diapers has led HomeFront to expand significantly their diaper service to local families. These additional State resources would allow the organization to serve a larger region, with the potential for Statewide implementation. According to the National Diaper Bank Network, 47 percent of parents in the United State reported diaper need in 2023. Diaper need is defined as parents' and caregivers' inability to provide a sufficient supply of diapers to keep their babies clean, dry, and healthy. | In Committee |
| S3301 | Establishes Council for Community Recovery and Family Success; appropriates $4.0 million. | This bill establishes the Council for Community Recovery and Family Success in, but not of, the Department of Community Affairs, which will develop strategies to promote the well-being of infants, children, youth, and families, and encourage family success. The council will consist of 25 members, including the Commissioners of Children and Families, Community Affairs, Corrections, Education, Health, Human Services, and Labor and Workforce Development, and the Executive Director of the Juvenile Justice Commission in the Department of Law and Public Safety, or their designees, who will serve ex officio, and 17 public members, who will be representatives of certain entities that provide services to children and families, or have certain experience with receiving family services in New Jersey. The council will manage the development and implementation of a Statewide initiative concerning the social and economic well-being of infants, children, youth, and families, and the provision of holistic, age and developmentally appropriate services that support a child's development from birth to young adulthood. In order to implement the Statewide initiative, the council will: (1) advocate for a State Bill of Rights for Infants, Children, Youth, and Families, which will provide a framework for the initiative; (2) identify and develop policies, strategies, and financial priorities that promote family success; (3) recommend policies to improve the efficacy of existing State and community-based services and programs; (4) explore strategies to leverage public and private funding to provide preventive services; and (5) establish community recovery and family success councils in each county. The goal of the Statewide initiative will be to: promote positive family relationships, community connections, and preventive services to ensure financial security, quality education, health, safety, and permanency for infants, children, youth, and families through an integrated service planning and delivery system. The bill defines "distress services" to mean services to remediate circumstances that endanger the safety, permanency, health, and well-being of infants, children, and youth; and "preventative services" as those services that promote the safety, permanency, health, and well-being of the target populations and divert the need for distress services. The council will submit an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature that will include recommendations for legislative and administrative actions on the use of public and private resources to support family success initiatives and preventive services for all families. The bill appropriates $4.0 million from the General Fund to the council to implement the provisions of the bill, and provides that the council may use any unexpended appropriations in the succeeding fiscal year. | In Committee |
| S3290 | Makes supplemental appropriation of $2,500,000 to Salvation and Social Justice for "Return and Restore" Program. | This bill supplements the Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations act to provide $2.5 million in supplemental funding to the not-for-profit organization Salvation and Social Justice. Specifically, the supplemental funding is provided to Salvation and Social Justice's Trenton Restorative Street Team (TRST) to operate the "Return and Restore" program. According to the sponsor, TRST aims to work with formerly incarcerated individuals to reduce gang-related activities, gun violence, and the likelihood of recidivism. To advance the Return and Restore pilot program, Salvation and Social Justice seeks $2.5 million to provide comprehensive supportive services for hard-to-reach, corrections system-involved individuals, in Trenton. TRST team includes trained outreach workers, counselors, intervention specialists, community organizers, former gang members, and formerly incarcerated individuals from Trenton. The main goal is to mediate conflicts, deescalate tensions, and prevent acts of violence from occurring in schools and in communities. | In Committee |
| S1815 | Establishes NJ Task Force on Coordination Among Nonprofit Social Service Organizations. | Establishes NJ Task Force on Coordination Among Nonprofit Social Service Organizations. | Crossed Over |
| S2181 | Eliminates requirement for State residency of public school employees for period of three years. | Eliminates requirement for State residency of public school employees for period of three years. | Crossed Over |
| S1311 | Codifies prohibition of discriminatory practices in real estate appraisals and requires real estate appraisers to complete anti-bias training. | Codifies prohibition of discriminatory practices in real estate appraisals and requires real estate appraisers to complete anti-bias training. | In Committee |
| S1965 | Regulates provision of pharmaceutical services in long-term care facilities. | Regulates provision of pharmaceutical services in long-term care facilities. | Crossed Over |
| S2284 | Establishes Office of Resilience in DCF. | Establishes Office of Resilience in DCF. | Crossed Over |
| S1075 | Establishes "Cop 2 Cop Sustainability Fund" to support "Law Enforcement Officer Crisis Intervention Services" Cop 2 Cop telephone hotline program; appropriates $500,000. | This bill establishes the "Cop 2 Cop Sustainability Fund" and appropriates an additional $500,000 from the General Fund to this fund to support the "Law Enforcement Officer Crisis Intervention Services" Cop 2 Cop telephone hotline program in the current fiscal year and ongoing. The "Law Enforcement Officer Crisis Intervention Services" Cop 2 Cop telephone hotline program is a 24-hour confidential peer support hotline and service for law enforcement personnel and their families. This program is currently operated at Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care's National Call Center. The Cop 2 Cop telephone hotline program currently receives up to $400,000 annually from Body Armor Replacement Funds pursuant to R.S.39:5-41. This bill would dedicate an additional $500,000 to the "Cop 2 Cop Sustainability Fund" to support the Cop 2 Cop telephone hotline program. | 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 |
| S2083 | Allows certain volunteer firefighters, rescue and first aid squad members to claim $2,000 gross income tax exemption. | Allows certain volunteer firefighters, rescue and first aid squad members to claim $2,000 gross income tax exemption. | In Committee |
| S2348 | Requires Attorney General to review use of force policy at least every two years. | This bill requires the Attorney General to review and, if necessary, revise its use of force policy, as need may require and at least every two years. The bill also requires the Attorney General, in reviewing and revising the policy, to give due consideration to, at a minmum, the following core principles: · respecting the sanctity of human life and serving the community; · prioritizing other reasonable measures, including de-escalation, that must be attempted before resorting to the use of force; · promoting the use of only objectively reasonable, necessary and proportional force, including the use of deadly force only as a last resort; and · articulating other duties attendant to the use of force, such as a law enforcement officer's duty to intervene, to render medical assistance, and to report and review uses of force. The bill requires the policy to be transmitted to the chief or director of every municipal and county police department, every municipal and county prosecutor, and the Superintendent of State Police. | In Committee |
| SCR82 | Proposes constitutional amendment authorizing municipalities to provide partial property tax exemption of up to 15 percent of assessed value for primary residence of certain volunteer first responders. | If approved by the voters, this proposed constitutional amendment would require the Legislature to enact a law permitting municipalities to provide a partial property tax exemption of up to 15 percent of the assessed value of a home for certain volunteer first responders. A municipality would have to pass an ordinance in order to provide the exemption. The exemption would mean that the volunteer first responder would not pay property taxes on a portion of the home's assessed value. Each municipality would decide whether to allow the exemption and decide the percentage amount of the exemption, however the exemption could not be more than 15 percent of the assessed value of the property. The Legislature would be required to pass a law authorizing the exemption. To be eligible for the exemption, a first responder would have to be an active member of a volunteer fire department or a volunteer first aid or rescue squad that serves the municipality. The home would also have to be the volunteer's primary residence and be located in the municipality in which the volunteer serves. | In Committee |
| S3243 | Makes supplemental appropriation of $500,000 to DOH for Huntington's Disease Grant Program. | This bill makes a supplemental appropriation of $500,000 to Division of Community Health in the Department of Health (DOH) for the Huntington's Disease Grant Program. The amount appropriated under the bill, in addition to any other State or federal funds allocated for the same purposes, is to be allocated to support grants to institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, or New Jersey based and operated research organizations for the provision of pre-symptomatic testing, neurology and psychiatry services, neurophysiological evaluations, treatment, disease management, and counseling for people living with or at risk for Huntington's disease. According to the department's Notice of Fund Availability, the Huntington's Disease Grant Program is currently estimated to distribute $200,437 in FY 2023. This supplemental appropriation would increase that amount to $700,437. Huntington's disease is a fatal rare, inherited disease that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. It deteriorates a person's physical and mental abilities during their prime working years and has no cure. Huntington's disease has a wide impact on a person's functional abilities and usually results in movement, cognitive, and psychiatric disorders. Many describe the symptoms as having amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease), Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease simultaneously. According to the DOH, there are approximately 900 to 1,200 New Jersey residents who are living with Huntington's disease. The incidence of the disease is estimated between 1 in 8,000 and 1 in 10,000 State residents. There are also about 7,000 at-risk individuals in New Jersey. But since this is a fatal disease, this number may be low since the majority of people who go through genetic counseling decide to not get tested. | In Committee |
| S3251 | Establishes "New Jersey Migrant and Refugee Assistance Act." | This bill establishes the "New Jersey Migrant and Refugee Assistance Act." The bill establishes in the Department of Human Services (department) a Migrant and Refugee Resource Coordination Program. The purpose of this program will be to connect migrants and refugees with information and resources regarding public assistance programs for which they are eligible. The department will ensure that the information provided under the program will include, but not be limited to, information on: housing, healthcare, educational opportunities, job training, and legal services. The department will collaborate with local governments, nonprofit organizations, and community groups to facilitate access to these resources. Under the bill. the department will develop and implement an outreach campaign to inform migrants and refugees about the program. The outreach campaign will utilize multiple languages and media platforms to ensure widespread dissemination of information about the program. The department will submit an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature, which report will: (1) detail the effectiveness of the program, including the number of migrants and refugees served and the types of assistance provided; and (2) include any recommendations for improvements to the program. | In Committee |
| S3265 | "Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Prevention Act"; requires Internet-connected devices to have blocking capability in certain circumstances. | This bill, to be known as the "Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Prevention Act," makes it an unlawful practice under the consumer fraud act to manufacture, sell, offer for sale, lease, or distribute a product that makes content accessible on the Internet unless the product contains digital blocking capability that renders any obscene material inaccessible. Additionally, it would be an unlawful practice for a minor to receive such a product unless the digital blocking capability is active and properly operating. Under the bill, a person who manufactures, sells, offers for sale, leases, or distributes a product that makes content accessible on the Internet is to: (1) make reasonable and ongoing efforts to ensure that the digital content blocking capability functions properly; (2) establish a reporting mechanism, such as a website or call center, to allow a consumer to report unblocked obscene material or report blocked material that is not obscene; (3) ensure that all child pornography and revenge pornography is inaccessible on the product; (4) prohibit the product from accessing any hub that facilitates prostitution; and (5) render websites that are known to facilitate human trafficking inaccessible. 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, a violation can result in cease and desist orders issued by the Attorney General, the assessment of punitive damages, and the awarding of treble damages and costs to the injured. The bill provides that any digital blocking capability may be deactivated after a consumer: requests in writing that the capability be disabled; presents identification to verify that he or she is 18 years of age or older; acknowledges receiving a written warning regarding the potential danger of deactivating the digital blocking capability; and pays a one-time $20 digital access fee. A person who manufactures, sells, offers for sale, leases, or distributes a product that makes content accessible on the Internet may elect to pay a $20 opt-out fee for each product that enters this State's stream of commerce. The digital access fee and opt-out fee would be collected and submitted by the manufacturer or seller to the State Treasurer each quarter, to be forwarded to the Attorney General to help fund the operations of the Commission on Human Trafficking. If the digital blocking capability blocks material that is not obscene and the block is reported to a call center or reporting website, the material is to be unblocked within a reasonable time, but no later than five business days after the block is first reported. A consumer may seek judicial relief to unblock filtered content. The Attorney General or a consumer may file a civil suit for any report of unblocked obscene material that does not receive a response. The Attorney General or consumer may seek damages of up to $500 for each piece of content that was reported but not subsequently blocked. The prevailing party in the civil action may seek attorneys' fees. | In Committee |
| SJR97 | Designates last week of April of each year as "Reentry Week." | Designates last week of April of each year as "Reentry Week." | In Committee |
| S2938 | Creates neutral safe exchange zones at county sheriff offices for certain custody and visitation exchanges of minor children; makes appropriation. | Creates neutral safe exchange zones at county sheriff offices for certain custody and visitation exchanges of minor children; makes appropriation. | In Committee |
| A4059 | Requires Commissioner of Education to permit certain school districts losing State school aid to submit budgets after enactment of FY 2025 appropriations act. | An Act concerning budget submissions for certain school districts. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4161 | Establishes Stabilized School Budget Aid Grant Program to restore certain portions of State school aid reductions; permits certain school districts to exceed tax levy growth limitation in 2024-2025 school year; appropriates $44.7 million. | An Act concerning school district finances and making an appropriation. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3081 | Establishes Stabilized School Budget Aid Grant Program to restore certain portions of State school aid reductions; permits certain school districts to exceed tax levy growth limitation in 2024-2025 school year; appropriates $44.7 million. | Establishes Stabilized School Budget Aid Grant Program to restore certain portions of State school aid reductions; permits certain school districts to exceed tax levy growth limitation in 2024-2025 school year; appropriates $44.7 million. | In Committee |
| S3002 | Requires Commissioner of Education to permit certain school districts losing State school aid to submit budgets after enactment of FY 2025 appropriations act. | This bill requires the Commissioner of Education to permit certain school districts losing State school aid to submit budgets after enactment of the State fiscal year 2025 appropriations act. The commissioner is authorized under the bill to make any adjustments to the school budget calendar that are necessary to conform with the provisions of the bill, which adjustments include a compressed schedule by which a school district can enact its budget. The bill would apply to school districts, which are proposed to receive a State school aid reduction and are experiencing a reduction that is greater than the total amount of the district's unused tax authority permitted under current law. This unused tax authority is often referred to as "banked cap." Under current law, a school district may add to its adjusted tax levy in any one of the next three succeeding budget years, the amount of the difference between the maximum allowable amount to be raised by taxation for the current school budget year and the actual amount to be raised by taxation for the current school budget year. | In Committee |
| SJR91 | Designates August of each year as "Black Business Month" in New Jersey. | This joint resolution designates the month of August of each year as "Black Business Month" in support of Black-owned businesses in the State of New Jersey. Black-owned businesses are an essential part of New Jersey's economy. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Black-owned businesses account for 10 percent of all businesses in the United States, or roughly 2 million companies. More than half of all Black business owners are female, a higher percentage than any other demographic. Over the past several years, the number of Black-owned businesses has been growing at a higher rate than overall business growth in the United States. Despite rapid growth, the percentage of businesses owned by Black Americans is still substantially lower than the percentage of Black Americans in the population of the United States. An increase in the proportion of Black-owned businesses would promote greater economic freedom for Black Americans and be beneficial to both the Black community and the overall economy. Black-owned businesses have been disproportionately impaired by the COVID-19 pandemic, with 41 percent of Black-owned businesses closing during the pandemic compared to 17 percent of white-owned businesses and roughly one third of all small businesses. These business closures have exacerbated the economic disadvantages faced by Black Americans every day. Economic issues are interrelated, and by offering support to Black business owners, New Jersey can work toward improving issues of unemployment, wealth accumulation, and home ownership for Black residents. "Black Business Month" was established nationally in August 2004 by historian John William Templeton and engineer Frederick E. Jordan Sr. The objective of Mr. Templeton and Mr. Jordan was to influence the policy agenda affecting Black-owned businesses, to support Black-owned organizations, and to promote greater economic freedom for the Black community. The observance of "Black Business Month" each year provides an opportunity for government officials, community leaders, and business leaders to focus on ways to support Black business owners and help Black-owned businesses thrive. | In Committee |
| S3234 | Increases pay for direct support professionals; makes appropriation. | This bill increases pay for direct support professionals and makes and appropriation. Under the bill, the Department of Human Services is to establish a direct support professional funding program to distribute monies to employers of direct support professionals in an amount that is necessary to address direct support professional staffing challenges in this State, as determined by the Commissioner of Human Services. The monies are to be used by the employers to increase the pay of existing or new employees who are direct support professionals. The Commissioner of Human Services is to establish an application process, guidelines, and compliance standards for the direct support professional funding program. Direct support professionals provide critical services and support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Direct support professionals support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their own homes, family homes, provider-managed residences and programs, in the community, and workplaces. They support individuals with the activities related to daily living, including personal care, health and well-being, behavioral and mental health, relationship building, home and community participation, achievement of goals, and a variety of other individual needs. An increase in pay for direct support professionals is well-deserved and will help to address staffing challenges for employers who are struggling to hire and retain direct support professionals. | In Committee |
| S3226 | Requires insurance coverage of diapers when medically necessary. | This bill requires health benefits coverage for medical expenses incurred in the purchase of diapers that are deemed medically necessary. Whether diapers are a medical necessity shall be determined by the covered person's pediatrician or other medical doctor. Some persons suffer from genetic or other conditions that require the use of diapers beyond early childhood. Under this bill, insurers will be required to provide coverage for diapers for persons for whom the use of diapers is a medical necessity. | In Committee |
| SR103 | Declares week of September 22 through September 28, 2024 as "Diaper Need Awareness Week." | This resolution declares the week of September 22 through September 28, 2024 as "Diaper Need Awareness Week" in New Jersey. Diaper Need is defined as the condition of not having a sufficient supply of clean diapers to ensure that infants and toddlers are clean, healthy, and dry. National surveys report that one in three mothers experience Diaper Need at some time while their children are less than three years of age, and forty-eight percent of families delay changing a diaper to extend their supply. Diaper Need can adversely affect the health and welfare of infants, toddlers, and their families, and can deny children eligibility for childcare and early education programs. The resolution urges governmental agencies in this State to observe "Diaper Need Awareness Week" by organizing diaper drives, and requests the Governor to issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of this State to observe "Diaper Need Awareness Week" with appropriate activities and programs. | In Committee |
| S3225 | Requires business using text-based chat to offer transcription of chat to consumer. | This bill requires a business entity that uses text-based chat to communicate with consumers to offer an option to obtain a transcription of the chat at the conclusion of the interaction. Under the bill, the business entity is required to provide clear and conspicuous notice informing consumers of the option to obtain a transcript of the chat. A violation of the bill's provisions is an unlawful practice under the consumer fraud act, punishable by a monetary penalty of not more than $10,000 for a first offense and not more than $20,000 for any subsequent offense. In addition, violations may result in cease and desist orders issued by the Attorney General, the assessment of punitive damages, and the awarding of treble damages and costs to the injured party. | In Committee |
| S3224 | Requires casino license to integrate informational module into Internet gaming platform educating users on human trafficking. | This bill requires a casino licensee to integrate into its Internet gaming platform an interactive informational module that educates users on the methods and tactics used by human traffickers and how to recognize and report suspicious activities related to human trafficking. Under the bill, a casino licensee is required to develop the informational module in consultation with organizations specializing in the detection and prevention of human trafficking. | In Committee |
| S2531 | Provides police officers may be present at senior residential center or school being used as polling place under certain circumstances; requires school to establish election day security plan. | Provides police officers may be present at senior residential center or school being used as polling place under certain circumstances; requires school to establish election day security plan. | Crossed Over |
| SJR67 | Designates month of May of each year as "Children's Mental Health and Trauma Awareness Month." | This joint resolution designates the month of May as "Children's Mental Health and Trauma Awareness Month" in New Jersey to raise public awareness of mental health, adverse childhood experiences (ACES), and mental illness in children. Mental illness can adversely affect children in many ways, including increasing the likelihood of a child being suspended from school, abusing drugs or alcohol, or ending up in the juvenile justice system. ACEs, which are traumatic experiences that occur during childhood, can cause toxic stress, impacting the development of a child's fundamental brain architecture and stress response systems, and place children who undergo multiple ACEs at a higher risk of suffering from depression, alcohol and substance use disorders, suicidal tendencies, early death, and becoming victims or perpetrators of sexual violence. Many children with mental health disorders who undergo multiple ACEs do not receive treatment for their illnesses due to poor understanding of mental illness, toxic stress, stigma, and an insufficient number of pediatric mental health professionals in the United States and New Jersey which reduces of access to available treatment options. The resolution intends to promote awareness of pediatric mental illness and ACEs, in hopes of improving the lives of children who have emotional disturbances, other mental health disorders, or faced trauma and adversity throughout their lives. | Crossed Over |
| S1814 | Requires suspension of certification of homemaker-home health aides under certain circumstances. | Requires suspension of certification of homemaker-home health aides under certain circumstances. | In Committee |
| SJR27 | Designates third full week in May as "Roxie's Wish: Drowning Prevention Week for Children." | This joint resolution designates the third full week in May of each year as "Roxie's Wish: Drowning Prevention Week for Children" to promote public awareness of strategies and best practices for the prevention of drowning among children. The resolution requests the Governor to annually issue a proclamation recognizing the week and calling on public officials and the residents of New Jersey to observe the week with appropriate programs and activities. Drowning is one of the leading causes of death among children in this country, especially those under age five. Thousands of people in the United States, many of them being children, die each year from drowning under circumstances that are preventable. Additionally, nonfatal drownings can cause a number of long-term, significant cognitive and motor skill impairments. It is critical that public awareness is increased so that residents can take proactive measures to prevent children from drowning. By utilizing simple safety strategies to mitigate risk, such as ensuring pools are properly enclosed, providing close adult supervision whenever children are in the water, teaching children how to swim, and providing life jackets to children who cannot swim, unintentional drowning deaths among children can be prevented. | Crossed Over |
| 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 |
| S1774 | Concerns counseling for children who were either physically present or who may have seen or heard act of domestic violence. | Concerns counseling for children who were either physically present or who may have seen or heard act of domestic violence. | In Committee |
| S3168 | Requires DMVA establish veterans memorial home emergency hotline. | This bill requires the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to develop and maintain an emergency hotline for the veterans memorial homes. The hotline will be prominently advertised in the homes and on the department's website. The hotline will be used for reporting emergencies including, but not limited to: suspected abuse; self-harm; suicide, neglect, or exploitation; criminal acts; death or significant injury of a resident, staff member, or visitor; financial matters; or an evacuation of patients or residents from all or part of the facility. | In Committee |
| SR96 | Condemns Arizona Supreme Court ruling in Planned Parenthood v. Mayes banning abortions in the state and reaffirms New Jersey citizens' freedom to access reproductive health care services. | This Senate Resolution condemns the Arizona Supreme Court ruling in Planned Parenthood v. Mayes, which upheld a long-dormant and outdated 1864 law banning abortions. The resolution additionally reaffirms the rights of all New Jersey citizens to have the freedom to make decisions about planning their families free from unreasonable governmental interference. | In Committee |
| SJR112 | Establishes task force on missing women and girls who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color. | This joint resolution establishes a task force on missing women and girls who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color. The Centers for Disease Control has reported that murder is the third-leading cause of death among American Indian and Alaska Native women. Additionally, in a 2020 report by the Women's Media Center, it was reported there are approximately 64,000-75,000 missing Black women and girls across the United States. Cases involving BIPOC women and girls often are under-reported, do not receive the required level of attention by the media or law enforcement, and are categorized improperly by law enforcement officials. The systemic racism, sexism, and suppression experienced by BIPOC women and girls leads to worse health, wealth, housing, education, and employment outcomes. Furthermore, there is no comprehensive database regarding missing and murdered BIPOC women and girls. Creation of the task force on missing BIPOC women and girls will address these inequities. The task force will be responsible for: (1) developing policy recommendations to ensure first responders are culturally competent regarding the severity and impact of missing and murdered BIPOC women and girls on the communities and families affected; (2) developing training and education materials for BIPOC communities on methods of prevention and protection and social media protocols relating to missing BIPOC women and girls, and disseminating the materials in high-impact communities within the State; (3) developing strategies and recommendations for the Office of the Attorney General to collect statistics, demographics, surveys, and oral histories; conduct data analysis; and issue guidelines to ensure de-identified data is publicly available; (4) identifying traffic hubs, highways, and resource extraction sites that lead to or facilitate the abduction of BIPOC women and girls; and (5) creating a State-wide public awareness campaign. The task force will be comprised of 15 members, as follows:· the Attorney General or the Attorney General's designee, who shall serve ex officio; · the Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families or the commissioner's designee, who shall serve ex officio; · the Commissioner of the Department of Health or the commissioner's designee, who shall serve ex officio; · the Superintendent of State Police or the superintendent's designee, who shall serve ex officio; · the Director of the Division of Criminal Justice or the director's designee, who shall serve ex officio; · two members to be appointed by the President of the Senate; · two members to be appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate; · two members to be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly; · two members to be appointed by the Minority Leader of the General Assembly; and · two members to be appointed by the Governor. | In Committee |
| SCR103 | Proposes constitutional amendment to allow lower property tax rate on improvements than on land. | This resolution proposes a constitutional amendment requiring the Legislature to allow certain municipalities to tax improvements at a lower rate than land. An improvement refers to a building or other man-made condition. Property taxes in New Jersey are collected by municipalities, and are used to fund county, school, municipal, and other local needs. Currently, municipalities are required to apply a single value-based tax rate to both land and improvements. This constitutional amendment directs the Legislature to enact general laws allowing municipalities to adopt ordinances under which improvements are taxed at a lower rate than land. The Legislature may allow all municipalities to participate, or limit participation to municipalities in need of infrastructure investment, according to standards established by the Legislature. The implementing legislation will permit participating municipalities to phase-in the changes over a period of years. The implementing legislation will also establish a method permitting a municipality to return to a single property tax rate system. | In Committee |
| S3163 | Establishes Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as principal department in Executive Branch and specifies functions, powers, and duties of department. | This bill establishes the Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DDEI) as a new principal department within the Executive Branch. The bill specifies the commissioner of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is appointed by the Governor with advice and consent of the Senate, and serves at the pleasure of the Governor during the Governor's term of office. The commissioner serves as the administrator and chief executive officer of the DDEI. The functions, powers, and duties of the commissioner are set forth in this bill and will include: consulting and assisting on efforts by the Director of the Division of Investment in the Department of the Treasury to attempt to use underrepresented financial businesses to provide brokerage and investment management services; consulting and assisting on diversity, equity, and inclusion in investments by the State, and its political subdivisions, in the allocation of loans and grants for business formation, and in the provision of low interest loans and down payment support for homeowners; and consulting and assisting on diversity, equity, and inclusion in procurement by the State and its political subdivisions. The bill transfers certain State offices, units, and responsibilities to the DDEI. The functions, powers, and duties of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the Small Business Registration and Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Certification Services Unit in the Department of the Treasury would be transferred to the DDEI. Additionally, the DDEI would be responsible for the operation and continued development of the central registry, known as the Selective Assistance Vendor Information (SAVI II) database, which lists businesses certified as eligible to perform contracts under any State set-aside program. The bill requires Statewide and State agency-specific strategic plans for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in State government workforce. Under the bill, the Commissioner of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, in consultation with the State Treasurer, Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development, and Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Service Commission must establish a coordinated Statewide initiative to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the State government workforce. Under the bill, the head of each State agency must, no later than 45 days following the issuance of the Statewide diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility strategic plan, and annually thereafter, develop and submit to Commissioner of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion the diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility strategic plan. The bill also requires the Commissioner of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to issue guidance on and State agencies to address: (1) paid internships, fellowships, and apprenticeships; (2) strengthening partnerships and recruitment with diverse communities and institutions; (3) pay equity; (4) data collection; (5) ensuring accessibility for State employees with disabilities; (6) evaluating the existence of any barriers that formerly incarcerated individuals face in accessing State employment opportunities; and (7) the availability and use of diversity training programs. This bill establishes a requirement, to be overseen and enforced by the new department, that any entity which receives a development subsidy or financial assistance from the State submit and implement a strategic diversity, equity, and inclusion plan to the Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The plan is intended to assist corporations and not-for-profit entities in better understanding the State's demographics, while affording minority-owned and women-owned businesses more opportunities to participate in the procurement of goods and services to the public and private sector. The bill specifies what information an entity is required to include in the strategic diversity, equity, and inclusion plan. Each recipient of a development subsidy or financial assistance is required, for the duration of the subsidy or five years, whichever is longer, to submit annual reports on the progress of the recipient towards achieving its diversity, equity, and inclusion goals for the reporting period. This bill also transfers the Division on Civil Rights to the Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The division currently is in the Department of Law and Public Safety and is under the direction of the Attorney General, in conjunction with a commission consisting of seven public members appointed by the Governor. Under the bill, the commissioner of the department assumes the responsibilities of the Attorney General. The public member commission continues in its current capacity. | In Committee |
| S3197 | Requires DHS to establish Haitian Migrant Assistance Program. | This bill requires the Department of Human Services (DHS) to establish a Haitian Migrant Assistance Program to provide social services and financial assistance to undocumented Haitian migrants who have arrived in the State at least two years prior to the effective date of the bill. As defined in the bill, "undocumented Haitian migrant" means a person of Haitian descent residing in the United States without legal immigration status, including a person who entered the United States without inspection and proper permission from the United States government in order to find work or better living conditions or to permanently relocate to the United States, and who may be subject to removal by the government. The services offered by the program are to include financial and social service assistance; educational, referral, translation, interpreter, and employment related services; and civic and community-related instruction as outlined in the bill, and the DHS is permitted to contract with community-based, faith-based, and non-profit organizations serving immigrant populations to provide such services. Labeled as one of the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti has been battered by natural disasters, including earthquakes and hurricanes, public health emergencies, and extreme economic hardships for hundreds of years. The catastrophic earthquake in 2010 killed more than 220,000 Haitians and left several thousand injured and about 1.5 million homeless. Another earthquake in 2021 pushed the country into an even greater crisis. In addition to natural disasters, the country experienced additional upheaval because of the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse and, as result, many Haitians were confronted with growing violence, extreme poverty, and a government in disarray. As the security and political situation in the Caribbean nation continued to devolve after President Moïse's death, gang violence increased and continues to affect everyday life to a perilous degree. This has led to a massive exodus of Haitians to Central and Latin America and, most recently, the United States. Given the political turmoil, economic distress, public health emergencies, and natural disasters the country has faced and continues to face, Haitian migrants undergo the treacherous journey to the United States, many who have lost their lives in the attempt, in search of safety and economic opportunity. Haiti is the country with the highest rate of asylum denial in the United States, according to data from the Justice Department. This has resulted in many Haitians entering this country undocumented and without the ability to access traditional migrant services that provide them with the financial support and social networks necessary to settle in the United States and in New Jersey. It is therefore in the public interest of the State to establish an assistance program to provide social services and financial assistance to undocumented Haitian migrants who have recently arrived in the State of New Jersey. | In Committee |
| SR97 | Urges Governor and Legislature to establish initiatives towards education of social workers. | This resolution urges the Governor and the Legislature to establish initiatives towards the education of students seeking degrees in social work. Social workers play a crucial role in improving the well-being of the people of New Jersey and helping the State become a better place to live. As essential workers, social workers played a crucial role in helping communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Educational debt for social work graduates has continued to rise over the past 10 years. According to the Council on Social Work Education, 71.3 percent of baccalaureate graduates and 76 percent of master's graduates were in substantial educational loan debt. In 2021, the average loan debt was approximately $26,500 for a baccalaureate graduate, $48,000 for a master's graduate, and $135,000 for a doctorate graduate. The student loan debt burden carried by social workers is further compounded by the low salaries and compensation afforded to this segment of the workforce. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a social worker's median salary is only $50,390. Failure to address the student loan crisis faced by social workers will continue to economically harm those in practice and dissuade prospective social workers from entering the field. This resolution urges the Governor and the Legislature to work together to establish initiatives, such as creating scholarships and loan redemption programs, that invest in the education of students seeking to obtain baccalaureate and graduate degrees in social work in order to incentivize the career and ensure that the State has a qualified and educated workforce. | 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 |
| S3175 | Removes registered apprenticeship program requisites of public work contractors; sets apprenticeship standards for prevailing wage projects. | This bill amends the "New Jersey Prevailing Wage Act" by setting a standard for apprenticeship programs if a contractor or subcontractor chooses to participate in an apprenticeship program. The bill revises "The Public Works Contractor Registration Act" by removing the requirement that a contractor participate in a registered apprenticeship program in order to be eligible for public works projects. | In Committee |
| S3167 | Requires Veterans' Memorial Homes to develop and maintain emergency preparedness and response plans. | This bill requires the Division of Veterans' Healthcare Services in the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to develop and maintain emergency preparedness and response plans tailored to Veterans' Memorial Homes in this State. At a minimum, such plans must: (1) identify potential crises and situations which may constitute an emergency, and the unique challenges that face Veterans' Memorial Homes in such emergencies; (2) provide a list of necessary items and steps to undertake in response to such emergencies; (3) establish standardized protocols for all Veterans' Memorial Homes to implement in the case of an emergency, and guidelines on how and when to simulate or train for such emergencies; and (4) develop a system and set of procedures to ensure the timely dissemination of information to residents, families, and staff. | In Committee |
| S3165 | Requires DHS to conduct review of reimbursement rates paid by State's child care assistance program to certain child care providers. | This bill requires the Department of Human Services (DHS) to conduct a review of the reimbursement rates paid by the State's child care assistance program to child care providers participating in the program to ensure that the reimbursement rates adequately compensate child care providers offering services during non-traditional hours, including, but not limited to, early morning and late evening hours. If, based on the review, the DHS determines that the reimbursement rates are not adequate to compensate child providers offering services during non-traditional hours, the DHS is to seek out and apply for all sources of federal funding necessary to allow the State's child care assistance program to compensate such providers, including, but limited to, applying for such State plan amendments or waivers as may necessary to secure federal financial participation for State expenditures under the Child Care and Development Block Grant. The bill also stipulates the DHS to: 1) prepare a written report of the review conducted pursuant to the bill; 2) post a copy of the report on its Internet website, and 3) upon request, provide a copy of the report to child care providers participating in the State's child care assistance program. The bill is to expire upon issuance of the written report of review conducted pursuant to its provisions. Currently, reimbursement rates paid by the child care assistance program to child care providers participating in the program compensate such providers for approximately seven hours of operation. However child care providers offering services during non-traditional hours, including, but not limited to, early morning and late evening hours, to accommodate working parents, face additional expenses because they do not receive reimbursement to operate extended hours. It is the sponsor's intent to allow the State to pursue additional funding if the review required under this bill reveals that the reimbursement rates paid by the child care assistance program do not adequately compensate child care providers offering services during non-traditional hours. | In Committee |
| S3161 | Requires public utility to charge nonprofit organization residential rate. | This bill requires a public utility to charge a nonprofit organization a residential rate for service delivered to the property at which the nonprofit organization primarily operates, if the residential rate is lower than the commercial rate for the service at that property. In consultation with the Board of Public Utilities, a public utility is to establish a reasonable procedure by which an organization may certify itself as a nonprofit organization with the public utility for this purpose. | In Committee |
| S3162 | Directs Board of Education to authorize issuance of biotechnology endorsement to career and technical education teaching certificate. | This bill directs the State Board of Education to authorize the issuance of a biotechnology endorsement to the career and technical education certificate. The endorsement authorizes the holder to teach students in grades nine through 12 in all public schools. The bill requires a candidate seeking a career and technical education teaching certification with a biotechnology endorsement is required to possess a bachelor's degree in biotechnology, biomedical science, microbiology, or a related field; possess a master's degree in biology, chemistry, or a related field; possess a career and technical education certification with a medical laboratory technician endorsement; or have demonstrated industry work experience in biotechnology, biomedical science, microbiology, or a related field. | In Committee |
| S3166 | Concerns registration and operation of temporary nurse staffing agencies. | This bill requires temporary nurse staffing agencies that provide temporary nurses to licensed health care facilities to register annually as a nurse staffing agency with the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety. The bill requires a temporary nurse staffing agency to ensure that temporary nurses are properly credentialed and caps service rates at 150 percent of the regional hourly wage, as determined by the most current U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics wage estimates. Temporary nurse staffing agencies are required to maintain workers' compensation insurance and to report any violations of State or local health codes. Under the bill, temporary nurse staffing agencies are prohibited from recruiting employees from client facilities and from including contract terms that restrict employees from being hired by a client facility or impose penalties for that employment. Additionally, the bill provides criteria for detailed, auditable records of salaries, pay rates, employee status, charges related to personnel placement, employee terminations, reports to health and nursing boards, and cases of abuse, neglect, or job abandonment. These records are required to be made available to the director upon request. Finally, the bill provides for monetary penalties for violations of the bill's provisions. The division, in consultation with the Department of Health and Senior Services, is required to promulgate licensure standards and regulations for nurse staffing agencies within 160 days of enactment. | In Committee |
| S3169 | Increases regulation of State veterans' memorial homes. | This bill increases the regulation of State veterans' memorial homes. Under the bill, the Department of Health and the Division of Veterans' Healthcare Services are to: (1) require each State veterans' memorial home to develop and implement an infection control and outbreak response plan; (2) require all State veterans' memorial home staff members to receive adequate training on proper hand hygiene, the usage of personal protection equipment, environmental cleaning, infection control, and outbreak management; (3) conduct an annual financial audit of each State veterans' memorial home; and (4) perform at least one unannounced inspection of each State veterans' memorial home each year to verify compliance with the bill's provisions. The bill defines "personal protective equipment" to mean any items commonly used to protect an individual from bacterial or viral infections, including, but not limited to, disinfecting wipes, disposable gloves, disposable gowns, face shields, N95 face masks, surgical masks, or parts thereof. Currently, the three State veterans' memorial homes are the following: the New Jersey Veterans' Memorial Home-Menlo Park; the New Jersey Veterans' Memorial Home-Vineland, and the New Jersey Veterans' Memorial Home-Paramus. | In Committee |
| SJR111 | Designates May of each year as "Older Americans Month" in New Jersey. | This joint resolution designates May of each year as "Older Americans Month" in New Jersey to increase the public's awareness and understanding of the numerous contributions of New Jersey's older Americans and to rededicate our efforts to better serve the older Americans of New Jersey. The contributions and sacrifices that older Americans have made to this State and country are immeasurable. It is fitting for younger generations to show immense respect and gratitude to their elders, especially now, as society exits a pandemic that has posed unique challenges for older Americans. Whether older Americans retire in their fifties and sixties or continue working into their seventies and eighties, it is important to revere their experience, wisdom, and accomplishments in the workplace and in society. Ensuring the State's continued commitment to causes that help older Americans in New Jersey enjoy active, productive, and healthy lives safely and with dignity is paramount. Therefore, it is altogether fitting and proper to designate the month of May as "Older Americans Month" in New Jersey. | In Committee |
| S3160 | Establishes guardianship monitoring program in Office of Public Guardian for Elderly Adults. | This bill establishes a guardianship monitoring program within the Office of the Public Guardian for Elderly Adults to monitor court-appointed legal guardians of elderly adults to detect abuse, neglect, or exploitation. P.L.1985, c.298 (C.52:27G-20 et seq.), which established the Public Guardian for Elderly Adults, provides for guardianship services to be provided to elderly persons when private guardianship is not feasible. Under the bill, the Office of the Public Guardian for Elderly Adults is designated as an "interested party" that must be served with the periodic reports that must be filed by a court-appointed guardian. The bill provides for review of these reports and accompanying documentation through the guardianship monitoring program. | In Committee |
| S3186 | Makes supplemental appropriation of $9 million from General Fund to DOE to support Engaged Learning Strategies - STEM Curriculum Program in certain school districts. | This bill provides a supplemental appropriation of $9 million to Engaged Learning Strategies - STEM Curriculum Program in certain school districts. The appropriation is to establish a three-year pilot program to promote project-based learning in science, technology, engineering, and math for at-risk students in grades six through eight in nine school districts through a contract with Engaged Learning Strategies. The bill defines project-based STEM learning opportunities as hands on courses that offer students the opportunity to engage in the design, development, and implementation of projects that are applicable to real-world learning experiences. The supplemental appropriation stipulates that nine school districts are to be selected for inclusion in the program, four of which may be the following districts: four school districts are to be included in the program: Camden City School District; Newark City School District; Paterson City School District; and Trenton City School District. The appropriation may be used for curriculum development, training of teaching staff members, and classroom supplies and equipment. Additionally, at the conclusion of the pilot program, the commissioner is to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature. The report is to contain information on the implementation of the pilot program and the commissioner's recommendation on the feasibility of implementing the program on a Statewide basis. | In Committee |
| S3143 | Requires hospitals and nursing homes to provide access to certain interpreter services for deaf and hard of hearing. | This bill requires each hospital and nursing home licensed pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.) to make interpreter services for the deaf and hard of hearing available to patients 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Interpreter services will include, at minimum, interpreter services provided through electronic means including, but not limited to, video remote interpreting services and artificial intelligence-assisted interpreting services, as approved by the Commissioner of Health. | In Committee |
| S3148 | Establishes Office of Professional Corporate Guardians. | This bill establishes in, but not of, the Department Human Services, the Office of Professional Corporate Guardians. The purpose of the office is to oversee the licensing requirements of, and establish standards of practice for, professional corporate guardians.As defined in the bill, a "professional corporate guardian" means a for profit or not-for-profit business entity, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, or a limited liability company either duly formed or licensed to conduct business in New Jersey and which, who either by private arrangement or court appointment, has been granted the powers to exercise all assignable legal rights of an incapacitated person or ward's property. Under the provisions of the bill, the office is to: (1) adopt rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of bill; (2) establish standards of practice for professional corporate guardians, and ensure the compliance with such standards; (3) develop the qualification criteria and amount to be charged for application and issuance fees for registrations authorized under the bill; (4) establish disciplinary measures, including, but not limited to, disqualifying, suspending, revoking and refusing to renew the registration of professional corporate guardians; (5) establish procedures for organizing and conducting hearings into allegations of misconduct by registered professional corporate guardians; (6) establish policies and procedures for addressing conflicts of interest, prohibited activities, and breach of fiduciary duties relating to professional corporate guardians; (7) develop guidelines concerning and procedures governing initial and annual guardianship reports to be filed by a registered professional guardian; and (8) develop and maintain searchable database that contains and displays information on each registered professional corporate guardian in the State. An entity may serve as a professional corporate guardian if that entity has been registered by the office as a professional corporate guardian and that entity meets the qualifications and pays all required fees and costs outlined in the bill. The office may also suspend or revoke an entity's registration as a professional corporate guardian and remove the entity from the Statewide registry if that entity does not comply with the provisions of the bill. The bill outlines the powers and duties of a professional corporate guardian including, but not limited to, designating substitute guardians to exercise all of the powers and duties of the professional corporate guardian if the professional corporate guardian is unable or unavailable to perform its duties or otherwise delegates such duties to its substitute guardian employee. The bill also outlines the procedures a registered professional corporate guardians is required to follow when designated by the heir of a disabled person, or a guardian of an incapacitated person, or a disabled or incapacitated person to serve on a pre-need basis as a family choice or personal choice guardian, as applicable. The bill delineates the circumstances under which the authority and responsibility of a professional corporate guardian terminate and the process for filling vacancies in professional corporate guardianships. | In Committee |
