Legislator
Legislator > Douglas Steinhardt
State Senator
Douglas Steinhardt
(R) - New Jersey
New Jersey Senate District 23
In Office - Started: 12/19/2022
contact info
Washington Office
127 Belvidere Ave.
Second Floor
Washington, NJ 07882
Second Floor
Washington, NJ 07882
Phone: 908-835-0552
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| S4682 | Prohibits condemnation of farmland actively supporting agricultural or horticultural production for purpose other than agricultural or horticultural production. | This bill amends P.L.1971, c.361 to prohibit the condemnation, or taking of private property for a public purpose under the power of eminent domain pursuant to that law, of a property that is farmland actively supporting agricultural or horticultural production and the person or entity seeking to condemn the property intends to develop that property for a purpose other than agricultural or horticultural production. New Jersey has a stated goal of preserving 500,000 acres of farmland, which it is just over halfway to achieving. To obtain this goal the State needs to have as much active farmland as possible and should not allow it to be taken through eminent domain for non-agricultural purposes. Eminent domain is a tool to be used by the government to promote public projects, such as damns, roads, and parks, not a hammer to be used to take private property for use by other private entities to make money for themselves and the government that approves it. This bill will narrow the scope of the eminent domain law and protect farms that are needed to provide food security for citizens. | In Committee |
| SR136 | Calls upon Cranbury Township Committee to reconsider proposed use of eminent domain to seize historic Henry Farm; calls for State eminent domain reform. | This resolution of the Senate calls upon Cranbury Township to reconsider the township committee's proposed use of eminent domain to condemn and take the historic Henry Farm, and thereby reduce the acreage of active farmland in the township and the State. The resolution further call upon the Governor and Legislature to limit the use of eminent domain and to reconsider State laws that solve a housing crisis by creating a food insecurity crisis. If carried to its logical conclusion, the State's "Fair Housing Act," P.L.1985, c.222 (C.52:27D-301 et al.), will replace farmland with housing creating a greater need for farmland to feed the increased population, thus solving one crisis by creating another. Andy and Christopher Henry are the current owners of their family's 21-acre farm, which has been in the family for generations since their great grandfather bought the land in 1850. The Henry brothers have invested more than $200,000 into maintaining the land since they took ownership of the farm 12 years ago. In March 2024, Cranbury Township began its process to identify sites that could help meet its affordable housing requirements, and the brothers received a letter in April 2025 stating that their property was being considered as a site to meet the township's affordable housing requirements. The brothers were further informed that if a deal could not be reached with the family to sell the property, the township could take the farm through eminent domain. The township committee unanimously approved an ordinance on May 12, 2025 authorizing and directing the township to initiate proceedings pursuant to "Eminent Domain Act of 1971," P.L.1971, c.361 (C.20:3-1 et seq.), to acquire for public use, by voluntary conveyance or by condemnation, a fee simple or lesser title interest in the lands and improvements of the Henry Farm. Cranbury Township residents packed committee meetings to support the Henry family, with many echoing calls to consider other sites and questioning when the township will push back on State housing mandates. Andy Henry has said he has no intention of selling the land and plans to fight the township's plans to take it by eminent domain, and that he wishes to keep the farm with the Henry family. Andy Henry has further stated that the "farm represents exactly what [the] town prides itself on," further noting that the farm "has open space, rich history, and a farmhouse." Despite objections from dozens of residents, the Cranbury Township Committee approved the plan to acquire the Henry family farm to meet State-mandated affordable housing requirements. The issues around the use of eminent domain in this case are greater than just the acreage of the Henry farm itself, and raise broader societal implications for the preservation of agricultural heritage in the Garden State. Cranbury Township has a long farming tradition that should be respected, and its historic district, which includes buildings from the 19th Century, was originally created as a place to serve local farmers and the agriculture industry. Cranbury Township has in recent years preserved over 2,000 acres of farmland, and Cranbury Township's plan to seize the property goes against Cranbury's long-standing farmland preservation efforts. Seizing of the farm also runs contrary to the New Jersey's Farmland Preservation Program's stated goal of permanently preserving 500,000 acres of farmland by 2050 This House calls upon the Township of Cranbury to reconsider its use of eminent domain to take active farmland. | In Committee |
| S4524 | Appropriates $34 million from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to State Agriculture Development Committee for county planning incentive grants for farmland preservation purposes. | This bill appropriates $34 million to the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) for the purpose of providing planning incentive grants to counties for up to 80 percent of the cost of acquisition of development easements on farmland for farmland preservation purposes. The funding in this bill is provided from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax (CBT) revenues pursuant to Article VIII, Section II, paragraph 6 of the State Constitution, approved by the voters of the State in November 2014. The "Preserve New Jersey Act," P.L.2016, c.12 (C.13:8C-50), implements the constitutional dedication of CBT revenues for open space, farmland, and historic preservation. The "Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund" was established pursuant to section 8 of the "Preserve New Jersey Act. Under the bill, five counties will each receive a "base grant" of either $1 million or $500,000, as specified in the bill. Those five counties, plus 10 other counties identified in the bill, would also be eligible to compete to receive an additional grant from the "competitive grant fund" pursuant to subsection c. of section 1 of the bill, in an amount not to exceed $7.5 million. The maximum grant award a county could receive under the bill is $8.5 million (i.e., the $1 million base grant, if applicable, and a $7.5 million competitive grant). The bill also appropriates to the "Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund" moneys from the General Fund already constitutionally dedicated to the "Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund" for the purpose of making the appropriations from that fund required by this bill. The allocations and projects listed in this bill have been approved by the SADC and the Garden State Preservation Trust. | Crossed Over |
| S4551 | Appropriates $3,750,990 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to State Agriculture Development Committee for grants to certain nonprofit organizations for farmland preservation purposes. | This bill would appropriate $3,750,990 to the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) for farmland preservation purposes. Specifically, the bill would appropriate funds for grants to one qualifying tax exempt nonprofit organization, the Land Conservancy of New Jersey, for projects at eight farms. The grants provided by the bill are for up to 50 percent of the cost of acquisition of development easements on farmland for farmland preservation purposes, or up to 50 percent of the cost of acquisition of fee simple titles to farmland for resale or lease with agricultural deed restrictions approved by the SADC. The funding in this bill is provided from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax (CBT) revenues pursuant to Article VIII, Section II, paragraph 6 of the State Constitution, approved by the voters of the State in November 2014. The "Preserve New Jersey Act," P.L.2016, c.12 (C.13:8C-43 et seq.), implements the constitutional dedication of CBT revenues for open space, farmland, and historic preservation. The "Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund" was established pursuant to section 8 of the "Preserve New Jersey Act." Of the total appropriated, $3,561,350 is made available due to the reallocation of previously appropriated monies. Of the total appropriated, $591,700 is to be utilized to provide grants to one qualifying tax exempt nonprofit organization, the Land Conservancy of New Jersey, for projects at three farms that were previously funded in fiscal year 2024. The allocations and projects listed in this bill have been approved by the SADC and the Garden State Preservation Trust. | Crossed Over |
| 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 |
| A5049 | Removes certain limitations on receipt of retirement or death benefits under PFRS under certain circumstances. | Removes certain limitations on receipt of retirement or death benefits under PFRS under certain circumstances. | Passed |
| S3812 | Removes certain limitations on receipt of retirement or death benefits under PFRS under certain circumstances. | Removes certain limitations on receipt of retirement or death benefits under PFRS under certain circumstances. | In Committee |
| S2788 | Appropriates $128.241 million from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to State Agriculture Development Committee for farmland preservation purposes. | Appropriates $128.241 million from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to State Agriculture Development Committee for farmland preservation purposes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S1927 | Extends veteran's gross income tax exemption to spouses of deceased veterans. | This bill extends the veteran's gross income tax exemption to spouses of deceased veterans. Currently, veterans are allowed a $6,000 exemption, which can be taken as a deduction from their income, for purposes of calculating their State gross income tax liability. If a veteran dies during a taxable year, the spouse of the veteran is allowed the exemption for that taxable year if filing a joint return. However, the spouse is not allowed the exemption in subsequent years. Under this bill, the spouse of the deceased veteran would be allowed to continue to claim the exemption until the spouse remarries. | 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 |
| S4004 | Revises law on extended employment programs for persons with disabilities. | Revises law on extended employment programs for persons with disabilities. | In Committee |
| S3249 | Establishes additional manner of employer compliance to provide earned sick leave for certain employees subject to collective bargaining agreements. | Establishes additional manner of employer compliance to provide earned sick leave for certain employees subject to collective bargaining agreements. | In Committee |
| S4536 | Requires juveniles to be tried as adult for certain serious offenses under No Early Release Act. | This bill revises the juvenile waiver law to require a juvenile, regardless of the juvenile's age, to be tried as an adult for crimes committed under the "No Early Release Act" (NERA). Under current law, juveniles 15 years of age and older at the time of the alleged delinquent act who are charged with certain offenses, including criminal homicide other than death by auto, are eligible to be waived to adult criminal court. This bill expands the list of crimes to include all NERA crimes. In addition, under this bill a juvenile may be waived into adult court regardless of the juvenile's age. The crimes listed under the NERA include murder; aggravated manslaughter or manslaughter; vehicular homicide; aggravated assault; disarming a law enforcement officer; kidnapping; aggravated sexual assault; sexual assault; robbery; carjacking; aggravated arson; burglary; extortion; booby traps in manufacturing or distribution facilities; strict liability for drug induced deaths; terrorism; producing or possessing chemical weapons; biological agents or nuclear or radiological devices; racketeering offenses; firearms trafficking; certain child pornography offenses; home invasion; burglary; and residential burglary | In Committee |