| S3150 | Permits disclosure of certain State taxpayer information to certain municipalities that administer employer payroll tax. | This bill concerns the disclosure of State tax return information to municipalities that administer an employer payroll tax pursuant to the "Local Tax Authorization Act," P.L.1970, c.326 (C.40:48C-1 et seq.). Under the "Local Tax Authorization Act," a municipality with a population in excess of 200,000 residents is authorized to enact an ordinance imposing an employer payroll tax on certain employers operating within the municipality. Currently, only the cities of Newark and Jersey City have populations in excess of 200,000 residents and both have adopted an ordinance to impose an employer payroll tax. A municipality that imposes an employer payroll tax pursuant to the "Local Tax Authorization Act" is permitted to tax, at a rate of up to one percent, an amount equal to the total remuneration paid by employers to employees for certain services if those services are performed within the municipality or those services are performed outside the municipality and the place from which the services are supervised is within the municipality. Under current law, the Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury is generally prohibited from disclosing State tax return information, except as otherwise permitted in statute. Currently, the director, at their discretion, is authorized to furnish certain State tax return information to a municipality authorized to impose an employer payroll tax under the "Local Tax Authorization Act." This disclosure of information is limited to employer-provided wage and tax withholding information contained in tax reports or returns filed under the New Jersey gross income tax, and the municipality may only use this information to verify the payroll information reported by employers subject to the employer payroll tax to an eligible municipality. The bill would expand the scope of State tax return information that may be disclosed to a municipality that administers an employer payroll tax. Specifically, the bill provides that the municipality may authorize the furnishing of wage and tax withholding information, or such other State tax return information as may be necessary, for the two following purposes: (1) verifying the payroll information reported by employers subject to the employer payroll tax; and (2) identifying each employer operating within the municipality that is subject to the employer payroll tax, and which did not report payroll information for a preceding calendar quarter. This would enable an eligible municipality to certify that information in the municipality's employer database is consistent with the information employers submit to the Division of Taxation. The bill also removes the provision of current law that provided that this disclosure of information would be subject to the discretion of the Director of the Division of Taxation. | In Committee |
| S2945 | Establishes task force to examine school discipline practices including racial disparities and effectiveness. | Establishes task force to examine school discipline practices including racial disparities and effectiveness. | In Committee |
| S3145 | Authorizes issuance of Boy Scouts of America license plates for Boy Scouts of American councils in New Jersey. | This bill authorizes the Chief Administrator (chief administrator) of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (commission) to issue special license plates honoring the Boy Scouts of America (Boy Scout license plates). Specifically, the bill directs the commission to establish and administer a license plate program for each Boy Scouts of America council in New Jersey For each Boy Scouts of America license plate program, the bill provides that the design of the Boy Scouts of America license plates is to display appropriate words or a slogan and an emblem honoring the Boy Scouts of America. The chief administrator, in consultation with a Boy Scouts of America council in the State, is to select the design and color scheme of the Boy Scouts of America license plates for the respective Boy Scouts of America license plate programs. In addition to all fees otherwise required by law for the registration of a motor vehicle, the bill imposes an application fee of $50 and an annual renewal fee of $10 for the Boy Scouts of America license plates. After the deduction of the cost of designing, producing, issuing, renewing, and publicizing the plates and of any computer programming changes that are necessary to implement each Boy Scouts of America license plate program, any additional fee collections are required to be deposited into the special non-lapsing fund established for each Boy Scouts of America council in New Jersey. The proceeds of each fund are to be annually appropriated to the applicable Boy Scouts of America council in the State to support the organization's mission and programs. The chief administrator is required to annually certify the average cost of producing, issuing, renewing, and publicizing the availability of the Boy Scouts of America license plates for each Boy Scouts of America license plate program. If the average cost per plate exceeds $50 in two consecutive fiscal years, the chief administrator may discontinue a Boy Scouts of America license plate program. The bill also requires the council president of a Boy Scouts of America council to appoint a liaison to represent the council in all communications with the commission regarding the Boy Scouts of America license plates. The bill prohibits the use of State or other public funds by the commission to cover the initial cost to implement a Boy Scouts of America license plate program. The bill requires a Boy Scouts of America council or an individual or entity designated by a Boy Scouts of America council to contribute non-public monies, not to exceed $25,000, to offset the initial costs to design, produce, issue, and publicize the license plates and for computer programming changes which may be necessary to implement the program. The bill authorizes a Boy Scouts of America council in New Jersey to receive funds from private sources to offset the initial costs. Under the bill, the commission is not required to design, produce, issue, or publicize the availability of Boy Scouts of America license plates or make any necessary programming changes, until: (1) a Boy Scouts of America council or the individual or entity designated by a Boy Scouts of America council has provided the commission with the money necessary to offset the initial costs incurred by the commission in establishing the license plate program; and (2) the liaison of a Boy Scouts of America council has provided the commission with a minimum of 500 completed applications for the license plates. | In Committee |
| S1414 | Directs DCA to establish grant programs for public water systems. | This bill would direct the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to develop and implement two programs to provide grants to public water systems from the funds received by the State pursuant to the federal "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act," Pub.L.117-58. Under the bill, DCA would establish one grant program for public water systems that have less than 500 service connections for the purpose of funding improvements to the operational sustainability of eligible small public water systems through the identification and prevention of potable water loss due to leaks, breaks, and other metering or infrastructure failures. The bill also directs DCA to establish a second grant program for all public water systems, for the purpose of improving the sharing of information concerning water quality, water infrastructure needs, and water technology, including cybersecurity technology, between or among public water systems. For both programs, the bill would direct DCA to establish grant application processes and transparent eligibility and ranking criteria, and publish them on the DCA website no later than six months after the bill's effective date. The bill would also direct DCA to determine maximum grant amounts to ensure that grants are distributed throughout the State. Under the bill, DCA may use up to three percent of the money allocated to administer each program. The bill directs DCA, no later than three years after the bill's enactment, to prepare and submit reports to the Governor and the Legislature that provide details about the projects funded by the grant programs. After the report is submitted, or three years after the bill's enactment, whichever is sooner, the bill would expire. | In Committee |
| S1114 | Establishes task force to examine issues and make recommendations concerning youth sports, including abusive coaching, confrontational parents, and bullying of players. | This bill establishes the Youth Sports Task Force. Under the bill, the task force will consist of 13 members including six members, two will be appointed by the Senate President, two will be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, and two will be appointed by the Governor, who each have a background in, or special knowledge of, the legal, policy, educational, social, or psychological aspects of bullying. The task force will also consist of seven members of the public to be appointed by the Governor, including: the parents or guardians of athletes participating on youth sports teams; a youth who was a victim of harassment, intimidation, or bullying while participating on a youth sports team; and three coaches representing various aspects of youth sports. The task force will study and consider issues of youth sports including, but not limited to:· protection for parents, guardians, and athletes from unscrupulous business practices conducted by for-profit entities sponsoring youth sports activities; · financial oversight to strengthen the business practices of youth sports team organizations and for-profit entities sponsoring youth sports activities;· training for coaches to recognize the signs and symptoms of harassment, intimidation, and bullying;· ways to acknowledge and promote youth sports as an extension of the classroom;· developing training workshops for parents and guardians to recognize the signs and symptoms of harassment, intimidation, bullying, and abusive coaching, and on proper spectator conduct; and · protection for sports officials from abusive behavior while engaged in the performance of their duties. The bill directs the task force to issue a final report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature no later than one year after its organizational meeting. The task force will expire 30 days after the submission of its final report. | In Committee |
| SJR53 | Designates May of each year as "Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Awareness Month" in New Jersey. | This joint resolution designates May of each year as "Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Awareness Month" in New Jersey. The purpose is to increase public understanding of the development and implementation of a special education student's individualized education plan under the federal "Individuals with Disabilities Education Act." | In Committee |
| S2422 | Establishes occupational heat stress standard and "Occupational Heat-Related Illness and Injury Prevention Program" in DOLWD. | Establishes occupational heat stress standard and "Occupational Heat-Related Illness and Injury Prevention Program" in DOLWD. | 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 |
| S3131 | Requires DOH to expand services provided under plan to improve perinatal mental health services and health insurers to cover costs of perinatal mood and anxiety disorder screening. | This bill requires the Department of Health (DOH) to expand services provided under the plan to improve access to perinatal mood and anxiety disorder screening developed and implemented pursuant to P.L.2021, c.380 (C.26:2-178.1 et seq.). Specifically, the bill amends section 1 of P.L.2021, c.380 (C.26:2-178.1) to mandate that the Perinatal Mental Health Coalition of New Jersey and the Maternal Child Health Consortia consult with the DOH to develop and implement the plan to improve access to perinatal mood and anxiety disorder screening required under the provisions the law. The bill also amends the law to mandate that the plan also include strategies to: (1) expand the referral network of mental health care providers and support services to serve women: planning a pregnancy; during pregnancy, during the time period prior to giving birth; and during the first year after a woman's pregnancy; (2) insure that women planning a pregnancy and women who are about to give birth are screened for perinatal mood and anxiety disorder risk factors; (3) implement a standardized process to collect data concerning all perinatal mood and anxiety disorder screening, referral, treatment, and support services provided in an outpatient setting; (4) implement a perinatal mental health continuing education requirement for all health care professionals and certified peer specialists who provide perinatal treatment and care; and (5) require the DOH prepare a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder screening, referral, treatment, and support services resource guide. The bill stipulates that a health care professional or a certified peer specialist who has received training related to perinatal mental health care services and provides perinatal treatment and care to pregnant women, women who have recently given birth, or the parent or parents of a newborn infant is to complete a continuing education course on perinatal mental health. Under the bill's provisions, the State Board of Medical Examiners and the New Jersey Board of Nursing are to require that the number of credits of continuing medical education required of the health care professionals licensed or certified by the respective boards, who provide perinatal treatment and care, to include one credit of a continuing educational course on perinatal mental health, as a condition of license or certification renewal. The bill also requires health insurers to provide coverage for expenses incurred in screening women for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, as required by the plan to improve access to perinatal mood and anxiety disorder screening, referral, treatment, and support services developed and implemented by the DOH, during preconception, pregnancy, prior to giving birth, and throughout the first year after pregnancy. Specifically, this provision of the bill affects health, hospital, and medical service corporations; individual and group health insurance policies; health maintenance organizations; individual health benefits plans; small employer health benefits plans; the State Health Benefits Program; the School Employees' Health Benefits Program; and the State Medicaid Program. | In Committee |
| S3094 | Requires licensed health care professionals providing prenatal care to offer and screen, upon request, pregnant patients with history of depression for postpartum depression. | This bill expands an existing law that directs the Commissioner of Health, in conjunction with the State Board of Medical Examiners and the New Jersey Board of Nursing, to address the issue of postpartum depression by working with health care facilities and licensed health care professionals in the State to develop certain policies and procedures. This bill adds an additional provision to the law mandating the development of a policy that would require physicians, nurse midwives, and other licensed health care professionals providing prenatal care to women to offer, and provide upon the request, pregnant patients with a history of depression a prenatal screening for postpartum depression. Current policies under the law include patient and family education regarding postpartum depression and postnatal screenings for postpartum depression for all applicable patients. | In Committee |
| S3009 | Establishes "John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey." | This bill establishes the "John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey." Under the bill, all statutes, rules, and regulations, in this State including all local laws or ordinances related to the elective franchise must be construed liberally in favor of: (1) protecting the right of voters to have their ballot cast and counted; (2) ensuring that eligible voters are not impaired in registering to vote; and (3) ensuring voters of race, color, and language-minority groups have equitable access to fully participate in the electoral process in registering to vote and voting. The bill prohibits the authority to prescribe or maintain voting or elections policies and practices to be so exercised as to unnecessarily deny or abridge the right to vote. The bill also prohibits a local election office or political subdivision from using a method of election that has the effect of impairing the ability of members of a protected class to elect candidates of their choice or influence the outcome of elections, as a result of vote dilution. The bill requires that any policy and practice that burdens the right to vote must be narrowly tailored to promote a compelling policy justification that must be supported by substantial evidence. The bill provides factors for determining if a violation of the bill has occurred, including if a voter's right to vote has been violated or if the voter has experienced vote dilution. Under the bill, if a violation of the provisions of the bill occurs, the bill provides a remedy process, including for apportionment and redistricting maps. The bill provides that after a New Jersey Voter Empowerment Act (NJVEA) notification letter is mailed from a prospective plaintiff to a political subdivision, the political submission may pass an NJVEA resolution reaffirming: (1) the political subdivision's intention to enact and implement a remedy for a potential violation of the bill; (2) specific steps the political subdivision will undertake to facilitate approval and implementation of such a remedy; and (3) a schedule for enacting and implementing such a remedy. The bill provides that if the governing body of a political subdivision lacks the authority under this act or applicable State law or local laws to enact or implement a remedy identified in the resolution, or fails to enact or implement a remedy identified in the resolution, within 90 days after the passage of the resolution, or if the political subdivision is a covered entity as defined by the bill, the governing body of the political subdivision must coordinate with the Attorney General to resolve the violation, including reaffirming that any proposal is unlikely to violate the United States Constitution, New Jersey Constitution, or any federal or State law; and is feasible to implement. Under the bill, the Attorney General is provided with certain preclearance powers. The bill provides that if certain political subdivisions that have been the subject to court order or government enforcement action based on violations of the bill; the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended; the 15th amendment to the United States Constitution, or a voting-related violation of the 14th amendment to the United States Constitution, may be subject to preclearance, which is the process of obtaining prior approval from the Attorney General or a court of this State for any changes related to election procedures in that political subdivision. The bill provides assistance to language-minority groups. Under the bill, a local election office or a political subdivision that administers elections must provide language-related assistance in voting and elections to a language-minority group in a political subdivision if, based on data from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey, or data of comparable quality collected by a public office, that: (1) more than two percent, but in no instance fewer than 100 individuals, eligible voters of a political subdivision are members of a single language-minority group and are limited English proficient; or (2) more than 4,000 of eligible voters of such political subdivision are members of a single language-minority group and are limited English proficient. The bill further provides that a local election office or political subdivision required to provide language assistance to a particular language-minority group pursuant to this section must provide voting materials in the covered language of an equal quality of the corresponding English language materials, including registration or voting notices, forms, instructions, assistance, or other physical or online materials or information relating to the electoral process, including ballots. Under the bill, any aggrieved persons or organization whose membership includes aggrieved persons or members of a protected class, organization whose mission, in whole or in part, is to ensure voting access and such mission would be hindered by a violation of this bill, or the Attorney General may file an action pursuant to the bill in court. The bill provides that any action or investigation to enforce any provision of this bill, the Attorney General would have the authority to take proof and determine relevant facts and to issue subpoenas in accordance with the civil and criminal laws of this State. The bill also establishes the "New Jersey Voting and Elections Institute," at a public university in New Jersey, to maintain and administer a database and central repository of elections and voting data available to the public from all local election offices and political subdivisions in the State of New Jersey and to foster, pursue, and sponsor research on existing laws and best practices in voting and elections. The bill also contains a severability provision. If any section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, or other portion of the bill is for any reason held or declared by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional or preempted by federal law, or the applicability of that portion to any person or facility is held invalid, the remainder of the bill would not thereby be deemed to be unconstitutional, preempted, or invalid. The purpose of this bill is to: (1) encourage participation in the elective franchise by all eligible voters to the maximum extent; (2) ensure that eligible voters who are members of racial, ethnic, and language minority groups have an equal opportunity to participate in the political processes of this State and exercise the elective franchise; (3) improve the quality and availability of demographic and election data; and (4) protect eligible voters against intimidation and deceptive practices. This bill would take effect immediately. | In Committee |
| A4 | Reforms municipal responsibilities concerning provision of affordable housing; abolishes COAH; appropriates $16 million. | An Act concerning affordable housing, including administration and municipal obligations, amending, supplementing, and repealing various parts of the statutory law, and making an appropriation. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A2296 | Permits municipality to authorize municipal clerk to submit certain written statements concerning affordable housing. | An Act concerning affordable housing administration, including municipal approval of certain affordable housing projects, supplementing and amending P.L.1985, c.222, and amending P.L.1983, c.530. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S50 | Reforms municipal responsibilities concerning provision of affordable housing; abolishes COAH; appropriates $16 million. | Reforms municipal responsibilities concerning provision of affordable housing; abolishes COAH; appropriates $16 million. | In Committee |
| S2309 | Permits municipality to authorize municipal clerk to submit certain written statements concerning affordable housing. | This bill permits the governing body of a municipality to delegate to its municipal clerk, by ordinance, the authority to provide, on the governing body's behalf, a written statement in support of one or more affordable housing programs or projects, or reciting the need for one or more affordable housing programs or projects, in the municipality, in order to satisfy any other provision of statute or regulation, including but not limited to subsection a. of section 20 of P.L.1985, c.222 (C.52:27D-320) and section 6 of P.L.1983, c.530 (C.55:14K-6), provided that the proposed affordable housing program or project conforms to the provisions of an approved municipal fair share plan and housing element. The bill also enables affordable housing programs and projects in a municipality to: (1) receive funding from the State Affordable Housing Trust Fund by submitting a written statement in support of the program from the municipal clerk, instead of having to submit a written statement in support of the program or project from the municipal governing body; and (2) be processed by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) by submitting a written statement from the municipal clerk stating that there is a need for such a housing project in the municipality, instead of requiring a resolution stating such a need by the governing body of the municipality. Finally, the bill would make technical changes and would take effect immediately. | In Committee |
| S2352 | Establishes "John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New Jersey." | This bill establishes the "John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New Jersey" and is modeled after the "John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York." Under the bill, all statutes, rules, and regulations, in this State including all local laws or ordinances related to the elective franchise must be construed liberally in favor of: (1) protecting the right of voters to have their ballot cast and counted; (2) ensuring that eligible voters are not impaired in registering to vote; and (3) ensuring voters of race, color, and language-minority groups have equitable access to fully participate in the electoral process in registering to vote and voting. The bill prohibits the authority to prescribe or maintain voting or elections policies and practices to be so exercised as to unnecessarily deny or abridge the right to vote. The bill also prohibits a county board of elections or political subdivision from using a method of election that has the effect of impairing the ability of members of a protected class to elect candidates of their choice or influence the outcome of elections, as a result of vote dilution. The bill requires any policy and practice that burdens the right to vote must be narrowly tailored to promote a compelling policy justification that must be supported by substantial evidence. The bill provides factors for determining if a violation of the bill has occurred, including if a voter's right to vote has been violated or if the voter has experienced vote dilution. Under the bill, if a violation of the provision of the bill occurs, the bill provides a remedy process, including for apportionment and redistricting maps. The bill provides that after a New Jersey Voting Rights Act notification letter is mailed from a prospective plaintiff to a political subdivision the political submission may pass a New Jersey Voting Rights Act resolution reaffirming: (1) the political subdivision's intention to enact and implement a remedy for a potential violation of the bill; (2) specific steps the political subdivision will undertake to facilitate approval and implementation of such a remedy; and (3) a schedule for enacting and implementing such a remedy. The bill provides that if the governing body of a political subdivision lacks the authority under this act or applicable State law or local laws to enact or implement a remedy identified in the resolution, or fails to enact or implement a remedy identified in the resolution, within 90 days after the passage of the resolution, or if the political subdivision is a covered entity as defined by the bill, the governing body of the political subdivision must coordinate with the Division on Civil Rights in the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety to resolve the violation, including reaffirming that any proposal is unlikely to violate the United States Constitution, New Jersey Constitution, or any federal or State law, would not diminish the ability of protected class members to participate in the political process and to elect their preferred candidates to office; and is feasible to implement. Under the bill, the Attorney General and the Division on Civil Rights are provided with certain preclearance powers. The bill provides that if certain political subdivisions that have been the subject to court order or government enforcement action based on violations of the bill; the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended; the 15th amendment to the United States Constitution, or a voting-related violation of the 14th amendment to the United States Constitution, may be subject to preclearance, which is the process of obtaining prior approval from the Division on Civil Rights or a court of this State for any changes related to election procedures in that political subdivision. The bill provides assistance to language-minority groups. Under the bill, a county board of elections or a political subdivision that administers elections must provide language-related assistance in voting and elections to a language-minority group in a political subdivision if, based on data from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey, or data of comparable quality collected by a public office, that: (1) more than two percent, but in no instance fewer than 300 individuals, of the citizens of voting age of a political subdivision are members of a single language-minority group and are limited English proficient; or (2) more than 4,000 of the citizens of voting age of such political subdivision are members of a single language-minority group and are limited English proficient. The bill further provides that a county board of elections or political subdivision required to provide language assistance to a particular language-minority group pursuant to this section must provide voting materials in the covered language of an equal quality of the corresponding English language materials, including registration or voting notices, forms, instructions, assistance, or other materials or information relating to the electoral process, including ballots. Under the bill, any aggrieved persons or organization whose membership includes aggrieved persons or members of a protected class, organization whose mission, in whole or in part, is to ensure voting access and such mission would be hindered by a violation of this bill, or the Attorney General may file an action pursuant to the bill in court. The bill provides that any action or investigation to enforce any provision of this bill, the Attorney General would have the authority to take proof and determine relevant facts and to issue subpoenas in accordance with the civil and criminal laws of this State. The bill also contains a severability provision. If any section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, or other portion of the bill is for any reason held or declared by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional or preempted by federal law, or the applicability of that portion to any person or facility is held invalid, the remainder of the bill would not thereby be deemed to be unconstitutional, preempted, or invalid. The purpose of this bill is to: (1) encourage participation in the elective franchise by all eligible voters to the maximum extent; (2) ensure that eligible voters who are members of racial, ethnic, and language minority groups have an equal opportunity to participate in the political processes of this State and exercise the elective franchise; (3) improve the quality and availability of demographic and election data; and (4) protect eligible voters against intimidation and deceptive practices. This bill would take effect on the first day of the 18th month next following the date of enactment, except that the Attorney General may take any anticipatory action in advance thereof. | Dead |
| S2611 | Requires each public institution of higher education to convene menstrual equity task force. | Requires each public institution of higher education to convene menstrual equity task force. | Crossed Over |
| S1421 | Requires school report card to include information about placement of graduates, including apprenticeships. | This bill requires the Commissioner of Education to include information about the placement of students following graduation in the school performance reports, which are referred to as "report cards" under current law. School performance reports contain information on a number of student outcomes, including graduation and dropout rates, and post-secondary school enrollment. This bill would require the school performance report to contain additional information about the number of students achieving placement after graduating from high school. Under the bill, placement would include placement in an apprenticeship. | Crossed Over |
| SR85 | Recognizes loneliness as public health crisis. | This resolution recognizes loneliness as a public health crisis. The United States Surgeon General declared a loneliness epidemic on May 3, 2023 due to an increase in the number of people experiencing loneliness and the adverse health effects that those individuals are prone to experience. Loneliness and isolation increase the risk for individuals to develop mental health challenges in their lives and to experience premature death. While the epidemic of loneliness and isolation is widespread and has profound consequences for our individual and collective health and well-being, there is an available solution to the problem: social connection. Social connection is beneficial for individual health, improving the resilience of our communities, and decreasing the feeling of loneliness. With more than one in five adults and more than one in three young adults living with a mental illness in the United States, addressing loneliness and isolation is critical in order to fully address the mental health crisis in New Jersey. It is fitting to recognize the loneliness epidemic and its effects on the health of New Jerseyans throughout the State in effort to proactively take necessary action in curtailing its adverse public health outcomes. | In Committee |
| S2998 | Revises eligibility criteria for adult medical day care services. | This bill revises the eligibility criteria for adult medical day care services. Under the bill, a Medicaid enrollee is to be deemed eligible to receive adult medical day care services if the individual: (1) requires assistance or supervision with at least one activity of daily living; (2) possesses a letter or prescription from a physician recommending the individual receive adult medical day care services; and (3) furnishes an up-to-date copy of the individual's medical history and a current report of a physical examination of the individual completed by a physician. The bill defines "activity of daily living" to mean a function or task that is completed for self-care. "Activity of daily living" is to include, but is not to be limited to: dressing, bathing, toilet use, transfer, locomotion, bed mobility, and eating. "Adult medical day care" means a community-based group program designed to meet the needs of functionally or cognitively impaired adults through an individual plan of care structured to provide a variety of health, social, and related support services in a protective setting during any part of a day but less than 24 hours. Adult medical day care allows individuals with a functional impairment to remain in a community setting, rather than being institutionalized, and is the preferred method of providing services to this population. It is the sponsor's belief that the current eligibility criteria for adult medical day care services are too onerous, and prevent people who would benefit from adult medical day care services from receiving those services while remaining in their own communities. It is the sponsor's intent to ease the eligibility criteria for adult medical day care services in order to expand the population benefitting from those services. | In Committee |
| S2967 | Establishes optional special needs training program for professional and shop licensees of New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling. | This bill establishes a training program for cosmetology and hairstyling licensees to receive instruction and training in how to work with individuals with special needs, including individuals with sensory processing disorder. Under the bill, any person who holds a license to practice cosmetology and hairstyling, hair braiding, barbering, beauty culture, manicuring, or skin care specialty in the State may undertake the training program. In addition, the bill establishes a certification for shops and mobile shops licensed by the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling (the board) to indicate that the shop is "friendly to individuals with special needs." The board is to prescribe regulations concerning the requirements for an application for certification pursuant to the bill, which requirements are to include, at a minimum, satisfactory evidence that at least one half of the practicing licensee employed by the shop have completed the training program established pursuant to the bill. Upon completion of a satisfactory application to the board, a shop is to be issued a sign indicating that the shop is "friendly to individuals with special needs." The bill requires the board to collaborate with educational and community organizations, as designated by the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs, to establish criteria and standards for training for practicing licensees and certification for shop licensees. | In Committee |
| S2968 | Requires Attorney General to revise law enforcement use of force policy; implements certain reforms. | This bill requires the Attorney General to revise the policy for theuse of force by law enforcement officers. The current use of force policy followed by law enforcement officers was last revised by the Attorney General in 2001. The bill enumerates specific requirements, factors, standards, and reforms which are to be included in the revised use of force policy. The Attorney General would be required to publish the revised policy within seven months following the date of the bill's enactment. | In Committee |
| S2966 | Revises public institution of higher education annual reporting requirements. | This bill revises the annual reporting requirements of public institutions of higher education. Under current law, a public institution of higher education is required to prepare and make available to the public an annual report on the condition of the institution. Under current law, the report is to include a profile of the student body including graduation rates, SAT or other test scores, the percentage of New Jersey residents in the student body, the number of scholarship students, and the number of Educational Opportunity Fund students in attendance. This bill revises the law to require the report also include information on retention rates, the number of applicants to the institution, and acceptance rates as part of the report on the profile of the student body. Additionally, the bill requires all information included as part of the profile of the student body be disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, family income, and first-generation status as available. This bill also requires a public institution of higher education to utilize the data collected on the profile of the student body for the annual report to evaluate the diversity of the institution and inform admissions policies. Finally, the bill requires each institution to use this data to improve equity initiatives and determine resource allocation that promotes diversity and inclusion. | In Committee |
| SCR93 | Urges President and Congress to enact "Poverty Line Act of 2023." | This resolution urges the President and Congress to enact the "Poverty Line Act of 2023," which would update the way the federal government calculates the federal poverty guidelines by accounting for real costs and adjusting for regional differences. The federal poverty guidelines, more commonly known as the federal poverty level, are a measure of income issued annually by the United States Department of Health and Human Services which are used to determine an individual's or household's eligibility for certain State and federal programs and benefits. Despite the federal poverty level's benefit of providing a nationally recognized income threshold for determining who is poor, its shortcomings are well documented as it is not based on the current cost of basic household necessities, such as housing, utilities, childcare, transportation, and healthcare, and, except for Alaska and Hawaii, it is not adjusted to reflect cost of living differences across the United States. As a result, millions of struggling families across the country make too little to afford their basic needs, yet because the federal poverty line is so low, they are not eligible for safety net benefits. The changes to the federal poverty level calculation proposed in the "Poverty Line Act of 2023," would increase the access to programs, such as Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which provide critical support to people during times of economic hardship. Notably, the bill would also ensure that the new methodology is reviewed at least once every four years to determine whether it is still reflective of what households need to meet their basic needs and to identify additional changes needed in the future. Ultimately, the enactment of the "Poverty Line Act of 2023" would provide that the determination of poverty in New Jersey and the United States reflects the current level of financial distress experienced by millions of American families, ensuring greater access to the vital government benefits that provide the necessary short- and long-term support and stability to allow for economic mobility. | Crossed Over |
| S743 | Establishes Training Clinicians to Support Adults with Autism Workforce Development Program in Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services; appropriates $500,000. | This bill establishes the Training Clinicians to Support Adults with Autism Workforce Development Program in the Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services. The purpose of the program will be to recruit and train individuals to serve adults with autism and drive innovations to improve the quality of life for adults with autism. In general, the Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services will have discretion to determine the scope and details of the program, including the duration of the program and whether to offer different iterations of the program to different student populations. However, the bill specifies that, at a minimum, the program is to seek to annually enroll eight to 10 students and provide 20 to 40 hours of intensive training per week. The program will seek to recruit students enrolled in baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral programs across a range of disciplines, with a focus on recruiting students who demonstrate a commitment to a future career supporting adults with autism. The training provided under the program will include intensive hands-on training alongside senior clinical staff, academic coursework, opportunities to work alongside senior faculty to develop research involving best practices, and the completion of an innovative capstone project. The bill appropriates $500,000 to the Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services to support the establishment and implementation pf the program. Many adults with autism in New Jersey are currently without access to high-quality services and supports. As a result, people with autism are often relegated to an adulthood marked by social isolation, unemployment, untreated psychological and physical health conditions, and near-complete reliance on parents, family, and other caregivers to meet basic needs. This situation represents a crisis for many adults with autism and their families. A lack of trained support staff for this growing population, limited research-based support practices, and limited research-based service delivery models all contribute to these issues. It is the sponsor's belief that the program established under the bill will help address this Statewide crisis using an innovative, multifaceted approach to support adults with autism. Since its creation in early 2017, the Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services has provided a variety of training experiences for 197 students from a range of disciplines including psychology, social work, education, pre-medicine, public health, and occupational therapy. It is the only center of its kind in New Jersey, and one of a select few in the nation. | In Committee |
| S237 | "New Jersey Clean Energy Act of 2024"; establishes 100 percent clean electricity standard and directs BPU to establish clean electricity certificate program. | "New Jersey Clean Energy Act of 2024"; establishes 100 percent clean electricity standard and directs BPU to establish clean electricity certificate program. | In Committee |
| S1423 | Establishes minimum Medicaid reimbursement rates for certain ambulance transportation services. | This bill establishes a minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate of $200 for basic life support emergency ambulance transportation services, an increase of $142 from the State's existing rate of $58 per transport. In doing so, the sponsor aims to ensure that emergency ambulance transportation providers, which deliver integral medical services for those with unplanned urgent and life-threatening health conditions, are given the financial support necessary to serve the community. Currently, New Jersey has the lowest Medicaid reimbursement rate for basic life support emergency ambulance transportation services in the region. Surrounding states' rates range from $65.27 in Delaware to $293.90 in Connecticut. Moreover, pending legislation in Pennsylvania would increase that state's rate to $325 per transport, which would be the highest rate in the region. | In Committee |
| SCR43 | Proposes constitutional amendment to make State trustee of public natural resources and guarantee to the people other environmental rights. | Proposes constitutional amendment to make State trustee of public natural resources and guarantee to the people other environmental rights. | In Committee |
| S2504 | Requires Medicaid reimbursement rates for certain primary and mental health care services match reimbursement rates under Medicare. | Requires Medicaid reimbursement rates for certain primary and mental health care services match reimbursement rates under Medicare. | 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 |
| S2942 | Expands the domestic violence statutes to encompass minors aged 16 and older. | This bill would expand the protections of the domestic violence statutes to include minors aged 16 and older. Under current law, a domestic violence restraining order may be issued only under certain circumstances: if the victim is at least 18 years old; is an emancipated minor; has had a dating relationship with the defendant; has a child in common with the defendant; or anticipates having a child in common if one of the parties is pregnant. A restraining order may be issued against a defendant only if the defendant is at least 18 years old or is an emancipated minor. Under the bill, any victim of domestic violence who is at least 16 years old could apply for a domestic violence restraining order, and any defendant who is at least 16 years old could be subject to a domestic violence restraining order. | In Committee |
| S2943 | Authorizes creation of local civilian review boards to review police operations and conduct; appropriates $600,000. | This bill would authorize municipalities and counties to establish civilian review boards to review police operations and conduct. These boards would serve to foster transparency, fairness, and equality in policing practices and policies, which in turn will help promote positive relations between police and the local communities they serve. A municipal civilian review board would consist of at least seven members who are appointed by the mayor or other chief executive officer of the municipality with the consent of the governing body of the municipality. A county civilian review board would consist of at least seven members appointed by the board of county commissioners or, if the county is organized pursuant to the provisions of the "Optional County Charter Law," P.L.1972, c.154 (C.40:41A-1 et seq.), the county executive, the county supervisor, or the county manager, as applicable, with the consent of the board of county commissioners. A county civilian review board would operate in municipalities that opt to participate with such board. The members of a civilian review board would be residents of the municipality or county, as applicable, who are qualified persons with training or experience in community relations, civil rights, law enforcement, juvenile justice, sociology, or other relevant fields. They would serve for terms of six years, with certain shorter terms for some of the initial board members to allow for staggered terms. Members of a civilian review board would be required to take a training course developed and provided by the Attorney General, or an alternative course approved by the Attorney General, within six months of appointment. The Attorney General would be required to develop its training course within 45 days of the bill's effective date and offer the first course as soon as practicable thereafter. A civilian review board could not investigate the conduct of any law enforcement officers, or recommend the imposition of discipline of such officers or members, without a quorum of members who have competed this training. A civilian review board would be permitted to utilize resources of the municipality or county to the extent that funds for the utilization of such resources are made available by the municipality, county, State, or other entity. The bill provides that it would be the duty of a civilian review board to: (1) conduct an investigation of the operation of the police force of the municipality, or other law enforcement officers that serve in the capacity of a municipal police force for the municipality, as applicable; (2) recommend the establishment of policies by the appropriate authority; (3) review and investigate the conduct of any law enforcement officer; and (4) recommend the imposition of discipline of such officer consistent with any tenure or civil service laws and contractual agreements. A civilian review board could only initiate one of these actions in response to a civilian complaint of excessive or unnecessary force, abuse of authority, discourtesy, or offensive language. A civilian review board would have the power to subpoena witnesses and documentary evidence. The board would also have any additional powers of inquiry delegated to the board by the municipality or county as deemed necessary for the conduct of any hearing or investigation. A civilian review board investigation may run concurrent to an internal affairs investigation of related conduct by law enforcement, but the civilian review board investigation would have to cease upon the initiation of a criminal prosecution concerning the related conduct. Further, a law enforcement agency may refrain from sharing evidence, or may direct a civilian review board to cease an investigation, if the law enforcement agency determines that evidence sharing, or the investigation itself, would be significantly detrimental to its disciplinary process due to the existence of a related criminal investigation. The bill permits an ordinance or resolution establishing a civilian review board to set forth guidelines for the operation of the board consistent with the provisions of the bill. The guidelines may adopt any relevant guidelines issued by the Attorney General. A civilian review board would report its findings and recommendations concerning police operations and conduct to the mayor or other chief executive officer of the municipality, the governing body of the municipality, the chief of police or other chief law enforcement officer of the municipality, the county prosecutor, and, in the case of a municipality in which the State Police serves in the capacity of a municipal police force for the municipality, the Superintendent of State Police and the Attorney General. Under the bill, all records made, maintained, or kept on file by a civilian review board would be confidential and unavailable to the public while an investigation is pending, and all personal identifying information contained in all records made, maintained, or kept on file by a civilian review board would be confidential and unavailable to the public at all times. The bill also provides that the "Internal Affairs Policy and Procedures" of the Police Management Manual promulgated by the Police Bureau of the Division of Criminal Justice in the Department of Law and Public Safety be revised to require the disclosure of reports, complaints, and other investigative materials, including video, sound, or other recording, to the appropriate authority, as defined in N.J.S.40A:14-118, as well as any civilian review board. Lastly, the bill would appropriate $600,000 from the General Fund to the Attorney General to fund the civilian review board training course, or any reimbursements for the alternative training course, required by the bill. | In Committee |
| S2950 | Revises law concerning family leave to extend protection by reducing, over time, employee threshold from 30 employees to five employees in definition of employer. | This bill extends to employees of employers with less than 30 employees and five or more employees the right to be reinstated to employment after taking family temporary disability leave benefits or unpaid family leave, thus ensuring that more workers who pay for family temporary disability leave insurance (FLI) will be able to able to return to work after taking FLI benefits. The extension is phased in, with the threshold reduced to 20 employees upon the effective date of the bill, to 10 employees one year later after the effective date, and to five employees two years after the effective date. Under the bill, upon completion of the phase-in, employees of employers with five or more employees will be entitled to 12 weeks of job protected leave, whether that leave is paid or unpaid. Once the phase-in is complete, the bill extends to employees of employers with five or more employees, the provision under current law that provides that a covered employee who takes FLI benefits to care for a family member has an affirmative right of job reinstatement with their employer after the leave. Currently, an employer who employs less than 30 workers, and is thus exempt from the reinstatement requirements of the Family Leave Act (FLA), is also exempt from the reinstatement requirements of that provision. By reducing this exemption, the bill extends that provision's reinstatement rights to recipients of FLI benefits even if their employers have less than 30 employees, in the same way that provision currently provides that reinstatement protection for temporary disability insurance recipients no matter how few employees the employer has. Once fully phased in, the bill also amends the FLA to make employers of five or more employees subject to that law's requirement to reinstate leave takers, thereby extending that right of reinstatement to employees of employers with five or more employees, whether or not the employees receive FLI benefits. The bill provides that an employee who is eligible for both earned sick leave, and either temporary disability benefits or family temporary disability leave benefits will have the option of using either the earned sick leave or whichever is applicable of temporary disability benefits or family temporary disability leave benefits, and may select the order in which the different kinds of leave are taken, but may not receive more than one kind of paid leave simultaneously during any period of time. | In Committee |
| S1207 | Requires members of Sexual Assault Response Team to receive training on interacting with victims with developmental disabilities. | Requires members of Sexual Assault Response Team to receive training on interacting with victims with developmental disabilities. | In Committee |
| S1649 | Creates crime of fiscal victimization against senior citizens or disabled persons. | Creates crime of fiscal victimization against senior citizens or disabled persons. | In Committee |
| S2842 | Establishes tax credit for portion of qualifying educational expenditures made by taxpayer on behalf of child. | This bill would provide a gross income tax credit to a taxpayer in an amount equal to 25 percent of each qualified educational expenditure made by the taxpayer for a dependent child during the taxable year. The amount of the credit provided for each qualified educational expenditure shall not exceed $500 per qualifying dependent child. The bill defines "qualified education expenditure" as expenses incurred by the taxpayer for:· tuition at a nonpublic school offering any combination of grades kindergarten through 12;· school supplies required as part of a course of study such as binders; book bags; calculators; cellophane tape; blackboard chalk; compasses; composition books; crayons; erasers; folders, including expandable folders, pocket folders, plastic folders, and manila folders; glue, paste, and paste sticks; highlighters; index cards; index card boxes; legal pads; lunch boxes; markers; notebooks; paper, including loose leaf ruled notebook paper, copy paper, graph paper, tracing paper, manila paper, colored paper, poster board, and construction paper; pencil boxes and other school supply boxes; pencil sharpeners; pencils; pens; protractors; rulers; scissors; and writing tablets;· required instructional materials used to learn the subject matter being taught as part of a course of study such as textbooks, workbooks, reference books, and the purchase of computer software whose primary purpose is for teaching or self-learning;· annual school fees;· transportation of the qualified dependent child to a nonpublic school provided that payment for transportation is made directly to the nonpublic school and the child is not eligible for transportation services furnished by a board of education under State law;· payment of dues or purchases of materials, equipment, or special clothing for participation in extracurricular activities such as sporting events, musicals, plays, concerts, homecoming, prom or other similar event;· rental of a musical instrument and purchases of music books, sheet music, or lessons as part of the child's enrollment in a music course; and· fees to attend a school field trip occurring during school hours. For purposes of defining which nonpublic school payments qualify for a credit under the bill, a "nonpublic school" is defined as an elementary or secondary school within the State, other than a public school, offering education in grades K-12 or any combination thereof, wherein a child may legally fulfill compulsory school attendance requirements and which complies with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. A "qualified educational expenditure" would not include expenses incurred by the taxpayer for private instruction or tutoring services, the annual school yearbook, class rings, clothing for everyday use, and testing fees for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT), or American College Test (ACT). | In Committee |
| S2902 | Requires school districts to provide instruction on menstrual health and hygiene as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education. | This bill requires that schools include age appropriate instruction on menstrual health and hygiene for students in grades four through 12 as part of the school district's implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education. Under this bill, instruction on menstrual health and hygiene would include: the proper use of menstrual hygiene products; the symptoms and effects of menstrual disorders; the effects of period poverty; and when and how to seek medical advice. Parents and guardians would be notified of the topics of instruction and requirements of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education prior to the beginning of a unit of instruction in menstrual health and hygiene. | In Committee |
| S2841 | Prohibits photo identification requirement for residential rental application. | This bill prohibits a residential landlord or third-party screening vendor, as defined in the bill, from requiring or requesting that an applicant or prospective tenant submit or show photo identification as part of their application for the rental unit, or conditioning approval of a prospective tenant's application for the rental unit on the submission or provision of photo identification. A violation of the bill is to: (1) constitute an unlawful practice pursuant to the New Jersey consumer fraud act, P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.) (CFA); (2) subject a landlord or third-party screening vendor to all applicable penalties prescribed pursuant to the CFA; and (3) subject a landlord or third-party screening vendor to a penalty of $1,000 for each offense by the landlord or third-party screening vendor, in a separate cause of action brought at the discretion of the applicant or prospective tenant, in addition to reasonable attorney's fees or expenses. The bill is to take effect on the first day of the fourth month next following the date of enactment, and apply to oral or written representations made by a landlord or third-party screening vendor to an applicant or prospective tenant, applications offered by a landlord or third-party screening vendor to an applicant or prospective tenant, or submitted applications by an applicant or prospective tenant to a landlord or third-party screening vendor, commencing on or after the effective date of the bill. | In Committee |
| S2835 | Requires local boards of education to employ at least one school social worker per school. | This bill requires local boards of education to employ and assign on a full-time basis to each school within the school district at least one school social worker. The bill further provides that, for each school with student enrollment above 500, the board is required to employ and assign on a full-time basis additional school social workers in a manner that is proportional to student enrollment. | In Committee |
| S2834 | Establishes Firefighter Critical Mental Health Assistance Grant Program; appropriates $1 million. | This bill establishes the Firefighter Critical Mental Health Assistance Grant Program. Due to the nature of firefighting, with its associated risks, danger, and stress, firefighters face a high probability of developing post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental illnesses. Firefighters commonly feel that disclosure of mental illness will result in negative professional consequences up to and including job loss, creating a culture in which firefighters often do not divulge mental health struggles and do not seek appropriate and necessary treatment. Family members of firefighters 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 Firefighter 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 firefighters and members of their immediate families 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 services 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 greatest extent possible, 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. 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 |
| SJR90 | Designates October as "Lead Poisoning Awareness Month." | This joint resolution would designate October of each year as "Lead Poisoning Awareness Month" in the State. | In Committee |
| S2836 | Establishes "Purple Alert System" to assist in finding missing persons. | This bill establishes an emergency "Purple Alert System" to notify the public of a missing person. Under the bill, the emergency alert plan would be a voluntary, cooperative effort between State and local law enforcement agencies and the broadcast media. Upon notice by the lead law enforcement agency, the participating broadcast media would transmit an emergency alert to inform the public of the disappearance of a person. The Missing Persons Unit in the Division of State Police, in consultation with the Department of Transportation, will develop a procedure for the use of overhead permanent changeable message signs to provide information on the missing person. This legislation is modeled on the Silver and Amber Alerts in current law. According to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), which is funded by the United States Department of Justice, more than 600,000 people go missing annually. Approximately 4,400 unidentified bodies are recovered each year. Further, according to NamUs, in this State there are 358 open missing persons cases and 426 open unidentified persons cases in 2022. According to the sponsor, this bill will help reduce the number of missing persons within the State. In addition, the bill will encourage the public to assist in locating a missing person and report any information that is known to law enforcement. | In Committee |
| S2802 | Requires Silver Alert System receive same broadcast alerts as Amber Alert System. | This bill requires media outlets that participate in the "Silver Alert System" to issue the same broadcast alerts used when an "Amber Alert" is initiated following a child's abduction. The "Silver Alert System" is a Statewide program for the dissemination of information regarding a missing person believed to be suffering from dementia or other cognitive impairment. Under current law, the program is a cooperative effort between State and local law enforcement agencies and print, radio, and television media outlets. This bill requires participating media outlets, when responding to a "Silver Alert," to broadcast a distinctive sound tone and the statement: "This is a Missing Person Silver Alert." The alert is to include a description of the missing person and other information the enforcement agency deems appropriate. In addition, the alert is to be broadcast as often as possible for the first three hours that a "Silver Alert" is in progress. After the initial three hours, the alerts are to be rebroadcast at intervals that the lead law enforcement agency and participating media deem appropriate. | In Committee |
| S2339 | Establishes State Parkinson's disease registry. | Establishes State Parkinson's disease registry. | In Committee |
| S2787 | Requires candidate for teacher certification to complete course or training on anti-racism in education. | This bill provides that, beginning in the first full school year beginning after the bill's effective date, all candidates for teaching certification who have completed an educator preparation program at a commissioner-approved educator preparation program provider will be required to satisfactorily complete a course or training on anti-racism in education. The bill also directs all commissioner-approved educator preparation program providers to review and update their educator preparation programs to implement the bill's requirements and submit the revisions to the Department of Education for approval. Under the bill, the program provider will be required to provide to the department copies of any syllabi developed for a course or training on anti-racism in education and the titles of any texts that will be required of students for completion of the course or training. The program provider will also be required to post the syllabi and titles of course texts on its website. The bill does not require syllabi and course texts to be approved by the department. Under the bill, and beginning in the first full school year beginning after the bill's effective date, any person seeking certification through the alternate route will be required to, within one year of being employed, satisfactorily complete a course or training on anti-racism in education. As used in the bill, "course or training on anti-racism in education" means a course or training that: (1) recognizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in teaching effectiveness; (2) develops the racial literacy of an educator, which includes the skills and practices by which educators can probe the existence of racism and examine the effects of race and institutionalized systems on their experiences and representation in society; (3) encourages teachers to examine their own biases, assumptions, values and expectations of students and those embedded in course design, pedagogy, and course content; and (4) offers an explanation of how race, racism, and the particular racial formations that develop in and around the classroom and school affect grading, teacher feedback, student discipline, and school decisions on student admissions and placements. | 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 |
| S2765 | Requires DEP to update school food waste guidelines to include recommendations for how to better utilize food nearing best-by and expiration dates. | This bill would require the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to update the school food waste guidelines to include recommendations for how to minimize food waste within schools by increasing utilization of food nearing best-by and expiration dates. The State of New Jersey's 2019 School Food Waste Guidelines stated that four to 10 percent of all food purchased by schools becomes pre-consumer waste. Pre-consumer waste includes food items that have spoiled or become expired and, therefore, are required to be discarded before the food could be utilized. The 2019 School Food Waste Guidelines mention the importance of improving food-handling techniques in order to limit pre-consumer food waste. Updating the school food waste guidelines to include recommendations to increase the utilization of food nearing best-by and expiration dates will help to reduce pre-consumer food waste and ensure that food items are properly utilized prior to expiration. The current law requires the DEP, in consultation with other State agencies, to establish voluntary guidelines for K-12 schools and institutions of higher education to reduce, recover, and recycle food waste. This bill would require the DEP's school food waste guidelines to be updated to specifically include recommendations for how schools can better utilize foods nearing best-by and expiration dates to prevent food waste, including, but not necessarily limited to, paying greater attention to food labels and improving food purchasing, storage, and usage methods to ensure older food items are consumed prior to food items that were recently purchased. | 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 |
| S2786 | Requires local boards of education to employ certain number of staff with expertise in student mental health. | This bill requires local boards of education to employ and assign on a full-time basis to each school within the school district at least two staff members with professional expertise in student mental health. Persons eligible to fulfill this requirement include licensed school counselors and school psychologists. The bill further provides that, for each school with student enrollment above 500, the board is required to employ and assign on a full-time basis additional staff members with professional expertise in student mental health in a manner that is proportional to student enrollment. | In Committee |
| S2771 | Requires DHS to establish Alzheimer's disease public awareness campaign. | This bill requires the Department of Human Services (DHS) to establish Alzheimer's disease public awareness campaign. Under the bill, the Commissioner of Human Services, subject to available funds, is required to establish an Alzheimer's disease public awareness and education program. The purpose of the program is to promote public awareness of Alzheimer's disease and the value of early detection and possible treatments, including the benefits and risks of those treatments. The DHS may accept for that purpose any grant of monies, services, or property from the federal government, an organization, or a medical school. The program is to include the following: (1) development of a public campaign to promote Alzheimer's disease awareness and education, including, but not limited to, the subjects outlined in the bill; (2) development of educational materials to be made available through local boards of health, physicians, hospitals, and clinics; and (3) development of educational programs for judicial staff, police officers, fire fighters, and social services and emergency medical service providers, to assist them in recognizing the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and understanding how to respond to the needs of persons with the disease in the course of performing their duties. The bill provides that the DHS, in consultation with the Greater New Jersey Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, is to prepare and make available on the DHS's Internet website, in English and Spanish, and in a manner that is easily understandable by the general public, information about the symptoms and treatment of Alzheimer's disease and any other information that the commissioner deems necessary. | In Committee |
| SJR84 | Designates November of each year as "New Jersey Homeless Children and Youth Awareness Month." | This resolution Designates November of each year as "New Jersey Homeless Children and Youth Awareness Month." In the United States, public schools identified approximately 1,100,000 homeless children and youth during the 2020-2021 school year. An estimated 1,300,000 children younger than six years of age in 2018-2019 and approximately 4,200,000 youth and young adults in 2017 experienced homelessness. Infants experiencing homelessness are at a higher risk for certain illnesses and health conditions, and families experiencing homelessness are more likely to experience involvement in the child welfare system and difficulty with school attendance. More than one in three high school students experiencing homelessness has attempted suicide, and nearly one in four high school students experiencing homelessness has experienced dating violence. Individuals without a high school degree or general educational development certificate (GED) are three times more likely to report homelessness than their peers, making lack of education the leading risk factor for homelessness. In 2018, the high school graduation rate for students experiencing homelessness was 67.8 percent, compared to 80 percent for low-income students and 85.5 percent for all students. According to the New Jersey 2022 Point-In-Time Count, on the night of January 25th, 2022, a total of 6,631 households, including 8,754 persons, were experiencing homelessness in New Jersey. Of the 6,631 homeless households counted in New Jersey in 2022, 988 were families with at least one child under the age of 18 and one adult. A total of 1,750 persons were identified as chronically homeless, and 978 persons were unsheltered on the night of the count. Homeless youth, which is defined by the New Jersey 2022 Point-In-Time Count as individuals and families with heads of households 24 years old or younger, represented 8.9 percent of the counted homeless population, with 780 persons identified. The rate of youth homelessness is the same in rural, suburban, and urban areas. Twenty-nine percent of unaccompanied homeless youth between 13 and 25 years of age have spent time in foster care, compared to approximately six percent of all children. Homelessness among children and youth is a complex issue that often co-occurs with deep poverty, low education and employment levels, substance misuse and abuse, mental illness, lack of affordable housing, and family conflict. Awareness of child and youth homelessness must be heightened to encourage greater support for effective programs to help children and youth overcome homelessness. | In Committee |
| S2700 | Establishes "Patient Protection and Safe Staffing Act." | This bill establishes the "Patient Protection and Safe Staffing Act," which provides certain staffing standards in State hospitals, ambulatory surgical facilities, developmental centers, and psychiatric hospitals. Specifically, the bill provides that, in addition to existing staffing requirements provided by law or regulation, the Commissioner of Health is to adopt regulations that provide minimum direct care registered professional nurse-to-patient staffing ratios and unlicensed assistive personnel-to-patient staffing ratios for all patient units in general and special hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities, in accordance with the minimum staffing requirements that are established by the bill. The regulations adopted by the Commissioner of Health are not to decrease any staffing ratios that are already in effect on the bill's effective date. The bill provides that the Commissioner of Health is to require all general and special hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities to employ an acuity and staffing system for the purpose of increasing staffing levels above the minimum levels established in the bill, or otherwise provided by law or regulation, in order to ensure adequate staffing of each unit, service, or department. The bill requires the Department of Health to enforce the bill's requirements by conducting periodic inspections and responding to complaints. A registered professional nurse or other staff member, a collective bargaining agent of a staff member, or a member of the public, who believes that the hospital or facility in which the nurse or staff member is employed is in violation of the requirements established by the bill, may file a complaint with the Commissioner of Health. In responding to a complaint, the commissioner will be required to conduct an investigation to determine whether or not a hospital or facility is in violation. Following the completion of an investigation, in which investigation the department determines a hospital or facility to be in violation of the requirements established by the bill, the hospital or facility may be issued a civil penalty in increasing amounts for repeat violations. Any money collected by the court in payment of a civil penalty imposed will be conveyed to the State Treasurer for deposit into the Patient Protection and Staffing Fund (fund) established by the bill. Moneys in the fund will be dedicated and used only for the purposes of increasing the number of inspectors employed by the Department of Health to enforce the provisions of the bill, advancing nursing recruitment and retentions programs, supporting student loan forgiveness for nursing students, and increasing pay for nursing teaching staff. Finally, in addition to the above-described requirements applicable to the Commissioner of Health, the bill requires the Commissioner of Human Services to conduct a review of Department of Human Services regulations concerning registered professional nurse staffing standards in developmental centers and State psychiatric hospitals, and to revise the regulations, as appropriate, to reflect safe staffing practices and assure adequate staffing at the facilities. | In Committee |
| SJR86 | Designates October 18 of each year as "Postmenopause Day" in New Jersey. | This joint resolution designates October 18 of each year as "Postmenopause Day" in New Jersey. Postmenopause is the period of time after menopause after a woman's menstrual periods have ceased for 12 consecutive months. Natural postmenopause typically occurs sometime between a woman's late 40s and early 60s, with the average postmenopausal age being 51 years old. Postmenopause is caused by the same hormonal changes that drive the entire menopause transition and can be influenced by internal factors such as fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone hormones and external factors such as lifestyle habits, stress, surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. It is a common belief that the uncomfortable symptoms associated with menopause will disappear once postmenopause begins; however, some women can continue to experience symptoms during postmenopause, which can be very similar to the symptoms experienced during menopause and perimenopause. Postmenopausal women may be at an increased risk for health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and urinary tract infections, which are conditions where early awareness of a woman's elevated risk can help women receive appropriate and timely healthcare. A bone density screening test is an example of an important screening tool for postmenopausal women that can help determine the levels of calcium in bones and allow postmenopausal women to take timely action to prevent osteoporosis. Since 2009, the International Menopause Society, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, has designated October as World Menopause Awareness Month, with October 18 celebrated as World Menopause Awareness Day with the purpose of raising awareness of menopause and the support options available for improving health and well-being throughout the menopause process. It is fitting and proper for the State of New Jersey to designate October 18 of each year as "Postmenopause Day" in order to raise awareness about the period of time after menopause, the symptoms and health risks associated with postmenopause, and the disease management options available for women experiencing postmenopause. | In Committee |
| S2684 | Regulates individuals seeking employment as shampoo technicians. | This bill establishes the regulation of individuals seeking employment as a shampoo technician and who are not otherwise pursuing a professional license issued by the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling. Specifically, the bill provides that an individual seeking employment as a shampoo technician is to complete a 40-hour program provided by a licensed school or public school vocational program or, for a reasonable fee, 40 hours of training provided by a licensed shop. Upon completion of a program or training, an individual is to sit for a practical examination that, pursuant to the bill, may be taken at a licensed school or a public school offering a vocational program to be a shampoo technician, or may be scheduled and administered by the board. It is prohibited in the bill for any examiner who is grading practical examinations and who has an affiliation with a licensed school from grading those examinations of the individuals who attended the licensed school where the examiner is affiliated. The bill stipulates that the board is to be notified, in a form and manner as it determines, when an individual passes the practical examination administered by a licensed school or public school offering a vocational program to be a shampoo technician. Notification of examination passage is to include submission of proof of completion of a program offered at a licensed school or public school or a notarized attestation demonstrating completion of training at a licensed shop. The bill directs the board to issue a certification, for a reasonable fee, to an individual to provide services as a shampoo technician once the board has received all documentation. The certification is to be renewed on a biennial basis. If an individual certified as a shampoo technician does not maintain certification and seeks reactivation, the individual is to submit an application and pay a reactivation fee, as determined by the board, if the reactivation is sought after a period of fewer than 10 years. If the reactivation is sought after 10 years or more, the individual is to re-take the certification examination and upon passage, submit an application and pay a reactivation fee. The board is to promulgate rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of the bill. The regulations are to address, among other items, standards for: 1) qualifications to be a shampoo technician; 2) the individuals authorized to provide training in a licensed shop and to be examiners for the practical examination; and 3) the amount of the fees to be paid by individuals training as a shampoo technician through a licensed shop and for the issuance of an initial certification and the annual renewal of a certification. | In Committee |
| S2694 | Requires menopause informational pamphlet to be distributed under certain circumstances. | This bill requires menopause information to be distributed under certain circumstances. Under the bill, commencing 180 days following the bill's effective date, a licensed health care professional who performs an annual physical examination on a female patient who is between the ages of 35 and 39 is to provide the female patient a pamphlet containing information on premature menopause, early menopause, and primary ovarian insufficiency, as prepared and published by the Department of Health pursuant to the bill, during the visit. The bill provides that, within 90 days following the bill's effective date, the Department of Health is to prepare and publish on its Internet website a pamphlet containing information on each stage of menopause. | In Committee |
| S2689 | Directs State Auditor to conduct performance review audit of VCCO. | This bill directs the State Auditor to conduct a performance review audit of the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) in the Department of Law and Public Safety. The bill requires the performance review audit of the VCCO to analyze whether the VCCO is achieving economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in employing available resources and whether the office is in compliance with statutory law and regulations governing the VCCO's operations. The audit is to include an analysis of the office's use of federal and State allocated funding; a determination of whether the existing personnel of the office is adequate to meet the statutory mandate of the office; an evaluation of the efficiency of the office's internal operations; and recommendations to address any organizational deficiencies that may be revealed by the audit. The State Auditor is required by the bill to complete the audit and submit to the Governor and the Legislature a report summarizing the results of the audit within six months of the effective date of the bill. | In Committee |
| S2687 | Establishes State board to oversee implementation and evaluation of State pilot programs. | This bill establishes the "New Jersey Pilot Program Review Board" to oversee implementation and evaluation of State pilot programs. Under the bill, the "New Jersey Pilot Program Review Board" is established in, but not of, the Department of the Treasury. The board will be independent of any supervision or control by the Department of the Treasury except as expressly authorized under the bill. The board will consist of nine members as follows: (1) five members will be appointed by the Governor, of whom one will serve as chairperson; (2) one member will be appointed by the President of the Senate; (3) one member will be appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate; (4) one member will be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly; and (5) one member will be appointed by the Minority Leader of the General Assembly. Members of the board are required to have knowledge, expertise, and practice in at least four of the following areas: accounting and auditing, State, county, or municipal government, economic analysis, governmental finance and fiscal management, program evaluation, cost benefits analysis, and quantitative and qualitative research methods. Members of the board will serve for a term of four years, except that of the appointments first made to the board by the Governor, two of the appointments will serve for a term of two years, and except that the appointments first made by the minority leaders in each House will be for a term of two years. The term of each member will be deemed to commence on July 1 of the calendar year of the appointment and will expire on June 30 of the second or fourth calendar year thereafter, as the case may be for the first or subsequent appointments. The board is required to: (1) review all pilot programs periodically and not more than a year after the completion of the pilot program to measure the degree to which the pilot program is achieving its desired goals and outcomes and the overall effectiveness of the pilot program; (2) evaluate each pilot program using the objective performance measures established and developed by the implementing department division, or other agency of State government; (3) solicit both written and oral comments on the impact of a certain pilot program from the public, and to consider the views expressed by those parties in any report; and (4) provide a written report after each review of a pilot program to the Governor and the Legislature, in which the board shall provide recommendations on whether or not the pilot program is being properly implemented and meeting the programs intended goals and outcomes, and, if so, whether the program should be expanded Statewide and to a permanent status. The Department of the Treasury will provide primary staff support to the board and each department, office, division, or agency of the State is required to cooperate with the board and furnish it with such information, personnel, or assistance as may be necessary for the board to discharge its duties. | In Committee |
| S2686 | Requires long-term care facilities to annually review residents' proxy directives. | This bill requires long-term care facilities to annually review residents' proxy directives. A "proxy directive" is defined to mean a written document, executed in accordance with applicable law, that designates an adult with decision-making capacity to act as the declarant's representative in the event that the declarant is determined by a court or authorized practitioner to lack decision-making capacity following the execution of the document. Under the bill, a long-term care facility will be required to meet with each resident at least once annually to determine whether the resident's proxy directive, if any, is accurate and current. Nothing in the bill's provisions would be deemed to require a resident to have a proxy directive. | In Committee |
| SJR80 | Designates September of each year as "Kinship Care Month" in New Jersey. | This joint resolution designates the month of September of each year as "Kinship Care Month in the State of New Jersey recognize the importance of kinship caregivers and showcase the accomplishments of children supported through kinship arrangements. | In Committee |
| S2691 | Increases size of Criminal Sentencing and Disposition Commission; broadens reporting duties. | This bill increases the membership of the Criminal Sentencing and Disposition Commission, and expands the duties of the commission. The CSDC was established in 2009 by P.L.2009, c.81 and is charged with conducting a thorough review of the criminal sentencing provisions of New Jersey law for consideration of possible recommendations for revisions to the laws governing the criminal justice system. Under the bill, the membership of the commission increases from 13 to 17 members. The additional members shall include the chair of the Legislative Black Caucus or his designee and the Chair of the Legislative Latino Caucus, or his designee. The bill adds two additional public members, for a total of four public members, not more than two of whom shall be of the same political party. The bill broadens the scope of the annual report from the CSDC to the Governor and the Legislature concerning disparity issues in the criminal justice process, to add such areas as policing, access to criminal defense legal representation, and jury selection processes to the existing reporting area of charging and plea decisions. | In Committee |
| S2692 | Requires health insurance coverage of at-home rehabilitation services. | This bill requires health insurance carriers, including insurance companies, health service corporations, hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health maintenance organizations authorized to issue health benefits plans in New Jersey, and any entity contracted to administer health benefits in connection with the State Health Benefits Program or School Employees' Health Benefits Program, to cover at-home rehabilitation services. For an individual recovering from surgery or suffering from a debilitating disease or disability, the burden of traveling to and from a rehabilitation facility may be too large to overcome. With the rise of the coronavirus 2019 pandemic, many individuals have also been unable to visit a rehabilitation facility for treatment or have delayed treatment for fear of contracting the virus. Thus, requiring carriers to cover at-home rehabilitation services would alleviate these issues by providing access to treatment from within the patient's home, without fear of aggravating a disability or contracting a deadly virus. As defined in the bill, "at-home rehabilitation" means the treatment of an individual suffering from a functional, physical, or mental impairment due to injury or disease through use of medical equipment or other means and within the individual's home. | In Committee |
| S2695 | Requires menopause information to be distributed under certain circumstances. | This bill requires menopause information to be distributed under certain circumstances. Under the bill, commencing 180 days following the bill's effective date, a licensed health care professional who performs an annual physical examination on a female patient who is 40 years of age or older is to provide the female patient an informational pamphlet on perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause, as prepared and published by the Department of Health pursuant to the bill, during the visit. The bill provides that, within 90 days following the bill's effective date, the Department of Health is to prepare and publish on its Internet website an informational pamphlet on perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause. | In Committee |
| SJR82 | Designated May of each year as "Foster Care Month" in New Jersey. | This joint resolution designates the month of May of each year is as "Foster Care Month" in the State of New Jersey to promote awareness of the more than 3,100 children and youth in the State's foster care system, and to celebrate the child welfare professionals who find permanent homes, facilitate connections with families, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those children and youth. | In Committee |
| S2680 | Requires New Jersey Supreme Court to issue order dismissing certain charges, complaints, and arrest warrants filed with or issued by municipal courts and unresolved for five years or more; requires AOC to conduct certain studies. | This bill would require the New Jersey Supreme Court to issue an order dismissing certain unresolved charges, complaints, and arrest warrants filed with or issued by any municipal court five years or more prior to the date of enactment of the bill. The bill would apply to disorderly persons offenses and petty disorderly persons offenses. In January 2019 the New Jersey Supreme Court issued a similar order, dismissing over 700,000 unresolved complaints and open warrants in minor municipal court matters that were more than 15 years old (those dating from before January 1, 2003). In its order, the Supreme Court noted that the existence of such old outstanding complaints and open warrants in minor matters "raise questions of fairness, the appropriate use of limited public resources by law enforcement and the courts, the ability of the State to prosecute cases successfully in light of how long matters have been pending and the availability of witnesses, and administrative efficiency." In the view of the sponsor, this bill is a necessary supplement to the 2019 New Jersey Supreme Court order, which only focused on minor municipal matters. This bill would allow the court system to remove a significant portion of its backlog by dismissing unresolved complaints and arrest warrants for charges that do not reach the severity of indictable offenses. The COVID-19 pandemic and the Public Health Emergency currently in effect in New Jersey resulted in the closing of the court system for months, and our courts have still not resumed full operations. It is the view of the sponsor that, in this context, New Jersey must focus on minimizing unnecessary contact and allowing individuals every opportunity to regain their financial footing. Removing the possibility of being summoned into court or arrested on an old warrant for a low-level offense will go a long way towards allowing New Jerseyans, especially those from communities of color, a chance to recover. Specifically, the bill applies to the following unresolved charges, complaints, and arrest warrants that are at least five years old: a. Petty disorderly persons offenses, as defined in subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:1-4, including but not limited to: (1) Simple assault committed in a fight or scuffle entered into by mutual consent, as set forth in subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:12-1; (2) Shoplifting if the value of the merchandise is less than $200, as set forth in paragraph (4) of subsection c. of N.J.S.2C:20-11; (3) Disorderly conduct, as set forth in N.J.S.2C:33-2; and (4) Harassment, as set forth in subsections a., b., or c. of N.J.S.2C:33-4; and b. Disorderly persons offenses, as defined in subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:1-4, including but not limited to: (1) Simple assault, other than assault committed in a fight or scuffle entered into by mutual consent, as set forth in subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:12-1; (2) Lewdness, as set forth in subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:14-14; (3) Bad checks in an amount of less than $200, as set forth in paragraph (4) of subsection c. of N.J.S.2C:21-5; (4) Obstructing the administration of law or other governmental function other than by obstructing the detection or investigation of a crime or the prosecution of a person for a crime, as set forth in N.J.S.2C:29-1; (5) Resisting arrest, as set forth in paragraph (1) of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:29-2; (6) Disorderly conduct, as set forth in N.J.S.2C:33-2; (7) Use or possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia, as set forth in N.J.S.2C:36-2; and (8) Possession of 50 grams or less of marijuana, including any adulterants or dilutants, or five grams or less of hashish, as set forth in paragraph (4) of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:35-10. This bill would not apply to any violations of municipal ordinances, providing deference to municipalities to enforce their own laws and continue their collection of revenue. In addition to the provisions discussed above, the bill also provides that, within six months following the effective date of the bill, the Administrative Office of the Courts would submit two reports to the Legislature: (1) A study to determine the feasibility of expanding the municipal court conditional dismissal program set forth in P.L.2013, c.158 (C.2C:43-13.1 et al.) and the conditional discharge program set forth in N.J.S.2C:36A-1 to carry out the provisions of the bill in dismissing and recalling unresolved charges, complaints, and arrest warrants; and (2) A study to determine the feasibility of an initiative similar to the federal "Fugitive Safe Surrender Program," whereby persons charged with non-violent criminal offenses are encouraged to voluntarily surrender in a faith-based or other neutral setting and seek favorable consideration from the courts. | In Committee |
| SJR83 | Designates October of each year as "Opioid Abuse Prevention Month." | This joint resolution designates October of each year as "Opioid Abuse Prevention Month" in order to promote ongoing education about opioid abuse, recognize and advance efforts to end this epidemic, and encourage support for those who suffer the effects of opioid abuse. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, abuse of prescription painkillers, also called opioid pain relievers, is a "growing, deadly epidemic." Since 1990, drug overdose death rates in the U.S. have more than tripled, with nearly three-fourths of these deaths attributable to prescription painkillers. This unprecedented rise in overdose deaths parallels a nearly 300 percent increase in the sale of opioid pain relievers, such as Oxycodone and Percocet, since 1999. Reports indicate that many people who begin their drug use with prescription painkillers go on to use heroin, a highly dangerous, semi-synthetic opioid drug. The switch often comes when users are struggling with withdrawal and require cheaper, higher opiate doses to ease their symptoms. Studies have shown that the vast majority of heroin users have previously used prescription drugs. The State Commission of Investigation recently reported that New Jersey is in the midst of this prescription pill and heroin epidemic. Between 2006 and 2011, New Jersey drug treatment facilities saw unprecedented increases in the number of individuals seeking treatment for opioid pill and heroin addictions, particularly among those ages 25 or younger. The rise in opioid addiction has had drastic consequences on the health and safety of New Jersey residents. Over the past few years, the number of robberies, assaults, and thefts tied to opioid abuse has risen. New Jersey also has one of the highest HIV/AIDS infection rates in the country, spurred, in part, by the sharing of contaminated syringes among heroin users. In order to effectively address these issues, greater recognition of the dangers of opioid abuse is needed among lawmakers, law enforcement, parents, community leaders, and all residents of the State. This joint resolution requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of this State to observe "Opioid Abuse Prevention Month" with appropriate activities and programs. | In Committee |
| S2679 | Provides any party in case who is limited English proficient and utilizes court translating services option to have social worker translator to help party navigate court system. | Permits certain motor vehicles to display both amber and green warning lights. | In Committee |
| S2682 | Requires Commissioner of Education to develop emergency notification system to alert students and staff of active shooter on school grounds. | This bill requires the Commissioner of Education to develop an emergency notification system that enables schools to alert the students, the parents and guardians of the students, teachers, and all staff of an active shooter situation in the school or on school grounds. Under the bill, the notification system is to: · provide that the parents or guardians of students, students, with the permission of a parent or guardian, teachers, and all other school staff, can register any mobile electronic communications device with the school to receive the notification; · be accessible and compatible with all makes and models of mobile electronic communications devices;· be directly linked to local law enforcement authorities or, in the case of a school located in a municipality in which there is no municipal police department, a location designated by the Superintendent of State Police, and is to immediately transmit a signal or message to such authorities upon activation; and· be made available to each public and nonpublic school at no cost to the school. Under the bill, if a board of education or the chief school administrator of a nonpublic school determines to use the notification system, the principal of each school in the school district or chief school administrator of a nonpublic school is required to ensure that the notification system is customized to each particular school and includes the contact information for each person who registered with the school to receive the notification. | In Committee |
| SJR87 | Designates October 11 of each year as "Perimenopause Day" in New Jersey. | This joint resolution designates October 11 of each year as "Perimenopause Day" in New Jersey. Perimenopause is the time during which a woman's body makes the natural transition to menopause and often begins about eight to 10 years before menopause. Perimenopause is a natural process caused by the gradual decline of ovary function and estrogen production, during which ovulation may become erratic, the menstrual cycle lengthens, and flow may become irregular before a woman's final period. Common symptoms can last for a few months to many years and may include: irregular periods or skipping periods; periods that are heavier or lighter than usual; hot flashes; vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex; urinary urgency; sleep problems; changes in mood; and depression. Perimenopause is a lesser known stage of the menopause process and individuals may not realize that the symptoms the person is experiencing are associated with perimenopause and may instead attribute the symptoms to ageing, stress, anxiety, and depression, which may result in the delay of appropriate treatment from health care professionals. October 11 is recognized as "World Perimenopause Day" with the purpose of educating people about mental health and the early signs of perimenopause and supporting women going through perimenopause who may feel lost. It is altogether fitting and proper for the State of New Jersey to designate October 11 of each year as "Perimenopause Day" in order to support women going through perimenopause, to raise awareness of the realities of perimenopause and the available disease management options, and to combat stigma and misinformation concerning perimenopause. | In Committee |
| SJR81 | Designates October 23 of each year as "Aromatic L-amino Acid Decarboxylase Deficiency Awareness Day." | This resolution establishes October 23 of each year as "Aromatic L-Amino Acid Decarboxylase Deficiency Day" in New Jersey. The State of New Jersey supports protecting the health of vulnerable populations and young children, as well as educating the public and medical communities about rare diseases. A rare disease is generally considered to be a disease that affects fewer than 200,000 people in the United States at any given time. Aromatic L-Amino Acid Decarboxylase ("AADC") Deficiency is a life-limiting, severely debilitating genetic neurologic rare disease that significantly impacts a patient's development, motor skills, growth, cognition, and language skills. While some patients who are born with AADC Deficiency may be asymptomatic at birth, AADC patients typically experience symptoms within the first year of life such as developmental delay and involuntary eye movements. Caregivers of patients with AADC Deficiency are often responsible for the overall care of the patient due to the debilitating nature of this disease and patients may need life-long care. The State of New Jersey can raise awareness of AADC Deficiency in the public and medical communities within this State in order to support individuals with AADC Deficiency and their caregivers by designating this awareness day. | 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 |
| S2683 | Requires certain libraries to provide free menstrual hygiene products and requires State to pay costs. | This bill requires certain libraries to provide free menstrual hygiene products in its restrooms. Under the bill, a municipality or county that supports, in whole or in part, library service from municipal or county tax sources, and in which 40 percent or more of its residents reside in households with a household income at or below the most recent federal poverty guidelines multiplied by 1.85, is required to ensure that each library in the municipality or county:· provides direct access to menstrual hygiene products in each women's restroom and each all-gender restroom free of charge; and · provides and prominently displays educational pamphlets addressing topics including, but not limited to, toxic shock syndrome, menstrual disorders, and the proper disposal of menstrual hygiene products, in each women's restroom and each all-gender restroom. Under the bill, any costs incurred by a library in providing an adequate supply of menstrual hygiene products to meet the needs of its patrons is to be borne by the State. Period poverty is a lack of access to menstrual products, education, and hygiene facilities that affects 500 million people worldwide and an estimated 16.9 million people in the United States. People who experience period poverty are unable to purchase the menstrual hygiene products they need and, in many cases, this means that they cannot go to school or work or otherwise fully participate in daily life. | In Committee |
| S2681 | Establishes crimes against elected public officials and immediate families; provides police protection in instances of crime against elected public official and immediate family. | The bill provides additional protections for elected public officials and members of their immediate family. Under current law, it is a disorderly persons offense to commit assault. However, when the assault is committed against enumerated persons, it is the crime of aggravated assault, a crime of the third degree. The bill adds elected public officials and the immediate family members of elected public officials to the enumerated list of persons who, when assaulted, constitutes the crime of aggravated assault. Further, the bill makes it a third degree crime to commit the crimes of stalking and harassment against an elected official or their immediate family. A crime of the third degree is punishable by three to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. The bill defines "immediate family member" as a spouse, domestic partner, partner in a civil union couple, parent, sibling, child, and stepchild, as related by blood or law. Upon the commission of the enumerated crimes of the bill, assault, harassment, or stalking against an elected public official or an immediate family member, the Superintendent of the State Police and the local police in the municipality in which the elected official or immediate family member reside are required to provide police protection to the elected official and the immediate family member of the elected official. The Superintendent of the State Police on a case-by-case basis determines the length of time that police provide protection to the elected public official and the immediate family member of the elected public official. The bill is being prepared in response to the recent assault committed against the husband of the Speaker of the House of Representative, Nancy Pelosi. The bill provides additional measures and protections to ensure the safety of elected public officials and their families. | In Committee |
| SR39 | Urges restaurants to include warnings against use of mobile ordering features while driving. | This Senate resolution urges restaurants located in New Jersey that accept mobile ordering to implement safety features, such as pop-up warnings, to caution consumers against placing a mobile order while driving. Distracted driving is among the five leading causes of motor vehicle fatalities in the United States, resulting in 42 deaths on New Jersey interstate highways during 2021. The most common distraction for drivers is cell phone use, which may include placing a mobile order with a restaurant while driving. Community activism can raise awareness of the dangers associated with distracted driving and encourage residents and businesses in this State to take protective measures. Implementing safety features that warn against placing a mobile order while driving is one of the ways in which private businesses can decrease the likelihood of consumers using cell phones while driving. Copies of this resolution are to be transmitted to the New Jersey Restaurant and Hospitality Association. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S1602 | Prohibits discrimination on basis of height or weight under "Law Against Discrimination." | This bill prohibits discrimination on the basis of height or weight under the "Law Against Discrimination" (LAD). Studies have documented that individuals are discriminated against for their height or weight. Under current State law, this discrimination is permissible. This bill is modeled after the civil rights law in Michigan, which prohibits discrimination in employment, education, housing, public accommodations, and public service on the basis of height or weight, among other reasons for discrimination. The bill provides exceptions for employment and public accommodation for bone fide occupational qualifications and safety reasons, respectively. | Crossed Over |
| S1062 | Makes various revisions to the Crime Victims' Bill of Rights. | This bill makes various revisions to the Crime Victims' Bill of Rights. The Victims' Rights Amendment to the New Jersey Constitution, enacted by the voters in 1991 as paragraph 22 of Article I, makes crime victims' rights a constitutional mandate and specifically provides that victims "shall be entitled to those rights and remedies as may be provided by the Legislature." Under the Crime Victims' Bill of Rights, crime victims and witnesses are to be free from intimidation, harassment, or abuse by any person including the defendant or any other person acting in support of or on behalf of the defendant, due to the involvement of the victim or witness in the criminal justice process. This bill expands the Crime Victims' Bill of Rights by expanding the process for plea agreements. Under current law, victims and witnesses have the opportunity to consult with the prosecuting authority prior to the conclusion of plea negotiations. The bill grants victims and witnesses the opportunity to communicate with the prosecuting authority any perspective the victim may have on considerations related to plea negotiations with the defendant prior to the beginning of any plea negotiations, to consult with the prosecuting authority prior to the conclusion of any plea negotiations, and to have the prosecutor advise the court of the consultation and the victim's position regarding the plea. The bill requires the prosecutor to advise the court of the victim's position unless the victim affirmatively requests otherwise. The bill also allows a court to establish a procedure by which judges in criminal cases may ascertain whether a victim has been afforded an adequate opportunity to communicate and consult with the prosecuting authority on a plea agreement, including whether the prosecuting authority made sufficient efforts to contact the victim in matters in which contact did not occur. In addition, the bill requires law enforcement agencies to furnish, upon request, incident reports to a victim or the victim's attorney when there is a pending application for a domestic violence restraining order or pending application for a sexual assault restraining order within 24 hours or as soon as practicable but in no event more than five days after the date the report is requested. The bill also expands the definition of victim to include the parent or legal guardian of a minor victim acting on behalf of the minor victim. Finally, the bill clarifies that the Victim Witness and Advocacy Fund is to award grants to legal support services. The bill also removes enumerated organizations eligible for grants under current law and provides that organizations eligible to receive grants are to include service providers and county-based programs throughout the State which serve victims of violence. | In Committee |
| S1540 | Authorizes funding to protect safety of cooperating witnesses; expands Crime Victim's Bill of Rights to provide these witnesses with certain guarantees. | This bill specifically authorizes the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) to pay expenses related to protecting the safety of cooperating witnesses. The bill defines a "cooperating witness" as a witness who testifies for the government to help prosecute a crime, and includes a confidential informant. The bill also authorizes the Division of Criminal Justice in the Department of Law and Public Safety to award grants from the Victim and Witness Advocacy Fund to public entities and not-for-profit organizations to provide services that protect the safety of cooperating witnesses. Finally, the bill amends the Crime Victim's Bill of Rights to expand the rights of cooperating witnesses. The bill gives these witnesses the right to be provided assistance before and during a trial to cope with the psychological and practical obstacles of testifying. These witnesses also would be given the right to receive protective measures before, during, and after a hearing or trial and to have established court procedures ensuring their safety while testifying. | In Committee |
| SJR73 | Designates November of each year as "Transgender Awareness Month." | This joint resolution designates November of each year as "Transgender Awareness Month" in the State of New Jersey, and respectfully calls on the Governor to annually issue a proclamation calling on public officials and citizens of this State to observe "Transgender Awareness Month" with appropriate activities and programs. Transgender individuals, who are people whose gender identity, expression, or behavior is different from those typically associated with the individual's assigned sex at birth, face considerable challenges in society, including discrimination, harassment, physical abuse, and social isolation. In the face of a sharp increase in anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation being introduced nationwide, with numerous bills seeking to limit access to health care, housing, education, and free expression for transgender individuals and transgender youth in particular, the Legislature finds it fitting and appropriate to increase awareness and understanding of the prejudice, discrimination, and violence that transgender persons face, as well as to recognize the beauty, strength, and resilience of the transgender community and the myriad contributions transgender individuals make to the life, culture, and social fabric of the United States. | In Committee |
| S2555 | Regulates residential mental health treatment facilities. | This bill regulates residential mental health treatment facilities. Under the bill, residential mental health treatment facilities, as defined in the bill, are to: (1) provide mental health services or treatment in a manner that is consistent with the Level 3.5 level of care according to the American Society of Addiction Medicine in a 24 hours per day and seven days per week, structured living environment for patients who require such support, and in instances where inpatient hospitalization treatment is unnecessary; (2) provide health services or treatment for limited periods of time with the goal of preparing patients to move into the community at lower levels of care; and (3) provide health services or treatment without any retrospective review or concurrent review of medical necessity. The bill provides that no residential mental health treatment facility is to operate within this State except pursuant to a license obtained from the Commissioner of Health (commissioner), upon an application made therefor. The applicant is to be required to furnish evidence of the facility's ability to comply with the minimum standards for licensure established by the commissioner and of the good moral character of the facility's owners. Under the bill, the commissioner is to issue a license to a residential mental health treatment facility if the applicant is of good moral character and the facility is in compliance with the bill's provisions. There is to be a presumption in favor of an applicant's good moral character if the applicant is currently licensed and in good standing in this State as a mental health program pursuant to N.J.A.C.8:121 et seq. A residential mental health treatment facility is not to be licensed to operate at the same location as a residential substance use disorders treatment facility or program. The bill amends section 19 of P.L.1992, c.160 (C.26:2H-7a) to exempt residential mental health treatment facilities from the certificate of need requirement. The certificate of need program is a regulatory process that is administered by the Office of Certificate of Need and Healthcare Facility Licensure with the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH). Under the certificate of need program, certain health care facilities are required to obtain the DOH's approval prior to constructing, relocating, or renovating their facilities. Finally, the bill provides that the commissioner is to adopt rules and regulations establishing minimum standards for the licensure of residential health treatment facilities and the treatment of patients therein, and if feasible, structure the rules and regulations similarly to the regulations which are applicable to residential substance use disorders treatment facilities or programs, as set forth in N.J.A.C.8:111 et seq. | In Committee |