| S4495 | Requires health benefits coverage for treatment of lipedema. | This bill requires health insurers (health, hospital and medical service corporations, commercial individual and group health insurers; health maintenance organizations, health benefits plans issued pursuant to the New Jersey Individual Health Coverage and Small Employer Health Benefits Programs, the State Health Benefits Program, and the School Employees' Health Benefits Program) to provide coverage for expenses incurred for the treatment of lipedema. The expenses for which coverage is to be provided include compression garments for all of the covered person's affected extremities, manual lymphatic drainage, medical nutrition therapy, mental health care, lipectomy that is determined to be medically necessary by the covered person's surgeon, and pre-and post-lipectomies appointments with the covered person's physician and surgeon. The bill requires a covered person to provide a carrier with documentation from the covered person's physician diagnosing the covered person with lipedema and, if applicable, documentation from the covered person's surgeon that includes photographs of the covered person that support the diagnosis and information on the number of lipectomies the covered person's surgeon deems medically necessary. Under the bill, a carrier is to provide coverage for the total number of lipectomies deemed medically necessary by the covered person's surgeon and shall not require a covered person's surgeon to remove less fat than the surgeon deems medically necessary to be removed from the covered person during lipectomy in order to receive coverage. If a carrier denies coverage for expenses incurred for the treatment of lipedema, the carrier is to provide the covered person with a detailed explanation of the reason for the denial. A carrier cannot deny coverage for expenses incurred for the treatment of lipedema solely based on photographs of the covered person submitted pursuant to the bill. Additionally, the bill provides that prior authorization granted by a carrier for a lipectomy is valid for a period of one year from the date the covered person's surgeon receives the prior authorization. A carrier is required to honor a prior authorization granted to a covered person for a lipectomy by the covered person's previous carrier for the remainder of the duration of the prior authorization. Coverage is to be provided consistent with the current standard of care for lipedema. Lipedema is a chronic, progressive condition characterized by abnormal and often painful fat accumulation in specific areas of the body. The condition does not have a cure, but lipectomy can help remove fat and reduce the pain associated with the condition. | In Committee |
| S3914 | Prohibits aquaculture of any species of octopus for purpose of human consumption. | This bill prohibits the aquaculture of any species of octopus for the purpose of human consumption. In addition, this bill prohibits a business entity from selling, possessing, or transporting any species of octopus that is the result or product of aquaculture. Any violation of the bill's provisions would be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000, and each day during which the violation continues would constitute an additional, separate, and distinct offense. The practice of octopus aquaculture has raised ethical and environmental concerns due to the highly advanced cognitive abilities and complex behaviors exhibited by these animals. Octopus farming practices and conditions, including inadequate living environments and confinement, may subject octopus to significant stress and suffering, compromise their well-being, and lead to adverse behavioral changes. As carnivores, octopuses require a high-protein diet sourced from wild fish and shellfish which could substantially increase demand on marine resources, further depleting fish stocks and disrupting marine ecosystems. Additionally, octopus aquaculture poses further risks to the marine ecosystems due to the heightened potential for the spread of infectious pathogens, which may impact other marine species and ecosystems. | In Committee |
| S664 | Increases amount of cigarette and other tobacco products tax revenues provided to New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research to $10 million; establishes dedicated, non-lapsing Cancer Research Fund. | This bill increases the amount of cigarette and other tobacco products tax revenues provided to the New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research (NJCCR) to $10 million. The bill also establishes a dedicated, non-lapsing Cancer Research Fund within the Department of the Treasury. In doing so, the bill prioritizes funding: 1) to expand the NJCCR's capacity to fund research regarding the causes, prevention, treatment, and palliation of all cancers and to serve as a resource of information to providers and consumers of cancer care and treatment services; and 2) for cancer research grants that reduce and eliminate disparities among the various racial and ethnic populations within the State's minority and vulnerable communities by increasing access to clinical trials and high-quality cancer care and treatment. Pursuant to current statute, the NJCCR annually receives $1 million in cigarette and other tobacco products tax revenues. This money is deposited into an existing lapsing Cancer Research Fund and then appropriated to the commission. In recent years, pursuant to the annual appropriations act, this money has been transferred from the Cancer Research Fund to the General Fund. The appropriations act then provides the NJCCR funding via a budget line. Despite the statutory requirement, in FY 2022, the NJCCR was appropriated $4 million in funding. Under the bill, the existing lapsing Cancer Research Fund is replaced by a non-lapsing, revolving fund. This fund is to be the repository of the $10 million in cigarette and other tobacco products tax revenues deposited into the account under the bill and any other funds approved by the Department of Health or the NJCCR. Moneys deposited in the fund, and any interest earned thereon, are to be used exclusively for providing grants for cancer research projects authorized and approved by the commission, with at least $5 million to be used to fund general cancer research and at least $5 million to be used to fund pediatric cancer research. The State Treasurer will be the custodian of the fund and all disbursements from the fund are to be made by the State Treasurer upon vouchers signed by the chairperson of the NJCCR or the chairperson's designee. The monies in the fund are to be invested and reinvested by the Director of the Division of Investment in the Department of the Treasury in the same manner as other trust funds in the custody of the State Treasurer, in the manner provided by law. Interest received on the monies in the fund are to be credited to the fund. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| S4430 | Requires hospitals to notify family of patient release following drug overdose. | This bill requires hospitals to notify a patient's family of the patient's release following a drug overdose. The bill provides that, in the case of a patient who has received treatment in a hospital for a drug overdose, within the 72 hours of the patient's release from the hospital, the hospital is to attempt to contact a family member of the patient to inform the family member of the patient's drug overdose and hospital release, if: (1) the hospital possesses contact information for a family member of the patient; and (2) informing a family member of the patient's drug overdose and hospital release is consistent with federal and State laws, including federal and State privacy laws. | In Committee |
| S4314 | Requires Commission on Human Trafficking to identify methods to prevent human trafficking through online gaming platforms. | This bill requires the Commission on Human Trafficking to identify methods to prevent human trafficking through online gaming platforms. The Commission on Human Trafficking is a 15-member commission in the Division of Criminal Justice in the Department of Law and Public Safety. The commission is currently required to evaluate the existing law concerning human trafficking and the enforcement thereof, and to make recommendations for legislation, if appropriate. The commission also is charged with the responsibility of reviewing existing victim assistance programs, and promoting a coordinated response by public and private resources for victims of human trafficking. The commission is required to annually report to the Governor and the Legislature as to its activities, as well as its findings and recommendations for any needed new laws, services, or resources for victims of human trafficking. Recent FBI investigations reveal that some human traffickers have used popular online gaming platforms to victimize children. Based on news reports related to these investigations, predators may groom children on online gaming sites through chats or voice communications and then convince them to switch over to other social media platforms, which provides predators with greater access to information about their potential victims. Under the bill, in addition to its existing duties, the commission also is required to investigate methods by which human traffickers use video game and social media platforms to locate and abuse children and other human trafficking victims; develop solutions to prevent human trafficking through video game and social media platforms; and make recommendations for legislation to implement these solutions. | In Committee |
| SCR129 | Directs SCI to examine human trafficking activity at certain places of business. | This concurrent resolution directs the State Commission on Investigation to examine human trafficking activity at the places of business of persons who employ massage and bodywork therapists. This bill calls for the State Commission on Investigation to issue a report summarizing its investigation no later than two years after the resolution takes effect. The report may be delayed at the request of the Attorney General for up to an additional 120 days pursuant to section 7 of P.L.1996, c.44 (C.52:9M-8.1), due to information or evidence contained in the report showing a reasonable possibility of human trafficking or other criminal wrongdoing. The report would also include recommendations for consideration by the Governor and Legislature for further addressing human trafficking activity within these places of business. | In Committee |
| S4331 | Prohibits local government from naming its property after foreign terrorist organization. | This bill prohibits a local government from naming property under its ownership or control, including, but not limited to, a road, bridge, school, building, neighborhood, community, or park, after a group, that has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the federal government, or after land controlled by a foreign terrorist organization, not including recognized, sovereign nations. The bill requires the Division of Local Government Services (division) in the Department of Community Affairs, in consultation with the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (office), to develop and publish a list of designated foreign terrorist organizations and lands controlled by foreign terrorist organizations, not including recognized, sovereign nations. The bill defines a "local government" as a municipality, county, school district, or other political subdivision of the State, or any public board, commission, committee, authority, or agency which is not a State board, commission, committee, authority, or agency. The bill requires a local government to remove or dismantle signs, street pole banners, plaques, or other forms of displays of support for, or the naming of property after, a foreign terrorist organization, under the control or ownership of the local government within 30 days following the bill's enactment. Within 90 days following the bill's effective date, the bill requires a local government that has named property under its control or ownership after a foreign terrorist organization to rename the property so that it does not identify the name of as a foreign terrorist organization. The bill requires the State to reimburse local governments for both of these costs, upon application. If a local government violates the provisions of the bill, the State Treasurer, for each day in which the local government is in violation of the bill, is directed to deduct a portion of the total amount of State aid allocated to the local government. The daily deduction is to be in an amount equal to the result of dividing the total amount of State aid allocated to the local government by the total number of days in the fiscal year in which the State aid is allocated. The bill provides that the division, in consultation with the office, is to adopt rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| S4285 | Abolishes BPU; transfers responsibilities to Department of Treasury. | This bill abolishes the Board of Public Utilities and transfers all of its functions, powers, and duties to the Department of the Treasury. Under the bill, the transfer is to be conducted pursuant to the "State Agency Transfer Act." Electricity rates in New Jersey have begun to rapidly increase due to a variety of factors, raising affordability concerns among ratepayers. With this legislation, the sponsor intends to encourage the State to reassess its approach to energy policies, which may impact utility rates, and prioritize energy affordability and reliability for ratepayers. | In Committee |
| S4274 | Allows active duty members of United States military to carry firearm at all times. | This bill allows active duty members of the United States Armed Forces or of the National Guard to carry a personal or service rifle or handgun at all times in this State. Current law permits members of the military to carry weapons authorized by the appropriate military authorities while on duty or while traveling between places of duty. Under the bill, military personnel may only carry firearms authorized for civilian use in New Jersey while off duty. Recently, terrorist organizations claiming affiliation with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) have threatened to attack members of the military and their families within the United States. Whether motivated by terrorism or otherwise, members of the military have been targeted in the 2007 plot to attack Fort Dix, the 2009 shootings at Fort Hood, the 2009 attack on an Army recruiting center in Little Rock, the 2013 shootings at the Washington Navy Yard, and the 2015 attacks on a recruiting center and a Navy Reserve facility in Chattanooga. This bill would permit members of the military stationed in New Jersey to carry a firearm at all times in order to protect themselves, their families, or other unarmed civilians in the event of a terrorist attack. | In Committee |
| S4275 | Prohibits State contractors from distributing data to foreign adversaries. | This bill prohibits State contractors from selling, transferring, disclosing, or providing data to a foreign adversary. Pursuant to the bill, a person or entity that sells, transfers, discloses, or provides data to foreign adversaries, or entities directly or indirectly controlled by, operating on behalf of, or significantly influenced by a foreign adversary, will be placed on a list by the Department of the Treasury and will not be permitted to contract with State agencies, subcontract with State contractors, file or renew a Public Works Contractor Registration, receive an economic development subsidy from the Economic Development Authority, be awarded a municipal property tax abatement, make or enter into a payment in-lieu of property tax agreement, apply for or receive a tax clearance certificate from the Division of Taxation, be certified as an urban renewal entity for purposes of the "Long Term Tax Exemption Law," or be designated as a redeveloper by a public agency for the purposes of the "Local Redevelopment and Housing Law." The bill also prohibits the State from banking with, having or holding stock, debt, or other equity investments of, or maintaining insurance coverage through a policy issued by a financial institution that has sold, transferred, disclosed, or provided data to a foreign adversary or an entity directly or indirectly controlled by, operating on behalf of, or significantly influenced by a foreign adversary. | In Committee |
| S1192 | Requires prescription drug coverage for serious mental illness without prior authorization or utilization management, including step therapy. | Requires prescription drug coverage for serious mental illness without prior authorization or utilization management, including step therapy. | In Committee |
| S4262 | Establishes "The CAMPUS Act: Combating Antisemitism to Mitigate Prejudice in Universities and Schools"; addresses instruction on antisemitism and antisemitic harassment, intimidation, and bullying in public schools. | This bill establishes "The CAMPUS Act: Combating Antisemitism to Mitigate Prejudice in Universities and Schools," directs public institutions of higher education to include within its student conduct policy information on lawful acts of campus activism that maintain students' right to protest, petition, and assemble, and makes updates to various provisions of the "Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act" (ABR). Under the bill, a public institution of higher education's HIB policy is to include a procedure for reporting an act of HIB and a procedure for prompt investigations of HIB reports. The bill also permits a public institution of higher education to impose disciplinary action on a student found to have committed an antisemitic act of HIB that includes academic probation, suspension, and expulsion. The bill directs a public institution of higher education to include within its student conduct policy information on lawful acts of campus activism that maintain students' rights to protest, petition, and assemble. The guidelines are to clearly identify impermissible acts of campus activism that may result in disciplinary action including, but not limited to: (1) damage to school and public property; (2) disruption of the institution's educational or business interests; (3) obstruction of the movement of others through the organization of encampments or blockades that interfere with other students' ability to enter or exit institution property; (4) protests on private property without consent; (5) acts of violence; (6) organizational affiliation with Foreign Terrorist Organizations as designated by the United States Secretary of State; such as Hamas; and (7) student behavior that constitutes a violation of the institution's HIB policy. The policy is to include information on disciplinary action that may result if a student violates this student conduct policy governing campus protests, including academic probation, suspension, expulsion, and referral to law enforcement. The bill also makes the following updates to the ABR for school districts: (1) provides that consequences and remedial action imposed for a first act of HIB may include suspension and expulsion when the basis for the complaint is antisemitic behavior; and (2) requires training on a school district's HIB policies that is provided to applicable school employees and volunteers to include information on how to identify and address antisemitic incidents of HIB. Finally, the bill requires instruction provided to students on the Holocaust and genocides to also include information on antisemitism and recent acts of terror and intimidation against the Jewish community. | In Committee |
| S4256 | Requires public schools to provide age-appropriate information to students in grades nine through 12 on United States military and veterans. | This bill requires public schools that include any of the grades nine through 12 to annually hold an assembly to provide students with age-appropriate information on the United States military. Under the bill, the information is to include an overview of the basic structure of the military and its branches; the contributions of veterans to American society; and information about the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), the United States service academies, and other forms of military involvement. The assembly is to be at least 30 minutes in length, and is to be held in November to coincide with Veterans Day. Additionally, the bill requires that public schools annually hold a veterans appreciation event in addition to the assembly required by the provisions of the bill. The event may include: hosting an event to publicly honor one or more veterans; hosting an event featuring a speech or presentation provided by a veteran; or participating in an alternative educational initiative honoring members of the United States military. Finally, the bill requires public schools to consult with a local veterans' association for assistance in the development of the veterans appreciation event required by the bill. | In Committee |
| S3466 | Extends expiration date of special appraisal process for Green Acres and farmland preservation program; provides aid for watershed lands. | An Act concerning the preservation and protection of land in the Highlands Region, amending P.L.1999, c.152, and amending and supplementing P.L.2004, c.120. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S4085 | Requires certain law enforcement entities and courts to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. | This bill requires every law enforcement agency to notify the appropriate federal immigration authorities when a person who is arrested and charged with any crime and certain offenses is a non-citizen who is unlawfully present in this county. The purpose of notifying federal immigration authorities is to initiate deportation proceedings. Under the bill, "federal immigration authority" is defined as any officer, employee, or person otherwise paid by or acting as an agent of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement or United States Customs and Border Protection, or any division thereof, or any officer, employee, or person otherwise paid by or acting as an agent of the United States Department of Homeland Security who is charged with immigration enforcement. The bill also requires every sentencing court to immediately contact appropriate federal immigration authorities in order to initiate deportation proceedings upon convicting a non-citizen who is unlawfully present in this country of certain crimes or offenses. Finally, correctional facilities in which the convicted non-citizen is held would be required to contact appropriate federal immigration authorities for the purpose of initiating deportation proceedings. Parole or probation officers with a supervisory role over a convicted non-citizen also would be required to contact federal immigration authorities for the purpose of initiating deportation proceedings. The crimes and offenses included under the bill that would require notification are any crime of the first through fourth degree or any disorderly or petty disorderly persons offense involving the unlawful manufacture, distribution, possession and use of controlled dangerous substances, theft, robbery, or any other crime or offense resulting in detention. | In Committee |
| SCR122 | Determines that DEP rules and regulations known as " New Jersey Protecting Against Climate Change - Resilient Environment and Landscapes" are inconsistent with legislative intent. | This concurrent resolution embodies the finding of the Legislature that the rules and regulations proposed by the Department of Environmental Protection in the August 5, 2024 New Jersey Register, 56 N.J.R. 1282(a), are not consistent with the intent of the Legislature. The Department of Environmental Protection would have 30 days from the date of transmittal of this resolution to amend or withdraw the proposed rules and regulations or the Legislature may, by passage of another concurrent resolution, exercise its authority under the Constitution to invalidate the rules and regulations in whole or in part. | In Committee |
| S4052 | Amends felony murder, aggravated manslaughter, and aggravated assault statutes to include death or bodily injury occurring during commission of auto theft. | This bill amends the felony murder, aggravated manslaughter, and aggravated assault statutes to include death or bodily injury occurring during the commission of an auto theft. Under current law, paragraph (3) of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:11-3 generally defines what is commonly known as the "felony murder rule" as a homicide occurring when the defendant is engaged in the commission of, or an attempt to commit, or flight after committing or attempting to commit robbery, sexual assault, arson, burglary, kidnapping, carjacking, criminal escape, or terrorism, and in the course of such crime or of immediate flight therefrom, the defendant causes the death of another. Under the bill, auto theft is added to the list of crimes to which the felony murder rule would apply. Felony murder is a crime of the first degree, and is subject to sentencing enhancements specific to murder. Under current law, paragraph (2) of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:11-4 defines aggravated manslaughter as a homicide occurring when the defendant causes the death of another while fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer. Aggravated manslaughter is a strict liability crime which does not require the prosecutor to prove that the defendant was reckless or intoxicated, and the defendant is liable even if the death was actually caused by a pursuing police officer. Under the bill, aggravated manslaughter is expanded to include death while driving a stolen motor vehicle at any time, whether or not the defendant was attempting to flee the police. Aggravated manslaughter is a crime of the first degree. Under current law, pursuant to paragraph (6) of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:12-1, aggravated assault includes causing bodily injury to another while fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer, or while operating a motor vehicle in violation of subsection c. of N.J.S.2C:20-10 (commonly known as the "joyriding" statute). Aggravated assault is a strict liability crime which does not require the prosecutor to prove that the defendant was reckless or intoxicated, and the defendant is liable even if the injury was actually caused by a pursuing police officer. This section of law was not updated to reflect the recent enactment of section 1 of P.L.2023, c.101 (C.2C:20-10.1), the standalone auto theft statute. Under the bill, aggravated assault is expanded to include injury caused at any time during an auto theft as well as "joyriding." Aggravated assault pursuant to paragraph (6) of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:12-1 is a crime of the second degree. A crime of the second degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of five to 10 years, a fine of up to $150,000, or both. 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. However, murder is specifically subject to a term of imprisonment of 30 years without parole, or 30 years to life with a mandatory minimum of 30 years. Clarification of the strict liability nature of aggravated manslaughter and aggravated assault, even when the injury or death was actually caused by a police officer in pursuit of the defendant, conforms the statutes with State v. Lora, 465 N.J. Super. 477, 496 (App. Div. 2020), certif. denied, 246 N.J. 224 (2021), which held that, "A police-related injury in the pursuit of a criminal is a risk created by that criminal, and we should not allow him to escape liability for his behavior." | In Committee |