| S2526 | Provides free telecommunication services for incarcerated persons at State, county, and private adult and juvenile correctional facilities. | This bill provides that all adult and juvenile correctional facilities in the State operated by the Department of Corrections, the Juvenile Justice Commission, the counties, and private operators allow incarcerated persons to make and receive telephone calls, video calls, and electronic mail free of charge to both the sending and receiving party. Under current law, incarcerated persons may be charged for domestic telephone calls at up to 11 cents per minute using a debit, prepaid, or collect call system. Current law does not require incarcerated persons to have access to video calls or electronic mail, although such capability is already in place at certain facilities, with a fee charged to the incarcerated person. The bill makes an appropriation of such funds as may be necessary for the implementation of the bill, as certified by the Commissioner of Corrections and the Executive Director of the Juvenile Justice Commission. The Department of Corrections and the Juvenile Justice Commission retain the authority to establish rules and regulations for the security of telecommunication services. It is the sponsor's intent that the bill would not require any renegotiation of existing State or local contracts for telecommunication services, but would instead shift the costs associated with the contracts to the correctional facility operator. In the sponsor's view, the more incarcerated persons stay in touch with their families, the better they do when they reenter society, while those with weaker support systems due to lack of communication during incarceration are more likely to re-offend. Maintaining family and community connection while incarcerated is key to successful reentry, and thus it is in the public interest to reduce the economic burden on incarcerated persons associated with making and receiving calls and messages. The sponsor notes that New York City, Connecticut, California, Minnesota, Massachusetts, and Colorado have all recently adopted legislation to make telecommunication services free to incarcerated persons. The sponsor further notes that prison telecommunication services is a $1.4 billion industry that has been accused of price-gouging and profiteering from the families of incarcerated persons. According to some studies, one in three families with an incarcerated loved one goes into debt over the cost of telephone calls charged by correctional facilities. It is the sponsor's intent to ease the enormous financial burden on the families of incarcerated persons who are simply trying to maintain communication with their loved ones. | In Committee |
| S2609 | Revises mileage limit for mandatory school transportation for students in preschool through grade four. | Under current law, a school district is required to provide transportation to elementary school students who live more than two miles from their public school of attendance and to high school students who live more than two and one-half miles from their public school of attendance. This bill would amend current law to require a school district to provide transportation to students in preschool through grade four who live more than one and one-half miles from their public school of attendance. The bill retains the existing distance requirement of more than two miles for students in grades five through eight, and the existing distance requirement of more than two and one-half miles for high school students. The bill also amends the transportation eligibility criteria under the "Interdistrict Public School Choice Program Act" to align with the mileage change made by the bill for public school students in preschool through grade four. | In Committee |
| S2496 | Establishes Office of New Americans in Department of Human Services. | This bill establishes the Office of New Americans in the New Jersey Department of Human Services. This bill codifies the existing Office of New Americans established in 2019 pursuant to Executive Order 74 of 2019. The commissioner will appoint the director, and the director will be the administrator and head of the office. The bill requires the office to be a centralized location for expertise and data on New Americans and to engage in programs, initiatives, and policies focused on successful integration for immigrants, refugees, and their children. The office will also provide technical assistance and training to other offices and departments in the Executive Branch on issues pertaining to effective and equitable engagement with New Americans. The bill also requires the Department of Human Services, through the Office of New Americans, to: administer services for New Americans; engage directly with immigrant and refugee communities and service providers to understand and address their concerns and the obstacles they face in accessing services and resources; and support and advise State departments and agencies, as well as other organizations, on community engagement and outreach to promote best practices and improve the accessibility of State programs and information by New Americans. Additionally, the bill requires the office to use data for informing the State's efforts only as authorized under State and federal law to advance integration for immigrants. The office will not use or share data for the use of civil immigration enforcement. | In Committee |
| S2499 | Establishes five-year conception to cradle pilot program in DOE. | This bill establishes a five-year Conception to Cradle Pilot Program in the Department of Education (DOE). The objective of the pilot program is to facilitate partnerships between public schools, community-based nonprofit organizations, faith-based organizations, health and social services providers, public and private universities, and State and local governmental agencies to: (1) provide an integrated focus on early childhood development, health and social services, educational counseling, and community development; (2) offer prenatal and pediatric health and nutritional care to infants and toddlers from birth to age three; and (3) actively engage families and foster collaborative practices based on an individual community's identified need. Under the pilot program, 50 public schools with the worst student performance are to be selected to receive training in providing community school services to infants and toddlers from birth to age three, and would be assigned a site coordinator to assist in the provision of services. The bill stipulates that no later than six months following the bill's effective date, the Commissioner of Education (commissioner) is to survey every school district in the State to assess the extent to which public schools in the district can provide community school services to infants and toddlers from birth to age three. The survey is to: (1) identify public schools with the worst student performance in the district that have an interest in providing community school services; (2) list the entities with which a school can enter into a partnership for the provision of services; and (3) detail services that are to be provided through the community school services program. Under the bill, the commissioner would issue a request for proposals to identify a nonprofit organization located in the State to manage the pilot program. The selected organization would be responsible for providing technical assistance to the public schools participating in the pilot program, and may enter into an agreement with another nonprofit entity to assist it in carrying out its responsibilities as outlined in the bill. The organization, in coordination with the DOE, would develop an application procedure and specific criteria for selecting the 50 public schools to participate in the program and receive direct support from a site coordinator. The selection criteria would be posted on the DOE's website at least 20 days prior to the beginning of the application period. In selecting the 50 public schools to participate in the pilot program, priority is to be given to a school that: has the worst student performance in its school district as determined by standard assessment measures; and serves low-income and under-resourced communities. The organization would employ and train individuals who would be assigned to serve as a site coordinator in a public school selected to participate in the pilot program. Those selected to be site coordinators would be required to be employees of the organization, and not the school they are assigned. The commissioner would annually enter into a contract with an independent entity to perform an audit of the organization's accounts and financial transactions. The audits, which must be completed no later than five months following the organization's fiscal year, would be posted on the DOE's website. The bill also requires that the commissioner enter into a contract with an independent entity to conduct an evaluation of the pilot program. The final report, which the commissioner would forward to the Governor and the Legislature, would be due no later than six months prior to the conclusion of the pilot program. The bill also establishes in the DOE a nonlapsing fund known as the Conception to Cradle Pilot Program Fund. The fund is to consist of any funds that are appropriated by the Legislature for inclusion in the fund, investment earnings of the fund, and moneys contributed to the fund by private sources. | In Committee |
| S2511 | Prohibits sale of cats, dogs, or rabbits by pet shops; repeals "Pet Purchase Protection Act." | This bill repeals the "Pet Purchase Protection Act," P.L.1999, c.336 (C.56:8-92 et seq.) and replaces it with a prohibition on the sale of cats, dogs, and rabbits by pet shops. The bill also imposes several other requirements concerning the sale and adoption of animals. The bill provides that, without limiting the prosecution of any other practices which may be unlawful pursuant to State consumer fraud laws, it would be an unlawful practice and a violation of State consumer fraud law, P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.), for any breeder or broker to knowingly sell a cat or dog that is unfit for purchase. The bill defines "unfit for purchase" as having any disease, deformity, injury, physical condition, illness, or defect which is congenital or hereditary and severely affects the health of the animal, and which was manifest, capable of diagnosis or likely contracted on or before the sale and delivery of the animal to the consumer. The bill specifies that the death of an animal within 14 days of its delivery to the consumer, except by death by accident or as a result of injuries sustained during that period, would be construed to mean the animal was unfit for purchase. The bill establishes a prohibition on the sale of cats, dogs, or rabbits by pet shops and establishes a $500 fine for each violation of this prohibition to be collected in a civil action under the Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999. The bill authorizes a pet shop to: 1) sell or offer for sale any other type of animal as may be otherwise permitted pursuant to State law or regulation, or sell or offer for sale pet supplies for any type of animal, including a cat, dog, or rabbit, if it is licensed by its municipality to do so; and 2) offer, in collaboration with an animal rescue organization, shelter, or pound, space in the pet shop to showcase cats, dogs, and rabbits that are available for adoption, provided that no payment or compensation, monetary or otherwise, is exchanged between the pet shop and animal rescue organization, shelter, or pound, for the use of the pet shop or for the adoption of any cat, dog, rabbit, or any other animal. The bill prohibits animal rescue organizations, animal rescue organization facilities, pet shops, shelters, or pounds from obtaining a cat, dog, or rabbit from a breeder or broker in exchange for any type of compensation. The bill specifies that: 1) no provision of the bill may be construed to alter, diminish, replace, or revoke the requirements for pet dealers that are not pet shops or the rights of a consumer purchasing an animal from a pet dealer that is not a pet shop, as may be provided elsewhere in law or any rule or regulation; 2) any provision of law or regulation pertaining to pet shops that does not pertain to the sale of cats, dogs, or rabbits would continue to apply to pet shops; and 3) no provision of the bill may be construed to alter, diminish, replace, or revoke any recourse or remedy that is otherwise available to a consumer purchasing a cat, dog, rabbit, or any other type of animal and provided under any other law. The bill specifies that the bill's provisions may not be construed to interfere with the implementation of, or otherwise invalidate, or limit or restrict any municipality, county, local health agency, or municipal or county board of health from enacting or enforcing, any law, ordinance, rule, or regulation that places additional obligations or restrictions on pet shops, pet shop sales, pet dealers, breeders, brokers, or breeder or broker sales. | In Committee |
| S2391 | "Homeowners' Historic Property Reinvestment Act"; allows homeowners to claim credit against gross income tax for certain costs of rehabilitating historic properties. | This bill establishes the "Homeowners' Historic Property Reinvestment Act." The bill allows homeowners to claim a refundable credit against gross income tax in an amount equal to 25 percent of the homeowner's outlay for rehabilitating a historic property in this State. The credit is capped at $25,000 per property during a ten-year period. To qualify for the credit, a property that is to be rehabilitated is required to meet certain criteria, as specified in the bill. The bill requires a homeowner seeking a tax credit under the bill to spend no more than 60 percent of the cost of rehabilitation on interior rehabilitation and to own and occupy the qualified property as the homeowner's principal residence for twelve consecutive months following the completion of the rehabilitation. The bill requires rehabilitation expenditures to be at least 50 percent of the equalized assessed value of the structure for local real estate tax purposes as indicated on the most recent property tax bill for the property prior to the start of the rehabilitation. The bill provides that the cumulative amount of tax credits approved cannot exceed $15 million. The bill requires the State Historic Preservation Officer, in consultation with the director of the Division of Taxation, to prepare and submit a written report to the Governor and the Legislature on or before December 31st of the fourth year following the bill's effective date. The report would detail the number and total monetary amount of tax credits granted for the rehabilitation of qualified properties, the geographical distribution of the credits granted, an evaluation of the effectiveness of the tax credits in promoting the rehabilitation of historic properties, recommendations for administrative or legislative changes to increase the effectiveness of the program, and any other information that the officer or the director may deem useful or appropriate. | In Committee |
| S2436 | Establishes limit on rent increase for senior citizen tenants of certain properties financed with assistance from HMFA. | This bill would establish a limitation on rent increases for certain units leased to senior citizen tenants and financed by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA). The bill prohibits a landlord--as defined in the bill, including a sublessor--of a covered dwelling unit, from increasing the rent over the course of a 12-month period by more than two percent, or by more than the percent change in the cost of living, whichever is greater. The bill defines a "covered dwelling unit" as a structure, or a room or a group of rooms within a structure that: (1) is offered for rent by a landlord for residential purposes; (2) is rented to a senior citizen for their principal place of residence; and (3) has been, presently is, or is to be funded by a loan, bond, trust fund, subsidy, or any other program or financial assistance from the HMFA. The bill provides that if the landlord increases the rent in excess of the bill's limitation, the applicable rent for the duration of the present lease term, or subsequent lease term if the present term is month-to-month, is to be the rent for the year or term preceding the violation. The bill's limitations would also function in addition to the existing prohibition on unconscionable rent increases pursuant the Anti-Eviction Act, P.L.1974, c.49 (C.2A:18-61.1 et seq.). A violation of the bill would: (1) constitute an unlawful practice pursuant to the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act, P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.) (CFA); (2) subject a landlord to all applicable penalties prescribed pursuant to the CFA; (3) permit a tenant to petition the court to terminate a lease in violation of the bill, and to recover reasonable attorney's fees or expenses; (4) subject a landlord to a penalty of $500 for a first offense by the landlord, and $1,000 for a second and any subsequent offense, in a separate cause of action brought by the tenant, in addition to reasonable attorney's fees or expenses; and (5) permit a tenant to assert the violation as a defense to an eviction as an unconscionable rent increase. The bill would only preempt other laws regarding rent control, as prescribed in the bill, that result in a higher permitted rent increase over the course of a 12-month period. Further, the bill would take effect on the first day of the third month following the date of enactment, and apply to tenancies commencing on or after the effective date of the bill, except that the Executive Director of the HMFA would be permitted to take anticipatory action necessary to effectuate the provisions of this bill. | In Committee |
| S2392 | Authorizes medical cannabis for treatment of sickle cell anemia. | This bill expands the list of medical conditions that qualify a patient for the medical use of cannabis to include sickle cell anemia. Sickle cell anemia is an inherited blood disorder characterized primarily by chronic anemia and periodic episodes of pain. The medical use of cannabis can treat or alleviate the pain or other symptoms associated with certain medical conditions. | In Committee |
| S2400 | Prohibits late penalties from being made against senior citizen tenants in certain senior citizen rental housing in certain circumstances. | This bill prohibits the landlord of public housing for seniors, as defined in the bill, from imposing certain late charges upon senior citizen tenants who are unable to make timely rent payments due to their admittance to a health care facility. Under current law, a landlord is prohibited from imposing late charges on all residential tenants, including senior citizen tenants, during the five business day period following the due date of a rental payment. This bill would expand these provisions to include the period during which certain senior citizen tenants (tenants) have been admitted to a health care facility and a five business day period following discharge from the facility. Specifically, the bill provides that, upon receipt of written proof that a tenant was admitted to a health care facility, a landlord is to be required to waive any late charge incurred by the tenant during the period of hospitalization and the grace period of five business days following discharge from the facility. If the full rent payment is not remitted within that period, the landlord may thereafter impose late charges. However, the grace period is not to begin if, following discharge from the health care facility, the tenant is immediately admitted to a subsequent health care facility without returning to the rental premises, but the tenant is to remain responsible for rent due before the lease expires or is terminated under the provisions of the lease agreement or State law. A person who violates the provisions of the bill is to be subject to a fine of $100 for a first offense, a fine of $250 for a second offense, and a fine of $500 for a third or subsequent offense. Additionally, the bill provides that the Attorney General is to bring the action against the landlord in a summary proceeding pursuant to the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.). Additionally, under the bill, a "senior citizen" includes a person 62 years of age or over and a surviving spouse, if that person is 55 years of age or over. | In Committee |
| S2389 | Broadens definition of "harassment, intimidation, or bullying" in Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act. | This bill amends the definition of "harassment, intimidation, or bullying" in the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act to encompass acts of harassment, intimidation, or bullying against all students, not just students in protected classes. As currently defined, "harassment, intimidation, or bullying" is required to be reasonably perceived as being motivated by an actual or perceived characteristic. The definition sets forth examples of such characteristics - race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, mental, physical or sensory disability, or other distinguishing characteristic. This bill eliminates the requirement that the conduct is motivated by these actual or perceived characteristics from the definition. The bill requires the Commissioner of Education to update the model policy on harassment, intimidation, or bullying upon any revision of the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act. The bill also provides that a school district's policy on prohibiting harassment, intimidation, or bullying be amended upon any revision of the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act. The bill removes the requirement that a school district ensure that its training on harassment, intimidation, or bullying include instruction on preventing bullying on the basis of protected categories since these categories are eliminated by the bill. Finally, the bill requires that as part of the information provided by the superintendent of schools twice a year to the board of education regarding acts of violence, vandalism, and bullying which occurred during the previous reporting period, the superintendent is to provide the board with information on the number of reports of harassment, intimidation, or bullying, disaggregated by race, gender, sexual orientation, eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch under the National School Lunch Program, special education designation, and English language learner designation. Similarly, the bill requires the information that is to be reported to the Department of Education include this disaggregated data. | In Committee |
| S2383 | Establishes "Volunteer Fire Company Assistance Program" in DCA to support operations and sustainability of volunteer fire companies; appropriates $10 million. | This bill establishes the "Volunteer Fire Company Assistance Program" in the Division of Fire Safety in the Department of Community Affairs to support the ongoing operations and sustainability of volunteer fire companies. The bill establishes a special, non-lapsing fund to be known as the "Volunteer Fire Company Assistance Program Fund" (fund), which is required to be annually credited with money appropriated by the Legislature. Under the bill, the Director of the Division of Fire Safety (division) is required to develop and administer a grant program to annually distribute monies in the fund to volunteer fire companies in the form of grants to support the ongoing operations and sustainability of volunteer fire companies, including the purchasing of emergency equipment. Under the bill, to participate in the grant program, a volunteer fire company is to be required to submit an application to the division. An application is required to include certain information detailing the volunteer fire company's proposed plans for the grant funding. The Director of the division (director) is required to establish an annual maximum grant award amount to ensure that the maximum number of program applicants receive a grant award, given available funding. Under the bill, within one year of receiving a grant, each participating volunteer fire company is required to submit a report to the division detailing the use and impact of the funds. The bill requires the director to compile the reports for inclusion in a comparative profile of the participating volunteer fire companies and post the profile for public inspection on the division's Internet website. The bill also provides that, within one year of posting the comparative profile, the director is to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature that contains information on the implementation of the grant program. The bill appropriates $10 million, as specified in the bill, from the General Fund for the purpose of supporting the ongoing operations and sustainability of volunteer fire departments. | In Committee |
| SJR69 | Designates first week of March as "Civic Learning Week" in New Jersey. | This joint resolution designates the first full week of March as "Civic Learning Week" in New Jersey to encourage schools and civic organizations to hold educational programs regarding civic duty and urge New Jersey citizens to reflect upon the importance of their civic duty and responsibilities. Research has shown the importance of engaging and educating the youth of their civic duty and responsibility. Students involved in school or community based civic activities have elevated psychological well-being, increased academic engagement, and have displayed more involvement in activities than peers who were not involved in these activities. Communities are more united when their youth participate in civic engagement activities and philanthropy. Service learning projects, civic duty educational outreach programs, class discussions, and extracurricular civic activities are some of the many ways that students can learn the importance of civic engagement. This joint resolution would designate the first week of March of each year as "Civic Learning Week" to encourage schools and civic organizations to hold educational programs regarding civic duty and urge residents of New Jersey citizens to reflect upon the importance of their civic duty and responsibilities in order to uphold the democratic values of this state and nation. | In Committee |
| S2387 | Expands Lifeline Credit and Tenants' Lifeline Assistance Programs to include assistance for water utility bill. | This bill adds assistance for water utility bills to the Lifeline Credit Program, established pursuant to P.L.1979, c.197 (C.48:2-29.15 et seq.), and the Tenants' Lifeline Assistance Program, established pursuant to P.L.1981, c.210 et seq. (C.48:2-29.30 et seq.). Under current law, these programs provide a $225 benefit only on gas and electric utility bills to eligible customers who are participating in the Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled Program (PAAD), receiving or eligible to receive benefits under the Supplemental Security Income program established pursuant to P.L.1973, c.256 (C.44:7-85), or receiving disability benefits under the federal Social Security Act and also meet eligibility requirements for PAAD. Under this legislation, these programs would be expanded to include water utility bills. | In Committee |
| SR65 | Supports National Black Caucus of State Legislators efforts to ensure 40 percent of certain federal investments are made in communities of color and other disadvantaged communities. | This resolution supports the resolve and efforts of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators to: 1) ensure 40 percent of federal infrastructure investments are made in communities of color and other disadvantaged communities; 2) establish, through legislation, oversight committees to interact with federal agencies; and 3) otherwise work to accomplish the goals of President Biden's Justice40 Initiative so that the disadvantaged and underserved constituents of the legislators in the National Black Caucus of State Legislators receive the maximum economic, environmental, and infrastructure investment benefits from federal funding initiatives. The National Black Caucus of State Legislators issued Resolution ETE-23-34, in which the caucus resolved to establish, through legislation, oversight committees to interact with federal agencies to further President Biden's Justice40 Initiative and coordinate with local and State agencies to assure maximum benefits are received by the constituents of the legislators in the National Black Caucus of State Legislators. | In Committee |
| S2338 | Provides for rehabilitative release for certain incarcerated persons. | This bill provides for the rehabilitative release of certain incarcerated persons. Under the bill, the Department of Corrections (DOC) is required to issue a Certificate of Eligibility for Rehabilitative Release (certificate) to any incarcerated person who: (1) is at least 60 years of age, and has served at least 20 years in custody on the sentence imposed for the offense or offenses of which the incarcerated person was convicted; or (2) if convicted of murder, is at least 62 years of age and has served at least 30 years in custody. An incarcerated person who has been issued a certificate, and has not previously sought relief under the bill, may petition the court for rehabilitative release. The Office of the Public Defender is required to represent the incarcerated person, unless the incarcerated person retains other counsel. At least 60 days prior to the date of issuance of a certificate, the DOC is required to notify the State Parole Board of its intent to issue the certificate. The superintendent or other chief executive officer of the institution in which the incarcerated person is held is required to prepare a report for any incarcerated person issued a certificate under the bill for consideration by the court at a hearing for rehabilitative release. In accordance with the provisions of the bill, a hearing on a petition for rehabilitative release is to be held in the Superior Court in the county in which the incarcerated person was originally sentenced and in accordance with the Rules of Court. In addition to other service requirements under the bill, the county prosecutor or the director, as appropriate, is required to provide a copy of the petition for rehabilitative release to any victim or family member of a victim entitled to notice relating to a parole or the consideration of a parole under current law. The victim or family member also is to be notified of their opportunity to supplement the report to be issued under the bill with a statement attached to the report, a written or videotaped statement at the hearing on the petition, or to testify to the court at the time of the hearing. Upon consideration of a petition and following a hearing, the Superior Court may modify, reduce, or suspend an incarcerated person's sentence if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that: · the incarcerated person is not a danger to the safety of any person or the community; · the incarcerated person demonstrates a readiness for reentry, which shall be demonstrated by, among other things, significant efforts to participate in educational, therapeutic, or vocational opportunities while incarcerated; and · the interests of justice warrant a sentence modification. The court is required to issue a written order stating the reasons for granting or denying modification. In determining whether the foregoing standards are met, the court is required to consider a list of factors enumerated in the bill. An incarcerated person who receives a modified sentence under the bill also is to be sentenced to a five-year term of parole supervision. An order for rehabilitative release under the bill is not to become final for 10 days in order to permit the prosecution an opportunity to appeal the court's order. A petitioner may also appeal a denied petition. | In Committee |
| S2321 | Revises requirements concerning disqualification from registration as, and duties of, a professional guardian. | This bill amends section 3 of P.L.2005, c.370 (C.52:27G-34) to expand the reasons why a person would be ineligible for registration as a professional guardian or, if registered, may have his registration suspended or revoked, and to establish civil penalties to apply to a person who has engaged in any acts that disqualify the person from registering or continuing to serve as a professional guardian. Current law allows for the disqualification of a person from registering or continuing to serve as a professional guardian if the person engages in any disqualifying acts. The bill expands the list of disqualifying acts to include knowingly engaging in self-dealing including, but not limited to, taking advantage of the professional guardian's position in performing guardian responsibilities or acting for the guardian's own interests rather than for the interests of the incapacitated adult. Under current law, a person who is disqualified from registering as a professional guardian or whose registration to serve as a professional guardian has been revoked is not subject to any criminal or civil penalties other than those applicable to the disqualifying acts. This bill provides for the imposition of a supplemental civil penalty of not less than $5,000 or more than $10,000 on any person whose registration has been suspended or revoked. The civil penalty is in addition to those penalties that are applicable to any of the disqualifying acts. Current provisions of N.J.S.A.3B:12-56 and N.J.S.A.3B:12-57, which describe the powers and duties of a guardian of the person of a ward, do not indicate that the guardian has any duty to avoid engaging in the abuse, neglect, or exploitation of the ward or to act in the ward's best interest. This bill amends N.J.S.A.3B:12-56 and N.J.S.A.3B:12-57 to stipulate that a guardian of the person of a ward has an affirmative duty to take actions that are not abusive, neglectful, or exploitive of the ward, and to act in a manner that is in the ward's best interests when performing or not performing any task relating to the provision of guardianship services to the ward. | 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 |
| SR64 | Urges Governor and Legislature to establish programs to help eliminate food deserts. | This resolution urges the Governor and Legislature to establish programs to help eliminate food deserts. There are certain areas of the State, known as "food deserts," which are areas where residents are unable to obtain nutritious foods. Food deserts lack fresh foods, such as fresh meats, fruits, and vegetables. Instead, available foods are often processed and high in sugar and fats, which can contribute to a variety of health issues. Food deserts and exist in rural and urban areas and tend to be inhabited by low-income residents with reduced mobility. Food deserts develop in the absence of supermarkets and grocery stores. Grocery stores and supermarkets offer opportunities to purchase affordable, fresh, and nutritious food and also create local jobs. The establishment of incentives to grocery stores and supermarkets to open locations in food deserts may be a path by which to create jobs and ensure residents of food deserts are provided the ability to purchase nutritious foods. The resolution urges the Governor and the Legislature to work together to create programs to incentivize the establishment of grocery stores and supermarkets in food deserts. | In Committee |
| S1812 | Establishes requirements concerning methods for determining whether student has specific learning disability under federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. | Establishes requirements concerning methods for determining whether student has specific learning disability under federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. | In Committee |
| S1937 | Requires public and nonpublic secondary schools to annually conduct written or verbal substance use screening on all students using a particular screening program. | This bill will require school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools to provide for an annual written or verbal substance use screening on each high school student. The screening will assess the student's risk for substance abuse using the screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) program. If the student screens positive for potential substance misuse, the person administering the screening will be required to provide brief counseling using motivational interviewing and assist the student with referral to treatment options, if needed. The Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services in the Department of Human Services and the Department of Children and Families, using existing public and private training resources, will make available to school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools, training for personnel using the SBIRT program. Under the provisions of the bill, the parent or guardian of a student being screened must be given prior written notice of the screening and an opportunity to have the student opt out of the screening. The bill also includes a provision regarding the privacy of information collected during the screening. Statements made by a student during a screening are considered confidential information and cannot be disclosed by a person receiving the statement to any other person without the prior written consent of the student and the student's parent or guardian, except in cases of immediate medical emergency or if disclosure is otherwise required by State law. A school district, charter school, or nonpublic school is permitted to opt out of the SBIRT program required pursuant to the bill, if it is implementing an alternative screening program and provides to the Department of Education a detailed description of the alternative program and the reasons why the SBIRT program is not appropriate for its use. The State Board of Education, in conjunction with the Commissioner of Human Services, will promulgate regulations to effectuate the provisions of this bill, including standards pursuant to which the SBIRT program will be conducted. | In Committee |
| S283 | Requires chief law enforcement officer of municipal police departments to hold two community roundtables on police relations each year. | This bill requires certain law enforcement officials to hold periodic community roundtables on police relations. Under the amended bill, the chief law enforcement officer of each municipal police department in this State is required to sponsor at least two community roundtables on police relations each year, and the Superintendent of State police is required to sponsor in the northern, central, and southern regions of the State an open community roundtable discussion on police relations at least once per calendar year in each region. To maximize community participation, the bill requires the sponsor of the regional community roundtable to provide ample notice to the regional community, hold the roundtable at a central location, and schedule the roundtable during evening hours. Topics to be addressed at the community roundtables include race relations and racial profiling; recruitment, selection, and retention of officers; training and education of recruits and supervisors; regulation of body worn cameras; and use of force, police misconduct, and internal affairs investigations. | In Committee |
| S1789 | Requires law enforcement agencies to establish review council in internal affairs unit to investigate law enforcement officers who participate in hate groups. | This bill requires the Division of Law and Public Safety to revise the "Internal Affairs Policy and Procedures" of the Police Management Manual to require that the internal affairs unit or function of each law enforcement agency in this State to establish an extremist review council. Under current law, every law enforcement agency in the State is required to adopt and implement guidelines consistent with those governing the "Internal Affairs Policy and Procedures" of the Police Management Manual promulgated by the Police Bureau of the Division of Criminal Justice in the Department of Law and Public Safety. Under the bill, these guidelines are to be revised to require each law enforcement agency to establish an extremist review council that would investigate official misconduct complaints alleging that a law enforcement officer engaged in misconduct while on or off duty by making public expressions of hate, participating in hate groups activities, or being a member of a hate group. | In Committee |
| SJR62 | Designates September 15 of each year as "World Afro Day" in NJ. | This joint resolution designates September 15 of each year as "World Afro Day" in New Jersey. Beginning on September 15, 2017 in the United Kingdom, World Afro Day has stood as a celebration of natural hair and as an educational event to teach about Afro hair. The date was chosen to mark the day in 2016 when the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the rescinding of a job offer for Chastity Jones, who had her job offer rescinded for refusing to cut her dreadlocks. The court later withdrew this opinion and issued a revised opinion with the same outcome. The organization World Afro Day provides educational resources and hosts events to teach about natural hair and end hair discrimination. Afro hairstyles have been discriminated against for centuries. This has led to exclusion, bias, and low self-esteem. New Jersey recognized this problem and passed the "Create a Respectful and Open Workspace for Natural Hair Act" in 2019. Positive representations of natural hair and shifting perspectives on natural hair are crucial to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment where all residents of New Jersey can thrive. | In Committee |
| S1826 | Requires Medicaid coverage of social day care services for senior citizens. | This bill requires the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services in the Department of Human Services to provide social adult day care services for Medicaid beneficiaries, regardless of whether the beneficiaries are enrolled in the State's Medicaid Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) program. This benefit, however, would be limited to those Medicaid beneficiaries who are aged 60 years or older and who also meet the clinical, income, and asset requirements established for the MLTSS program by the Commissioner of Human Services. The bill defines social adult day care services as a community-based group program designed to meet the non-medical needs of senior citizens with functional impairments through an individualized plan of care. Social adult day care services are provided in a protective setting when participants' caregivers are at work or are otherwise unavailable. Pursuant to the bill, the Commissioner of Human Services is to apply for any federal Medicaid waivers or State plan amendments necessary to secure federal financial participation for State Medicaid expenditures under the federal Medicaid program. The bill additionally stipulates that the provisions therein are to remain inoperable until the Commissioner of Human Services receives federal approval of the requisite federal Medicaid waivers or State plan amendments. Under current law, only Medicaid beneficiaries enrolled in the MLTSS program are eligible for social adult day care or medical day care services. Beneficiaries enrolled in a medical day care program receive preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative services under medical and nursing supervision in order to support their ability to live in the community. To qualify for the MLTSS program, individuals must be enrolled in the State Medicaid program, reside in the community, require a nursing home level of care, and meet the program's income and asset limits. | In Committee |
| S1596 | Authorizes creation of Juneteenth commemorative license plates. | This bill authorizes the creation of Juneteenth commemorative license plates by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). The license plates are to cost $50 for the initial application and $10 annually thereafter for renewal, in addition to other registration fees. Monies collected from the license plate program are to be deposited in a special fund called the "Juneteenth License Plate Fund." The monies deposited in the fund are to be appropriated annually to the New Jersey Historical Commission and are to be used by the New Jersey Historical Commission to commemorate and celebrate Juneteenth. The bill provides that public funds are not to be used for the initial costs of establishing the Juneteenth license plate program. Prior to deposit in the Juneteenth License Plate Fund, monies from the license plate program are to be provided to the MVC to offset the costs of implementing the license plate program. In addition, prior to designing, producing, issuing, or publicizing the availability of Juneteenth license plates, or making any necessary programming changes, the following requirements are required to be met: (1) an individual or entity designated by the New Jersey Historical Commission must provide the MVC with the non-public monies necessary to offset the initial costs incurred by the MVC in establishing the Juneteenth license plate program; and (2) a liaison appointed by the New Jersey Historical Commission pursuant to the bill is required to provide the MVC with not less than 500 completed applications for Juneteenth license plates. Juneteenth is a State and federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans and is often observed as a celebration of African-American culture. Originating in Galveston, Texas, it has been celebrated annually on June 19 in various parts of the United States since 1865. | In Committee |
| SJR36 | Designates April of each year as "Autism Awareness Month" in NJ. | This resolution designates April of each year as "Autism Awareness Month" in New Jersey to coincide with National Autism Awareness Month. Autism spectrum disorders are a group of developmental disabilities characterized by atypical development in socialization, communication, and behavior, symptoms that generally appear before three years of age and continue over a lifetime. People with autism face a variety of communication, socialization, safety, and financial challenges. Although there is no known cure for autism, research suggests that early diagnosis and treatment can reduce the cost of lifetime care and improve outcomes for people with autism. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every 59 American children born today will be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. New Jersey has the highest rate of autism in the nation, and the prevalence of autism in the State continues to exceed and outpace the rate of autism in other states. | In Committee |
| S1831 | Revises requirements for assessing nursing home health, safety, and operations and for taking action against low-performing nursing homes. | This bill revises the requirements to take action against low-performing nursing homes. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Health (DOH) to develop standards in three categories encompassing the physical well-being of residents, the mental well-being of residents, and the nursing home's operational metrics. The DHS and DOH will annually review standards to determine their efficacy in evaluating health, safety, and operations in nursing homes, as well as the effectiveness of sanctions, corrective action plans, and other measures used to respond to a low-performing nursing home. In the event a nursing home receives a one-star rating from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) or fails to meet at least two of the DOH's standards in each of the three categories, the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services in the Department of Human Services (DHS) will be required to take a series of scaling actions against the nursing home, with the penalties and sanctions increasing in each additional quarter in which the nursing home has a one-star CMS rating or fails to meet the DOH standards. When evaluating whether to impose sanctions against a nursing home, the division will be required to consult with the DOH and review the information concerning the nursing home that is available on the DOH's nursing home data dashboard. In the event the division does not take action against a nursing home, the division will be required to document the reason why action was not taken. Under the bill, the division is to require a nursing home that receives a one-star CMS rating or fails to meet the DOH standards in any three of the preceding four quarters to submit an improvement plan. A nursing home that fails to comply with the requirements concerning the submission and implementation of an improvement plan will be ineligible to receive reimbursement under the Medicaid program. The bill specifies that nothing in its provisions is to be construed to diminish the authority of the DHS, DOH, or any other department or agency overseeing nursing homes, and that actions taken against a nursing home under the bill will be in addition to any other penalties that may be imposed against the nursing home for health or safety violations. The DOH and DHS will be required to prepare and submit a joint annual report to the Governor and the Legislature outlining the implementation of the bill and an evaluation of the effectiveness of the provisions of the bill in fostering improvements in the health, safety, and quality of care provided in nursing homes. | In Committee |
| S2201 | Revises requirements for cash assistance benefits under Work First New Jersey program. | This bill revises various requirements for cash assistance benefits under the Work First New Jersey (WFNJ) program. The bill provides that an individual who is otherwise eligible for general assistance benefits under WFNJ will not be deemed ineligible for public assistance solely on the grounds that the individual is enrolled in an institution of higher education. The bill allows recipients engaging in alternative work experience to engage in unpaid work and training with either a for-profit or nonprofit employer; current law only allows placement with nonprofit or charitable employer. An assignment to a for-profit employer may not exceed six months, and will be conditioned on the assignment likely leading to full-time employment with the employer. The bill limits the amount of time a recipient may be assigned to alternative work experience with any employer to no more than six months in a 12-month period. The bill similarly limits the amount of time a recipient may be assigned to community work experience to no more than six months in a 12-month period. The bill removes outdated language in the definition of "dependent child" that required a child in school or vocational training to reasonably be expected to complete the school or training. The bill provides that the full amount of child support provided to the assistance unit for which federal reimbursement is waived is to pass through to the unit. Child support that passes through to the unit will not count as income. The bill also excludes federal income tax refunds, State income tax refunds, homestead rebates, and other sources of income that the Commissioner of Human Services excludes from the definition of income by regulation. In addition to revising the definition of income, the bill also provides that the definition of resources is not to include: 1) funds in an individual retirement account established under State or federal law, or interest or dividend earnings from such an account, for any recipient who has not reached full retirement age; and 2) any retirement accounts excluded from consideration as a resource in the Supplemental Nutrition Program in the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. Furthermore, if an applicant or recipient meets the resource eligibility standards to qualify for benefits under the State Medicaid program or the NJ FamilyCare program, the applicant or recipient will be deemed to meet the resource eligibility standards to qualify for benefits under the Work First New Jersey program. The bill expands the earned income disregard for the purposes of the program. Current law provides that, for recipients employed 20 or more hours a week, and certain recipients with a disability who are unable to work more than 20 hours per week, 100 percent of earned income is disregarded for the first month in which it would be counted as earned income; the disregard drops to 75 percent for the next six consecutive months after that, and to 50 percent for each consecutive month of employment after that. In the case of recipients working less than 20 hours per month, the disregard is 100 percent for the first full month of employment and 50 percent for each continuous month of employment after that. The bill revises the earned income disregard to allow a 100 percent disregard for the first two full months of employment in which the earned income would be counted. This income disregard applies to all employment, regardless of the number of hours worked. The disregard would then drop to 75 percent for six cumulative months of employment, and to 50 percent for each month of employment thereafter. If a recipient loses employment then becomes reemployed, the two months of 100 percent income disregard and the six months of 75 percent income may be reapplied no more than once every 12-months; otherwise, the 50 percent income disregard will apply. The bill revises the requirements to provide additional supportive services to program recipients. Current law provides that assistance may be provided as a last resort when no other source of support is available. The bill would revise this standard to allow for the provision of additional services in appropriate circumstances, as determined by the commissioner. Currently, additional assistance is limited to child care services, transportation assistance, an allowance for work-related expenses, and extended Medicaid eligibility. The bill provides that recipients receiving parenting support services are to be provided with educational materials, referrals, and other support to identify, access, and enroll in quality child care services for their dependent children. The bill requires that, when a recipient has reached 24 months of benefits, welfare agencies are to offer additional case management and supportive services to the recipient, based on an assessment of the barriers to the recipient securing employment. The bill establishes a new joint reporting requirement for the Commissioner of Human Services and the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development concerning various aspects of the program. The Commissioner of Human Services will be required to make changes to the program based on the data gathered in order to improve the performance of the program. The bill revises the eligibility criteria for aliens, which currently makes various distinctions on who is eligible based on the individual's date of entry into the United States, country of origin, length of time in the United States, whether the individual is a veteran, whether the individual is a victim of domestic violence, and whether the individual has satisfied certain work requirements, among other factors. The bill replaces the term "aliens" with "eligible immigrants," and provides that the term applies to all immigrants who otherwise meet program requirements and are lawfully present in the United States. The term will include individuals who are "qualified aliens" or "lawfully present" for the purposes of federal law, individuals granted relief from federal immigration laws under the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, and any other non-citizen or non-national of the United States who is otherwise authorized to live in the United States. The bill provides that, in determining standards of income and resources under WFNJ, the Commissioner of Human Services will be prohibited from reducing benefit levels. The bill adds language clarifying that, when determining whether good cause exists to excuse noncompliance with program requirements, good cause is to be considered broadly in consideration of the recipient's health, safety, family needs, financial considerations, and other factors as determined by the commissioner. Furthermore, the bill clarifies that an applicant will not be deemed ineligible for benefits on the grounds that the applicant's eligibility is the result of a cessation of employment, unless the applicant intentionally and voluntarily leaves employment, without good cause, within 30 days prior to the date of application for benefits, for the sole purpose of qualifying for WFNJ benefits. Under current law, an applicant is ineligible for benefits when the applicant's eligibility is the result of a voluntary cessation of employment without good cause within 90 days prior to the date of application for benefits. The bill also clarifies that the period of time an applicant is to be deemed ineligible for benefits due to a voluntary assignment or transfer of income or resources within one year prior to the time of application for benefits is not to exceed the value of the income or resource divided by the monthly standard of need, or 12 months, whichever value is less. Income and resources received by a recipient may not be used to prospectively disqualify a recipient from assistance and are to be considered only in the month received and at the time of any new application, except in the case of a voluntary assignment or transfer of income or resources. The bill also clarifies that the agreement a recipient must sign stating that repayment of benefits will be made, in the event of receipt of income or resources, includes the receipt of General Assistance repayment subject to a Supplemental Security Income Interim Assistance Reimbursement Agreement, but excludes repayment from unemployment benefits and other government benefits. The bill revises language setting forth the general purposes and goals of the WFNJ program to provide that the purpose of the program is to provide recipients with the opportunities, training, and work skills needed to help elevate them out of poverty. The bill removes certain language concerning how the program interacts with young parents and how the system can be disruptive to the family structure, as well as language stating that the program is consistent with federal law by including a time limit on benefits, work requirements, enhanced measures to determine paternity, enhanced child support collection, sanctions for noncompliance with program requirements, incentives for teenage parents to complete school, and restrictions on eligibility for aliens. The bill additionally removes language providing that WFNJ benefits will only be available when other forms of support and maintenance are unavailable. The bill expands the work requirements under the program to promote the use of educational, training, work-study, internship, and other opportunities that will lead to the recipient's removal from, and sustainable avoidance of, poverty. Recipients will be permitted to forgo work opportunities for good cause or for other opportunities that will better enable the recipient to emerge from, and sustainably avoid, poverty. The bill requires that good cause be considered broadly in consideration of the recipient's health, safety, family needs, financial considerations, and other factors determined by the commissioner. The bill removes a requirement that recipients continuously and actively seek employment. The bill reduces the hourly requirement for work activity from 40 hours per week to 30 hours per week, and provides that the maximum aggregate requirement is 20 hours per week for assistance units with a child under six years of age. Current law provides for a deferral from the work activity requirement for parents and relatives caring for a child under 12 weeks of age; the bill extends this deferral to apply to parents and relatives caring for a child under one year of age. The bill adds a provision to existing law, concerning the sanctions that may be imposed for noncompliance with program requirements, to specify that any sanctions imposed are to be applied only to the pro-rata share of an adult recipient who is noncompliant, and will not apply to any other adult or child members of the assistance unit who are compliant with program requirements, which members will continue to be eligible for their full pro-rata share of cash assistance benefits. If the cases of all the adult members of the assistance unit are closed for noncompliance, the dependent child members will still receive their pro-rata share of assistance benefits as a dependent child-only unit. The bill removes provisions in existing law that outline a schedule of sanctions, beyond the reduction of the pro-rata share of the noncompliant adult for one month. Under the bill, if the adult fails to come into compliance by the end of the sanction month, the adult's pro-rata share will continue to be suspended until the adult demonstrates an intent to comply. The bill also increases the age at which a dependent child's failure to comply with school attendance requirements or requirements for other work activity participation, without good cause, would result in a sanction. Under current law, this provision applies until age 16; as revised by the bill, this provision applies until age 19. Further, the bill provides for a specific reduction of 50 percent in the dependent child's pro-rata share of cash assistance benefits for one month for such noncompliance. Under current law, a household receiving emergency assistance benefits is to continue to receive benefits for one month immediately following the case closure. The bill expands this to also include cash assistance cases that are suspended. The bill removes provisions of existing law that allow funding for a WFNJ-funded appropriate living arrangement to continue for one month immediately following a case closure, if the recipient is less than 18 years of age and is in the living arrangement because the recipient is unable to live with a parent, guardian, or other adult relative. The bill removes provisions of existing law that render an entire assistance unit ineligible for cash assistance benefits for a period of two months if an adult recipient in the unit voluntarily quits a job without good cause. Under the bill, a sanctioned assistance unit or recipient that returns to compliance within 60 days is to be provided the balance of any benefit amounts withheld or reduced during the period in which the assistance unit or recipient was out of compliance, in addition to any amounts to which the assistance unit or recipient is otherwise eligible. Further, a sanctioned assistance unit or recipient that returns to compliance more than 60 days after the sanction date is to be provided the balance of any benefit amounts withheld or reduced during the period after which the assistance unit or recipient demonstrated an intent to comply, in addition to any amounts to which the assistance unit or recipient is otherwise eligible. Ordinarily, recipients are allowed a lifetime total of 60 months of benefits. The bill provides that, in the event any adult in an assistance unit loses eligibility on the grounds that the individual reached the 60-month cap, that loss of eligibility will not affect the eligibility of any other recipient in the assistance unit, including, but not limited to, a minor child who is receiving assistance. Current law provides for certain exceptions to this 60-month limit. The bill revises the exceptions involving employment to provide that they will apply to any form of employment, not just full-time employment. The bill expands the existing exceptions to include any parent of a minor child who was in compliance with program requirements for the six months of enrollment immediately preceding the date the recipient reached the 60-month limit. Current law provides for an extension to the 60-month benefit limit, including up to 12 additional months of benefits, in certain cases. The bill expands this to allow an extension for a recipient who is the parent of a dependent child who is a member of the recipient's household, which recipient has remained in compliance with the requirements of the program for, at a minimum, the six months of enrollment immediately preceding the date the recipient reaches the 60-month time limit. The bill also provides that, following this 12-month extension, a recipient may receive an additional 12 months of assistance under the same circumstances or if the recipient meets certain other criteria, as determined by the commissioner, demonstrating that the extension is necessary for the recipient to protect the health, safety, or well-being of the recipient's family, including, but not limited to, preserving family unity. Under the bill, any benefit received for months during which a State of Emergency or Public Health Emergency exists are not to be considered for purposes of any time limit provisions. The bill provides for a schedule of increases in WFNJ benefit levels. For the period commencing July 1, 2022 and continuing through July 1, 2026, the benefit level in effect as of the effective date of the bill is to be annually increased by any increase in the consumer price index for all urban wage earners and clerical workers (CPI-W) as calculated by the federal government for the 12 months prior to the March 31 preceding that July 1, plus an additional amount equal to 20 percent of the difference between the benefit level in effect as of the effective date of the bill and 50 percent of the federal poverty level in effect as of the effective date of the bill. Commencing July 1, 2027, the benefit level is to be annually increased by any amount as is necessary to make the benefit level equivalent to at least 50 percent of the federal poverty level in effect on that July 1. Commencing July 1, 2027, and annually thereafter, the Commissioner of Human Services is to assess the real cost of living and actual deprivation as reflected in the standard of need established pursuant to section 9 of P.L.1997, c.13 (C.44:10-42), and other cost of self-sufficiency measures. The assessment is to be transmitted to the Legislature by the commissioner for consideration when deciding on appropriations to fund cash assistance benefits to recipients. The bill provides that organizations that receive State or local economic incentives will be required to partner with local community organizations to provide work activity opportunities and other appropriate services to WFNJ recipients, including training, work-study opportunities, internships, and job retention and advancement services. The bill repeals section 3 of P.L.1997, c.14 (C.44:10-46), which concerned benefits for recipients in the State less than 12 months, and which was invalidated by court ruling and currently has no force or effect. The bill will take effect 120 days after the date of enactment. | In Committee |