| S4054 | Upgrades degree of crime of auto theft when committed in connection with home invasion or residential burglary. | This bill upgrades the degree of crime of auto theft when it is committed in connection with a home invasion or residential burglary. Under current law, auto theft is a crime of the third degree, but is upgraded to a crime of the second degree if multiple vehicles are involved or if the value of the vehicle is $75,000 or more. Under the bill, auto theft would also be a crime of the second degree if it is committed in connection with a residential burglary. Auto theft would become a crime of the first degree if it is committed in connection with a home invasion burglary, which is typically a residential burglary involving bodily injury or the use of a weapon. Additionally, for sentencing purposes, a conviction for auto theft would not merge with a conviction for home invasion or residential burglary. A crime of the third degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of three to five years, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. A crime of the second degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of five to 10 years, a fine of up to $150,000, or both. 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. | In Committee |
| S4053 | Expands offenses for which juvenile may be waived to adult criminal court to include certain thefts or unlawful takings of motor vehicles; makes use of juvenile in theft of motor vehicle strict liability crime. | This bill expands the offenses for which a juvenile may be waived to adult criminal court to include certain thefts or unlawful takings of motor vehicles and makes the use of a juvenile in the theft of a motor vehicle a strict liability crime. 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, carjacking, and sexual assault, are eligible to be waived to adult criminal court. This bill provides that in addition to the offenses set forth under current law, juveniles 15 years of age and older at the time of the alleged delinquent act who are charged with theft or unlawful taking of a motor vehicle and have previously been adjudicated delinquent for one of these offenses are eligible to be waived to adult criminal court. In addition, the bill makes the use of a juvenile in the theft of a motor vehicle a strict liability crime. Under current law, a person who is at least 18 years of age who knowingly uses, solicits, directs, hires, or employs a person who is 17 years of age or younger to commit theft of an automobile is guilty of a second degree crime. Current law further provides that it is not a defense to prosecution that the actor mistakenly believed that the person which the actor used, solicited, directed, hired, or employed was older than 17 years of age, even if the mistaken belief was reasonable. Under the provisions of this bill, a person who is at least 18 years of age who uses, solicits, directs, hires, or employs a person who is 17 years of age or younger to commit theft of an automobile is guilty of strict liability use of a juvenile in theft of an automobile. Strict liability use of a juvenile in theft of an automobile is a second degree crime. A second degree crime is punishable by five to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $150,000, or both. | 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 |
| S4005 | Establishes criminal liability for property destruction occurring during auto theft and police pursuit for auto theft; requires restitution for damages incurred. | This bill establishes criminal liability for property destruction occurring during an auto theft or a police pursuit for auto theft. Under the bill, a person commits a crime of the third degree if the person causes $500 or more in damage to property while committing, attempting to commit, or in immediate flight therefrom, an auto theft. If the amount of damage is less than $500, it is a crime of the fourth degree. The value of the damaged property is to be determined by the jury. A person is liable regardless of whether the damage is caused by the person directly, caused by police during a pursuit of the person, or caused by any other person. A person involved in the underlying auto theft, but who is not necessarily the driver causing damage, is also liable. A person convicted under the bill may be ordered to pay restitution to the owner of the damaged property up to the value determined by the jury. Under the bill, it is not a defense that the damage was actually caused by a law enforcement officer or that the defendant was not actually the driver or operator of a motor vehicle. A crime of the third degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of three to five years, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. For sentencing purposes, a conviction under the bill does not merge with a conviction for eluding arrest, auto theft, or any other theft crime, and a conviction for eluding arrest, auto theft, or any other theft crime does not merge with a conviction under the bill. | In Committee |
| S3958 | Authorizes State Treasurer to sell as surplus certain real property and improvements in Township of Lebanon in Hunterdon County. | This bill authorizes the State Treasurer to sell and convey property located at 200 Sanatorium Road in the Township of Lebanon, Hunterdon County. The property contains 57,462± square feet of land and improvements. The property is to be sold to GShack Group, LLC for the appraised value of $570,000. This property is considered surplus to the needs of the State. The State House Commission will set the terms and conditions of the sale and conveyance. The property is the former site of Building 33, known as "East Hall," of the Hagedorn Psychiatric Hospital. | In Committee |
| S354 | Updates scope of practice of optometrists. | Updates scope of practice of optometrists. | In Committee |
| S3912 | Adds to list of crimes ineligible for administrative parole release. | This bill amends the "Earn Your Way Out" Act, P.L.2019, c.364, by adding to the list of crimes ineligible for administrative parole. Under the "Earn Your Way Out" Act, a person serving a term of imprisonment for an eligible crime may be automatically released on parole at the first opportunity for parole release if the person satisfies certain criteria, such as completing rehabilitative programs and having no serious disciplinary infractions. Under current law, the crimes ineligible for administrative parole are those subject to the No Early Release Act, Megan's Law, the Graves Act, and the Sexually Violent Predator Act. Under the bill, the following additional crimes would be ineligible for administrative parole: human trafficking, sexual extortion, aggravated arson, endangering the welfare of a child by abusing or neglecting the child, child pornography, leader of a drug trafficking network, maintaining or operating a narcotics production facility, manufacturing or distributing or selling narcotics in the first degree, soliciting or supporting terrorism, leader of a firearms trafficking network, animal cruelty, and any other crime of the first degree not already included. A crime of the first degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of between 10 to 20 years, a fine of up to $200,000, or both. | In Committee |
| S3201 | Upgrades certain penalties for assaulting law enforcement officer and requires offender to be tested for communicable diseases in certain instances. | An Act upgrading certain penalties for assault and requiring testing for communicable diseases, and revising various parts of statutory law. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3859 | Specifies inapplicability of "Fair Chance in Housing Act" to county and municipal landlords. | This bill would amend the "Fair Chance in Housing Act," P.L.2021, c.110 (C.46:8-52 et seq.), to clarify that a county or municipality that directly rents one or more residential units to one or more tenants is not a housing provider, as defined in that act. During 2021, the Legislature enacted the "Fair Chance in Housing Act" for the purpose of establishing certain housing rights for persons with criminal records. That enactment was designed to expand opportunities for people with criminal records to find safe, affordable housing and reduce recidivism. Since enactment of the "Fair Chance in Housing Act," it has been disputed whether the act's provisions apply to a county or municipal government that directly rent one or more residential units to one or more tenants. This bill resolves those disputes by specifically providing that the "Fair Chance in Housing Act" does not apply to a county or municipal or county government that directly rents one or more residential units to one or more tenants. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| S3817 | Requires DEP to implement Advanced Clean Trucks regulations no earlier than January 1, 2027. | This bill would delay the implementation of the Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP's) Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulations to January 1, 2027. Under current law, N.J.A.C. 7:27-31.3, the regulations would become operative on January 1, 2025. The DEP adopted the Advanced Clean Trucks regulations in 2021. Pursuant to P.L.2003, c.266 (C.26:2C-8.15 et al.), the DEP is authorized to implement California's Low Emission Vehicle Program in New Jersey. The ACT regulations would require, among other things, that manufacturers of medium-duty and heavy-duty motor vehicles sell an increasing percentage of zero-emissions vehicles, capping at 40 percent to 75 percent of annual sales in 2035, depending on the type of vehicle sold. | In Committee |
| S3006 | Establishes crimes of home invasion burglary and residential burglary. | An Act concerning burglary of residential dwellings, supplementing Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes, and amending various parts of the statutory law. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3782 | Establishes affirmative defense to prosecution for any crime committed by victim of human trafficking under certain circumstances. | This bill establishes an affirmative defense to prosecution for crimes committed by a victim of human trafficking under certain circumstances. Under current law, it is a defense to a prosecution for the following crimes if the perpetrator of the offense is a victim of human trafficking: human trafficking; providing services, resources, or assistance with the knowledge that the services, resources, or assistance are intended to be used in furtherance of the commission of the crime of human trafficking; and prostitution and related offenses. This bill establishes an affirmative defense for human trafficking victims charged with any offense enumerated in Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes if: (1) during the time of the alleged commission of the offense, the defendant was a victim of human trafficking; and (2) the crime was committed as a direct result of the human trafficking offense that was committed against the defendant. The bill further provides that a defendant who was a victim of human trafficking, may assert an affirmative defense under the bill even if there is the lack of a conviction for the underlying human trafficking offense committed against the defendant as a victim. | In Committee |
| S3738 | Makes supplemental appropriation of $500,000 for Main Library Alliance. | This bill provides a supplemental appropriation of $500,000 to provide grants-in-aid funding to the Main Library Alliance. The Main Library Alliance is a non-profit organization that provides services, programs, learning platforms, cost-sharing, and a technology framework to over 50 library buildings in the northwestern part of the State. The Main Library Alliance and its member libraries serve over 700,000 patrons in over 100 municipalities in Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Union, and Warren counties. | In Committee |
| S3583 | Concerns policies governing student use of cell phones and social media platforms in public schools. | This bill concerns policies governing student use of cell phones and social media platforms in public schools. Under the bill, the board of a public school is required to adopt a policy concerning student use of cell phones and social media during regular school hours, on a school bus, or during school-sanctioned events where the student is under the direct supervision of a teaching staff member or employee of the board of education. The policy is required to: (1) provide age appropriate and grade-level differentiated policies concerning limiting and prohibiting student use of cell phones and social media platforms; (2) be consistent with a students IEP or educational plan; (3) permit student use of cell phones in the case of an emergency or in response to a perceived threat of danger; (4) permit student use of cell phones upon submission by a parent or guardian of documentation from a health care professional indicating that the use of a cell phone is necessary for the health or well-being of the student; and (5) permit student use of cell phones upon permission from a teaching staff member or employee of the board for educational purposes. Additionally, the bill requires the Commissioner of Education to develop guidelines to assist a public school in adopting a policy concerning student use of cell phones and social media platforms. The guidelines are required to: (1) address smartphones, cell phones with only text or voice, and other relevant devices, including smart watches; (2) list options that may be utilized by a public school for cell phone storage, including locked pouches and cell phone lockers; (3) provide guidance for a public school to establish network-based restrictions to prevent student use of, or access to, social media platforms; (4) detail protocols for communicating the school's policy concerning student use of cell phones and social media platforms to students, their families, and teaching staff members; and (5) provide guidance for establishing and enforcing disciplinary action for violations of the school's policy. Finally, the bill requires a public school to implement network-based restrictions to prevent student use of, or access to, social media platforms on: all school owned, issued, or managed systems and electronic devices; and the internet or the wireless network utilized by the public school. | In Committee |
| SJR128 | Urges US Senate to pass federal "Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act." | This joint resolution urges the US Senate to pass the federal "Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act." To be eligible to vote in federal elections, voters must be US citizens. The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA), referred to as the "motor voter law," was enacted to make it easier for American citizens to register to vote by requiring states to allow individuals to register to vote when applying for or renewing their driver's licenses. However, efforts to streamline voter registration with states' departments of motor vehicles have resulted in state agencies mistakenly registering noncitizens to vote in federal elections. While the prevalence of voting by noncitizens is unknown, the shortcomings of voter registration systems have eroded public confidence in the integrity of federal elections, with over a quarter of Americans surveyed reporting concerns about counting ineligible votes, including votes cast by noncitizens, in the 2024 presidential election. Currently, federal law does not require documentary proof of citizenship when registering individuals to vote. Amid growing concerns about the adequacy of voting registration safeguards, members of the House of Representatives introduced and passed the federal "Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act." The SAVE Act would create uniform procedural safeguards for voter registration by amending the NVRA to require individuals to provide documentary proof of US citizenship and identity before registering to vote in federal elections and require states to implement programs to verify registrants' citizenship status. The SAVE Act would also grant states free access to federal databases to ensure ineligible voters are identified and removed. As confidence in the electoral process and results are fundamental to American democracy, the Legislature of the State of New Jersey urges the US Senate to take swift action to enact the federal SAVE Act. | In Committee |
| SCR112 | Urges Congress to enact "Presidential Security Resources Reimbursement Act of 2024" to reimburse State and local units for public safety expenses incurred during major presidential and vice presidential candidates' visits. | This concurrent resolution urges the President and Congress of the United States to enact the "Presidential Security Resources Reimbursement Act of 2024." Under federal law, the United States Secret Service, under the direction of the Secretary of Homeland Security, is mandated to protect the President and the Vice President of the United States, as well as the president-elect, and the vice president-elect. The agency is also authorized to provide protective services to certain other individuals, including the immediate families of the president, vice president, president-elect, and vice president-elect; former presidents and vice presidents, their spouses, and certain children; major presidential and vice presidential candidates; visiting heads of foreign states or foreign governments; and certain other designated individuals. Although it is often unrecognized, the Secret Service's ability to maintain public safety and security for individuals, facilities, and events covered under its protection depends on the agency's effective cooperation and coordination with state and local governments. The July 13, 2024 assassination attempt on Former President, and current presidential candidate, Donald J. Trump, further highlights the ongoing need for effective cooperation and coordination to protect major presidential and vice-presidential candidates and maintain public safety throughout election campaigns. The State of New Jersey and its municipalities are not only honored to host any individuals under Secret Service protection, but also take seriously the responsibility to cooperate with the Secret Service to ensure the safety and security surrounding such occasions. However, the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities that are dedicated to ensuring effective cooperation with the Secret Service often place undue financial burdens on the State and its municipalities. The "Presidential Security Resources Reimbursement Act of 2024," recently introduced in Congress as H.R.9332, would authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to utilize the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of State and local governments, on a reimbursement basis, for public safety and law enforcement purposes surrounding events and appearances involving major presidential and vice presidential candidates. The enactment of this bill would provide the State and its municipalities the funding necessary to effectively cooperate and coordinate with the Secret Service in order to protect major presidential and vice presidential candidates and ensure public safety during campaign events and appearances within the State. | In Committee |
| S3589 | Increases penalties for human trafficking of children. | This bill increases penalties for human trafficking of a child under 18 years of age. Under current law, a person commits the crime of human trafficking of a child if he knowingly holds, recruits, lures, entices, harbors, transports, provides or obtains, by any means, a child under 18 years of age, to engage in sexual activity. Such an offense is a crime of the first degree. A crime of the first degree is ordinarily punishable by a term of imprisonment of10 to 20 years, a fine of up to $200,000, or both. However, current law provides that the term of imprisonment, imposed for human trafficking of a child to engage in sexual activity, is: either a term of 20 years during which the actor is not eligible for parole; or a specific term between 20 years and life imprisonment, of which the actor is required to serve 20 years before being eligible for parole. The bill amends current law to encompass any other act of human trafficking of a child under 18 years of age, not just human trafficking a child to engage in sexual activity. The bill provides that the term of imprisonment imposed for any act of human trafficking of a child under the age of 18 years of age is life imprisonment, without eligibility for parole. | In Committee |
| S3590 | Makes supplemental appropriation of $75,000 to Human Trafficking Survivor's Assistance Fund. | This bill appropriates $75,000 to the Division of Criminal Justice in the Department of Law and Public Safety to fund the Human Trafficking Survivor's Assistance Fund and effectuate the proposes set forth when the fund was established. The "Human Trafficking Survivor's Assistance Fund" is a non-lapsing, dedicated fund in the General Fund, which is administered by the Attorney General. All monies deposited in the fund is required to be used for the provision of services to victims of human trafficking, to promote awareness of human trafficking, and the development, maintenance, revision, and distribution of training course and other educational materials, and the operation of educational or training programs, in accordance with sections 11 and 19 of P.L. 2013, c. 51 (C.2C:34-1.2 and C.2C:13-12). | In Committee |
| S3591 | Prohibits ownership of certain protected land adjacent to military facilities in State by certain foreign governments and persons. | This bill prohibits sanctioned foreign governments and certain foreign persons from acquiring, purchasing, or otherwise obtaining a legal, beneficial, or other interest in any protected land in the State on or after the bill's effective date, with limited exceptions, as described below. Under the bill, protected land includes certain parcels of land located within 10 miles of a military facility. The bill permits impacted foreign governments and foreign persons that already own or hold an interest in protected land in the State, on the bill's effective date, to continue to own or hold the interest in such land for a maximum of five years thereafter. Within five years after the bill's effective date, the foreign government or foreign person would be required to sell or otherwise convey the ownership of, or interest in, the protected land to an individual, trust, corporation, partnership, or other business entity. The bill provides the following exceptions to the general prohibition on the continued foreign ownership of protected land: 1) a foreign government or foreign person may acquire protected land, on or after the bill's effective date, through a process of law involving the collection of debt, the execution of a deed in lieu of foreclosure, the forfeiture of a contract for deed, or the imposition of a lien or claim on the land, whether by mortgage or otherwise, but such person or government would then be required to sell or convey the land, within two years after the transfer of title thereto, to an individual, trust, corporation, partnership, or other business entity that is not prohibited from owning protected land; and 2) the provisions of the bill would not be applicable to protected land acquired by devise or descent or pursuant to a bona fide encumbrance established on protected land taken for the purposes of security. Finally, the bill provides that any provision of the bill that is inconsistent with, or in violation of, any treaty between the United States and another country would not apply to any foreign government or foreign person residing in a country that is party to the treaty. | In Committee |