| S1983 | Eliminates certain practice restrictions for advanced practice nurses. | This bill eliminates practice restrictions for advanced practice nurses (APNs), including restrictions that limit the ability of APNs to prescribe medications and administer anesthesia, and establishes new requirements for APNs to prescribe medications. The bill expressly provides that, notwithstanding the provisions of any other law or regulation to the contrary, an APN with greater than 24 months or 2,400 hours of licensed, active, advanced nursing practice will be authorized to practice without a joint protocol with a collaborating provider. With regard to prescribing medications, the bill requires the use of New Jersey Prescription Blanks and satisfying continuing professional education requirements related to pharmacology and prescribing controlled substances. An APN with fewer than 24 months or 2,400 hours of licensed, active, advanced nursing practice in an initial role will be permitted to prescribe medication only if a formal joint protocol with a physician or experienced advanced practice nurse is in place. The bill revises the requirements for APNs to authorize patients for medical cannabis and to issue written instructions for medical cannabis, to provide that the APN will only be required to meet the requirements set forth under the "Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Cannabis Act," P.L.2009, c.307 (C.24:6I-1 et al.). Those requirements include: possessing active State and federal registrations to prescribe controlled dangerous substances; being the health care practitioner responsible for the ongoing treatment of a patient's qualifying medical condition; and complying with various other requirements for issuing written instructions for medical cannabis. The bill further provides that every APN who is an APN-Anesthesia and who has completed 24 months or 2,400 hours of licensed, active, advanced nursing practice in an initial role will be authorized to practice as an APN-Anesthesia to the full scope of practice for APNs-Anesthesia, without any requirement for supervision by a licensed physician and without any requirement that the APN-Anesthesia enter into joint protocols with a licensed physician. The bill provides that any State law or regulation that requires the signature or similar endorsement of a physician will be deemed to require the same of an APN, to the extent consistent with an APN's scope of practice. The bill revises and repeals certain sections of law that are obviated by the changes made under the bill. | In Committee |
| S1614 | Requires at least one drive-up ballot drop box in each county; requires certain information to be posted at ballot drop boxes and locations. | This bill requires the county board of elections in each county to establish at least one drive-up ballot drop box in the county and to post certain information at ballot drop boxes and locations. Under current law, each county board of elections is required to establish at least 10 ballot drop boxes at locations throughout the county following several criteria. Under this bill, at least one of those locations would be required to be a "drive-up ballot drop box," defined as a ballot drop box and location designed and evaluated to possess accessible features including, but not limited to, sufficient vehicle turning radius adjacent to the driver side, curb cuts, availability of handicap parking, and an unimpeded path to the ballot drop box from handicap parking. The bill requires the drive-up ballot drop box to be easy to locate and readily visible by voters with adequate lighting and a clear line of sight from the street and parking area. The bill would also require certain information to be posted at ballot drop boxes and drop box locations. Under the bill, all ballot drop boxes would be marked as an "Official Ballot Drop Box." In addition, in a uniform manner prescribed by the Secretary of State, the following information would be posted at drop boxes and drop box locations in all languages required under the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 and under current law for the county: the penalties for drop box tampering; a-toll free voter hotline; a statement indicating that no postage is necessary for depositing the ballot into the drop box; a statement indicating that the drop box is for mail-in ballots only for that county; and a statement informing the public of the applicable deadline for accepting ballots at the drop box. Finally, the bill directs the Secretary of State and county boards of elections to include guidelines for county boards of elections to follow to establish an electioneering boundary of 100 feet around each ballot drop box in compliance with current law. The bill requires the posting of signs and information to notify the public of the prohibited electioneering activities within the boundary of the ballot drop box. | In Committee |
| S2012 | Requires certain public schools that receive State aid to begin regular instruction for high school students no earlier than 8:30 AM. | This bill provides that, in order to receive any State aid pursuant to the "School Funding Reform Act of 2008" or any other law, a school district, charter school, renaissance school project, county vocational school district, or county special services school district that includes grades 9 through 12 will be required to begin regular instruction for high school students no earlier than 8:30 AM. | In Committee |
| SJR59 | Designates September of each year as "Alopecia Areata Awareness Month." | This joint resolution designates September of each year as "Alopecia Areata Awareness Month." The resolution directs the Governor to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials, health care professionals, and the citizens of this State to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs designed to raise public awareness of this disease. | In Committee |
| S309 | Prohibits sale of certain lithium-ion devices; establishes restrictions on sale, lease, or rental of certain bicycles and scooters; creates fire risk awareness campaigns. | This bill makes it unlawful to assemble, recondition, or sell a lithium-ion battery using cells removed from used storage batteries. Additionally, the bill prohibits the sale, lease, or rental of a low-speed electric bicycle, motorized bicycle, low-speed electric scooter, motorized scooter, or storage battery for a low-speed electric bicycle, motorized bicycle, low-speed electric scooter, or motorized scooter unless certain standards concerning the storage battery and electrical system of the bicycle and scooter are met. Failure to comply with certain of the bill's provisions will result in the issuance of a written warning for the first violation, and a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 for the second and each subsequent violation issued for the same offense on a different day within two years of the date of a first violation. The bill also requires businesses who use a low-speed electric bicycle or motorized bicycle for commercial purposes to provide its employees that operate these bicycles with fire safety materials. The Division of Highway Traffic Safety in the Department of Law and Public Safety (division) is required to publish the fire safety materials on its Internet website and provide the materials to each employee who operates a low-speed electric bicycle or motorized bicycle. The division is required to develop an informational campaign to educate the public on the fire risks posed by low-speed electric bicycles, motorized bicycles, low-speed electric scooters, and motorized scooters and the safety measures that can be taken to mitigate such risks. The campaign is to address both commercial and personal use of low-speed electric bicycles, motorized bicycles, low-speed electric scooters, and motorized scooters and include information on the purchasing of low-speed electric bicycles, motorized bicycles, low-speed electric scooters, motorized scooters, and battery equipment that meet established fire safety standards, as well as the proper maintenance and storage of low-speed electric bicycles, motorized bicycles, low-speed electric scooters, motorized scooters, and lithium-ion batteries. The division is also to engage in an outreach campaign to certain business entities relating to fire risks posed by the devices and the safety measures to mitigate fire risk. Finally, the division is required to submit reports to the Governor and to the Legislature. The reports are to include information on all fires that were reported during the prior calendar year in which a low-speed electric bicycle, motorized bicycle, low-speed electric scooter, or motorized scooter was determined to be the cause of such fire and a review of existing fire and administrative code provisions governing the purchase, use, storage and charging of low-speed electric bicycles, motorized bicycles, low-speed electric scooters, or motorized scooters, and an evaluation of additional measures that could mitigate fire risks. | In Committee |
| S1217 | Creates certain assistance and set-aside programs for businesses owned by lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender persons, by persons with a disability, and by veterans. | The bill creates certain assistance and set-aside programs for businesses owned by lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, or LGBT, persons, by persons with a disability, and by veterans. The bill designates these businesses as eligible businesses for the purpose of qualifying for the programs or assistance established by the bill when the businesses have their principal place of business in this State; are independently owned and operated; are qualified pursuant to law and regulation as a prospective bidder; and are certified by the Division of Revenue, or an appropriate third-party agency, as: (1) a sole proprietorship owned and controlled by a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender person, a person with a disability, or a veteran; (2) a partnership or joint venture owned and controlled by lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender persons, persons with a disability, or veterans, in which at least 51 percent of the ownership is held by one or more such persons, and the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more such persons who own it; or (3) a corporation or other entity whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender persons, persons with a disability, or veterans who own it, and which is at least 51 percent owned such persons, or, if stock is issued, at least 51 percent of the stock is owned by one or more such persons. A third-party agency in the bill is a nationally recognized organization that adheres to generally accepted standards for supplier diversity certification, and includes the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce for the certification of LGBT business enterprises and the United States Business Leadership Network for the certification of disability-owned business enterprises. A veteran must present to the Adjutant General evidence of a record of service and receive a determination before the date for the submission of bids. The bill permits the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to waive bonding requirements to facilitate the participation of an eligible business on projects financed by the authority if the business has been rejected by two surety companies. The EDA may also provide assistance to eligible businesses that are unable to secure bonding for other projects that are not financed by the EDA. The bill permits the Division of Revenue in the Department of the Treasury to: establish loan programs for eligible businesses, compile lists of qualified professionals, including LGBT persons, persons with a disability, and veterans, in specific areas of expertise, to be disseminated to eligible businesses and to be used in making referrals, provided those professionals submit written consent to be included the lists; coordinate managerial and technical assistance; establish an internship program for undergraduate and graduate students in business administration and related fields; and provide assistance and advice to eligible businesses in areas including, but not limited to, advertising, marketing, sales, distribution, government contract bidding and procurement, obtaining legal counsel, financial analysis and accounting, insurance, commercial loans, and professional development. The bill requires the division to certify and verify that a business is an eligible business, either directly or through a third-party agency. The division is required to approve third-party agencies to perform the certifications, which it has the authority to accept in lieu of performing its own certification. The division may also develop a streamlined process for verification of eligible business. The process for certification and verification is to be clear, concise, and streamlined. The director is to submit an annual report to the Governor and Legislature concerning these processes. The bill permits counties and municipalities to establish a pilot program that provides technical or certification assistance to eligible businesses, and permits those counties and municipalities to apply to the EDA for a financial assistance grant to pay for up to 50 percent of the cost of a pilot program. The bill also permits counties and municipalities, as well as boards of education, to establish set-aside programs for eligible businesses. The goals set for the programs could be met by the use of subcontracting. The bill establishes requirements related to how local governments and boards of education could administer those programs, including advertising and bidding processes, and establishes penalties that local governments and boards of education could assess against businesses that are classified as eligible businesses based on false information. Local governments and boards of education with these programs are to publish their attainments of the set-aside goals in at least one newspaper in the county, municipality, or school district, as appropriate, by March 1 of each year. | 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 |
| S522 | Requires ballot question on approval of State bond issue to disclose total amount of debt of State or other entity, debt service on which is funded through annual State appropriation. | This bill provides that whenever a law authorizing the issuance of State general obligation debt is submitted to the people for their approval, as required by the State Constitution, the interpretive statement appearing on the ballot with that public question shall include a recitation of the total amount of debts and liabilities outstanding of the State, any State agency or instrumentality, and any other entity, to which is pledged an annual State appropriation as the ways and means to pay the interest on and discharge the principal of such debts or liabilities. This recitation of the amount of outstanding debts and liabilities is required to be current as of June 30 of the year preceding the year in which the public question is submitted. | In Committee |
| S1824 | Requires State Long-Term Care Ombudsman to employ three geriatric social workers to serve New Jersey's long-term care residents and makes appropriation. | This bill requires the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman to employ three geriatric social workers to serve New Jersey's long-term care residents. The bill also appropriates the necessary funds from the General Fund to the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman to support these positions. The Ombudsman is responsible for securing, preserving, and promoting the health, safety, and welfare of New Jersey's long-term care residents, through investigations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation; legislative and regulatory advocacy; policy work; and education and outreach. Specifically, under the bill, the Ombudsman is to appoint and employ three geriatric social workers, with one social worker each dedicated to serving the long-term care residents located in the northern, central, and southern parts of the State, for the purpose of developing plans and addressing concerns regarding the legal, financial, and service needs of long-term care residents. | In Committee |
| S1288 | Requires certain disclosures regarding lithium ion powered electric vehicles. | This bill requires every business in this State that sells vehicles powered by lithium ion batteries to make certain disclosures to a purchaser regarding lithium used in the car's battery. The statement is to be produced by the Division of Consumer Affairs and acknowledge that lithium is a raw material of increasingly scarce known reserves that must be mined or extracted. The statement is to further provide that most extraction processes entail some form of mining to reach underground deposits of lithium-rich minerals or brines, having a significant impact on local ecosystems. Finally, the statement is required to identify the source of the lithium used in the battery being sold. The bill also requires these businesses to affirm each purchaser's receipt of the disclosure statement. A business that violates this provision is subject to a civil penalty of $150 for a first offense and $300 for subsequent violations, collectible in a civil action by summary proceeding pursuant to the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274. | In Committee |
| S1830 | Establishes "Automotive Anti-Theft Systems Task Force." | This bill establishes the "Automotive Anti-Theft Systems Task Force" in the Department of Law and Public Safety. Under the bill, the purpose of the task force is to study and make recommendations for manufacturers and dealers concerning motor vehicle design features and products meant to prevent theft of motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts. The bill provides that the task force will consist of 16 members as follows: ? the Attorney General and the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance, serving ex officio, or their designees; ? two representatives of the Auto Theft Task Force in the Division of State Police selected by the Superintendent of State Police; ? one representative of each of the following organizations selected by that organization: the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program; the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers; the Alliance for Automotive Innovation; the New Jersey Gasoline-Convenience-Automotive Association; the AAA Clubs of New Jersey; the National Insurance Crime Bureau; the Insurance Council of New Jersey; and the New Jersey Fraternal Order of Police; and ? four public members, appointed by the Governor, with experience in automotive manufacturing. The bill requires the task force to submit a written report to the Governor and the Legislature detailing the task force's recommendations concerning improvements in motor vehicle theft prevention measures through motor vehicle design features and product availability. The report is required to include any recommendations for legislative or regulatory action that are necessary to effectuate the improvements. | In Committee |
| S1786 | Establishes "Municipal Community Center Grant Program." | This bill would establish the "Municipal Community Center Grant Program" in the Division of Housing and Community Resources in the Department of Community Affairs. This program would annually provide grants to municipalities for use towards the construction of new community centers. These centers enable communities to grow and play an important role in the health and well-being of its constituents. The bill provides a priority in the award of grants to municipalities that currently lack community centers or have an insufficient number of such facilities relative to the population of the municipality. The bill requires the Department of Community Affairs to annually request, as part of its annual budget proposal, a minimum of $10,000,000 to fund the grants authorized by the bill. The bill also requires the department and the Division of Housing and Community Resources to pursue and utilize any available federal, State, local, and private funding for the grants. | In Committee |
| S1807 | Establishes a Division on Violence Prevention and Intervention in the DLPS. | This bill establishes a Division on Violence Prevention and Intervention in the Department of Law and Public Safety. The purpose of the division is to ensure that each county provides access to well-coordinated violence prevention resources to persons in the county. The division is to be overseen by a Director of Violence Prevention and Intervention, who is to be appointed by the Attorney General. The director is authorized under the bill to apply for and accept on behalf of the State any grants from the Federal Government or agency, or from any foundation, corporation, association or person, for any of the purposes of the division. The provisions of the bill also require the county prosecutor in each county to appoint or designate a violence prevention and intervention coordinator. A person designated as a program coordinator is not to be deemed an employee of the county prosecutor's office. The program coordinator is required to: (1) create a directory of existing violence prevention services and activities in the county; (2) develop and recommend services to be funded by local governing bodies; (3) identify vacant properties or existing community spaces that could be transformed for use by local organizations that lead violence prevention activities or provide supportive services to at-risk youth and their families; (4) develop a network of volunteers and mentors within the community who can address issues such as youth violence and suicide prevention, as well as offer community outreach to provide guidance to young people about engaging in voluntary behavior with the intent to help others; (5) emphasize collaboration among all agencies that work with at-risk populations, identify cross-cutting risk factors and prevention strategies and establish working groups to address core issues including, but not limited to, homicide and suicide prevention, youth violence, and drug abuse; (6) encourage local organizations that provide violence prevention services seek out grant funding, and provide technical assistance and support to the organizations to maximize the likelihood of success of the applications; (7) partner with local institutions of higher education to develop an evaluation tool for violence prevention and reduction strategies and partner on grant applications to implement prevention and reduction plans; (8) focus on providing assistance to ex-offenders with an expressed interest in transitioning back into the community through employment assistance, treatment and counseling, and housing; and (9) incorporate the services of ex-offenders who have rehabilitated themselves to serve as mentors or role models for at-risk youth who have engaged in criminal activity or are at-risk of engaging in criminal behavior. The bill further provides for annual appropriations to the Department of Law and Public Safety for payment of the salary costs of the Director of the Division on Violence Prevention and Intervention, and to each county for the salary costs of county violence prevention and intervention coordinators. This bill implements one of the recommendations of New Jersey's independent Study Commission on Violence in its report issued in October 2015. | In Committee |
| S1819 | Requires restaurants to provide alternative menu for individuals with diabetes. | This bill requires that restaurants provide, upon request, alternative menus for individuals with diabetes. Under the bill, the Commissioner of Health, in consultation with the New Jersey Restaurant Association, would be required to prepare a fact sheet to be directed to restaurant owners, managers, and staff, which is designed to explain the impact of diet on the health of individuals with diabetes and include information to assist restaurants in preparing an alternative menu for individuals with diabetes. In addition, the bill requires that restaurants operating within the State make available, upon the request of the customer, an alternative menu for individuals with diabetes. The bill provides that within six months after the menu is available, a restaurant is to indicate on its regular menu and public display menu sign that a menu for individuals with diabetes is available upon request. A restaurant in violation of the menu requirements imposed by the bill would be subject to a civil penalty of up to $500 per violation. The Commissioner of Health or a local board of health or local health officer may initiate a summary proceeding in the Superior Court or in the appropriate municipal court having jurisdiction. Every day upon which a violation occurs would be considered a separate violation but no penalty would be assessed that is greater than $5,000 for each occurrence. | In Committee |
| S1795 | Requires school programs of virtual or remote instruction to be implemented primarily through use of virtual instructional sessions. | This bill requires programs of virtual or remote instruction to be implemented primarily through the use of virtual instructional sessions beginning in the 2020-2021 school year. Under current law, if a school district, charter school, or renaissance school is required to close its schools for more than three consecutive school days due to a declared state of emergency, a declared public health emergency, or the directive of an appropriate health agency or officer, then the public school may implement a program of virtual or remote instruction, as approved by the Commissioner of Education, to satisfy the requirement that the school remains open for at least 180 days in order to receive State school aid. Additionally, approved private schools for students with disabilities are also permitted during these situations to include days of virtual or remote instruction in the calculation of tuition. Beginning in the 2020-2021 school year, the bill provides that if a school district, charter school, renaissance school, or approved private school for students with disabilities elects to implement a program of virtual or remote instruction, then the program would be required to be implemented primarily through the use of virtual instructional sessions. Under the bill, virtual instructional sessions would be required to provide for the delivery of course material and real-time instructional services through an interactive video platform. | In Committee |
| S1793 | Requires health club services contract contain certain provisions regarding procedures during outbreak of infectious disease. | This bill requires health club services contracts contain provisions regarding procedures during an outbreak of infectious disease. Under the bill, a health club services contract is to provide that if a health club facility is closed due to a state of emergency or public health emergency declared by the Governor in response to an outbreak of infectious disease occurring in or out of the State:· the health club facility is to provide notice to the buyer regarding the closing and reopening of the facility and the buyer's payment obligations; · the buyer may elect to place the buyer's health club membership on hold until the state of emergency or public health emergency is lifted by the Governor, during which time any recurring payment obligation is to be waived by the health club facility; · the buyer may cancel the buyer's health club facility membership due to health concerns; and· if the buyer elects to cancel the buyer's health club facility membership due to health concerns, the health club facility is not to charge the buyer any cancellation fee or termination penalty. The bill defines "outbreak" to mean any unusual occurrence of disease or any disease above background or endemic levels. | In Committee |
| S1771 | Requires public bodies upon request to provide American Sign Language interpreter at public meetings. | This bill would require a public body to make available at any public meeting of that public body the services of an American Sign Language interpreter upon the request of a deaf or hearing-impaired person that is made at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. It would also require public bodies to post notice of the availability of this service on written advance notice of meetings and on the annual notice of regularly scheduled meetings that under existing law public bodies are required to post. | In Committee |
| S1833 | Requires air monitoring at certain construction projects. | This bill would require the air surrounding certain construction projects to be monitored for the presence of hazardous air pollutants and hazardous particulates. Specifically, the bill would require any application for a construction permit pursuant to section 12 of the "State Uniform Construction Code Act," P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.) to include either (1) a certification that the project will cause a minimal level of soil disturbance, or (2) a plan for monitoring the air around the project for hazardous air pollutants and hazardous particulates, and a certification that the plan conforms to the regulations to be adopted by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) under the bill. The bill would prohibit a municipal or county construction official or subcode official from issuing a construction permit unless the permit application includes a certification, and, as applicable, an air monitoring plan, as required under the bill. The bill defines "hazardous air pollutant" to mean the same as the term is used in the federal Clean Air Act, which currently includes 188 pollutants. The bill be defines "hazardous particulate" to mean a particulate with a diameter of 10 microns or less, or a particulate of any size that is contaminated with hydrocarbons, heavy metals, or hazardous materials. The bill would require the DEP to designate the size and composition of each hazardous particulate that would be regulated under the bill. The bill would require the DEP to adopt rules and regulations to implement the bill's provisions no later than 18 months after the bill's enactment. Subsection d. of section 1 of the bill would establish certain minimum provisions for the rules and regulations. | In Committee |
| S1621 | Permits legislative agents and organizations to receive funds assessed on tuition bills as waivable fees. | This bill would permit the governing body of a public institution of higher education to allow funds generated from student tuition bills to be distributed to legislative agents or organizations which attempt to influence legislation as waivable fees. Under current law, the governing body of a public institution of higher education is prohibited from allowing funds for legislative agents or organizations which attempt to influence legislation to be assessed on student tuition bills. However, optional fees may be assessed for nonpartisan organizations that employ legislative agents or attempt to influence legislation provided that such a fee has been authorized by a majority vote in a student referendum. An optional fee is an amount payable on a student tuition bill, appearing as a separately assessed item, but not a mandatory charge or a waivable fee. Optional fees that appear on student tuition bills are currently required to be accompanied by a statement as to the nature of the item along with an explanation that the item is not a charge required to be paid by the student, the student may add the charge to the total amount due, and that the item has appeared on the bill at the request of the student body and does not necessarily reflect the endorsement of the governing body of the public institution of higher education. This bill would amend current law to eliminate the optional fee authorizations process and allow funds for legislative agents and organizations that attempt to influence legislation to be assessed on tuition bills as waivable fees. These fees would appear on student tuition bills without prior student referendum but students would have the option to have the fee waived. For purposes of this bill, a waivable fee means any amount payable on a student tuition bill, appearing as a separately assessed item, but not a mandatory charge. The bill requires a waivable fee to be accompanied by a statement as to the nature of the item, that the item is not a charge required to be paid by the student, the process for waiving the fee, and that the presence of the fee does not necessarily reflect the endorsement of the governing body of the public institution of higher education. | In Committee |
| S1813 | Requires nursing homes to provide training to staff in behavioral health issues. | This bill requires the Commissioner of Health, in consultation with the Commissioner of Human Services, to establish a training program for nursing home staff (certified nurse aides, licensed practical nurses, registered professional nurses, and other health care professionals who provide direct care to nursing home residents) in the care of residents who have behavioral health issues. The training program would include, but not be limited to: sensitivity to behavioral health issues among residents of nursing homes; information about depression and other psychiatric disorders, as appropriate; and the use of medication to treat those disorders. The bill requires nursing homes to provide the training annually. | In Committee |
| SJR52 | Designates April 24 of each year as "Toiletry Day" in New Jersey. | This joint resolution designates April 24 of each year as "Toiletry Day" in order to promote the collection of toiletries in this State for those in need. By increasing awareness of the many challenges facing individuals who lack access to basic toiletries, the generous citizens of this State are encouraged to make monetary or in-kind donations to charitable organizations that serve those lacking basic toiletries. | In Committee |
| S1832 | Establishes "Graduate Physician Licensing Act." | This bill establishes the "Graduate Physician Licensing Act." Under this bill, the State Board of Medical Examiners (board) will issue a license as a graduate physician to an applicant who, among other things: 1) is at least 18 years of age; 2) is a medical school graduate; 3) has successfully completed Step 2 of the physician licensing examination; 4) has not completed an approved postgraduate residency; and 5) has no criminal history. Alternatively, the board may accept proof that an applicant holds a current graduate physician license in a state which has standards substantially equivalent to those of New Jersey. Graduate physicians will be authorized to provide primary care services in medically underserved areas of the State, subject to any restrictions set forth in a collaborative practice arrangement with a collaborating physician, who is responsible for supervising the graduate physician at all times. The delivery of health care services is to be within the scope of practice of the graduate physician and consistent with that graduate physician's skill, training, and competence and the skill and training of the collaborating physician. Graduate physicians may be delegated the authority to prescribe controlled dangerous substances and authorize patients for medical cannabis, subject to certain restrictions. This bill requires health benefits plans, the Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare programs, and the State Health Benefits Program and the School Employees' Health Benefits Program, to reimburse a graduate physician for the diagnosis, consultation, or treatment of patients on the same basis that reimbursement is provided for the service when it is delivered by another comparable mid-level health provider including, but not limited to, a physician assistant. | In Committee |
| SR51 | Urges New Jersey Supreme Court to study reasonableness of lowering court fees in civil asset forfeiture cases. | This resolution respectfully urges the New Jersey Supreme Court to study the reasonableness of court fees in certain civil asset forfeiture cases in order to determine whether the fees in these cases should be lowered and Rules of Court should be promulgated to ensure uniform enforcement among the counties. A civil asset forfeiture proceeding is an action by the government seeking ownership of personal property either used as an instrumentality of a crime or the fruits of criminal activity. According to recent news reports, claimants in civil asset forfeiture proceedings are unable to afford the court fees required to file an action to reclaim their seized property. These news reports indicate that, in many cases, the court filing fees cost more than the value of property or money seized by law enforcement and, as a result, many people do not defend their rights in a civil action to seek replevin of seized property. | In Committee |
| S1800 | Requires municipalities that have public swimming pools to provide information regarding "dry drowning." | This bill would require the Commissioner of Community Affairs, in consultation with the Commissioner of Health to design, produce, and distribute to each municipality in which a public pool is located, a poster warning of the dangers of dry drowning and listing all of the symptoms of dry drowning, and a one-page information pamphlet providing that information. The bill would also require the governing body of every municipality that operates a public swimming pool to post that poster in a prominent area at the pool, and to also require that a copy of the one-page information sheet be provided to municipal residents annually, either at the time they register as members of the municipal pool, or at the public swimming pool during the first two weeks that the pool is open. "Dry drowning" occurs when a person inhales water into the person's lungs but isn't affected until after the person has left the water. It is also referred to as secondary drowning. Patients can then have breathing difficulties due to airway muscle spasms. The laryngospasm reflex essentially causes asphyxiation and neurogenic pulmonary edema. | 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 |
| S1099 | Requires certain health care facilities to offer lactation counseling and consultations to persons who have given birth. | This bill requires every hospital that provides inpatient maternity services and every birthing center licensed in the State pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.) to offer a person who has given birth at the hospital or birthing center: (1) at least one in-person, one-on-one consultation with a lactation counselor or consultant prior to that person's discharge from the hospital or birthing center; or (2) lactation counseling or consultation with a lactation counselor or consultant conducted remotely through live voice communication, if appropriate. The counseling provided by the lactation counselor or lactation consultant is to comprise of: (1) breastfeeding education and support services, including educating the person who has given birth and the person's family about the impact of breastfeeding and human lactation on health and what to expect in the normal course of breastfeeding; (2) advocacy for breastfeeding as the norm for feeding infants and young children; (3) breastfeeding support and encouragement in order to help the person who has given birth meet their breastfeeding goals; (4) the implementation of a lactation care plan for, and the provision of lactation education to, the person who has given birth including demonstration and instruction on how to breastfeed; (5) recommendations on assistive devices, including nipple shields and supplemental nursing systems, and how to use and purchase such devices; and (6) the distribution of informational literature on breastfeeding, including, but not limited to, information on the health benefits of breastfeeding. The bill provides that a hospital that assigns a lactation consultant to lactation support duties may not reassign the consultant to non-lactation related duties during the same hospital shift. As used in the bill, "lactation consultant" means an individual or a licensed health care provider who is: qualified to use the credential "IBCLC," denoting certification as a lactation consultant as conferred by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners," and has demonstrated core competencies for the initiation and maintenance of infant feeding that are developed using evidence-based reference materials, including, but not limited to, "Implementing the Joint Commission Perinatal Care Core Measure on Exclusive Breastmilk Feeding," or any superseding standards. "Lactation counselor" means an individual or a licensed health care provider who is: (1) licensed or certified to practice lactation counseling under any law, or who is an accredited member belonging to another profession or occupation, who provides breastfeeding education and support services for which that person is licensed, regulated, accredited, or certified; (2) an individual who possesses current certification as a Certified Lactation Counselor; or (3) a community-based lactation supporter who has received at least 40 hours of specialty education in breastfeeding and lactation, and who works within a lactation counselor's scope of practice. | In Committee |
| S1799 | Provides gross income tax credit for certain homeschooling expenses. | This bill provides a non-refundable gross income tax credit for certain expenses associated with homeschooling a child or dependent. Under the bill, a taxpayer may claim a gross income tax credit in an amount equal to the qualified homeschool expenses incurred by the taxpayer in a taxable year--for up to $1,000 per child or dependent; however, the taxpayer may not claim more than $3,000 in a taxable year (i.e., three children or dependents). A taxpayer's gross income cannot exceed $150,000 in a taxable year in order to receive the credit. For taxpayers who are married but file separately, each person may claim one-half of the credit otherwise allowable. The term "qualified homeschool expenses" is defined to encompass educational textbooks, workbooks, and teachers' edition books; computer software whose primary purpose is for teaching or self-learning; curriculum rental fees for educational material; and membership fees for libraries and academic institutions and organizations. Qualified homeschool expenses expressly excludes the following: materials used to set up a home school (e.g., computers, desks, boards); consumable school supplies (e.g., pencils, pens, paper); and internet service provider fees. Parents and guardians who homeschool their children go to great lengths--and incur great costs--in order to provide a quality education to those in their care. The State, moreover, has an interest in supporting the development and access to educational opportunities for all children residing in the State, irrespective of the method by which they are educated. This bill seeks to balance such interests by providing a gross income tax credit to cover the costs of many expensive yet fundamental educational resources, such as textbooks and educational software incurred by parents and guardians homeschooling their children and dependents. | In Committee |
| SR55 | Designates first week in August as "Adult Diaper Need Awareness Week" in New Jersey. | This resolution designates the first week in August as "Adult Diaper Need Awareness Week" in the State of New Jersey in order to recognize that adult diaper need is a public health issue, raise awareness of adult diaper need, and ensure that all adults suffering from incontinence will have access to clean diapers and other incontinence products required for daily living. Twenty-five million American adults suffer from various forms of incontinence, and urinary incontinence, the loss of bladder control, is more common in older people, especially women. Persons living with chronic illnesses such as Alzheimer's, disease, dementia, multiple sclerosis, or Parkinson's disease, and those who are disabled, can also experience incontinence. The only way for older Americans, the disabled, and persons living with chronic illnesses to manage and lead as normal of a life as possible is through the use products that are specifically catered to managing incontinence, most notably adult diapers. A person with a moderate amount of urine leakage may use two to four disposable diapers each day, at a cost averaging $80-$160 per month. However, if a person needs adult diapers for all their urinary needs, the cost can be between $200-$300 per month for adult briefs and other incontinence products. Diaper need is the lack of a sufficient supply of diapers to keep an infant, a toddler, or an adult with incontinence clean, dry, and healthy. Often, people dealing with incontinence problems are among those who have the fewest resources, and adults managing incontinence who are living in poverty or who have limited incomes may not have access to adult diapers and other incontinence supplies. An inadequate supply of adult diapers or inferior incontinence products poses many health risks, including rashes and urinary tract infections, and can lead to anxiety and depression. Diapers banks are a resource for people who cannot afford to purchase needed incontinence products due to financial difficulties and, in many cases, adult diapers made available through diaper banks are free. However, the fact that federal health insurance programs such as Medicaid and Medicare have varying procedures and requirements relating to insurance coverage for incontinence products, and the coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) pandemic has amplified economic hardships, adults suffering with incontinence often lack access to adult diapers and other products that are essential for daily living. Raising public awareness of adult diaper need will ensure that adults with incontinence will no longer struggle with inadequate supplies of adult diapers or inferior incontinence products and will be able to manage and lead as normal of a life as possible. | In Committee |
| S1805 | Requires electric public utility to reimburse customers for up to $500 for spoiled food and full cost of spoiled medicine resulting from lengthy service outage following major event. | This bill requires an electric public utility (utility) to reimburse a residential customer (customer) who experienced a "sustained interruption" caused by a "major event," as those terms are defined in the bill, for certain costs of spoiled food and medication, due to the lack of refrigeration during the sustained interruption, upon the customer filing a claim for the loss in a form and manner established by the Board of Public Utilities (BPU). Under the bill, a customer that experiences a sustained interruption may be reimbursed up to $500 for the amount paid for the food that spoiled. For any reimbursement request over $250, a customer is to provide to the utility an itemized list of the spoiled food and proof of purchase, including an itemized receipt. A customer that experiences a sustained interruption may be reimbursed for the full cost of the amount paid for the medication that was compromised. For any reimbursement request over $500, a customer is to provide to the utility an itemized list of the compromised medication and proof of purchase, including an itemized receipt. No later than 90 days after the effective date of the bill, each utility in the State is required to develop and implement a system for customers of the utility to apply for a reimbursement online via the utility's Internet website. Applications for a reimbursement are to be made in a form and manner as determined by the BPU and customers are to be reimbursed no later than 30 days after a utility's receipt of a reimbursement request. The bill prohibits any costs incurred by a utility pursuant to the bill to be recoverable from ratepayers of the utility. | In Committee |
| S1798 | Requires implicit bias training for physicians. | This bill requires implicit bias training for physicians biennially. Under the bill, the Department of Health (department), in consultation with the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety, the Department of Human Services, and the Board of Medical Examiners (board), is to establish a list of approved implicit bias training programs and a protocol by which providers of implicit bias training may seek approval of their training programs by the department. The implicit bias training programs are to, at a minimum, train physicians to recognize and diminish the impact of implicit bias in the practice of medicine, include an overview of current research on implicit bias in the practice of medicine, and include ways to recognize and diminish the impact of implicit bias in order to achieve better health care outcomes. Under the bill, the board is to ensure that a physician completes a minimum of two hours of implicit bias training within two years following the effective date of this bill, and a minimum of two hours of implicit bias training every two years thereafter. The bill defines "implicit bias" to mean an individual's prejudice in favor of or against a person or group which manifests itself in an unconscious manner. | In Committee |
| S1810 | Creates new level of barbering license and apprenticeships in barbering, and establishes limits to hours of instruction for certain barbering training. | This bill establishes a general barbering license and a barbering apprenticeship. As a general barber, an individual can perform the following services: (1) shampooing, cutting, including clipper cutting, and styling of the hair; (2) shaving or trimming of the beard, mustache, or other facial hair; and (3) massaging, cleansing, or stimulating the face. In the bill, a barbering or general barbering apprenticeship is two years. To be a barbering or general barbering apprentice, an individual has to show proof of being at least 17 years of age, of good moral character, and of being free of any communicable, contagious or infectious disease. A shop approved by the board to host an apprenticeship is to meet requirements established in current law and in the bill in regards to licensure as a shop and the employment of the proper professionals to oversee the management of the shop. An apprenticeship, under the bill, can be for an individual seeking a barbering license or a general barbering license. Upon completion of the apprenticeship, an individual is given the option to apply for licensure by the board. Lastly, hours to train as a general barber are established in the bill to not exceed 550 hours of instruction. As part of the 550 hours of instruction, general barbering applicants are to be trained in shears-over-comb techniques, shop management, ethics, and a review of State laws and regulations. | In Committee |
| S896 | "Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act"; requires institutions of higher education to implement mental health programs and services. | This bill the "Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act," requires institutions of higher education to implement certain mental health programs and services. Under the bill, an institution of higher education is required to implement a mental health awareness program which must include, at a minimum: (1) the development and implementation of an annual student orientation session designed to raise awareness about mental health conditions; (2) the assessment of courses and seminars available to students through their regular academic experience and the implementation of mental health curricula if opportunities for integration exist; (3) the creation and prominent display on the institution's website or mobile application of information dedicated specifically to the mental health resources available to students on campus and in the surrounding community; (4) the distribution of messages related to mental health resources that encourage help-seeking behavior through the on-line learning platform of the institution at least once per term and during periods of high stress in the academic year; and (5) the implementation of an on-line screening tool to raise awareness and establish a mechanism to link or refer students to services. The bill requires an institution of higher education to establish and implement a student peer support program. The program will utilize student peers to support students living with mental health conditions on campus. Peer support programs may be housed within resident assistance programs, counseling centers, or wellness centers on campus. A peer support program will utilize best practices for peer support including, but not limited to: (1) utilizing the tenets of the recovery model for mental health developed by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; (2) adequate planning and preparation, including standardizing guidance and practices, identifying needs of the target population, and aligning program goals to meet those needs; (3) clearly articulating policies, specifically concerning role boundaries and confidentiality; (4) systematic screening with defined selection criteria for peer supporters including, but not limited to, communication skills, leadership ability, character, previous experience or training, and ability to serve as a positive role model; (5) identifying benefits from peer status including, but not limited to, experiential learning, social support, leadership, and improved self-confidence; (6) continuing education for peer supporters to support each other and improve peer support skills; and (7) flexibility in availability by offering services through drop-in immediate support and the ability to book appointments. The bill also requires each institution to form strategic partnerships with local mental health service providers to improve overall campus mental health wellness and augment on-campus capacity. The partnerships will include linkage agreements with off-campus mental health service providers that establish a foundation for referrals for students when a student's mental health needs cannot be met on campus due to capacity concerns or preference of the student. The partnerships will include: (1) avenues for on-campus and off-campus mental health service providers to increase visibility to students via marketing and outreach; (2) opportunities to engage the student body through student outreach initiatives including, but not limited to, mindfulness workshops or campus-wide wellness fairs; and (3) opportunities to support mental health awareness and training. Under the bill, the Secretary of Higher Education will develop a Technical Assistance Center. The center's responsibilities will include: (1) developing standardized policies for medical leave related to mental health conditions for students, which may be adopted by an institution of higher education; (2) providing tailored support to the institutions in reviewing policies related to students living with mental health conditions and their academic standing; (3) establishing initial standards for policies and procedures of the expert panel; (4) disseminating best practices concerning peer support programs, including widely-accepted selection criteria for individuals serving in a peer support role; and (5) developing Statewide standards and best practices for partnerships between local mental health agencies and institutions of higher education. | In Committee |
| S1781 | Amends statute that criminalizes display of symbols, objects, or graffiti exposing another to threats of violence to specifically include noose, burning cross, or other symbol of hate. | Under section 1 of P.L.1981, c.282 (C.2C:33-10), it is a crime of the third degree to purposely, knowingly or recklessly put or attempt to put another in fear of bodily violence by placing on private property of another a symbol, an object, a characterization, an appellation or graffiti that exposes another to threats of violence. Under section 2 of P.L.1981, c.282 (C.2C:33-11), it is a crime of the fourth degree to purposely deface or damage, without authorization of the owner or tenant, any private premises or property primarily used for religious, educational, residential, memorial, charitable, or cemetery purposes, or for assembly by persons for purpose of exercising any right guaranteed by law or by the Constitution by placing thereon a symbol, an object, a characterization, an appellation, or graffiti that exposes another to threat of violence. This bill would amend both statutes to provide that "a symbol, object, characterization, appellation or graffiti that exposes another to threats of violence" specifically includes, but is not limited to a noose, burning cross, or other symbol of hate, including but not limited to a symbol of white supremacy or Nazi ideology. A crime of the third degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of three to five years or a fine up to $15,000, or both. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months or a fine up to $10,000, or both. | In Committee |
| S1785 | Permits State Real Estate Appraiser Board to revoke, suspend, or fine appraisers or appraisal management companies who knowingly engage in discriminatory appraisals of residential property on basis of race or national origin. | This bill permits the State Real Estate Appraiser Board to revoke, suspend or fine appraisers or appraisal management companies who knowingly engage in a discriminatory appraisal of a residential property on the basis of the property buyer or property holder's race or national origin. Under this bill, holders of appraisal licenses or certifications, or appraisal management company registrations, may have their licenses, certifications or registrations revoked or suspended, or be subject to fines, if the board determines, after an appropriate investigation, that the holder of the license, certification or registration has knowingly engaged in a discriminatory appraisal of a residential property on the basis of the property buyer or property holder's race, creed, color, or national origin. If the board finds cause to suspend, revoke or fine a holder of a license, certification or registration, then the board is required to notify the holder of the board's rationale in writing. The board must also provide opportunity for a hearing to be held in accordance with the State's Administrative Procedure Act. | In Committee |
| SR53 | Urges Congress to propose amendment to United States Constitution to prohibit use of slavery or indentured servitude for individuals convicted of crime. | This resolution respectfully urges Congress to amend the United States Constitution to prohibit the use of slavery or indentured servitude for individuals convicted of a crime. It is commonly understood that the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution abolished slavery and indentured servitude. However, the Thirteenth Amendment makes an exception for the use of slavery and indentured servitude as punishments for individuals convicted of a crime. The average wage for a working incarcerated individual is a mere 93 cents per hour. The work that is typically required of incarcerated individuals does not prepare or develop skills that are necessary for employment in the labor market outside of prison. The work provides neither a sufficient wage to prepare for life outside of prison, nor skills necessary to obtain work upon release. Therefore Congress should amend the United States Constitution to prohibit the use of slavery and indentured servitude for incarcerated individuals. | In Committee |
| S1802 | Requires BPU to post on its website report from public utility on public utility's capital investments in response to petition from public utility to increase rates. | This bill provides that when filing a petition with the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) for an increase in a public utility's base rates, the public utility is to provide BPU with a report that includes an analysis of the public utility's capital investments, in a form and manner determined by the BPU, for the purpose of determining the level of revenues necessary to afford the public utility an opportunity to earn a fair and reasonable rate of return on prudently incurred capital investments in the public utility's rate base. Within 30 days of receiving the report, the BPU is to examine its contents and post the report on the BPU's Internet website. Prior to posting the report on its Internet website, the BPU is to remove or redact from the report any contents that the BPU determines to be confidential information. | In Committee |
| S1766 | Requires refunds for payments made to venues for events canceled due to coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and caps additional venue charges at no more than rate of inflation for rescheduled events. | The bill requires venues to refund to a payer any payments made for an event at the venue and subsequently canceled as a result of the public health emergency declared by the Governor in Executive Order 103 of 2020 concerning the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, or as a result of actions taken by businesses or individuals due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic that rendered the occurrence of the event impossible. Additionally, if an individual requests to reschedule an event at a venue as a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, the venue is not to charge additional fees that are greater than the rate of inflation. The rate of inflation is to be calculated from the date on which a deposit was given by the payer to a venue to the date on which a request to reschedule was received by the venue. | In Committee |
| SJR58 | Designates the month of June of every year, "Dry Drowning Awareness Month." | This joint resolution designates the month of June of each year as "Dry Drowning Awareness Month" in New Jersey, and respectfully requests the Governor to annually issue a proclamation recognizing the month and calling on public officials and the people of New Jersey to observe the month with appropriate programs and activities. Dry drowning and secondary drowning are rare but deadly submersion injuries that can cause death well after a person, who is often a young child, has ingested water, such as during time in a swimming pool. Dry drowning and secondary drowning are caused by ingesting a small amount of water, through the nose or mouth. In dry drowning, that water causes a spasm in the person's airway, causing it to close up. In secondary drowning, that water gets into the person's lungs and causes inflammation or swelling of the lung tissue that makes it difficult or impossible for the person's body to exchange oxygen for carbon dioxide; and dry drowning usually occurs soon after a person exits the water, but a person experiencing secondary drowning can exhibit symptoms up to 24 hours after the water is ingested. Both cause trouble with breathing, and in the worst case, can be fatal. Broader awareness of the causes and symptoms of dry drowning and secondary drowning will save lives, especially during the busy summer season when family fun oftentimes revolves around water activities. | In Committee |
| S1790 | Requires Police Training Commission to adopt uniform standards for licensing police officers. | This bill requires the Police Training Commission (PTC) in the Department of Law and Public Safety to license police officers in this State. Police officers are not licensed under current law. The bill specifically requires the PTC to adopt uniform standards for licensing of all State, county, and municipal police officers. The standards are to include minimum qualifications for licensure, in-service training requirements, and renewal and revocation procedures. The PTC currently is responsible for the basic training of police officers. | In Committee |
| SJR60 | Designates second week of November of each year as "Urinary Incontinence Awareness Week" in New Jersey. | This resolution designates the second week of November of each year as "Urinary Incontinence Awareness Week" in New Jersey. More than 26 million people live with urinary incontinence in the United States. Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control, or being unable to control urination. It is a common condition and can range from being a minor problem to something that greatly affects daily life. The following persons are at high risk of being diagnosed with urinary incontinence: women who have experienced pregnancy, childbirth, or menopause; the elderly; men with prostate problems; persons with certain health problems, such as diabetes, obesity, or long-lasting constipation; smokers; and persons with birth defects affecting the structure of the urinary tract. Urinary incontinence has a multitude of treatments, ranging from medical to non-medical, preventative to protective, and invasive to non-invasive. Contrary to common myth, urinary incontinence is worsened by limiting fluid intake. Low fluid intake causes bladder irritation, further complicating issues. Furthermore, lowering fluid intake reduces the overall capacity of the bladder, which lessens the ability of the bladder to retain fluid. Though urinary incontinence is not life threatening, it does threaten a person's social and working lives and has a severe adverse effect on quality of life. Individuals afflicted with urinary incontinence often find their life dictated by their accidents, fearing embarrassment in front of friends and co-workers. The annual cost of adult urinary incontinence products in the United States currently exceeds $1 billion and that number is expected to grow as the general population ages. Many senior citizens are on fixed incomes and suffer great hardship because they must spend significant amounts of their incomes on urinary incontinence products. An overriding concern of senior citizens is finding ways to continue living in their own homes as long as possible and urinary incontinence is a leading cause of institutionalization of the elderly. | In Committee |
| S1787 | Requires DOH to develop mobile senior citizen assistance program. | This bill provides that within 180 days following the effective date of enactment, the Department of Health shall develop and implement a mobile senior citizen assistance program from available funds. The program shall consist of the periodic deployment of staffed vehicles to locations at or near nursing homes and senior citizen centers, events, gatherings, and low-income senior housing and other residences and forms of senior housing in this State to provide general assistance to senior citizens which shall include, but shall not be limited to, assistance with: completing applications, correspondence, food services, health care services, Internet access and use, legal services, making appointments, tax services, transportation, and the use of computers and mobile devices. | In Committee |
| S1960 | Requires helmet while operating bicycle, scooter, or motorized scooter. | This bill requires all persons to wear a helmet when bicycling, roller skating, or skateboarding. Current law requires persons 17 years of age and younger to wear a helmet when bicycling, roller skating, or skateboarding. This bill also extends the helmet requirement to operators of non-motorized and motorized scooters. Under current law, it is unlawful to manufacture, assemble, sell, offer to sell, or distribute bicycles, roller skates, or skateboards without a warning notice advising customers of the legal provisions concerning the wearing of approved helmets and appropriate personal protection equipment, and persons selling or renting bicycles, roller skates, or skateboards are required to advise their customers of these legal provisions and make helmets available to persons subject to the helmet requirement. Businesses complying with these requirements would not be liable in a civil action for damages for any physical injury sustained by a bicyclist, roller skater, or skateboarder who fails to wear a helmet. The bill expands these requirements and civil immunity provisions to non-motorized and motorized scooters. The bill does not amend section 8 of P.L.1997, c.411 (C.39:4-10.12), and therefore, it is the sponsor's understanding that the bill's provisions do not apply to operators and patrons of roller skating rinks subject to the "New Jersey Roller Skating Rink Safety and Fair Liability Act," P.L.1991, c.28 (C.5:14-1 et seq.). | In Committee |
| S1816 | Establishes Children's Health Promotion Fund. | This bill establishes the "Children's Health Promotion Fund" in the Department of the Treasury. The fund would be a nonlapsing, revolving fund, the repository for the funds provided pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1966, c.30 (C.54:32B-3), section 14 of P.L.1980, c.150 (C.54:32B-8.2), and any other funds approved by the Department of Health (DOH). The State Treasurer would be the custodian of the Children's Health Promotion Fund, and interest received on the monies in the fund would be credited to the fund. The monies in the fund would be provided through the collection of taxes imposed on bakery items, candy, and soft drinks containing 30 or more grams of sugar. The monies deposited in the fund pursuant to the provisions of the bill would be distributed by DOH to establish and expand programs that: improve access to, and encourage the consumption of, healthy, safe, and affordable foods and beverages by low-income children; educate low-income children and their families on the importance of proper diet and physical activity in preventing childhood obesity; and raise public awareness about educational, community-based, and public health approaches that promote sound nutritional choices and an active and healthy lifestyle for low-income children and their families. The bill amends section 3 of P.L.1966, c.30 (C.54:32B-3) and section 14 of P.L.1980, c.150 (C.54:32B-8.2) to require taxes imposed on bakery items, candy, and soft drinks containing 30 or more grams of sugar, and any interest or penalties imposed by the Director of the Division of Taxation relating to the taxes, to be deposited by the State Treasurer into the Children's Health Promotion Fund. The bill also amends section 3 of P.L.1966, c.30 (C.54:32B-3) to require that bakery items (bread, rolls, buns, biscuits, bagels, croissants, pastries, donuts, danish, cakes, tortes, pies, tarts, muffins, bars, cookies, and tortillas) containing 30 or more grams of sugars be subject to sales tax. Bakery items containing less than 30 grams of sugar would continue to be exempt from sales tax, as currently provided by law. Finally, the bill amends section 14 of P.L.1980, c.150 (C.54:32B-8.2) to mandate that receipts for the sale of candy prepared containing flour or candy requiring refrigeration and containing 30 or more grams of sugar would be subject to sales tax. | In Committee |
| SJR31 | Designates second week of September of each year as "Library Awareness Week in New Jersey." | This Joint Resolution designates the second week of September of each year as "Library Awareness Week in New Jersey." Libraries are critical institutions and dynamic centers of lifelong learning that play a unique role in ensuring the public's right to know and empowering people from all walks of life to make informed decisions about the world around them. Libraries also play a key role in the national discourse on intellectual freedom and equity of access to information and are the cornerstone of our democracy. It is therefore appropriate to foster public pride and support of the State's libraries, promote awareness and use of their valuable resources, and recognize the many contributions of library professionals by establishing a "Library Awareness Week in New Jersey." | In Committee |
| S1788 | Provides comprehensive Medicaid benefits to certain individuals formerly in foster care. | This bill requires the Commissioner of Human Services to apply to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for Section 1115 demonstration authority to extend New Jersey FamilyCare coverage to individuals up to age 26 who were in foster care under the responsibility of another state when the individual attained the age at which said state has selected for termination of federal foster care assistance under Title IV-E of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. s.670 et seq.). These former foster youth would be eligible for New Jersey FamilyCare coverage up to age 26, regardless of income or resources. The bill brings the State into compliance with federal law, pursuant to the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, Pub.L.115-271 (42 U.S.C. s.1396a et seq.), albeit in advance of the federally mandated effective date of calendar year 2023. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) allows young adults to maintain health insurance coverage under their parents' or guardians' health plan until age 26, provided the health plan extends coverage to dependents. In order to provide a parallel benefit to former foster youth who were enrolled in Medicaid at the time that they aged out of the foster care system, the ACA added these youth as a new, mandatory Medicaid eligibility group at section 1902(a)(10)(A)(i)(IX) of the federal Security Act (42 U.S.C. s.1396 et seq.). As of January 2019, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation Survey, eleven states have extended Medicaid coverage to former foster youth from other states up to age 26 through Medicaid Section 1115 demonstration waivers. | In Committee |
| S1817 | Revises procedures for processing incomplete Medicaid applications; exempts asset transfers of up to $500 per month during look back period for determining eligibility for long-term care services. | This bill permits individuals to transfer up to $500 in assets per calendar month during the 60 month look back period prior to receiving Medicaid coverage for long-term care services without being subject to a period of ineligibility. State and federal law requires a look-back period of 60 months from the date of an individual's application for Medicaid long-term care benefits to determine whether the individual has transferred financial resources to other individuals. (The bill also revises the State statute to conform with federal law extending the 60 month look-back period to all asset transfers.) Unauthorized resources transfers may result in a penalty period during which the individual may not receive Medicaid coverage of long-term care services. Federal law permits states to exclude certain transfers made for less than fair consideration, which are called "de minimis gifts," on the assumption that gifts or transfers under a certain amount of money would not be presumed to be made in contemplation of future Medicaid eligibility. New Jersey does not currently have a clear standard regarding such transfers, effectively leaving decisions about whether certain gifts will result in a penalty to the county welfare agencies. The lack of a clear standard also results in applicants resorting to the fair hearing process to resolve disputes, which may be costly for both the applicant and the State. The bill also provides that, if a county welfare agency deems a Medicaid application incomplete on the basis of incomplete or missing information, the agency will be required to provide the applicant with notice that the application was deemed incomplete, identify the information that is incomplete or missing, and inform the applicant that this information can be provided at any time and that the application will be reviewed when the incomplete or missing information is provided. The bill expressly requires the agency to review an application deemed incomplete upon receipt of all information identified as incomplete or missing. | In Committee |
| S1823 | Imposes minimum staffing requirements and certain reporting requirements on certain long-term care facilities. | This bill imposes minimum staffing requirements and certain reporting requirements on certain long-term care facilities. Under the bill, the Commissioner of Health (commissioner) is to establish a training program for health care providers in licensed long-term health care facilities that provide specialized care of patients with Alzheimer's disease, which is to include training on memory care therapy. Under the bill, the commissioner is to establish a minimum number of staff to be employed by a long-term care facility that provides specialized care of patients with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, which staff is to be trained in providing care to patients with Alzheimer's disease. At least one staff member trained in memory care is to be present at all times in a long-term care facility that provides specialized care of patients with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. The commissioner is to require a long-term care facility that provides specialized care of patients with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders to annually certify compliance with memory care practices, which is to include enrichment activities for patients, under standards promulgated by the commissioner. Under the bill, the commissioner is to contract with a third-party to review and track the antipsychotic drug administration practices of long-term care facilities to determine if those facilities excessively prescribe antipsychotic medication to patients with Alzheimer's disease in a manner that is harmful to those patients, as determined by a consensus of physicians with expertise in the administration of antipsychotic medication and Alzheimer's disease. The commissioner is to create a publicly available report summarizing data collected on the usage of antipsychotic medication by long-term care facilities and issue a plan for corrective action to a long-term care facility that is deemed to excessively prescribe antipsychotic medication to patients with Alzheimer's disease in a manner that is harmful to those patients. The bill provides that a long-term care facility that provides specialized care of patients with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders is to provide an annual report to the Department of Health containing data on the administration of antipsychotic mediation to patients with Alzheimer's disease, as determined by the department. | In Committee |
| S1767 | Requires depository institutions to provide paper account statements to elder adults. | This bill provides that a State bank, savings bank, savings and loan association or credit union shall mail periodic account statements in paper form to any account holder that is an elder adult without charge, unless the elder adult notifies the depository institution that the elder adult chooses to opt out of receiving the periodic statement in paper form. Under the bill, a "periodic account statement" means a written statement provided on a regular basis at the end of each periodic cycle by a depository institution to an account holder that reflects all debits and credits to an account held by the account holder during a periodic cycle. A "periodic cycle" means a period of time which is equal to or shorter than a calendar quarter and, if shorter than a calendar quarter, divides a calendar quarter into approximately equal units of time. The bill provides that the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance may order a depository institution that violates the provisions of the bill to cease any violation and subject the institution to a fine of not more than $500 for each violation. | In Committee |
| S1825 | Requires long-term care facilities to develop person-centered care plans for residents and establishes right to certain forms of visitation for long-term care residents. | This bill regulates visitation for long-term care residents. The bill defines "essential caregiver" to mean a person selected by a resident of a long-term care facility, or by the resident's guardian or legal representative, which person will have the right of access to and the right to visit with the resident during a state of emergency or an outbreak, epidemic, or pandemic of an infectious disease. An essential caregiver may be, but shall not be limited to, a family member, friend, or guardian of the resident, a person who is qualified to administer moral, religious, or spiritual guidance, or any other person the resident or resident's legal representative designates. There are not to be any requirements or criteria for the designation of an essential caregiver. Under the bill, a long-term care facility is to permit a resident or resident's guardian or legal representative to designate at least two essential caregivers, who are to be authorized to visit in person with the resident during any declared emergency or during an outbreak, epidemic, or pandemic of an infectious disease affecting or likely to affect a long-term care facility. The designated essential caregivers are to be documented in the resident's plan of care. Essential caregiver visits are to be for periods of time that are at least equal to the time afforded by federal and State law to residents of long-term care facilities for in-person visitation under normal circumstances. Under the bill, the following information is to be posted on the Internet website of each long-term care facility, and is to be transmitted by each long-term care facility, in writing, to residents or residents' guardians or legal representatives: the rights of residents to designate at least two essential caregivers in the event of a declared emergency or during an outbreak, epidemic, or a pandemic of an infectious disease affecting or likely to affect a long-term care facility; the process by which essential caregivers may be designated; and any associated requirements. The bill provides that a long-term care facility may require an essential caregiver to agree in writing to the long-term care facility's visitation policies and procedures. A long-term care facility may restrict or revoke visitation for an essential caregiver who violates the long-term care facility's visitation policies and procedures. An essential caregiver, who acts in accordance with the long-term care facility's visitation policies and procedures, is not to have visitation restricted or revoked. In addition, a long-term care facility is not to impose on essential caregivers any protocols that are stricter than the infection control and prevention protocols that are imposed on the facility's employees. Under the bill, the Department of Health is to take such actions as are necessary to identify, investigate, and ensure long-term care facilities are in compliance with the bill's provisions. It is the sponsor's belief that this bill is necessary to protect long-term care residents, as visitation restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in social isolation and other detrimental effects on the health and well-being of long-term care residents. | In Committee |
| SCR62 | Urges President and Congress of United States to enact legislation requiring paper account statements be provided to elder adults. | This concurrent resolution respectfully urges the President and Congress of the United States to enact legislation, similar to Assembly Bill No. 1728, introduced in the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey in the 2020-2021 legislative session, to require federally-regulated depository institutions to provide periodic paper account statements to elder adults without charge. Some banking customers have become accustomed to "online banking," but many banking customers that are seniors do not own or customarily operate computers and electronic devices, and therefore are unable to easily obtain electronic statements. This resolution calls upon the federal government to enact legislation to require federally-regulated depository institutions to provide periodic paper account statements to elder adults without charge. | In Committee |
| S1782 | Requires certain hospitals to establish bereavement areas. | This bill requires certain hospitals to establish bereavement areas. Under the bill, the Commissioner of Health is to require general hospital licensed pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.) to designate and maintain at least one bereavement area in a private room within the hospital that may be used by individuals who have received upsetting news concerning a family member receiving treatment at the hospital including, but not limited to, notice that the family member has died. | In Committee |
| S2166 | Requires school districts to employ at least one certified nutrition specialist, registered dietitian, or registered dietitian nutritionist. | This bill requires school districts to employ on a full-time or part-time basis at least one certified nutrition specialist, registered dietitian, or registered dietitian nutritionist. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, students' dietary behaviors are associated with their academic performance. For example, inadequate consumption of specific foods, such as fruits, vegetables, or dairy products, is associated with lower grades among students. In addition, deficits of specific nutrients, such as vitamins A, B6, B12, C, folate, iron, zinc, and calcium, are associated with lower grades and higher rates of absenteeism and tardiness among students. The availability of a dietitian or nutritionist at a school district can help facilitate students' access to the foods and nutrients they need to succeed academically. | In Committee |
| S1763 | Permits advanced practice nurse to provide documentation to school district of need for home instruction due to student's health condition. | This bill allows an advanced practice nurse to provide the required written determination documenting a student's need for confinement at the student's residence or other treatment setting in order for a school district to provide home instruction due to the student's temporary or chronic health condition or need for treatment. Under State Board of Education regulations at N.J.A.C.6A:16-10.1, this documentation may only be provided by the student's physician. The bill's provisions are in addition to any other State Board of Education requirements in regard to a student's receipt of home instruction from the school district. | In Committee |
| SR50 | Declares racism a public health crisis in New Jersey. | This resolution declares racism a public health crisis in the State of New Jersey. It is widely understood that systemic racism is a driver of health inequity and is manifested in differential access by race to opportunities, resources, conditions, and power within the medical and public health systems. Black people contend with disproportionately high death rates for chronic health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer, and these racial health disparities have myriad causes such as lack of health insurance, failures of the medical system, and inadequate access to health care. Physical or verbal violence between law enforcement officers and the public is a communal violence, particularly among black and brown communities where these incidents are more prevalent and pervasive, that significantly drives unnecessary and costly injury and death. The trauma of violence in a person's life course is also associated with chronic stress, higher rates of comorbidities and lower life expectancy, all of which bear extensive care and economic burden on healthcare systems while sapping the strength of affected families and communities. Studies have shown that implicit biases and internalized racism has led to black and brown people having less access to health care, preventive care, and quality education, and suffering from higher incarceration and increased mortality rates throughout this country and State. The foregoing findings demonstrate the prevalence of systemic racism, racism's role as a driver of health inequity, and the detrimental effects that racism has on the citizens of the State of New Jersey and this country. | In Committee |
| S2212 | Requires DHS to establish a pilot program covering menstrual hygiene products under Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare. | This bill establishes a pilot program under which the State Medicaid and New Jersey FamilyCare programs would provide menstrual hygiene products free-of-charge for Medicaid and New Jersey FamilyCare-eligible menstruators through contracted Medicaid pharmacies. The bill defines "menstrual hygiene products" as tampons, menstrual cups, and sanitary napkins used to collect menstrual fluids. This pilot program is contingent upon federal approval of the State's Section 1115 waiver application to provide this new benefit and the receipt of federal matching funds for State expenditures for menstrual hygiene products under the Medicaid and New Jersey FamilyCare programs. Under the bill, the Commissioner of Human Services, in consultation with appropriate experts in the fields of gynecology, women's health, and adolescent health, would determine both the quantity and frequency with which menstrual hygiene products are to be provided to eligible menstruators. Menstruators enrolled in the Medicaid or the New Jersey FamilyCare programs would receive a supply of menstrual hygiene products, at no cost, by providing a current Medicaid identification card at an approved Medicaid pharmacy. Pharmacies that participate in the pilot would then submit claims to the department, on a quarterly basis, for reimbursement for the menstrual hygiene products furnished to eligible menstruators. Currently, federal statute and regulations prohibit enrollees in federal safety-net programs, such as the Medicaid program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), from using their benefits to purchase menstrual hygiene products. The impact of these policies is clearly illustrated in the results of a recent survey of low-income women in St. Louis, MO. Of the women surveyed, 66 percent reported being unable to afford menstrual hygiene products at some point in the previous 12 months, while 20 percent of these respondents confronted this problem on a monthly basis. During the school year, low-income students may have access to menstrual hygiene products through the school health office or designated teachers. However, research by menstrual pad manufacturer Always shows that 20 percent of school-aged menstruators have either left school early, or missed school days altogether, because they lacked access to menstrual hygiene products. The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has only heightened "period poverty," a term that refers to inadequate access to menstrual hygiene products and education, clean toilets, and handwashing facilities, as numerous New Jersey residents face economic hardship due to pandemic-related job losses and reduced hours of employment, and as schools switch students to remote learning as a way to slow the spread of COVID-19. Without access to menstrual hygiene products, many low-income menstruators are forced to extend the length of time they use a single tampon or sanitary napkin, or reuse a soiled sanitary napkin, thereby risking infection and, potentially, toxic shock syndrome. Other menstruators resort to using alternatives to menstrual hygiene products, such as toilet paper, paper towels, diapers, socks, or rags. It is the intent of the bill's sponsor to provide all low-income menstruators with equitable access to a reliable supply of menstrual hygiene products through the Medicaid and New Jersey FamilyCare programs. | In Committee |
| S1804 | Requires certain background investigation for candidate for law enforcement position. | This bill requires a background investigation to be conducted for every candidate for a law enforcement position with a State, county, or municipal law enforcement agency. Under the provisions of this bill, in addition to any background check currently conducted by a law enforcement agency, every candidate for a law enforcement position with a State, county, or municipal law enforcement agency is required to undergo a background investigation which is to include, but not be limited to, a comprehensive evaluation of the following areas: 1) review of personal data and citizenship information, including an applicant's birth certificate, voter registration, citizenship or naturalization papers, and the presence of tattoos, brands, or other body art, dermal piercing and scarification; 2) interviews of an applicant's spouse, partner, dependents, relatives, associates, and friends; 3) review of an applicant's current and past residences, temporary or permanent, and interviews with landlords, roommates, and neighbors; 4) review of an applicant's high school and college grades, achievements, extracurricular activities and programs, history of absenteeism or tardiness, and disciplinary history; 5) review of an applicant's military service, if any, including branch of service, service records, and discharge; 6) review of an applicant's employment and work history, including interviews of current and former employers, discipline, terminations, and unemployment records; 7) review of an applicant's financial status, including assets, debts, reported income, liens, civil judgments, and liabilities; 8) review of an applicant's fraternal, societal, and workplace affiliations such as clubs, social networking sites, fraternities, sororities, and charitable and volunteer organizations; 9) review of an applicant's adult and juvenile criminal history including arrests, convictions, or pretrial intervention for State, county, or local crimes or other offenses, whether or not expunged; and 10) review of an applicant's motor vehicle history, including accidents, driving records, summonses, surcharges, license revocations, failures to appear in court, warrants, vehicle ownership information, and insurance information. In addition, the bill provides that an applicant who demonstrates derogatory conduct that conflicts with the expectations of a law enforcement position or intentionally provides false information is to be disqualified from employment with the law enforcement agency. | In Committee |
| S974 | Establishes student-athlete mental health specialists in school districts and public institutions of higher education; creates student-athlete mental health registry; makes appropriation. | This bill requires the appointment of student-athlete mental health specialists at public school districts and public institutions of higher education. Under the bill, a school district that is a voluntary member of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) is required to appoint a student-athlete mental health specialist. A school district may appoint a school guidance counselor, school psychologist, or another individual similarly trained that is already employed by the district if the individual is a State-licensed or State-certified mental health professional. A school district also has an option under the bill to hire a State-licensed or State-certified mental health professional to fill this position. A person appointed to the student-athlete mental health specialist position is required to obtain certification in Mental Health First Aid and complete the "Student-Athlete Mental Health Specialist Certification" every two years. The bill requires the Department of Education to develop the certification program. Similarly, a public institution of higher education is required to appoint two student-athlete mental health specialists with individuals that are State-certified or State-licensed mental health professionals. A student-athlete mental health specialist at a public institution of higher education is also required to obtain certification in Mental Health First Aid and complete the "Student-Athlete Mental Health Specialist Certification" from the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education every two years. The secretary is required to develop the certification program. Under the bill, the student-athlete mental health specialist is required to screen each student-athlete, provide mental health support to student-athletes, and monitor the impact of sports-related injuries on student-athletes' mental health. At public institutions of higher education, the two student-athlete mental health specialists are also required to be easily accessible to student-athletes during the academic year and have on-campus offices. A student-athlete in high school or attending a public institution of higher education has the option to waive the screening requirement by submitting a written statement to the student-athlete mental health specialist. However, if the student-athlete refuses the screening but does not submit a written statement, the student-athlete will be prohibited from participating in the organized sport. Additionally, a student-athlete mental health specialist, at both the high school and college levels, is responsible for the creation of a student-athlete mental health policy that: 1) recognizes the symptoms of mental health disorders that may affect student-athletes; 2) establishes mental health screening tools; 3) provides guidance on techniques for reducing stressors; 4) establishes protocols for non-emergent mental health referrals and emergent mental health situations; 5) creates a plan for transition care for students-athletes that leave the program; and 6) lists additional mental health resources and organizations that a student-athlete can consult for additional services. Under the bill, the department is required to establish a central registry of the aggregated screening data collected by a student-athlete mental health specialist for student-athletes in each school district. The secretary is required to create and maintain a similar registry from the aggregate data collected for student-athletes at public institutions of higher education. The purpose of these registries are to determine the stressors, rates, patterns, and trends of mental health disorders in student-athletes in order to develop evidence-based detection, prevention, and intervention protocols. The bill stipulates that, in establishing both registries, the department and secretary are required to ensure that any student identifying information remains confidential. Under the bill, student-athlete mental health specialists are not subject to liability for exercising their judgment or discretion in connection with the performance of their duties or for any good faith act or omission related to the requirements set forth in the bill. Finally, the bill makes an appropriation from the General Fund to the department for the costs of implementing the provisions affecting high school student-athletes and to the secretary for the costs associated with implementing the provisions affecting college-aged student-athletes. The student-athlete mental health specialist position is created at the high school and college levels to improve student-athlete mental wellness. It is the intent of this bill to address mental health issues that affect high school and college student-athletes. Studies have indicated that student-athletes are less likely than their non-athlete peers to seek counseling and other professional help services. This bill seeks to remove the stigma of seeking mental health services by requiring the student-athlete mental health specialist to routinely meet with student-athletes, provide mental health support to student-athletes, and monitor the impact of sports-related injuries on student-athletes' mental health. | In Committee |
| S163 | Establishes presumption of joint legal and physical custody in child custody matters. | This bill provides for a presumption of joint legal and equal or approximately equal physical custody in a child custody determination. The current law provides that the court will order any custody arrangement which has been agreed to by both parents unless it is contrary to the best interests of the child. Courts may award joint custody, which is comprised of legal custody or physical custody with the child residing either solely with one parent or alternatively with each parent according to the needs of the parents and the child, and the parents sharing in the decision-making regarding their children's health, education and general welfare; sole custody to one parent with appropriate parenting time for the noncustodial parent; or any other custody arrangement as determined to be in the child's best interest. The bill makes it a presumption that the court will award parents joint legal and equal or approximately equal physical custody of their children. Under the bill, a child will reside for an equal or approximately equal amount of time with each parent in accordance with the needs of the child, and the parents will share decision-making authority and responsibility as to the important decisions affecting the child's welfare. This presumption may be rebutted if the parent can show by clear and convincing evidence that an order of joint legal and physical custody is harmful to the child. If the presumption is successfully rebutted, then custody will be awarded according to the child's best interests. | In Committee |
| S1806 | Requires State, county, and municipal social service workers to periodically complete implicit bias and cultural competency training. | This bill requires implicit bias and cultural competency training for all State, county, and municipal social service workers. Implicit bias is a bias in judgment or behavior that results from subtle cognitive processes, including implicit prejudice and implicit stereotypes, that often operate at a level below conscious awareness and without intentional control. Cultural competency is the ability to understand, appreciate, and interact with people from different cultures or belief systems. The bill requires social service workers to complete the online tutorial by April 1 of every even-numbered year and to participate in training annually. The bill mandates that certain certifications and verifications be communicated to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and such communications will be considered public information. Every day, State, county, and municipal social service workers make decisions that impact people of all backgrounds and cultures. In doing this important work, it is critical for all of these individuals to understand their own biases as well as cultures and belief systems different from their own. | In Committee |
| SJR51 | Designates April of each year as "Financial Literacy Month" in New Jersey. | This joint resolution designates April of each year as "Financial Literacy Month" in New Jersey in order to improve the understanding of the State's citizens of critical financial issues such as credit management, savings, debt management, and homeownership, and to significantly increase an individual's likelihood of financial success. Under the joint resolution, the Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing April as "Financial Literacy Month" in New Jersey and calling upon schools, financial institutions, nonprofit financial educational organizations, the citizens of the State, and other interested groups to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs. | In Committee |
| S1792 | Prohibits forfeiture of inmate's commutation credits for minor disciplinary infractions and expands inmate's ability to restore certain forfeited credits. | This bill prohibits forfeiture of an inmate's commutation credits for minor disciplinary infractions and expands an inmate's ability to restore certain forfeited credits. Under current law, an inmate is entitled to receive commutation credits for remission from the inmate's sentence for continuous orderly deportment. However, credits are not to reduce any judicial or statutory mandatory minimum term imposed. In the case of any flagrant misconduct, the board of managers of the correctional facility may declare a forfeiture of the time previously remitted, either in whole or in part, at the board's discretion. The bill prohibits the forfeiture of commutation credits for less serious, Category E level, disciplinary infractions, as set forth in the New Jersey Administrative Code. Several examples of Category E level infractions are: loaning of property or anything of value; mutilating or altering clothing issued by the government; violating a condition of any Residential Community Release Program; unexcused absence from work or any assignment; being late for work; malingering, feigning an illness; failing to perform work as instructed by a staff member; using abusive or obscene language to a staff member; failure to follow safety or sanitation regulations; unauthorized use of equipment or machinery; unauthorized use of mail or telephone; correspondence or conduct with a visitor in violation of regulations; and failure to keep a scheduled appointment with medical, dental, or other professional staff. Certain commutation credits may be restored under current law, in accordance with relevant provisions of the New Jersey Administrative Code. Commutation credits forfeited for a civil action or proceeding filed by an inmate that is determined to be frivolous, or for failure to participate in sex offender treatment are not eligible for restoration. Up to 75 percent of credits forfeited for disciplinary charges may be restored over the three year period following the incident which resulted in the loss of commutation credits, provided the three years run consecutively from the date of the incident. Credits are to be restored at the rate of 25 percent for each year the inmate is in custody and is free of any serious disciplinary charges that have been substantiated. This bill codifies the procedures for restoration of forfeited credits. Under the bill, up to 100 percent of the commutation credits forfeited for a disciplinary charge may be restored over the two year period following the incident which resulted in the loss of commutation credits, provided the two years run consecutively from the date of the incident. Credits are to be restored at the rate of 50 percent for each year the inmate is in custody and is free of any serious disciplinary charges that have been substantiated. | In Committee |
| S1263 | Prohibits release of personal identifying information of violent crime victims and witnesses under State's open public records law. | This bill would prohibit the release of any personal identifying information of violent crime victims and witnesses under P.L.1963, c.73 (C.47:1A-1 et seq.), commonly known as the open public records act. Current law specifically provides that the name, address, and age of any victims of crime are public record. This bill would delete that provision and clarify that all manner of personal identifying information of violent crime victims and witnesses are confidential for purposes of public records requests to bolster the safety and privacy of violent crime victims and witnesses. | In Committee |
| S1938 | Requires restaurants to provide healthy beverages with meals designated for children. | This bill requires restaurants to provide a healthy beverage with any meals designated for children. Under the bill, a restaurant's default beverage for a children's meal could be: (1) water, sparkling water, or flavored water, with no added natural or artificial sweeteners; (2) nonfat or one percent milk or non-dairy milk alternative containing no more than 130 calories per container or serving as offered for sale; or (3) one hundred percent fruit juice or fruit juice combined with water or carbonated water, with no added sweeteners, in a serving size of no more than eight ounces. The bill does not prohibit or preclude a restaurant from selling or offering another beverage as a replacement to the default beverage included with the children's meal. | In Committee |
| S1808 | Establishes New Jersey Pandemic Risk Reinsurance Program. | This bill establishes the New Jersey Pandemic Risk Reinsurance Fund and the New Jersey Pandemic Risk Reinsurance Program (program) for eligible insurers offering business interruption insurance coverage pursuant to the bill when claims payable resulting from the covered public health emergency exceed $75 million Statewide. Under the bill, the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance is to establish the New Jersey Pandemic Risk Reinsurance Program pursuant to the following guidelines: a. No compensation is to be paid from the program unless the aggregate industry losses in New Jersey resulting from a covered public health emergency exceed $75 million. b. Subject to the availability of funds, the aggregate annual maximum amount paid out of the program is not to exceed $500 million. c. Losses in excess of the insurer deductible but not exceeding the aggregate annual maximum amount pursuant to the provisions of the bill are to be covered jointly by the program and participating eligible insurers subject to each insurer's retention. d. The program is to pay incurred losses on a pro rata basis, the methodology for which is to be determined by the commissioner within 240 days of the effective date of this act. e. Reinsurance purchased by a participating eligible insurer through the private market is not to affect the calculation of the insurer's deductible or retention. The bill provides that the New Jersey Pandemic Risk Reinsurance Fund is to consist of an annual appropriation out of the General Fund of the State of not less than $50 million. In addition, the bill provides for not less than $50 million to be allocated out of the amounts of federal government assistance provided to this State pursuant to "Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act," Pub. Law 116-136. Lastly, the bill provides that, out of the amounts of additional federal government assistance that may become available to this State with regard to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, not less than $50 million is to be allocated to the New Jersey Pandemic Risk Reinsurance Fund. The bill provides that, as a condition of participating in the New Jersey Pandemic Risk Reinsurance Program established pursuant to this act, an eligible insurer is required to offer to an insured or prospective insured with no more than 100 eligible employees in the State of New Jersey, a rider to the insurance policy which includes, as a covered peril under that policy, coverage for global virus transmission or pandemic, or both, pursuant to a covered public health emergency. The Commissioner of Banking and Insurance is to review and approve, as appropriate and on an expedited basis, any insurance policy rider submitted by an insurer and designed to provide the coverage offered pursuant to this section. | In Committee |