| S3547 | "Protecting Students from Obscene Material in School Libraries Act." | This bill, entitled the "Protecting Students from Obscene Material in School Libraries Act," requires boards of education to safeguard students from obscene material in school libraries and against school employees who provide obscene materials to students in school libraries. This bill requires boards of education to adopt a policy regarding obscene material in school libraries. Under the bill the policy is to: (1) establish criteria for material that is appropriate for a school library; (2) prohibit the inclusion of obscene material in a school library; (3) mandate that all school employees, including school library media specialists, comply with the State's criminal code's Obscenity For Persons Under 18; (4) create a procedure for a board to investigate a claim of a school employee's alleged violation of Obscenity For Persons Under 18, which in part prohibits a person from knowingly distributing or exhibiting obscene material to persons under 18 years of age; and (5) establish a scale of disciplinary actions against a school employee based on guidance and resources established by the Commissioner of Education. The commissioner, in consultation with the State Librarian, is to develop and distribute to school districts guidance and resources regarding: (1) examples of obscene material that are not to be included in a school library; (2) information concerning when a board of education should refer an allegation of a violation of Obscenity For Persons Under 18 to law enforcement; (3) recommended disciplinary actions against a school employee, which include termination of employment for a criminal conviction under Obscenity For Persons Under 18; and (4) any other information the commissioner deems necessary. The bill authorizes the commissioner to enforce the provisions of the bill. If the commissioner determines that a school district is noncompliant, the commissioner may impose appropriate sanctions, which can include the withholding of funds payable by the State to a school district. | In Committee |
| S3531 | Establishes rebuttable presumption of pretrial detention for child sexual abuse and child endangerment. | This bill establishes a rebuttable presumption of pretrial detention for a defendant charged with sexual assault or criminal sexual contact when the victim is a minor, or endangering the welfare of a child. Under P.L.2014, c.31, also known as the "Bail Reform Law," criminal courts are authorized to order the pretrial release of a defendant pending further proceedings, or order pretrial detention of a defendant who is found to be a flight risk, a danger to another or the community, or likely to obstruct further criminal proceedings. Currently, there is a rebuttable presumption that a defendant who is charged with murder or a crime that subjects the defendant to an ordinary or extended term of life imprisonment is to be detained pending trial. This rebuttable presumption applies when a prosecutor makes a motion for pretrial detention, but may be rebutted upon a showing of proof, by a preponderance of the evidence, in favor of the defendant. If the presumption is not rebutted, the court may order pretrial detention of the defendant. If the presumption is rebutted, the prosecutor still has the opportunity to establish other grounds for pretrial detention. This bill provides that the rebuttable presumption of pretrial detention also applies to defendants charged with the crime of sexual assault pursuant to N.J.S.2C:14-2 when the victim is a minor, the crime of criminal sexual contact pursuant to N.J.S.2C:14-3 when the victim is a minor, and the crime of endangering the welfare of a child under N.J.S.2C:24-4. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| S721 | Exempts sales of investment metal bullion and certain investment coins from sales and use tax. | An Act exempting the sale of certain investment metal bullion and coins from the sales and use tax and amending P.L.1980, c.105. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S2793 | Appropriates $1.723 million from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and "2009 Farmland Preservation Fund" to State Agriculture Development Committee for grants to certain nonprofit organizations for farmland preservation purposes. | An Act appropriating $1.723 million from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues and the "2009 Farmland Preservation Fund" to the State Agriculture Development Committee for grants to qualifying tax exempt nonprofit organizations for farmland preservation purposes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| 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 |
| S3527 | Requires certain motorbus operators to unload passengers at scheduled destinations. | This bill requires motorbus operators to unload passengers at scheduled destinations. Under the bill, an operator of a motorbus that is operated as part of a motorbus regular route service, charter bus operation, casino bus operation, or special bus operation is prohibited from stopping the vehicle for the purpose of unloading passengers other than at a scheduled destination. A scheduled destination is defined as a preplanned destination or stop on a planned route to a destination that can be demonstrated by a departure and arrival schedule, passenger ticket, receipt, or other publicly available document depicting the location where passengers are planned to unload, and a motorbus operator is required to possess such documentation at all times while operating a motorbus that provides a motorbus regular route service, charter bus operation, casino bus operation, or special bus operation. The provisions of the bill do not apply to the New Jersey Transit Corporation or any public or private entity under contract with the corporation to operate motorbus regular route service. The bill imposes a penalty of $1,000 for each offense and possible confiscation of the motorbus used in the commission of the offense, with an exception for the unplanned unloading of passengers in the event of an emergency if the operator contacts emergency services. | In Committee |
| S729 | Establishes tianeptine as Schedule II controlled dangerous substance. | Establishes tianeptine as Schedule II controlled dangerous substance. | In Committee |
| S1292 | Establishes State definition of anti-Semitism; creates a public awareness campaign; appropriates $100,000. | Establishes State definition of anti-Semitism; creates a public awareness campaign; and appropriates $100,000. | In Committee |
| S3462 | Permits State, local government agencies, and private detention facilities to enter into agreement to detain noncitizens. | This bill permits the State, local government agencies, and private detention facilities to enter into an agreement to detain noncitizens for civil immigration violations. Under current law, the State, a local government agency, or a private detention facility operating in this State is not to enter into, renew, or extend any immigration detention agreement. Current law defines an immigration detention agreement as any contract, agreement, intergovernmental service agreement, or memorandum of understanding that authorizes the State, local government agency, or private detention facility to house or detain individuals for civil immigration violations. Under the provisions of this bill, the State, a local government agency, or a private detention facility operating in this State may enter into, renew, or extend an immigration detention agreement. | In Committee |
| SCR81 | Proposes constitutional amendment to increase amount of veterans' property tax deduction from $250 to $2,500 over four years. | If approved by the voters of the State, this proposed constitutional amendment would increase the amount of the veterans' property tax deduction from the current $250 to $2,500. The increase would occur over four years. Veterans who are honorably discharged from active service in a branch of the United States Armed Forces qualify for the deduction. A qualified veteran's surviving spouse would receive the deduction after the qualified veteran dies. The amendment would increase the amount of the deduction to $1,000 in tax year 2025, $1,500 in tax year 2026, $2,000 in tax year 2027, and $2,500 in tax year 2028, and every tax year thereafter. The voters of the State last approved an increase in the amount of the deduction in 1999, from $50 to $250, over four years. The amount of the deduction has been $250 since 2003. | In Committee |
| SJR124 | Designates June 1 of each year as "Tae Kwon Do Day" in NJ. | This joint resolution designates June 1 of each year as "Tae Kwon Do Day" in New Jersey to recognize its positive impact on participants and to encourage increased participation. Tae Kwon Do is a traditional Korean martial art that emphasizes fast, high kicks, hand techniques such as punches, blocks, and strikes, and a mind-body connection. Tae Kwon Do is practiced in over 200 countries, making it one of the most popular forms of martial arts in the world. Tae Kwon Do is also popular in New Jersey with training centers located across the State. Tae Kwon Do is associated with a myriad of benefits. Tae Kwon Do participants develop improved flexibility, balance, and agility as well as self-discipline, respect, confidence, and enhanced mental strength. Tae Kwon Do can positively impact participants' mental health, foster a sense of community and camaraderie through group training, and promote personal safety by improving participants' sense of situational awareness. As Tae Kwon Do is practiced throughout the State and can benefit New Jerseyans of all ages and abilities, it is fitting to designate June 1 of each year as "Tae Kwon Do Day" in New Jersey. | In Committee |
| S3414 | Permits sale of raw milk under certain conditions and establishes raw milk permit program. | This bill would permit the sale of raw milk by a person holding a valid raw milk permit. The bill would also require the Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Department of Health, to establish a raw milk permit program. The bill authorizes permit holders to sell, offer for sale or otherwise make available raw milk at the farm or property where the raw milk is produced. The bill also establishes standards for the quality of the raw milk that is produced by a permit holder. To protect the public health, the bill establishes certain prerequisites that must be met before a raw milk permit may be granted, including: (1) a signed affidavit by the permit applicant certifying that no growth hormones will be used in the process of producing raw milk; (2) conspicuous warning requirements stating that raw milk does not provide the protection of pasteurization, including specific labeling on dispensing containers and sold containers and specific signage; (3) submission to certain inspections by the Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Department of Health; and (4) compliance with all applicable provisions of New Jersey's dairy laws, rules and regulations. The permit program would be funded by a permit fee estimated by the Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Department of Health, to cover the costs of administering the program. The Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Department of Health, would be required to conduct initial testing of the cows intended to be used for the production of raw milk, with ongoing testing as necessary. The permit holder is also required to conduct tests, at the permit holder's expense, to measure the levels of certain bacteria and pathogens in the raw milk produced. Failing test results are required to be reported to the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health. If the permit holder fails to meet certain standards, by failing two consecutive tests in a one year period, then the raw milk permit would be revoked. | 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 |
| S3326 | Establishes State as purchaser of last resort for produce; directs Department of Agriculture to establish program. | The bill establishes the State as a buyer of last resort of unsold produce. The bill directs the Department of Agriculture (DOA) to establish and implement, in cooperation with the Department of Health (DOH), a program for the purchase by the State of unsold produce from farmers and the distribution of the purchased produce to food banks, homeless shelters, senior citizen centers, adult day care centers, veterans organizations, and any other appropriate nonprofit recipients that provide food or meals to the public. The DOA would purchase the produce for a reasonable market price, as determined by the department, from a participating farmer who has been unable to sell the produce in a timely manner to any other outlet or purchaser, and provide for its distribution to recipients participating in the program. The DOA would ensure compliance with any DOH rules, regulations, or guidelines concerning the purchase and distribution of food which the DOH determines to be relevant for the program. Finally, the DOA is required to adopt any regulations necessary to implement the program and to include in its annual budget request a request for funds sufficient to implement the program and provide for the purchases and distribution thereof through the program. | 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 |