| S777 | Establishes New Jersey Commission on Health Equity. | This bill establishes, in the Department of Health, the New Jersey Commission on Health Equity. The purpose of the commission will be to: 1) employ a health equity framework to examine: the health of New Jersey residents; ways for units of State and local government to collaborate to implement policies that will positively impact the health of New Jersey residents; and the impact of certain enumerated factors on the health of New Jersey residents; 2) provide direct advice to the DOH regarding issues of racial, ethnic, cultural, or socioeconomic health disparities; 3) facilitate coordination of the expertise and experience of various State departments in developing a comprehensive health equity plan addressing the social determinants of health; and 4) set goals for health equity and prepare a plan for the State to achieve health equity in alignment with any other Statewide planning activities. The commission, using a health equity framework, will be required to: 1) examine and make recommendations regarding: health considerations that may be incorporated into the decision-making processes of government agencies and private sector stakeholders who interact with government agencies; requirements for implicit bias training for clinicians engaged in patient care and whether the State should provide the training; training for health care providers on consistent and proper collection of self-identified patient data on race, ethnicity, and language to identify disparities accurately; and requirements to comply with, and for enforcement of, National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health and Health Care (CLAS Standards); 2) foster collaboration between units of State and local government and develop policies to improve health and reduce health inequities; 3) identify measures for monitoring and advancing health equity in the State; 4) establish a State plan for achieving health equity in alignment with other Statewide planning activities in coordination with the State's health, human services, housing, transportation, education, environment, community development, and labor systems; and 5) make recommendations and provide advice, including direct advice to the Commissioner of Health, on implementing laws and policies to improve health and reduce health inequities. The commission will be authorized to establish advisory committees to assist the commission in the performance of its duties. Any such advisory committee may include individuals who are not members of the commission. The commission will comprise 27 members, including: 1) one member of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate and one member of the General Assembly appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, each of whom will serve for the duration of the legislative term in which they are appointed; 2) the heads of the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Human Services (DHS), the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Community Affairs, the Department of Banking and Insurance, the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Education, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the Department of Law and Public Safety, the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the Department of State, the Department of Transportation, Public Health Services in DOH, the Division of Aging Services in DHS, the Division of Disability Services in DHS, the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services in DHS, the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services in DHS, the New Jersey Office of Information Technology, the Division of Child Protection and Permanency in the Department of Children and Families, the New Jersey State Planning Commission, the State Police, and the Office of Management and Budget in the Department of the Treasury, or their designees, who will serve ex officio; and 3) one representative of a local health department, designated by the New Jersey Association of County and City Health Officials, who will serve for a term of four years and will be eligible for reappointment to the commission. The Governor will designate a chair and a vice-chair of the commission from among the membership. The chair will appoint a secretary, who need not be a member of the commission. The commission will be required to meet at least four times each year at a location to be determined by the chair, but may meet at such additional times and places as by the commission determines to be necessary. A majority of the authorized membership will constitute a quorum for the purpose of undertaking official business. The members of the commission will serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, within the limits of funds made available to the commission for this purpose. The DOH will provide stenographic, clerical, and other administrative assistants, as well as any professional staff, as the commission requires to carry out its work. The commission will be entitled to call to its assistance and avail itself of the services of the employees of any State, county, or municipal department, board, bureau, commission, or agency as it may require and as may be available for its purposes. In coordination with the New Jersey Health Information Network (NJHIN), the commission will be required to establish a Health Equity Data Advisory Committee to make recommendations on data collection, needs, quality, reporting, evaluation, and visualization for the commission to carry out the purposes of the bill. The advisory committee is to include representatives from the NJHIN. Specifically, the advisory committee will define the parameters of a health equity data set to be maintained by the NJHIN, including indicators for: social and economic conditions; environmental conditions; health status; behaviors; health care; and priority health outcomes for monitoring health equity for racial and ethnic minority populations in New Jersey. The data set for which these parameters are defined are to include data from: health care facilities that report to the DOH; health benefits plans that report to the Department of Banking and Insurance; and any other data source the advisory committee determines necessary. The commission may request data consistent with the recommendations of the advisory committee. Data requested by the commission is to be provided either directly to the commission or to the commission through the NJHIN. The advisory committee may recommend that data be reported or otherwise made available to the public, in which case the commission will be authorized to publish or otherwise provide the data to the public. Data provided to the commission and data reported or otherwise made available to the public is to be provided in the aggregate and in compliance with applicable State and federal privacy laws. No later than 18 months after the effective date of the bill, and annually thereafter, the commission will be required to prepare and submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature concerning the activities of the commission, including the commission's findings with regard to any changes in health equity in the State resulting from the commission's activities, and the commission's recommendations for legislation or administrative action as may be necessary to implement the commission's findings and recommendations and support the commission's activities. The bill will take effect the first day of the seventh month next following enactment. | In Committee |
| SR54 | Designates November 13, 2019 as "Day of Civility" in NJ. | This resolution designates November 13, 2019 as "Day of Civility" in New Jersey to coincide with "World Kindness Day." In recent years, American political and social discourse has been fraught with divisive rhetoric. "Civility," which means courtesy or politeness, would greatly enhance social relations among Americans and improve political leaders' ability to govern. A vast majority of Americans consider incivility to be a problem, and many blame politicians for the erosion of civility in our society. Most Americans have experienced incivility and in a wide variety of places and settings. Among those Americans who have reported experiencing incivility, such encounters are frequent. Most Americans believe that incivility leads to intimidation, threats, harassment, discrimination, violence, and cyber-bullying, and that civility benefits society by building national pride and by easing tension and conflict. | In Committee |
| S1775 | Establishes the "Safe Sanitary Subsidized Rental Housing Bill of Rights." | Too many residents of the State of New Jersey are currently residing in publicly subsidized rental housing units that fail to meet minimum standards of safety and sanitation. Landlords who receive taxpayer money by way of rental subsidies should be held accountable and should be required to provide safe and sanitary housing accommodations. Accordingly, this bill implements various changes to State rental housing laws for landlords who receive rental housing subsidies, in the areas of landlord registration requirements, inspection of multiple dwellings, warranty of habitability, and distribution of certain information. Rental Subsidy The bill defines a "rental subsidy" as funds paid to a landlord pursuant to federal project-based or tenant-based section 8 rental assistance or paid as a rental assistance grant pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2004, c.140 (C.52:27D-287.1).Landlord Registration Current law requires landlords to register with the municipality in which the rental premises is located, or with the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), depending on circumstances. Under the bill, a landlord who receives rental subsidies is required to include the following additional information in a landlord registration: (1) in the case of a record owner that is a corporation, limited liability company, or other legal or commercial entity, the names and street addresses of residence of the members, directors, officers, and registered agents, as applicable; and (2) for each person required to be named in the registration - two telephone numbers, including at least one cell phone number; a street address of residence; and an active email address. The bill also specifies that in order to be granted a judgment of possession of a rental premises, or to receive any public funds for rehabilitation of a rental premises, a landlord is required to have been registered for at least 90 days. Landlords are currently required to file an amended registration within 20 days of any change of information included in the registration. Violation of this provision results in a civil penalty of up to $500. Under the bill, a landlord who receives a rental subsidy and who fails to comply with the amended registration requirements will be liable to a civil penalty of not less than $100 or more than $2,500. Additionally, the bill requires every landlord who receives a rental subsidy to certify annually by November 1 that the registration is accurate and contains current information. Failure to annually certify will also result in a civil penalty of $100 to $2,500. Rehabilitation for affordable housing units The bill provides that a municipality may satisfy up to 10 percent of its obligation to provide a fair share of the region's present and prospective need for affordable housing by establishing a program encouraging the rehabilitation of substandard dwelling units and the dedication of rehabilitated units for rental as low income housing for periods of up to twenty years. Under the bill, the Commissioner of DCA will award or grant funds available from the "New Jersey Affordable Housing Trust Fund" in amounts of up to $15,000 per unit for this purpose. The commissioner is required to: (1) target the award or grant of funds to housing regions based on the percentage of the State's low and moderate income housing need in each region; and (2) target the award or grant of funds to property owners that have a demonstrated history of, or pledge to accept in the future, rental subsidies. Inspection and Scoring of Multiple Dwellings The bill requires the Commissioner of Community Affairs to establish a rental inspection and reinspection program for multiple dwellings that contain units for which a rental subsidy is received. Under the provisions of the bill, a multiple dwelling will be inspected: (1) at least once every five years; (2) within 10 days of receipt of notice of a change of occupancy for a multiple dwelling located in a municipality that does not provide for a change of occupancy inspection through ordinance. (3) within 10 days of complaint filed by a tenant, alleging one or more significant violations upon the premises, unless the complaint alleges a violation that is life threatening to tenants, in which case the bureau is required to inspect within 24 hours of the complaint being filed. The bill further provides that a multiple dwelling found to have any significant violations will be reinspected according to the following schedule, until every significant violation has been remedied: (1) within 24 hours, if the significant violation is deemed to be life threatening to tenants; (2) within 30 days; (3) for any other significant violation, within 60 days; and (4) though a follow up inspection, six months to one year after the reinspection producing a satisfactory result. Pursuant to the bill, the commissioner will establish a scoring method to be conducted annually, which will include, but not be limited to the following criteria: (1) the number of violations found during any inspection conducted by the Bureau of Housing Inspection (BHI); (2) the number of significant violations; (3) the number of administrative citations and special assessments issued by the municipality in which the multiple dwelling is located; (4) the number of letters of intent to condemn a property for lack of maintenance; (5) the results of any inspection conducted in the prior year by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, if that information has been provided to the commissioner; and (6) whether the multiple dwelling has been scored in the lowest performing 20 percent in the past, and whether it has successfully passed four consecutive inspections since the designation. The fees associated with inspections and reinspections will be paid by the landlord according to a fee schedule established by the commissioner. Additionally, a landlord whose premises was found to have a significant violation will be required to attend 10 hours of training and will bear any expense incurred by the training. If a significant violation is found following an inspection, the commissioner is required to: (1) notify, if applicable, the public housing authority that operates the multiple dwelling within 48 hours of the inspection or reinspection; (2) notify the mayor and the council of the municipality in which the multiple dwelling is located, within 48 hours if a significant violation is life threatening, or within five business days for all other significant violations; and (3) in the case of a multiple dwelling that participates in federal section 8 housing, notify the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) New Jersey field officer of the complaint and violation. The bill also requires the commissioner to urge HUD to report inspection violations discovered pursuant to federal regulation to DCA. Utilizing the scoring method set forth in the bill, the commissioner is required to annually determine: (1) the highest performing 20 percent of multiple dwellings Statewide. If a multiple dwelling achieves this designation, and has not received a significant violation in either of the prior two five-year inspection cycles, the multiple dwelling may be inspected once every eight years. BHI may conduct random spot checks or inspections based upon tenant complaints at any time during the eight years between full inspections. If any significant violations are found by BHI, or if any significant violations are found during an inspection conducted by a municipality, the multiple dwelling will lose its designation and will be subject to the inspection schedule set forth in this bill for significant violations; and (2) the lowest performing 20 percent of multiple dwellings Statewide. If a multiple dwelling achieves this designation, it will be inspected at least once every six months. If the multiple dwelling passes two consecutive biannual inspections, it will be inspected once every two years. A multiple dwelling so designated shall remain on a biannual inspection schedule until such time as the commissioner determines that the multiple dwelling is no longer in the lowest performing 20 percent. The dwelling will also be subject to inspections in response to a tenant complaint and change of occupancy inspections. The bill provides that if a tenant of a multiple dwelling files a complaint with BHI, alleging one or more significant violations upon the premises, BHI is required to inspect the property within 10 days of the complaint being filed, unless the complaint alleges a violation life threatening to tenants, in which case BHI is required to inspect within 24 hours of the complaint being filed. The bill also provides that if a multiple dwelling is located in a municipality that does not require change of occupancy inspections by ordinance, BHI will conduct change of occupancy inspections. The bill defines a "significant violation" as a lack of heat, running water, or adequate sewage disposal facilities, infestation of rats, mice, roaches, termites, and other vermin, structural deficiency, and any other conditions that an inspector deems a threat to the health or safety of the tenants. Warranty of Habitability The bill provides that any in action before the court in which a tenant asserts a warrant of habitability violation by a landlord who accepts a rental subsidy, the court is required to notify DCA within two business days. Upon notice to DCA, BHI is required to inspect the property within 10 days. A hearing to determine violation of the warranty of habitability may not be set by the court prior to the completion of the inspection by the bureau. If it is determined by the court that failure to pay rent was due to a significant violation of the warranty of habitability of the premises, the court will direct the deposit of the tenant portion of rental payments with a court-appointed administrator for use in remedying the defective condition. The State or public housing authority, as the case may be, will retain the discretion to withhold any portion of the rental subsidy until a reinspection by BHI determines every significant violation has been remedied. Information made available to tenants The bill provides that every landlord is required to post in every common area of a tenant-occupied multiple dwelling and include in a printed notice in the lease: (1) instructions on how to file a tenant complaint with BHI; and (2) instructions on how to access and use the 2-1-1 telephone system, which provides information and referrals to health, human, and social service organizations, including information concerning housing resources. Restrictions on State and local funding The bill further provides that prior to the award of public funding opportunities, including tax credit financing, related to development of real property or other economic development, the awarding authority is to consider whether the applicant is an owner of a multiple dwelling determined to be in the lowest performing 20 percent of multiple dwellings Statewide. If the public funding is awarded to such an owner, the awarding authority is required to notify DCA and the commissioner is required to submit an annual report to the Legislature of these awards and with recommendations about any suggested limitations or prohibitions related to public funding. | In Committee |
| S1193 | Allows voter registration at polling place on election day or at early voting site during early voting period. | This bill allows for voter registration at polling places on election day or at early voting sites during the early voting period. Under current law, a person must register to vote at least 21 days before the election. This bill allows a person who has not registered to vote by that deadline to register at a polling place on the day of the election or at an early voting site during the early voting period. This bill also allows a person to cast a provisional ballot if the person has registered to vote within the period of 21 days before the election if the person can affirm that the person has not previously voted in that election. If the county commissioner of registration is not able to verify the person's Motor Vehicle Commission New Jersey driver's license number or non-driver identification number, or the last four digits of the person's Social Security Number, the county commissioner of registration will notify the person by mail, e-mail, or telephone within 24 hours that they must provide valid identification no later than 48 hours prior to the final certification of the results of the election in order for their ballot to be counted. | In Committee |
| S1770 | Authorizes protective order for certain witnesses or victims against actor who attempted to prevent or obstruct them from reporting crime to police. | This bill would authorize protective orders for witnesses and victims of various first and second degree crimes if an actor attempted to prevent or obstruct them from reporting, through the means of force or intimidation, the crime to a law enforcement agency. Under P.L.1985, c.250 (C.2C:28-5.1 et seq.), a court may issue a protective order for a witness or victim if the defendant in the criminal action or any other person connected with the action has violated or is likely to violate N.J.S.2C:28-5, N.J.S.2C:29-3 or N.J.S.2C:29-4, or if that person has threatened to injure or intimidate any witness in the pending offense or a member of the witness' family with purpose to affect the testimony of the witness. The bill would establish a similar form of protective order to protect any witness or victim of a first or second degree crime enumerated in subsection d. of section 2 of P.L.1997, c.117 (C.2C:43-7.2), including but limited to murder, kidnapping, and sexual assault, if an actor has attempted to prevent or obstruct through means of force or intimidation the alleged victim from reporting the crime to a law enforcement agency, and if the alleged victim is not eligible for a restraining order as a "victim of domestic violence" under the domestic violence statutes. A protective order may be sought, and may be issued by the court, regardless of whether criminal charges based on the incident were filed and regardless of the disposition of any such charges. The court would waive any requirement that the applicant's or alleged victim's place of residence appear on the application. An applicant may seek a protective order in a court having jurisdiction where the alleged conduct or attempted conduct occurred, where the respondent resides, or where the alleged victim resides or is sheltered. Under the bill, a judge of the Superior Court may enter an emergency, ex parte order when necessary to protect the safety and well-being of an alleged victim on whose behalf the relief is sought. The court would grant any relief necessary to protect the safety and well-being of the alleged victim. If the court is closed, such as on weekends, holidays and other times, an alleged victim may file an application before a judge of the Superior Court or a municipal court judge who shall be assigned to accept applications and issue emergency, ex parte relief in the form of temporary protective orders. If the court is satisfied that exigent circumstances exist the would excuse the alleged victim from having to appear personally, and sufficient grounds for granting the application have been shown, the temporary protective order would be issued, pursuant to court rules, upon sworn testimony or an application of an alleged victim who is not physically present, or by a person who represents an alleged victim who is physically or mentally incapable of filing personally. An order for emergency, ex parte relief pursuant to the bill would be granted upon good cause shown and would remain in effect until a judge of the Superior Court issues a further order. Temporary protective orders would be forwarded to the sheriff of the county in which the respondent resides for immediate service upon the respondent in accordance with the Rules of Court. The court or the sheriff may coordinate service of the final protective order upon the respondent through the police in appropriate circumstances. A temporary protective order issued would be immediately appealable for a plenary hearing de novo not on the record before any judge of the Superior Court of the county in which the alleged victim resides or is sheltered if that judge issued the temporary protective order or has access to the reasons for the issuance of the order and sets forth in the record the reasons for the modification or dissolution. A temporary protective order issued by the court may include but not be limited to: the respondent maintaining a certain geographic distance from the alleged victim, no communication between the respondent and the alleged victim, and any other relief that the court deems appropriate. The bill would require that a hearing be held on a final protective order in the Superior Court within 10 days of the filing of an application where the temporary protective order was granted. The bill provides that if a criminal complaint arising out of the same incident which is the subject matter of the application for a protective order has been filed, testimony given by the applicant in accordance with an application filed pursuant to this bill would not be used in the criminal proceeding against the respondent, other than contempt matters, and where it would otherwise be admissible hearsay under the Rules of Evidence that govern when a party is unavailable. At the hearing, the standard for providing the allegations made in the application for a final protective order would be a preponderance of the evidence. The court would consider but not be limited to the following factors: the occurrence of one or more acts of attempting to prevent or obstruct by means of force or intimidation from reporting the crime to a law enforcement agency with the purpose to hinder the actor's own or another's detention, apprehension, investigation, prosecution, conviction, or punishment in violation of N.J.S.2C:29-3; and the possibility of future risk to the safety or well-being of the alleged victim. A final protective order would be issued only after a finding or an admission is made that the respondent committed an act of attempting to prevent or obstruct by means of force or intimidation against the alleged victim. A final protective order may include but not be limited to: the respondent maintaining a certain geographic distance from the alleged victim, no communication between the respondent and the alleged victim, and any other relief that the court deems appropriate. Notice of a final protective order issued would be sent by the clerk of the Superior Court or other person designated by the court to the appropriate county prosecutor, the appropriate chiefs of police, members of the State Police and any other appropriate law enforcement agency. A final protective order issued would remain in effect until further order of a judge of the Superior Court. Either party may file a petition with the court to dissolve or modify a final protective order. When considering a petition for dissolution or modification of a final protective order, the court would conduct a hearing to consider whether a material change in circumstances has occurred since the issuance of the protective order. Any temporary or final protective order issued pursuant to this act would be in effect throughout the State and enforced by all law enforcement officers. A violation by the respondent of any protective order would constitute an offense under subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:29-9. Violations of these orders may be enforced in a civil or criminal action initiated by the alleged victim or by the court, on its own motion, pursuant to applicable court rules. The Attorney General would issue directives or guidelines for police officers to promote compliance with this act. The Administrative Office of the Courts would establish procedures to ensure implementation of this act. It is the sponsor's view that many witnesses or victims of violent crimes are scared to report crimes to the police because a person has attempted to prevent or obstruct them through means of force or intimidation. This bill would permit the alleged victim to obtain a protective order from the court when they report the crime to the police. | In Committee |
| S2232 | Establishes New Jersey Community Learning Program in DOE to provide comprehensive extended learning time programs in certain communities; dedicates portion of State cannabis revenue to support program. | This bill establishes the New Jersey Community Learning Program in the Department of Education to support the provision of comprehensive extended learning time programs in certain areas most impacted by the criminalization of cannabis ("impact zones"). The costs of the program would be supported by a portion of the annual State revenues collected from the retail sale of recreational cannabis products. Under the bill, every school district located within an impact zone ("impact district") would be required to establish and implement an extended learning time program. These programs would endeavor to close the achievement gap and provide services for enrolled students during non-school hours, including summer and holiday recesses. The bill allows these services to be provided at one or more locations, including existing school facilities and approved off-site locations, except that the district would be required to provide participating students with transportation to and from any such location. Following the effective date of the bill, each impact district, in collaboration with the governing body of each municipality located within the district, would be required to conduct two public hearings to receive community input concerning the establishment of an extended learning time program. Before implementing the program, the board of education of an impact district would also be required to submit a program plan to the commissioner for approval. At a minimum, the program plan would be required to include: (1) a detailed description of the services that will be provided through the program; (2) a detailed description of the background and qualifications of the personnel who will supervise and staff the program; (3) a schedule of the days and hours during which the program will operate; (4) the criteria that will be used to determine eligibility for student participation in the program; (5) an estimate of the number of students who will participate in the program; (6) the locations in which academic assistance and community enrichment services will be provided; (7) an estimate of the annual cost of implementing the program; and (8) any other information that the board of education may deem necessary. The bill requires the commissioner to approve or conditionally approve each program plan within 30 calendar days of receipt. If the commissioner conditionally approves a program plan, the plan would be deemed approved when the board of education adopts all revisions contained in the conditional approval. Thereafter, an impact district may modify its extended learning time program by submitting a revised program plan to the commissioner for approval. Under the bill, the department would be required to annually distribute such funding as is necessary to each impact district to defray the full costs of implementing the extended learning time program. The bill requires all State funds received by an impact district to be accounted for in a special revenue fund and used exclusively to implement the extended learning time program. The bill provides that an impact district would not be required to implement an extended learning time program during any year in which State funding is not provided pursuant to this bill. The bill also establishes the New Jersey Community Learning Assistance Fund, which would be used to distribute program funding to impact districts. Beginning in State Fiscal Year 2022, the bill requires the State to annually deposit into the assistance fund an amount determined by the Cannabis Regulatory Commission from the State revenue collected from the tax imposed under the "Sales and Use Tax Act," P.L.1966, c.30 (C.54:32B-1 et seq.) on the retail sale of recreational cannabis products. However, if in any year, these amounts are insufficient to support the full distribution of funding to impact districts, the State would be required to appropriate such additional amounts as are necessary from the Property Tax Relief Fund to the assistance fund. This bill would take effect on the date of enactment, or on the effective date of an amendment to the State Constitution to legalize cannabis for personal, non-medical use by adults who are 21 years of age or older, whichever occurs later. | In Committee |
| S2243 | Establishes five-year community schools pilot program. | This bill establishes a five-year Community Schools Pilot Program in the Department of Education. Under the bill, the Commissioner of Education is to identify and enter into a contract with an institution of higher education or a qualified nonprofit organization with the appropriate capacity and experience located in the State to manage the pilot program. The organization or institution and the department will be responsible for selecting one public school of a school district, renaissance school, or charter school in each county of the State that would receive direct assistance from a site coordinator assigned to the school. Additionally, the selected institution or organization is required to establish a technical assistance center that would be available to schools participating in the pilot program and would be responsible for making group training sessions and information about community schools available to any school district, renaissance school, or charter school interested in establishing a community school. The technical assistance center will be responsible for the Statewide dissemination of information on effective and promising practices in the establishment and ongoing management of community school strategies through professional development and technical assistance activities. Under the bill, the department, in coordination with the organization or institution, and the New Jersey Community Schools Coalition, is to develop specific criteria for selecting schools to participate in the program and receive direct support from a site coordinator. The selection criteria would be posted on the department's website. The organization or institution is required to employ and train individuals who would be assigned to serve as a site coordinator. Site coordinators are to be employees of the organization or institution, and not the school district, renaissance school, or charter school to which they are assigned. The salaries, wages, and other financial compensation of the site coordinators would be the responsibility of the organization or institution. The bill directs a public school selected to participate in the pilot to enter into an agreement with the selected institution or organization outlining at a minimum the role, responsibilities, and authority the site coordinator has in supporting the establishment of the community school site. The organization or institution can enter into an agreement with another nonprofit entity to assist it in fulfilling responsibilities enumerated in certain sections of the bill, subject to approval of the commissioner. The commissioner would receive an annual audit of the accounts and financial transactions of the organization or institution for the duration of the pilot program. The bill also directs the commissioner to enter into a contract with an independent entity to conduct an evaluation of the pilot program. The final report, which the commissioner would forward to the Governor and the Legislature, would be due no later than six months following the conclusion of the pilot program. The bill establishes the Community Schools Pilot Program Fund in the Department of Education. The fund is to consist of any funds that are appropriated by the Legislature, investment earnings of the fund, and moneys contributed to the fund by private sources. The bill allows the moneys in the fund to be invested and reinvested as other trust funds in the custody of the State in the manner provided by law. | In Committee |
| S1803 | Establishes the "Urban Wealth Fund Pilot Program." | This bill would establish the "Urban Wealth Fund Pilot Program" for the purpose of determining whether identification of undervalued publicly-owned assets, which are capable of generating revenue, and enhancing the ability of those assets to generate revenue, by depoliticizing and professionalizing management and control over those assets, is viable and should be extended statewide. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) would develop program details, in consultation with the State Treasurer, the New Jersey Redevelopment Authority, the Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs, and the Chief Diversity Officer in the State Department of the Treasury. The purpose of the program is to:· encourage State entities and pilot municipalities to identify publicly-owned assets that are capable of generating revenue;· select publicly-owned assets to be held in the urban wealth fund;· contract with a private asset management firm or firms to manage publicly-owned assets held in the urban wealth fund in a manner designed to enhance the revenue generated from those assets;· serve as a holding company for publicly-owned assets held in the urban wealth fund;· facilitate the transfer of management of selected publicly-owned assets to the private asset management firm or firms; and· enable participating State entities and pilot municipalities to allocate increased revenue derived from publicly-owned assets held by the urban wealth fund to specific public purposes, including:o assistance to minority-owned businesses;o improvements to infrastructure;o investments in education; ando reductions in property taxes. The bill would require the EDA to establish program guidelines and establish criteria to evaluate assets for inclusion in the program. The bill would direct the EDA to: notify State entities and pilot municipalities of the opportunity to participate in the pilot program; devise forms and procedures to enable State entities and pilot municipalities to apply to participate in the program; and provide a portal on its Internet website to enable State entities, pilot municipalities, and private asset management firms to submit to the authority questions about the program, and to submit applications to participate in the program. A State entity or pilot municipality interested in participating in the program may, in accordance with program guidelines to be established by the EDA:· undertake an inventory and evaluation of its assets for the purpose of identifying assets that have sound commercial viability. · conduct a valuation of assets identified as having sound commercial viability for the purpose of determining the current value and the potential value of each publicly-owned asset.· identify publicly-owned assets that are undervalued and underleveraged.· undertake a preliminary assessment of the structural issues, financial benefits and risks, and social and policy impacts of participating in the program.· identify assets to include in an application to participate in the program.· submit an application to the EDA in accordance with program guidelines established by the EDA. Upon receipt of an application, the EDA would:· assess the structural issues, financial benefits and risks, and social and policy impacts of including assets in the urban wealth fund;· preliminarily screen and evaluate each asset identified in an application against established program criteria and rank each asset based on the likelihood that inclusion of the asset in the program may result in a significant increase in revenue generated from the asset; and· determine whether to approve an application, in whole or in part, or with conditions, and determine which assets identified in an application to include in the program. The bill would authorize the EDA to engage in negotiations with an applicant for the purpose of assisting the applicant in revising an application to satisfy program requirements. The bill would direct the EDA to establish criteria for the selection of a private asset management firm to manage assets held in the urban wealth fund and advertise a request for proposals from potential private asset management firms in an open and public manner. The authority may award a contract to a private firm or firms to manage assets held in the urban wealth fund for a term of no more than five years. The bill provides that a private asset management firm selected by the EDA is to manage assets held in the urban wealth fund in a manner that will ensure compliance with all provisions of law applicable to the asset, and program guidelines established by the EDA, however, the focus of the firm's management of the portfolio of assets shall emphasize ways to enhance revenue to be derived from the assets. The bill would require the EDA to at least annually engage in an accounting of revenues derived from assets held in the fund, and distribute to each program participant its share of revenues attributable to the participant's asset or assets held in the fund. The bill provides that a participating pilot municipality may appropriate these revenues for public purposes authorized under the program guidelines, which would include: assistance to minority-owned businesses; improvements to infrastructure; investments in education; and reductions in property taxes. The bill would require the EDA to prepare and deliver to the Governor and the Legislature a report on the pilot program, including the EDA's recommendations for changes to the program and its recommendations as to whether the Legislature should allow the pilot program to expire, extend the pilot program, or make the program permanent. The bill would direct the EDA to prepare and deliver the report prior to the conclusion of the fourth year following the award of a contract to the private asset management firm. Upon conclusion of the fifth year following the award of that contract, the authority would return control over the management of asset held in the Urban Wealth Fund to the State entity or pilot municipality that owns the asset. | In Committee |
| S758 | Re-establishes Arthritis Quality of Life Initiative and Advisory Council on Arthritis in DHS. | This bill would re-establish the Arthritis Quality of Life Initiative and the Advisory Council on Arthritis in the Department of Human Services (DHS). The initiative and the advisory council were initially established in the Department of Health, through the enactment of the "Arthritis Quality of Life Initiative Act," at P.L.1999, c.72 (C.26:2V-1 et seq.). In 2012, the Legislature transferred the initiative and the advisory council to the DHS; but only a year later, in 2013, the Legislature repealed the "Arthritis Quality of Life Initiative Act," on the basis that the advisory council was inactive. This bill would permanently reinstitute the initiative and the council in the DHS, in order to ensure that arthritis continues to be sufficiently addressed in the State. Specifically, the bill would require the Commissioner of Human Services to re-establish the Arthritis Quality of Life Initiative within 180 days after the bill's effective date. The purpose of the initiative is to: 1) increase public awareness about arthritis, its symptoms, and available treatment options; 2) publicize options for arthritis prevention; 3) highlight the value of early diagnosis and treatment; and 4) encourage and facilitate the delivery of programs and services that are aimed at preventing arthritis-related complications and improving the quality of life of people with arthritis. In establishing the initiative, the bill would require the commissioner, at a minimum, to: 1) develop, and publicize on the department's Internet website, a list of health care providers who offer specialized services for persons with arthritis; 2) establish, or, if appropriate, authorize and facilitate the re-establishment and ongoing maintenance, of two regionally-based arthritis centers, one in the northern and one in the southern part of the State; 3) implement a public information and outreach campaign that includes, but need not be limited to, appropriate educational materials that promote the early diagnosis and treatment of arthritis and other rheumatic diseases; 4) implement a professional education program for health care practitioners, which is to promote and endeavor to increase professional levels of expertise in association with the diagnosis of arthritis, and the treatment and care of persons with the disease; 5) identify, and publicize on the department's Internet website, programs and services that are designed to prevent arthritis, reduce complications associated with arthritis, and improve the quality of life of those living with the disease; 6) establish a phone-based referral and support network to help arthritic persons identify appropriate health care providers, legal advocates, and available programs and services; and 7) engage in, or promote and facilitate, the use of outcome-based research designed to improve arthritis care and treatment, and appropriately publicize the findings of such research. The bill would also re-establish the Advisory Council on Arthritis in the DHS. The purpose of the council would be to advise the commissioner on the development and ongoing implementation and operations of the Arthritis Qualify of Life Initiative. The council would include 19 members, as follows: the Director of the Division of Aging Services in the Department of Human Services, the Principal Deputy Commissioner of Public Health in the Department of Health, the Director of Population Health in the Department of Health, the Director of the Division on Women in the Department of Children and Families, and the Chair of the New Jersey Interagency Council on Osteoporosis in the Department of Human Services, or their designees, who would each serve ex officio; and 14 public members who have expertise or experience in arthritis or related subject matters, to be appointed by the commissioner. Each public member of the council would serve for a term of three years, except that, of the members first appointed, four would serve for terms of three years, five would serve for terms of two years, and five would serve for terms of one year. Each member is to hold office for the term of appointment, and until their successor is appointed and qualified. Members are eligible for reappointment to the council. The council would be required to organize as soon as practicable after the appointment of a majority of its members. The members would serve without compensation, but could be reimbursed for travel and other necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, within the limits of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the council for its purposes. Not later than 18 months after the bill's effective date, and annually thereafter, the commissioner will be required to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature describing the activities and accomplishments of the initiative. | In Committee |
| S1769 | Requires lobby security for certain senior citizen high-rise buildings in areas with high violent crime rates. | This bill requires the owners of senior citizen high-rise buildings having 50 units or more to provide 24-hour security if the building is located in a municipality with a violent crime rate exceeding six per 1,000 persons, according to the average of the three most recent Uniform Crime Reports issued by the New Jersey State Police. The Commissioner of Community Affairs, in consultation with the Attorney General, would be responsible for annually notifying the owners of those buildings of their security obligations under the law. The bill requires buildings consisting of 75 dwelling units or more to meet their security obligation through 24-hour monitoring by on-site security guards. If the building consists of at least 50, but fewer than 75 dwelling units, then the security obligation may be satisfied through the use of video surveillance cameras operated 24 hours a day, recording all building exits and entrances, as well as any common areas, including parking lots, where criminal incidents have occurred within the past 12 months. The bill enables the Commissioner of Community Affairs to order a building owner in a municipality with a violent crime rate of six or less per 1,000 persons to provide security in the lobby or other common area upon evidence of persistent criminal activity against residents in the building. The bill also gives the commissioner the authority to issue regulations concerning the security of residents in lobbies and interior common areas of hotels and multiple dwellings in general. The bill contains a delayed operative date of approximately six months to allow time for the promulgation of rules, regulations, and notices. | 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 |
| S1513 | Requires Medicaid cover emergency contraception without requiring prescription or other authorization. | This bill would require that the Medicaid program provide coverage for emergency contraceptives obtained over the counter without requiring a prescription or other authorization. At this time, Medicaid provides coverage for emergency contraceptives if they are obtained with a prescription. Individuals can obtain emergency contraceptives without a prescription, but the individual must pay for these out-of-pocket. This bill would enable individuals greater access to needed contraceptives without the unnecessary visits to a provider to obtain a prescription. | In Committee |
| S1880 | Expands function of Commission on Human Trafficking to include promoting coordinated response by law enforcement to human trafficking. | This bill requires the Commission on Human Trafficking to promote a coordinated response among State and local law enforcement agencies to facilitate investigations and prosecutions of human trafficking cases. The Commission on Human Trafficking was established by P.L.2013, c.31, and is directed, by the enabling statute, N.J.S.A.52:17B-237, to evaluate the existing law concerning human trafficking and the enforcement thereof, and to make recommendations for legislation. The commission, established in the Division of Criminal Justice in the Department of Law and Public Safety Human Trafficking Task Force is specifically charged with reviewing existing victim assistance programs, and promoting a coordinated response by public and private resources for victims of human trafficking. This bill would expand the function of the commission to include promoting a coordinated intergovernmental law enforcement response to human trafficking. Federal Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) funding may be available for other New Jersey-based task force coordination efforts, such as coordinating an intergovernmental law enforcement response to human trafficking as set forth in the bill. It is the sponsor's view that a coordinated effort among law enforcement agencies, including qualifying for federal resources, will strengthen the law enforcement resources available to combat human trafficking. | In Committee |
| SR52 | Condemns police brutality and excessive use of force by law enforcement officers. | This resolution strongly condemns policy brutality and the excessive use of force by law enforcement officers. Recent events have brought attention to the tragic deaths of unarmed Black men and women, and other people of color, due to police brutality and excessive use of force by law enforcement. These abuses have led to community destabilization and a decrease in public safety. On May 25, 2020, George Floyd, a 46 year-old unarmed Black man, died after being pinned down by a white police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota; his alleged offense was using a counterfeit $20 bill. The death of George Floyd sparked ongoing protests in all 50 states and many countries around the world. In addition to Mr. Floyd, countless other lives have been lost as a result of police brutality and the excessive use of force by law enforcement. Police brutality and excessive use of force disproportionately affect people of color, particularly Black people, and are among the leading causes of death of young men of color. People with disabilities and other historically marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, and those experiencing homelessness also are significantly more likely to be victims of police violence. Excessive use of force, which can include shootings, brutal beatings, fatal chokings, and any other excessive treatment, violates the constitutional rights of those affected. These actions must be condemned, and the constitutional rights of those who fall victim to these abuses must be protected. | In Committee |
| S1829 | Allows court to consider previous care when granting letters of guardianship for incapacitated person. | This bill clarifies the order of eligibility of certain persons for letters of guardianship. The bill maintains the existing priority status of the spouse or domestic partner of the incapacitated person to receive letters of guardianship. If no spouse or domestic partner is available, able, or willing to accept letters of guardianship, then letters are to be granted to the incapacitated person's heirs or friends. The bill provides that in granting letters of guardianship, the court may give consideration to a person or persons who can demonstrate that they provided pervious care in the best interest of the incapacitated person or their estate. Finally, the bill explicated states that the appointed guardian is required to perform the duties and responsibilities of guardianship in the best interest of the incapacitated person, whether appointed as guardian for the person, guardian for the estate, or guardian of the person and estate. | In Committee |
| S1818 | Establishes Medicaid Managed Care Organization Oversight Program. | This bill would require the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services in the Department of Human Services to establish a Medicaid Managed Care Organization (MCO) Oversight Program to ensure the availability of accessible health care for individuals who are enrolled in the NJ FamilyCare and Medicaid programs. The Office of the State Auditor conducted an audit of the Department of Human Services, Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services, Medicaid Provider Networks for the period July 1, 2013 to May 31, 2016. Information from the audit indicated that managed care organizations (MCOs) which are contracted with the State to provide health benefits to Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare beneficiaries did not provide adequate access to: general acute care hospital service networks; dental providers; and accurate online provider directories. Additionally, the MCOs were not adequately reporting claims inactivity for providers and had provider panel sizes which exceeded the eligible limits. Furthermore, the audit recommended that the department take certain actions to ensure that the MCOs are meeting the contractual obligations regarding access to quality care and provider availability. This bill requires each MCO contractor to submit updated provider data and beneficiary data on a quarterly basis to the Medicaid MCO Oversight Program in a format designated by the Medicaid MCO Oversight Program. The submitted data will allow the Medicaid MCO Oversight Program to accurately determine if the MCOs are providing adequate network adequacy to the enrolled beneficiaries. Additionally, the audit disclosed that the MCOs are collecting updated beneficiary information but there is no currently implemented mechanism to share this data with the department. Without updated beneficiary information, the department is not able to ensure network adequacy. The updated beneficiary information collected by the MCOs could also streamline the work of entities, such as county welfare offices, which enroll individuals in Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare. To ensure the sharing of information, this bill requires the Medicaid MCO Oversight Program to share any updated beneficiary information with county welfare offices, or any other entity which is responsible for the enrollment or re-enrollment of beneficiaries in the Medicaid or NJ FamilyCare program. The audit also determined that the information in the MCOs' on-line directories containing eligible providers, and these providers' locations, was not always accurate. Therefore, this bill requires the Medicaid MCO Oversight Program to establish an independent verification system to annually verify that at least 20 percent of the information provided to the program from the MCO contractors is accurate and that 100 percent of the providers listed are eligible Medicaid providers. The audit also revealed that there was a need for the MCOs to identify inactive providers. To rectify this situation, the bill requires the MCO contractors to submit claims inactivity reports for all providers that meet the claims inactivity criteria established by the Medicaid MCO Oversight Program for that MCO contractor. Additionally, the audit disclosed that a small number of MCO contractors were listing providers as "eligible" who had patient panel sizes that exceeded acceptable numbers. This bill would require MCO contractors to verify that all of the participating providers' panel sizes do not exceed criteria established by the Medicaid MCO Oversight program for that MCO contractor. The bill also requires the panel size criteria for each provider specialty to include all patients of the provider, notwithstanding the patient's health insurance carrier. It is unclear what sanctions are currently being brought against MCO contractors that do not comply with the current contracts. Consequences for not meeting the requirements of this bill will be a minimum $50,000 fine for each failure to submit information as required pursuant to the bill. If, after an administrative hearing, the MCO fails to pay the fine, the MCO may be barred from contracting with the department for five years. Lastly, the bill requires an annual report containing the information provided to the program from the MCOs no later than 90 days from the first day of the calendar year. To evaluate longer term changes, the bill requires the Office of State Auditor to conduct a follow up audit on MCO provider networks three years after enactment. | In Committee |
| S292 | Eliminates past conviction of indictable offense as disqualifier for jury service. | This bill permits persons with past convictions of indictable offenses to serve on juries. Under current law, past convictions, whether based on violations of New Jersey law, another state's law, or federal law, are automatic disqualifiers for jury service. This bill eliminates this disqualifier, making persons with past convictions eligible for jury service. Eliminates past conviction of indictable offense as disqualifier for jury service. | In Committee |
| S2128 | Exempts local utilities from certain reporting requirements. | This bill excludes local utilities and local utility authorities from certain reporting requirements. Under N.J.S.A.48:2-29.57 et seq., both public utilities and local utilities are required to report information on the effects of the coronavirus 2019 pandemic on utilities and certain other information, including utility supply, demand, revenues, and expenses, the average amount billed to customers' accounts, infrastructure projects the utilities' planned to undertake that were canceled or for which the start date was delayed for certain reasons, and other additional information. Under this bill, only public utilities would be required to submit this information. Because these reporting requirements would no longer apply to local utilities and local utility authorities, the bill also provides that the BPU would no longer be required to consult with the Department of Community Affairs when implementing the provisions of N.J.S.A.48:2-29.57 et seq. | In Committee |