| S3325 | Makes FY 2024 supplemental appropriation of $500,000 from General Fund to Department of Agriculture for Jersey Fresh marketing and promotion activities. | This bill supplements the Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations act to make an additional appropriation of $500,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Agriculture to increase funding to the Jersey Fresh program. Jersey Fresh is an advertising and marketing program that helps farmers inform consumers about the availability of locally grown produce. The program began in 1984 as a $50,000 campaign before accruing appropriations of over $1 million per year; funding has since been limited to $100,000 as the campaign approaches its 40th anniversary. Under the fiscal year 2024 appropriations act, Jersey Fresh programs received $100,000 for the purpose of marketing and promoting locally grown produce. This bill increases the funding for FY 2025 by $500,000. The sponsor intends this appropriation to replace the use of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Specialty Crops Block Grant for the Jersey Fresh program. As a result of the supplemental appropriation, the amount of federal money available to farmers and organizations from this needed federal grant program will be increased, as up to 50 percent of the federal grant funds are used to fund the Jersey Fresh program. This bill would rebalance the funding of the Jersey Fresh program and the amount available for USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant awards so that both benefit the State's farmers to the fullest. | In Committee |
| S3293 | Modifies eligibility requirements for other retirement income exclusion concerning other sources of income. | This bill amends the eligibility requirements concerning other sources of income as it relates to the retirement income exclusion. Under current law, taxpayers are not allowed to claim the retirement income exclusion if they have income in excess of $3,000 from certain sources of income, such as salaries, wages, tips, fees, commissions, net profits from businesses, distributive share of partnership income, net pro rate share of S corporation income, and others. This bill increases the income limit for those sources of income to $25,000. However, if a taxpayer's total gross income exceeds $100,000, the taxpayer will still be ineligible for this exclusion. | In Committee |
| S2082 | Establishes New Jersey Educator Evaluation Review Task Force; clarifies collection of student growth data. | An Act establishing the "New Jersey Educator Evaluation Review Task Force," and amending and supplementing P.L.2012, c.26. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3244 | Revises law concerning substance use disorder treatment facility patient referrals. | This bill would revise the current law that criminalizes certain payments for the referral of patients to substance use disorder treatment facilities. The bill makes it a crime of the third degree for a person to make or receive a payment or otherwise furnish or receive any fee, commission, or rebate to any person in connection with the referral of patients to a facility licensed in accordance with section 8 of P.L.1975, c.305 (C.26:2B-14) for substance use disorder treatment or services or to a substance use disorder treatment facility issued a certificate of approval pursuant to P.L.1970, c.334 (C.26:2G-21 et seq.). The bill makes it a crime of the third degree for a person to knowingly assist, conspire with, or urge any person to make, furnish, or receive a payment, fee, commission, or rebate in violation of P.L.2021, c.31 (C.2C:40A-6). Under current law, these offenses are crimes of the fourth degree. The bill would also establish a fine of $50,000 that would automatically be applied to any person who violates these patient referral laws. The bill expressly includes health care providers, health care facilities, non-profit organizations, and recovery residences under the scope of these patient referral laws. | In Committee |
| S3259 | Establishes presumption for accidental disability retirement in PERS and PFRS that emergency medical technician, firefighter, and police officer has Parkinson's disease as result of employment. | This bill creates a presumption for the accidental disability retirement pension in the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) and the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) that an emergency medical technician, a firefighter, and a police officer with Parkinson's disease has the disease as a result of their employment. The bill specifies the presumption is created when an emergency medical technician, a firefighter, and a police officer exhibited no evidence of Parkinson's disease at the start of their enrollment in PERS or PFRS. An emergency medical technician, a firefighter, and a police officer who later exhibits symptoms of the disease has a presumption that the permanent and total disability resulting from the disease was the result of the performance of regular or assigned duties and was not the result of the member's willful negligence. | In Committee |
| S3253 | Revises licensure and regulatory requirements for residential substance use disorders treatment facilities or programs. | This bill revises licensure and regulatory requirements for residential substance use disorders treatment facilities or programs. Under the bill, the Department of Health (department) is to require an applicant for licensure to operate as a residential substance use disorders treatment facility or program to submit to the department a financial audit of business and personal finances that is conducted by an independent, certified public accountant, who is chosen by the department. The applicant is to bear the cost of the audit. The department is to deny an application for licensure if the financial audit reveals business practices or financial activities that are deemed improper or questionable by the department. The bill provides that the department is to require an applicant for licensure to operate as a residential substance use disorders treatment facility or program to complete a criminal history record background check and submit to being fingerprinted. The department is to deny an application for licensure if the results of the criminal background check reveal a conviction involving dishonesty or fraud. The bill requires the department to periodically conduct unannounced inspections of residential substance use disorders treatment facilities or programs, with each facility or program receiving at least one unannounced inspection annually. Under the bill, the operator of a residential substance use disorders treatment facility or program is to file an annual report with the department detailing all events that jeopardized the health, safety, or welfare of residents or staff. The department is to require a residential substance use disorders treatment facility or program to disclose certain financial and administrative information to an entity that is reviewing the facility's or program's application for State or local funding, as provided in the bill. Finally, the department is to establish guidelines and standards to ensure best practices for peer recovery counselors who operate within a residential substance use disorders treatment facility or program. | In Committee |
| S3254 | Prohibits substance use disorder treatment providers from using deceptive marketing practices. | This bill prohibits the use of deceptive marketing practices by substance use disorder treatment providers. The bill defines a "treatment provider" as a facility licensed in accordance with section 8 of P.L.1975, c.305 (C.26:2B-14) for substance use disorder treatment or services, a substance use disorder treatment facility issued a certificate of approval pursuant to P.L.1970, c.334 (C.26:2G-21 et seq.), or a recovery residence located within the State. The bill requires each treatment provider in the State to provide accurate and complete information, in plain language, on the types and methods of services provided, the location in which services are provided, and the treatment provider's name and brand name when publishing or disseminating any marketing or advertising materials. Under the bill, it will be an unlawful practice for a treatment provider to: (1) make a false or misleading statement about the treatment provider's status as an in-network or out-of-network provider; (2) provide, or direct any other person or entity to provide, false or misleading information about the identity of, or contact information for, any treatment provider; (3) include false or misleading information about the Internet address of any treatment provider's website, or to surreptitiously direct or redirect a person to another website; (4) suggest or imply that a relationship with another treatment provider exists, unless the other treatment provider has provided express, written consent to indicate that relationship; (5) make a false or misleading statement about the substance use disorder treatment services the treatment provider provides; or (6) make a false or misleading statement about the geographic location of the treatment provider or the geographic location in which the treatment provider provides substance use disorder treatment services. Any treatment provider who violates the provisions of the bill will be liable to a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 for each violation. Any person who suffers any injury or damages as a result of the use or employment by a treatment provider of any method, act, or practice declared unlawful under the bill may bring an action or assert a counterclaim therefor in any court of competent jurisdiction. The court will, in addition to any appropriate legal or equitable relief, award threefold the damages sustained by any person in interest and award reasonable attorney's fees, filing fees, and reasonable costs of suit. The Office of Licensing in the Department of Health may investigate alleged violations of this bill. Upon finding a violation, the division may suspend or revoke the treatment provider's license or certification, if applicable, or may impose a civil penalty against the treatment provider. If the department imposes a civil penalty, the civil penalty will be not more than $1,000 for each violation. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| S3268 | Permits agriculture-related events on preserved farmland. | This bill provides that a person may hold an agriculture-related event on preserved farmland if the owner of the land first obtains a permit from the county agriculture development board to hold such an event. The bill defines "agriculture-related event" as a festival or other event taking place once or a few times in a year on a specific day or specific consecutive days featuring an activity or group of activities highlighting an agricultural or horticultural practice or product implemented or grown on a farm. These events may include, but are not limited to, hay bale races, flower shows, pumpkin tossing and "punkin chunkin" festivals, tractor pulls, and similar activities. The bill also provides that the county agriculture development board may issue an agriculture-related event permit to the owner of preserved farmland in the county if: 1) no more than four permits are issued for the farm per year; and 2) the event only temporarily disturbs the use of the land for agricultural or horticultural purposes, and does not interfere with the use of the land for those purposes after the event has concluded. The bill specifies that holding an agriculture-related event for which a permit has been issued shall not be considered a violation of any agricultural deed restriction for farmland preservation on the land if the person holding the event complies with the terms and conditions of the permit as it was issued. | In Committee |
| S3208 | Prohibits institution of higher education which boycotts or divests from Israel-supporting or Israeli businesses from receiving State funds. | This bill prohibits an institution of higher education which boycotts or divests from Israel-supporting businesses or Israeli businesses from receiving State funds. Under the bill, an institution of higher education is prohibited from receiving State operating aid; the proceeds State-supported revenue bonds that are issued by the New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority; the proceeds of State general obligation bonds; or funds awarded to a student enrolled in the institution distributed through any State student assistance or scholarship program administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority if the institution, including all endowment funds, subdivisions, departments, and sections of the institution: boycotts the goods, products, or businesses of Israel; boycotts entities doing business with Israel; boycotts companies operating in Israel or Israeli-controlled territory; divests from any investment due to a company's support, either through in-kind or for-profit, of Israel; or supports or participates in the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement. | In Committee |