| S1725 | "Used Car Buyers' Bill of Rights"; prohibits certain "as is" sales of used motor vehicles. | This bill, designated the "Used Car Buyers' Bill of Rights," prohibits "as is" sales of used motor vehicles to consumers, requires dealers to offer contract cancellation option agreements for certain used vehicles, and establishes additional requirements for dealers selling used vehicles. The bill does not apply to transactions between private parties or the sale of used motorcycles, motor homes, or off-road vehicles. The bill makes it an unlawful practice under the consumer fraud act for a dealer to sell to a consumer a used vehicle deemed to be "certified" or any other similar descriptive term that implies the vehicle complies with the terms of a used motor vehicle certification program if: the dealer knows or should know that the odometer is inaccurate; the dealer knows or should know that the vehicle was reacquired by a manufacturer or dealer pursuant to state or federal warranty laws; the title to the vehicle is inscribed with the notation "flood," "junk," "Lemon Law Buyback," "manufacturer repurchase," "nonrepairable," "salvage," or another similar title designation; the vehicle sustained damage in an impact, fire, or flood which substantially impairs its use or safety; the dealer knows or should know that the vehicle sustained frame damage which, after repair prior to sale, substantially impairs the use or safety of the vehicle; prior to sale, the dealer fails to provide a consumer with a completed inspection report indicating all the components were inspected; the dealer disclaims any warranties of merchantability on the vehicle; or the term "certified," or any other similar descriptive term, is used in a manner that is untrue or misleading. The bill requires that a dealer offer a consumer a contract cancellation option agreement that allows the consumer to return the used motor vehicle, without cause, if the used motor vehicle has a purchase price of less than $40,000. The contract cancellation option agreement gives the consumer the right to cancel the contract and obtain a refund. The bill sets forth the information to be contained in any contract cancellation option agreement, including the deadline for exercising the cancellation option and returning the vehicle to the dealer, the maximum mileage the vehicle may be driven, which could not be less than 250 miles, and any restocking fee. A dealer would be required to apply toward the restocking fee the price paid by the consumer for the contract cancellation option agreement. A dealer also is required to give notice at its business location and in the contract for the used motor vehicle that there is no cancellation period, sometimes referred to as a "cooling-off" period, unless a consumer obtains a contract cancellation option. Under the bill, the requirement that a dealer offer a contract cancellation option to a consumer does not apply to total loss or salvage vehicles. The bill provides that the fee for the contract cancellation option agreement is not to exceed the following: (1) $75 for a used motor vehicle with a cash price of $5,000 or less; (2) $150 for a used motor vehicle with a cash price of between $5,000.01 and $10,000; (3) $250 for a used motor vehicle with a cash price of between $10,000.01 and $30,000; or (4) one percent of the purchase price for a used motor vehicle with a cash price of $30,000.01 to $40,000. Under the bill, after a consumer exercises the right to cancel a contract under the agreement, no later than three business days for a used motor vehicle purchased by cash, credit or debit card, or bank loan, or 10 business days for a used motor vehicle purchased by check, the dealer is required to cancel the contract and provide the consumer with a refund, including the appropriate portion of the sales tax or other fees paid. In addition, within three business days, a dealer would be required to return to the consumer any used vehicle the consumer conveyed to the dealer as a down payment or trade-in. If the dealer sold or otherwise transferred title to that used vehicle, the refund would include the fair market value of that used vehicle or its value as stated in the contract, whichever is greater. Currently, P.L.1995, c.373 (C.56:8-67 et seq.) sets forth minimum warranty requirements when a dealer sells to a consumer a used vehicle. Under current law, in the event that a used motor vehicle is sold "as is," it is an unlawful practice for a dealer to fail to provide a clear written explanation, prior to sale, of what is meant by the term "as is." The bill amends current law to make it an unlawful practice under the consumer fraud act for a dealer to sell a consumer a used vehicle "as is," i.e., without any warranty. The bill eliminates the existing ability of a dealer to sell a consumer a used vehicle "as is" as a result of negotiating a lower price in exchange for waiving the dealer's obligation to provide a warranty. The bill revises the mileage requirements under the dealer's required written warranty. If the motor vehicle has less than 40,000 miles, the warranty would be 90 days or 3,750 miles, whichever comes first. If the motor vehicle has 40,000 miles or more, but less than 80,000 miles, the warranty would be 60 days or 2,500 miles, whichever comes first. If the used motor vehicle has 80,000 miles or more, but less than 125,000 miles, the warranty would be 30 days or 1,250 miles, whichever comes first. If the used motor vehicle has 125,000 miles or more, a consumer would be entitled to any implied warranties created by law. Under the bill, a dealer may sell a used motor vehicle "as is" and is not required to provide a written warranty to a consumer if the used motor vehicle has been issued a salvage certificate of title by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission or declared a total loss by an insurance company, of if the used motor vehicle has been reported as a salvage vehicle or as a total loss in a National Motor Vehicle Title Information System history report. An unlawful practice under the consumer fraud act is punishable by a monetary penalty of not more than $10,000 for a first offense and not more than $20,000 for any subsequent offense. Additionally, violations may result in cease and desist orders issued by the Attorney General, the assessment of punitive damages, and the awarding of treble damages and costs to the injured party. | In Committee |
| S1822 | Requires performance of myeloma screening under certain circumstances. | This bill requires the performance of a myeloma screening under certain circumstances. Under the bill, a licensed health care professional who performs an annual physical examination on a male patient is to include as part of that examination a screening for myeloma. Myeloma, also called multiple myeloma, is a cancer of the plasma cells. Plasma cells are white blood cells that make antibodies which protect from infection. In a case of myeloma, cancerous plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow and overcome healthy blood cells. Rather than produce helpful antibodies, the cancer cells produce abnormal proteins that can cause complications. There are legislative findings and declarations in the bill, which include that African-American men have the highest myeloma incidence and death rates according to the American Cancer Society. | In Committee |
| S1828 | Revises visitation and reporting rules for professional guardians. | This bill revises the duty of professional guardians to meet with and report on the status of an incapacitated ward. At present, persons appointed guardian of the person of a ward, including persons appointed to serve as registered professional guardians, have an obligation to visit the ward and to maintain sufficient contact with the ward to know the ward's capacities, limitations, needs, opportunities and physical and mental health. N.J.S.A.3B:12-57 provides general rules for guardians, which include that the guardian personally visit the ward not less than once every three months, or as deemed appropriate by the court, and otherwise maintain sufficient contact with the ward to know the ward's capacities, limitations, needs, opportunities and physical and mental health. This bill would require a registered professional guardian, who is compensated for guardianship services, to personally meet with the ward not less than once every three weeks, or as deemed appropriate by the court. The bill further provides that a family member of the ward may, upon motion to the Court, request a report be prepared by a registered professional guardian concerning the condition of the ward and the condition of the ward's estate which has been subject to the guardian's possession or control as ordered by the court. | In Committee |
| S1820 | Requires DOH to maintain emergency stockpile of insulin and authorizes dispensing of emergency supply of insulin to certain patients. | This bill establishes requirements for patients to access emergency supplies of insulin and provides for insurance coverage of emergency insulin. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Health (DOH) to maintain an adequate emergency stockpile of insulin as is necessary to meet the emergency needs of people in New Jersey whose insulin supply has or will run out before the person's next prescription may be filled. At a minimum, the emergency stockpile is include the 10 most common brands and types of insulin used by New Jersey residents. The DOH will be required to collaborate with the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance to determine which brands and types of insulin are most commonly used in New Jersey. In determining the quantity of insulin the DOH will need to maintain under the bill, the DOH will be required to take into account prevailing conditions in the State that may affect the need for and availability of insulin; take into account anticipated surges, over the next 90 days, in the need for emergency supplies of insulin; take into consideration the current state of the supply chain of insulin in the State, including, but not limited to, unit cost, recent price increases, overall availability, and delays in shipping times; and utilize any other tool as the DOH designates for use in determining the anticipated need for emergency insulin. The DOH will be required to reevaluate the adequacy of its emergency stockpile of insulin at least quarterly and acquire such additional supplies of insulin, and such additional brands and types of insulin, as it determines are necessary to meet the need for emergency insulin in New Jersey. The DOH will be required to develop a sourcing protocol to acquire insulin for its emergency stockpile that maximizes the cost effectiveness of the program and secures the best available consumer price for each insulin product. The DOH will be required to develop a program under which the DOH will furnish emergency insulin, at cost, to individuals whose insulin supply has or will run out before the person's next prescription may be filled. The DOH will be authorized to seek reimbursement for the emergency insulin from the person's health benefits plan, if any, or accept cash payment from the person. The department may establish standards and procedures to verify whether a person's insulin supply has or will run out before the person's next prescription may be filled. The bill additionally authorizes pharmacists to dispense an emergency 30-day supply of insulin once every 12 months, which emergency supply of insulin may be dispensed pursuant to a standing order issued by a prescriber or pursuant to the standing order issued by the DOH under the bill. In order to dispense emergency insulin to a person under the bill, the pharmacist will need to: have a record of a previous prescription for insulin for that person, which prescription was dispensed within the past year; have been unable to obtain authorization for an additional supply of insulin from an authorized prescriber; and ensure the amount of insulin dispensed in the emergency 30-day supply does not exceed the amount that was dispensed under the most recent prescription for insulin dispensed by the pharmacy to that person. The Commissioner of Health, or, if the commissioner is not a duly licensed physician, the Deputy Commissioner for Public Health Services, will be required to issue a standing order authorizing all licensed pharmacists in the State to dispense emergency insulin under the bill. The Commissioner of Health is to provide a copy of the standing order to the Board of Pharmacy, which will post a copy of the standing order on the board's Internet website and transmit a copy of the standing order to all licensed pharmacists in such a manner as the board deems appropriate. In general, individuals may not receive more than one emergency 30-day supply of insulin in a given 12-month period, regardless of whether the emergency insulin was dispensed by the DOH or a pharmacist. However, the bill authorizes the DOH to furnish additional emergency supplies of insulin to a person based on demonstrated need. The bill specifies that additional emergency supplies dispensed by the DOH over an emergency 30-day supply will not be subject to the insurance coverage requirements of the bill. The DOH and pharmacists will be required to report each emergency 30-day supply of insulin dispensed under the bill to the prescription monitoring database maintained pursuant to P.L.2007, c.244 (C.45:1-44 et al.) and will be required, prior to dispensing an emergency 30-day supply of insulin, to review the person's prescription monitoring information to determine whether the person was dispensed an emergency 30-day supply of insulin by the DOH or by a pharmacy in the preceding 12 months. The bill requires health insurers, Medicaid, the State Health Benefits Program, and the School Employees' Health Benefits Program to provide coverage for emergency 30-day supplies of insulin dispensed under the bill at least once every 12 months. The coverage requirement includes the health benefits plan of a hospital, medical or health service corporation, individual, small employer, large group commercial insurer, and health maintenance organization. | In Committee |
| S1811 | Establishes program for certain individuals to become certified homemaker-home health aides and provide services to certain Medicaid and Medicaid-Medicare dually eligible enrollees under increased reimbursement rates. | This bill requires the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS) in the Department of Human Services (DHS) to establish a program under which a family member of an enrollee in Medicare, Medicaid, or NJ FamilyCare, or a third-party individual approved by the enrollee or the enrollee's guardian, may be certified as a certified homemaker-home health aide (CHHA) and, under the direction of a registered professional nurse, provide CHHA services to the enrollee through a home care services agency, which services will be subject to an enhanced reimbursement rate. The program established under the bill will apply to enrollees who are 65 years of age or older and qualify for CHHA services under Medicaid or NJ FamilyCare. The DMAHS will be required to develop an assessment tool that will allow the DMAHS to readily identify enrollees who meet these eligibility criteria. Under the program, the family member or approved third-party individual will be required to complete all the training, testing, and other qualification criteria as are required under State and federal law for certification as a CHHA. The home care services agency that will employ the family member or approved third-party individual will be required to pay all costs for the family member or approved third-party individual to become certified as a CHHA. In no case will the family member or approved third-party individual be required to repay or reimburse the agency for the costs of becoming a CHHA. The tasks delegated by a registered professional nurse to a family member or approved third-party individual who becomes certified as a CHHA under the bill are to be consistent with the tasks that may be generally delegated to CHHAs pursuant to the rules of the New Jersey Board of Nursing. CHHA services provided by a family member of a Medicare, Medicaid, or NJ FamilyCare enrollee or an approved third-party individual under the bill will be reimbursed at a rate of no less than $30 per hour. The DMAHS will be required to establish the program within six months after the effective date of the bill. The DHS will be required to apply for State plan amendments and waivers as are necessary to implement the provisions of the bill and to secure federal financial participation for State Medicaid expenditures under the federal Medicaid program. | In Committee |
| S1801 | Imposes mandatory fine and education requirement for certain prostitution offenses committed within 500 feet of a school, registered day care or licensed child care facility property; creates fund. | This bill would impose mandatory fines on persons who violate paragraphs (1) and (8) of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:34-1 (engaging in prostitution as a patron, and engaging in prostitution by personally offering sexual activity in exchange for something of economic value, respectively) within 500 feet of a school, day care facility or child care facility. Further, the bill would require a person who is convicted under these paragraphs of engaging in prostitution to participate in a new "Prostitution Offender Education Program." Under N.J.S.2C:34-1, violations of the prostitution laws range from disorderly persons offenses to crimes of the second degree, depending on the activity. For example, engaging in prostitution is a disorderly persons offense, with a second or subsequent offense constituting a crime of the fourth degree; promoting prostitution by owning or controlling a house of prostitution or a prostitution business is a crime of the third degree; and knowingly promoting the prostitution of a child under the age of 18 is a crime of the second degree. Under this bill, a person who violates paragraphs (1) and (8) of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:34-1 while on any school property used for school purposes which is owned by or leased to any elementary or secondary school or school board, or within 500 feet of such school property or a school bus, or while on any school bus, or property used as a registered family day care provider or as a licensed child care provider would be assessed a penalty of $250 for the first offense; $500 for the second offense; $1,000 for the third offense; and $2,000 for the fourth or subsequent offense. This money would be forwarded to the Department of the Treasury to be deposited in the "Prostitution Offender Education Program Fund," created by this bill. The monies in the fund would be dedicated to the development, establishment, operation and maintenance of the "Prostitution Offender Education Program." This program would be administered by the Administrative Office of the Courts. These penalties are in addition to any current fines, fees, assessments or penalties already imposed. | In Committee |
| S1776 | Clarifies and expands landlord registration procedures; creates certain rights for tenants; makes certain changes concerning tenant notifications, inspections, and maintenance in multiple dwellings; permits percentage of affordable housing obligation to be satisfied by certain rehabilitation projects. | This bill, designated as the "Landlord Registration and Tenant Protection Act," would create a streamlined and expanded landlord registration process and make certain changes concerning multiple dwelling inspections. The bill would also establish certain protections for tenants and permit municipalities to satisfy up to ten percent of their affordable housing obligations by establishing a program encouraging the rehabilitation of substandard dwelling units and the dedication of rehabilitated units for rental as low income housing. Landlord Registration Current law provides that all landlords of rental premises are required to be registered either with the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), the municipality in which the rental premises is located, or both, depending on circumstances. The bill makes several changes to current registration procedures, including:· Requiring landlords to: (1) provide tenants with a copy of the landlord registration; and (2) display the registration certificate in a common area of the rental premises.· Expanding and clarifying the information landlords have to provide for purposes of registration. The expansion includes, but is not limited to the provision of: (1) email addresses; (2) mailing addresses that include a street address, not just a post office box; (3) in the case of business entities, such as a limited liability company, the personal information of certain people with authority over the property; (4) for out-of-county owners, the name and contact information for a person who resides in the county and is authorized to issue receipts and accept notices and service of process; and (5) the names and contact information of any party who regularly provides maintenance to the rental. · Requiring that certificates of registration be filed within seven days of the creation of a tenancy, and that amended certificates of registration be filed within 10 days of a change in information.· Changing the penalty for landlords who do not comply with registration requirements. Under current law, the penalty is $500 for each offense. Under the bill, the penalty for a first offense would be $100; a second offense would be $500; and a third or subsequent offense would be $1,000. Inspections Under the bill, if a significant violation is found following an inspection or reinspection of a multiple dwelling, the Commissioner of Community Affairs is required to serve written notice upon the owner within 48 hours of completing an inspection that identifies a significant violation. The notice is required to identify every violation and provide a period of time in which the owner is afforded to correct the violations. The bill defines "significant violation" to mean conditions that are a threat to the health or safety of the tenants, which remain unaddressed, including but not limited to: failure to provide heat, running water, or adequate sewage disposal facilities; structural deficiency; or an infestation of rats, mice, roaches, termites, or other vermin. The bill further provides that if an application for a hearing is filed pursuant to section 18 of P.L.1967, c.76 (C.55:13A-18) for a significant violation, the hearing has to be held within no more than 30 days and a final decision has to be rendered by the commissioner within 60 days from the date of the hearing. Miscellaneous Provisions Under the bill, if a tenant successfully defends against eviction by asserting a breach of the implied warranty of habitability, the court would make such a finding on the record and mark the case as "Dismissed for Reasons Concerning Habitability" in any record disclosed to the public. Additionally, the bill permits a municipality to satisfy up to ten percent of its affordable housing obligation by establishing a program encouraging the rehabilitation of substandard dwelling units and the dedication of rehabilitated units for rental as low income housing for periods of at least 30 years. Under the bill, a municipality could accept funds from any source, including a municipal affordable housing trust fund, the "New Jersey Affordable Housing Trust Fund," established pursuant to section 20 of P.L.1985, c.222 (C.52:27D-320), any other State entity, and the federal government, for the purpose of awarding or granting payments to property owners as incentives for the rehabilitation of substandard dwelling units. Finally, the bill repeals sections of law which would become obviated by enactment of the bill, as the requirements contained in those sections would be consolidated into other sections of law as provided in the bill. | In Committee |
| SJR54 | Designates August of each year as "Black Business Month" in NJ. | This joint resolution designates August of each year as "Black Business Month" in New Jersey. Black Business Month was founded in 2004 by Frederick E. Jordan Sr. and John William Templeton to recognize the impact of Black-owned businesses throughout the United States and to encourage their continued development. As of the latest census data release, there are almost three million Black-owned businesses in the United States, generating $150 billion in annual revenue and supporting almost four million jobs. Of these overall numbers, over 76,000 of these Black-owned businesses operate in New Jersey, with six of the highest grossing Black businesses operating in this State according to Black Enterprise Magazine. These companies provide jobs and careers to residents throughout the State, and they also create an opportunity to help reduce the racial wealth gap between White and Black adults, with a study by the Association for Enterprise Opportunity finding that Black business owners reduce the racial wealth gap when compared to their White counterparts. With the coronavirus 2019 pandemic severely affecting Black businesses in the State, the promotion and support of Black-owned businesses can help those establishments in need and can encourage the flourishing of local communities and culture throughout the State. As such, this joint resolution intends to designate August of each year as "Black Business Month" in New Jersey in order to encourage residents throughout the State to frequent Black-owned businesses in their communities during the month of August and throughout the year, and to reflect on the contributions of Black entrepreneurs in our State. | In Committee |
| SJR61 | Designates July 3 of each year as "CROWN Act Day" in NJ. | This joint resolution designates July 3 of each year as "CROWN Act Day" in the State of New Jersey in recognition of the passage of the CROWN Act in New Jersey. July 3 has been designated National Crown Day by the CROWN Coalition to commemorate California signing the CROWN Act into law, being the first state to do so. African-American women, men, and children regularly deal with discrimination in the workplace and in educational settings due to their hair. Hair textures and styles have been the focus of bias and discrimination, especially in professional settings, for too long. A study completed in 2019 by the JOY Collective found data that is alarming in the 21st century. African-American women are 80 percent more likely to change their natural hair to meet social norms and fit in at work. African-American women are 1.5 times more likely to have been sent home or know of an African-American woman who has been sent home from work because of her hair. African-American women's hair is 3.4 times more likely to be perceived as unprofessional. Finally, African-American women are 30 percent more likely to be made aware of a formal workplace appearance policy. African-American men and children are not immune to the effects of the statistics found in the 2019 study. In 2018, an incident occurred with an African-American 16-year old boy named Andrew Johnson, spurring the passage of the CROWN Act in this State. He was denied from competing in a wrestling match at his New Jersey high school unless he cut his dreadlocks. A 2021 study by the JOY Collective found that 86 percent of African-American teens who experience discrimination state they have experienced discrimination based on their hair by the age of 12. African-American individuals face many forms of discrimination in the workplace and in educational settings and it is time that more attention be brought to the issue of hair discrimination. Designating July 3 as "CROWN Act Day" will highlight the 2019 passage of the CROWN Act in New Jersey and will create an annual opportunity for New Jerseyans to learn about the issue of hair discrimination. | In Committee |
| S2146 | Establishes Commission on Oversight of Public Institutions of Higher Education. | This bill establishes the Commission on the Oversight of Public Institutions of Higher Education within the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education. Under this bill, the commission would examine and report on the structure of public higher education and recommend ways to improve financial transparency, accountability, and oversight of the public institutions of higher education in the State. The commission would consist of 12 members. The members would include: the Secretary of Higher Education, or a designee, serving ex officio; the Executive Director of the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, or a designee, serving ex officio; two members appointed by the Governor, including the president of a State college or university, or a designee, and the president of a public research university, or a designee; the following four members appointed by legislative leadership including: the president of a county college, or a designee, appointed by the Senate President; the president of a county college, or a designee, appointed by the Senate Minority Leader; a member representing a public-sector higher education labor union, appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly; a full time faculty member employed by a public institution of higher education, appointed by the Assembly Minority Leader; one member with expertise, knowledge, or experience in the fiscal management of institutions of higher education, appointed by the Governor; one student representative from a public research university; one student representative from the State colleges or universities; and one student representative from the county colleges. The student representatives would be appointed by the Governor, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Higher Education through an application process. The purpose of this commission is to bring together management of public institutions of higher education, students, faculty, staff, and union leadership to make recommendations on higher education, with a special emphasis on financial transparency, accountability, and oversight. The commission is responsible for examining issues related to the financial transparency, accountability, and oversight of public institutions of higher education. The commission would meet a minimum of three times. This bill requires the commission to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature outlining the commission's recommendations to improve the structure of higher education in the State. The commission would issue the report to the Governor and the Legislature within 180 days after the commission organizes. The commission, and its enabling legislation, would expire 30 days after the issuance of its report to the Governor and the Legislature. | In Committee |
| S1809 | Establishes New Jersey Community Learning Program in DOE to provide comprehensive after school programs in certain communities; dedicates portion of State cannabis revenue to support program. | This bill establishes the New Jersey Community Learning Program in the Department of Education to support the provision of comprehensive after school programs in certain areas most impacted by the criminalization of cannabis ("impact zones"). The costs of the program would be supported by a portion of the annual State revenues collected from the retail sale of recreational cannabis products. Under the bill, every school district located within an impact zone ("impact district") would be required to establish and implement an after school community learning program. These programs would endeavor to close the achievement gap and provide services for enrolled students during non-school hours, including summer recess. The bill allows these services to be provided at one or more locations, including existing school facilities and approved off-site locations, except that the district would be required to provide participating students with transportation to and from any such location. Following the effective date of the bill, each impact district, in collaboration with the governing body of each municipality located within the district, would be required to conduct two public hearings to receive community input concerning the establishment of an after school community learning program. Before implementing the program, the board of education of an impact district would also be required to submit a program plan to the commissioner for approval. At a minimum, the program plan would be required to include: (1) a detailed description of the services that will be provided through the program; (2) a detailed description of the background and qualifications of the personnel who will supervise and staff the program; (3) a schedule of the days and hours during which the program will operate; (4) the criteria that will be used to determine eligibility for student participation in the program; (5) an estimate of the number of students who will participate in the program; (6) the locations in which academic assistance and community enrichment services will be provided; (7) an estimate of the annual cost of implementing the program; and (8) any other information that the board of education may deem necessary. The bill requires the commissioner to approve or conditionally approve each program plan within 30 calendar days of receipt. If the commissioner conditionally approves a program plan, the plan would be deemed approved when the board of education adopts all revisions contained in the conditional approval. Thereafter, an impact district may modify its after school community learning program by submitting a revised program plan to the commissioner for approval. Under the bill, the department would be required to annually distribute such funding as is necessary to each impact district to defray the full costs of implementing the after school community learning program. The bill requires all State funds received by an impact district to be accounted for in a special revenue fund and used exclusively to implement the after school community learning program. The bill provides that an impact district would not be required to implement an after school community learning program during any year in which State funding is not provided pursuant to this bill. The bill also establishes the New Jersey Community Learning Assistance Fund, which would be used to distribute program funding to impact districts. Beginning in State Fiscal Year 2022, the bill requires the State to annually deposit into the assistance fund an amount determined by the Cannabis Regulatory Commission from the State revenue collected from the tax imposed under the "Sales and Use Tax Act," P.L.1966, c.30 (C.54:32B-1 et seq.) on the retail sale of recreational cannabis products. However, if in any year, these amounts are insufficient to support the full distribution of funding to impact districts, the State would be required to appropriate such additional amounts as are necessary from the Property Tax Relief Fund to the assistance fund. This bill would take effect on the date of enactment, or on the effective date of an amendment to the State Constitution to legalize cannabis for personal, non-medical use by adults who are 21 years of age or older, whichever occurs later. | In Committee |
| SJR57 | Designates first week of May of each year as "Children's Mental Health Awareness Week." | This joint resolution designates the first week of May as "Children's Mental Health Awareness Week" in New Jersey to raise public awareness of mental health and mental illness in children. Mental illness can adversely affect children in many ways, including increasing the likelihood of a child of being suspended from school, abusing drugs or alcohol, or ending up in the juvenile justice system. Many children with mental health disorders do not receive treatment for their illnesses, due to poor understanding of mental illness and treatment options, stigma or lack of access to treatment. The resolution intends to promote awareness in hopes of improving the lives of children who have emotional disturbances and other mental health disorders. | In Committee |
| S2028 | Establishes teacher certification route for candidates with Montessori teaching credentials. | This bill requires the State Board of Education to authorize a route to teacher certification for candidates who possess a Montessori teaching credential. The provisions of the bill apply to candidates seeking a certificate of eligibility with preschool through grade three endorsement or an elementary school (kindergarten through grade six) endorsement. To be eligible for this route to teacher certification, a candidate is required to:? hold a Montessori teaching credential issued by the American Montessori Society, the Association Montessori Internationale, or an institution accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education;? hold a bachelor's degree in any field from an accredited institution of higher education; and? meet the applicable test requirements for a certificate of eligibility. The Montessori certification supplants the 50 pre-service hours required through the alternative route, in addition to the educational requirements of the provisional teacher program. In order to obtain a provisional or standard instructional certificate, a candidate seeking a certificate of eligibility with a preschool through grade three endorsement or an elementary school (kindergarten through six) endorsement who meets the criteria established under this bill is not required to complete:? 50 hours of pre-professional experience or credits of preschool through grade three pedagogy;? 350 hours of credits of coursework after employment if the candidate is seeking an elementary school (kindergarten through grade six) endorsement; or? 24 credits after employment if the candidate is seeking a preschool through grade three endorsement. Under the bill, the State Board of Examiners will issue a certificate of eligibility to a candidate who meets the criteria established under the bill. A candidate eligible for a certificate of eligibility will not be required to complete a State-approved education preparation program, but will be required to complete a Montessori teacher preparation program that:? is affiliated with the American Montessori Society, the Association Montessori Internationale, or is accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education; and? requires a minimum of 200 academic hours and 400 practicum hours. The bill defines "certificate of eligibility" as a certificate with lifetime validity issued by the State Board of Examiners to candidates who meet the degree, academic, and applicable test requirements for teacher certification. | In Committee |
| S1772 | Establishes procedures for intake and record keeping of certain 9-1-1 calls. | This bill establishes procedures for the intake and record keeping of certain 9-1-1 calls that involve a person who is believed to be suffering from an emotional or behavioral disorder. Under current law, all 9-1-1 calls are required to be answered with a response such as, "9-1-1 where is your emergency?" In dispatching emergency medical services, dispatchers are required to provide pre-arrival instructions to emergency medical service providers. Often, law enforcement officers and emergency service providers responding to a call for help are unaware that a call may involve a person with an emotional or behavioral disorder. This lack of knowledge can lead to dangerous conditions which could cause harm to the officer, emergency service provider, or the person with an emotional or behavioral disorder. It is the sponsor's belief that requiring 9-1-1 call-takers to ask additional questions to determine wither the call involves a person who is believed to be suffering from an emotional or behavioral disorder can protect law enforcement officers, emergency service providers, and people with an emotional or behavioral disorder. Under the bill, the public safety answering point (PSAP) call-taker of each 9-1-1 call is required to ask whether the caller believes the request for emergency services involves a person with an emotional or behavioral disorder. In dispatching emergency services, the call-taker is required to inform the PSAP or the public safety dispatch point (PSDP) dispatching the call that it is believed that the call involves a person who suffers from an emotional or behavioral disorder. The bill further requires the PSAP and PSDP to maintain a record of every 9-1-1 call that the caller or call-taker believes involves a person who suffers from an emotional or behavioral disorder. In dispatching emergency services, if feasible based on the individual agency's technical capabilities, the call-taker is required to review any available call history associated with the caller, telephone number, or address to determine whether the caller, telephone number, or address was previously associated with a person believed to be suffering from an emotional or behavioral disorder. Whenever possible and practicable, the PSAP and PSDP are required to inform the emergency service provider of that call history. In addition, the bill requires the Division of State Police and every county and municipal police department or force to maintain a record of the division's and the department's or force's response to any call or incident that involves a person who is believed to be suffering from an emotional or behavioral disorder. Whenever possible and practicable, any historical information provided to a law enforcement officer by the division, department or force upon dispatch is required include information concerning whether the subject or location of the dispatch was previously associated with a person believed to be suffering from an emotional or behavioral disorder. | In Committee |
| S1412 | Allows small employers to claim tax credit for paying certain health benefits plan premiums. | This bill allows taxpayers with fewer than 20 employees to claim a tax credit if they pay for their employees' health benefits plan premiums for a health benefits plan that is at least as comprehensive as the essential health benefits requirements of the federal Affordable Care Act. A taxpayer will be entitled to a credit up to $250 for each employee enrolled in a single plan and $500 for each employee enrolled in a family plan. The employer may only claim the full amount of the credit if the employer pays the full premiums. The bill provides a reduced credit if the employer pays at least half of the amount of the premium. The credit will also be reduced to account for employees that are not enrolled for the full taxable year. | In Committee |
| S1643 | Makes $250,000 supplemental appropriation to New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders for pediatric clinical services at Tourette Syndrome Clinic of Rutgers University. | This FY 2024 supplemental appropriation provides $250,000 to the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders (NJCTS) to support diagnostic assessments and counseling services for children at the Tourette Syndrome Clinic of Rutgers University, New Brunswick. The clinic, established jointly by the NJCTS and the Rutgers University Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP), provides psychological assessments, social-emotional skills groups, and individual and family therapy for children, adolescents, and adults with Tourette Syndrome. The clinic offers sliding scale rates for services delivered to individuals and families with demonstrated financial need. According to a 2022 data from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every 50 children between the ages of five and 14 years have a persistent tic disorder, including Tourette Syndrome. | 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 |
| SJR20 | Designates October 1 of each year as "New Jersey Diner Day". | This joint resolution designates October 1 of each year as "New Jersey Diner Day". New Jersey is known as the "Diner Capital of the World". The history of diners in New Jersey started during the automobile industry's rise in the 1910s and 1920s wherein New Jersey diners began as portable wooden food wagons. Jerry O'Mahony and his brother of Bayonne, New Jersey, owned several lunch wagons that operated throughout Hudson, County, New Jersey. The O'Mahony brothers hired a carpenter to build their own food wagon and sold it to a restaurant entrepreneur. In the decades that followed, nearly all of the major United States diner builders, including Jerry O'Mahony Inc., started operating in New Jersey. Due to New Jersey's location between Philadelphia and New York City, New Jersey built highly developed transportation systems and road networks for commuters traveling between the two metropolitan hubs. As busy commuters traveled between these three states, New Jersey's 24-hour diners became destinations to eat and rest. Travelers and locals alike sought out these diners for an affordable, convenient meal. New Jersey is home to approximately 525 diners, the most diners in any state. Diners play an important role in New Jersey's economy and culture and should be celebrated. | In Committee |
| S1779 | Directs Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to grant deferment of New Jersey College Loans to Assist State Students (NJCLASS) student loan payments to new parent. | This bill provides that in the event that an eligible student borrower under the NJCLASS Loan Program becomes a parent, the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority will be required to grant a deferment of payment of loan principal and interest for a period of 12 weeks. To qualify for the loan deferment, the student borrower must provide the authority with proof of the child's birth or adoption within 120 days of the birth or adoption. The bill provides that the deferment will begin on the date that the student borrower's proof of the child's birth or adoption is received by the authority and will end 12 weeks after that date. Interest on the loan will not accrue during the period of deferment. | In Committee |
| SJR42 | Establishes "Commission on Apprenticeship Program Promotion." | This joint resolution establishes the "Commission on Apprenticeship Program Promotion." The commission shall consist of seven members: the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development, or the commissioner's designee; the Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee; one member to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one member to be appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate; one member to be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly; one member to be appointed by the Minority Leader of the General Assembly; and one member to be appointed by the Governor. Under the resolution, the commission would study the best way to promote apprenticeship programs to high school students in a manner and form that demonstrates the value of the education and skills acquired through apprenticeship programs and the economic opportunities available upon completion of such a program. The members of the commission are to be appointed within 60 days from the enactment of the resolution, and the commission is to issue a report one year after the date of its organization. The commission would submit the report, together with any recommendations it may have to legislative or regulatory action, to the Governor and the Legislature. The commission would dissolve 30 days after the issuance of its final report. | 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 |
| S1794 | Requires certain law enforcement officers be periodically vetted for evidence of personal bias. | This bill requires certain law enforcement officers to be periodically vetted for evidence of personal bias. Under the bill, a State, county, or municipal police department or force, as applicable, is required to conduct a personal bias check of a law enforcement officer employed by that State or local unit. The personal bias check is to be conducted upon hiring the law enforcement officer and every five years thereafter. The personal bias check is required to include, but not be limited to, a review of any publicly accessible information pertaining to the law enforcement officer that demonstrates: (1) evidence of personal bias or prejudice held by the law enforcement officer against a person or group by reason of the person's or group's race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, or ethnicity; and (2) evidence of involvement or affiliation by the law enforcement officer with an extremist group. The personal bias check is also required to include the administration of a test, developed in consultation with the appropriate testing professional, that is designed to identify bias, including, but not limited to, explicit and implicit bias against a person or group by reason of the person or group's race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, or ethnicity. The bill defines "extremist group" to mean a group that utilizes the unlawful use or threat of force in furtherance of an ideological agenda derived from bias against a person or group or anti-government or anti-authority sentiment, including opposition to perceived economic, social, or racial hierarchies, or perceived government overreach, negligence, or illegitimacy. | In Committee |
| SJR56 | Designates May of each year as "Emotional and Behavioral Disorder Awareness Month." | This joint resolution designates the month of May of each year as "Emotional and Behavioral Disorder Awareness Month" in New Jersey to raise public awareness of emotional and behavioral disorders. Emotional and behavioral disorders are medical conditions that disrupt a person's thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning. Emotional disturbances can affect people beyond their immediate emotional states, sometimes creating long-term mental health challenges that can affect physical, social, or cognitive skills. Children are, in many ways, more vulnerable than adults to mental illness, and children with mental illness have a far greater likelihood of being suspended from school, abusing drugs or alcohol, or ending up in the juvenile justice system. The joint resolution intends to promote awareness in hopes of improving the lives of people who have emotional and behavioral disorders. | In Committee |
| S1821 | Requires State Board of Education to evaluate historical events for inclusion in New Jersey Student Learning Standards. | This bill requires the State Board of Education to review and update, during the next scheduled update to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards, the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Social Studies to ensure the incorporation of instruction on recent historical events in an appropriate place in the curriculum for students in grades kindergarten through 12. The board would be required to consider the addition of standards pertaining to the events surrounding September 11, 2001, and any other events of historical significance that the board deems appropriate. The board would be required to adhere to the review and readoption process for the New Jersey Student Learning Standards established pursuant to regulations of the State Board of Education. The board will provide members of the public with the opportunity to comment in person or to submit written comments regarding the update to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Social Studies required pursuant to the provisions of the bill. Under current State regulation, recommended changes to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards are presented by the Commissioner of Education to the State Board of Education at a public meeting of the board. Pursuant to the current State regulation, the board adopts the New Jersey Student Learning Standards after conducting public hearings on the commissioner's recommendations. Finally, the bill requires the board to consider the addition of any further historical events to the Student Learning Standards in Social Studies concurrent with each scheduled update to the Student Learning Standards. | In Committee |
| S1469 | Authorizes use of school bus monitoring systems. | This bill authorizes the use of a school bus monitoring system to enforce section 1 of P.L.1942, c.192 (C.39:4-128.1), the State law governing passing a school bus. A school bus monitoring system is defined as a system meeting certain requirements set forth in the bill and having at least one camera and computer that captures and records a digital video or image of any motor vehicle operating near a school bus. Under current law, school buses are required to exhibit flashing red lights when the bus has stopped for the purpose of receiving or discharging any person with a developmental disability or a child. Drivers of vehicles approaching or overtaking the school bus are required to stop at least 25 feet from a school bus that has activated its flashing lights. The penalty for violating this law, for a first offense, is: 1) a fine of no less than $100; 2) imprisonment for no more than 15 days or community service; or 3) both. For subsequent offenses, the penalty is: 1) a fine of no less than $250; 2) imprisonment for no less than 15 days; or 3) both. This bill provides that the penalty for violating the law, when the violation is not evidenced by the recorded images captured by a school bus monitoring system, would be: 1) a fine of $250; 2) 15 days of community service; or 3) both, in the case of a first offense. For each subsequent offense, the penalty would be a fine of $500 and no less than 15 days of community service. Under the bill, a civil penalty of $250 would be imposed on a person who passes a school bus in violation of current law if the violation is evidenced by the recorded images captured by a school bus monitoring system. Under these circumstances, any civil penalty imposed and collected for this violation is to be forwarded to the financial officer of the municipality in which the violation occurred and used for general municipal and school district purposes, including efforts to improve the monitoring and enforcement of this law through the utilization of a school bus monitoring system and other public education safety programs. A violation that is evidenced by the recorded images captured by a school bus monitoring system would not result in penalty points or automobile insurance eligibility points being assessed on the violator. The bill authorizes a municipality or school district operating or providing Type I or Type II school buses that transport students to contract with a private vendor to provide for the installation, operation, and maintenance of a school bus monitoring system for enforcement purposes. The bill provides that a school bus monitoring system must be capable of capturing and producing a record of any occurrence that may be considered illegal passing of a school bus, and include in that recorded image: -- if the school bus is exhibiting its flashing light; -- if a motor vehicle passes a school bus; -- the license plate, make, and model of the violating vehicle; and -- the date, time, and location of the violation. The bill requires any suspected violation captured in a recorded image produced by a school bus monitoring system to be made available to the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality in which the violation occurred. A law enforcement officer is to issue a summons within 90 days of determining that a suspected violation occurred. A summons may not be issued for a violation occurring more than 90 days from date of the violation. The bill provides that any recorded image or information produced in connection with a school bus monitoring system is not a public record under New Jersey's "Open Public Records Act," is not discoverable as a public record except upon a subpoena issued by a grand jury or a court order in a criminal matter, and is not to be offered into evidence in any civil or administrative proceeding unless directly related to illegally passing a school bus. The bill provides that recorded images or information produced in connection with a school bus monitoring system pertaining to a specific violation are not to be retained for more than 60 days after the collection of any civil penalty imposed, and are then to be purged. All recorded images and information collected but not resulting in the issuance of a summons are to be purged within 95 days of the recording. The bill provides that the owner of a motor vehicle is liable for a summons for illegally passing a school bus as evidenced by a recorded image captured by a school bus monitoring system. However, a lessor or owner of a motor vehicle is not liable for a summons if: -- the lessor demonstrates that the vehicle was used without the lessor's express or implied consent, and provides the name and address of the vehicle operator or registrant; -- the lessee was operating or in possession of the vehicle at the time of the violation and the lessor provides the name and address of the lessee; or -- the owner, lessor, or lessee demonstrates that the vehicle was stolen at the time the violation occurred and provides a copy of the police report regarding the vehicle theft. The bill permits the Commissioner of Education, the Superintendent of State Police, and the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to adopt rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of the bill, including specifications and certification procedures for the school bus monitoring systems and devices that may be installed. The bill also permits the Supreme Court of New Jersey to adopt Rules of Court as appropriate or necessary to effectuate the purposes of the substitute. The bill will take effect on the first day of the seventh month next following enactment, but permits the Commissioner of Education, the Superintendent of State Police, and the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to take anticipatory administrative actions in advance of the bill's effective date. | In Committee |
| S1827 | Requires court to consider certain factors in appointing guardian and to justify guardianship appointment on record. | This bill establishes factors a court is required to consider when making a guardianship determination for an individual. This bill would apply to general and temporary guardianship, guardianship for the person, guardianship for the estate, or both. Under the bill, the court is required to consider, but is not limited to, the following factors: 1) the safety and the well-being of the individual; 2) the ability of the potential guardian to care for the individual; 3) any pre-established relationship between the potential guardian and the individual; 4) any affidavits or certifications provided by physicians evidencing the individual's incapacity; 5) any report provided to the court by a court-appointed counsel for the alleged incapacitated individual in an incapacity hearing; and 6) any issue relevant to the care of the alleged incapacitated individual or the management of the individual's estate. The bill requires any determination for guardianship to be based on clear and convincing evidence. Finally, the court is required to specifically place on the record the factors and evidence which justify the appointment of a guardian for an individual. | In Committee |
| S709 | Makes supplemental appropriation of $1 billion for After School Recreation in Urban Areas; stipulates uses of, and eligibility criteria for, funds. | This bill provides a supplemental appropriation of $1 billion to provide Grants for After School Recreation in Urban Areas. The bill provides that the grants will be allocated by the Commissioner of Education for the following purposes: improving, retrofitting, and rebuilding playgrounds, public swimming pools, and other recreational infrastructure; reopening parks that have not been in operation for a long period of time; and establishing, enhancing, and procuring equipment and other materials for mentorship programs, public and nonprofit youth sports organizations and recreational programs, organized after school and summer educational programs that include computer science education, home economics education, and education concerning other life-building skills. Under the bill, grants would only be made available to municipalities that are members of the New Jersey Urban Mayors Association (NJUMA). The NJUMA is an association comprised of urban and rural municipalities that is dedicated to working with State and federal lawmakers and officials to develop appropriate and effective public policy measures that benefit the State's urban centers and to help lawmakers understand how public policy affects New Jersey's cities and municipalities. Member municipalities of the NJUMA display a disproportionate need for youth sports and educational programs. This bill would provide these municipalities, and the youth populations of the municipalities, with access to funding to improve, create, and support youth programs and facilities. Ensuring funding for the purposes described under the bill would represent a meaningful investment in the educational and social-emotional development of children in the eligible municipalities and provide them with stimulating after school and summer safe havens. | In Committee |
| S4709 | Requires automatic enrollment into energy assistance programs for certain individuals and households. | Requires automatic enrollment into energy assistance programs for certain individuals and households. | 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 |
| State | District | Chamber | Party | Status | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NJ | New Jersey Senate District 31 | Senate | Democrat | In Office | 01/09/2024 | |
| NJ | New Jersey Assembly District 31 | Assembly | Democrat | Out of Office | 01/12/2016 | 01/12/2024 |