| S3219 | Establishes Elementary Student Literacy Task Force. | This bill establishes the "Elementary Student Literacy Task Force." The purpose of the task force is to assess the current reading levels of elementary school students in the public schools and identify best practices towards supporting all elementary school students to read at, or above, grade level. The task force is to consist of 17 members as follows:· the Commissioner of Education, or a designee, who shall serve ex officio;· one member appointed by the President of the Senate and one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate, both of whom are to be members of the public with demonstrated expertise in issues relating to the work of the task force;· one member appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the General Assembly, both of whom are to be members of the public with demonstrated expertise in issues relating to the work of the task force and at least one of whom is to have expertise in children's reading disabilities; and· 12 members appointed by the Governor, including various representatives of the education community. The task force is to organize no later than the 90th day after the bill's effective date. The Department of Education is to provide administrative support. Under the bill, the duty of the task force is to:· examine current data on the reading levels of elementary school students in the State;· analyze reading intervention techniques, including scientifically-backed approaches to teaching students to read;· research promising programs and initiatives addressing early literacy across the nation to identify best practices that may be replicated in the State;· identify professional development options for teaching staff members to improve staff knowledge of the most effective instructional techniques for promoting literacy; · study practices for diagnosing, treating, and educating students with reading disabilities or who are reading below grade level, and how the State's current laws and regulations affect these students; and· develop recommendations on the most effective ways for school districts to promote family engagement in reading. The bill directs the Elementary Student Literacy Task Force to issue a final report to the Governor and the Legislature no later than one year after the task force organizes. The task force will expire on the 30th day after the issuance of its final report. | In Committee |
| SR102 | Urges Congress to pass "Safe and Open Streets Act." | This resolution urges Congress to pass the "Safe and Open Streets Act." The Act, which is currently pending in Congress as S.3492 and H.R.6926, criminalizes the blocking of a public road or highway. Specifically, the Act makes it a crime to, in any way or degree, purposely obstruct, delay, or affect commerce or the movement of any article or commodity in commerce by blocking a public road or highway, or to attempt or conspire to do so. "The Safe and Open Streets Act" is in response to the increasing use of blocking roadways and highways by protestors across the United States. In wake of the Israeli-Palestine conflict, there have been numerous reports of anti-Israel protests blocking roadways and highways in places such as Los Angeles and New York City. These protests are not only dangerous for motorists traversing the roadways, but also for the individuals occupying the roadways. Further, the blocking of roadways requires law enforcement agencies to divert resources to respond to the protest and negatively influences the free flow of commerce throughout the country. The "Safe and Open Streets Act" provides an avenue for individuals who purposely block roadways or highways to face the consequences of those actions. | In Committee |
| S3238 | Requires Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery-Armed Forces Qualifying Test to be offered as alternative assessment for high school graduation proficiency test requirement. | This bill requires the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery- Armed Forces Qualifying Test to be offered as alternative assessment for the high school graduation proficiency test requirement. Current law requires public high school students to pass the State graduation proficiency test to demonstrate mastery of the State graduation proficiency standards. State Board of Education regulations establish graduation pathways, which provide that a student may demonstrate proficiency by: 1) achieving a passing score on the State graduation proficiency test; 2) achieving a passing score on a corresponding substitute competency test; or 3) demonstrating proficiency through the portfolio appeals process. The regulations define "substitute competency test" to mean, for students in the classes of 2018 through 2022, an alternative set of third-party assessments approved by the Commissioner, including, but not limited to, the SAT, PSAT, ACT, ACT-Aspire, Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery-Armed Forces Qualifying Test, or Accuplacer, that can be used to demonstrate competency in the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for students who have not demonstrated proficiency on the State graduation proficiency test. In May 2023, the State Board of Education approved the graduation test requirements for the 2024 and 2025 classes, as well as the list of substitute competency tests, but removed the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery-Armed Forces Qualifying Test. It is the intent of this bill to reinstate the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery-Armed Forces Qualifying Test as an alternative assessment by adding it back to the list of substitute competency tests. | In Committee |
| S876 | Makes FY2024 supplemental appropriation of $17 million for grants for certain lake management activities for recreation and conservation purposes. | This bill makes a one-time supplemental appropriation of $17 million for Fiscal Year 2024 to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from the General Fund. The bill directs the DEP to establish a program to use these funds for grants to assist qualified entities to pay certain costs associated with the management and maintenance of lakes for recreation and conservation purposes. The bill requires the DEP to develop criteria for the evaluation and ranking of applications to provide priority to projects submitted by qualified entities responsible for a lake with public access; and projects to improve water quality and increase recreational access and use of lakes, including projects to control nutrient levels in lakes in order to prevent future harmful algal blooms. The bill provides that a grant issued pursuant to the bill may be used for stormwater and nonpoint source pollution management activities, if the DEP determines that those activities would directly enhance, improve, or protect the use of a lake for recreation and conservation purposes. The bill defines "qualified entity" to mean: the Greenwood Lake Commission; the Lake Hopatcong Commission; a local government unit; an entity established pursuant to law or an entity established pursuant to ordinance by the municipalities surrounding a publicly-accessible lake for the management of the lake, including, but not limited to, the Deal Lake Commission or the Lake Topanemus Park Commission; or a nonprofit organization that is exempt from federal taxation pursuant to 26 U.S.C. s.501 (c)(3) and whose mission is the management or maintenance of a publicly-accessible lake. In the 2020-2021 legislative session $10 million was appropriated to the DEP for the same purpose. | 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 |
| S3146 | Extends for five years expiration date of special appraisal process for Green Acres program and farmland preservation program for lands in Highlands Region. | This bill extends the expiration date of the special appraisal process provided by law for State-funded land acquisitions under the Green Acres program and the farmland preservation program from June 30, 2024 to June 30, 2029 for lands located in the Highlands Region. The term "special appraisal process" refers to the process in which the State or other eligible participants are currently required by law to conduct two appraisals of lands that are proposed for acquisition, one of which is based on the property value on the proposed acquisition date, the other based on the value of the property as of January 1, 2004. The higher of the two values is used as the basis of negotiation with the landowner when determining the property's final acquisition price. | 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 |
| S3142 | Requires AG to repeal law enforcement directive restricting law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. | This bill requires the Attorney General to repeal Attorney General Law Enforcement Directive No. 2018-6, which restricts law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Under the directive, among other provisions, State, county, and local law enforcement are prohibited from providing certain assistance to federal immigration authorities when the sole purpose is to enforce federal civil immigration law. In addition to other restrictions, the directive prohibits law enforcement from providing notice of a detained individual's upcoming release from custody or continuing the detention of a person past the time the person would be released from custody based solely on a civil immigration detainer request, with certain exceptions. The restrictions set forth in this directive pose a danger to the citizens of this State and are a substantial threat to public safety. Therefore, it is imperative that this directive be repealed. | In Committee |
| SR93 | Opposes all proposals to change designation of Delaware Water Gap from National Recreation Area to National Park and Preserve, including proposal from Delaware River National Park and Lenape Preserve Alliance. | This resolution expresses opposition to all proposals to change the designation of the Delaware Water Gap from a National Recreation Area to a National Park and Preserve and expand the current boundaries of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area ("Delaware Water Gap") is a unit of the National Park System located in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that encompasses portions of Sussex and Warren Counties. The Delaware Water Gap offers numerous recreational opportunities that are enjoyed by the residents of Sussex and Warren counties, as well as residents from throughout the State and visitors from across the country. A recently proposed project titled "Delaware Water Gap: Redesignation Project" ("Redesignation Project") seeks to change the designation of the Delaware Water Gap from a National Recreation Area to the Delaware River National Park and Lenape Preserve, and to expand the area of the present Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The specifics and scope of the Redesignation Project and the environmental, economic, and agricultural impacts of the project, remain unknown, including if, and how, fees will be collected, and how the project will be funded. In addition, the Redesignation Project raises concerns that the rights of local property owners may be disregarded. It is possible the federal government will use eminent domain to acquire private and State property alongside the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, including nearby High Point State Park, Stokes State Forest, and Worthington State Forest. The conversion of private property to federal property would result in numerous economic ramifications. It would result in a reduction of tax revenue in affected municipalities, may negatively affect local school districts in the area, and may negatively affect the local economy by preventing farmers who lease land along the Delaware River from producing crops that feed livestock. The Redesignation Project may further affect the local economy by prohibiting or restricting recreational activities, including hunting. As stakeholders determined in 2016, prohibiting these recreational activities will cause local businesses in Sussex and Warren counties to suffer financially, and prevent local residents from enjoying hunting and other recreational activities locally. | In Committee |
| S3129 | Upgrades burglary of residence to crime of the second degree. | Presently, burglary is punishable under N.J.S.2C:18-2 as a crime of the second degree if the defendant either was armed or inflicted, attempted to inflict or threatened, bodily injury during the course of the offense. In all other circumstances, burglary is a crime of the third degree. A crime of the second degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment between five to 10 years, a fine not to exceed $150,000 or both. A crime of the third degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment between three to five years, a fine not to exceed $15,000 or both. This bill upgrades the crime of burglary of a residence to a crime of the second degree. Specifically, the bill makes it second degree burglary to unlawfully enter or surreptitiously remain in a dwelling or other structure adapted for overnight accommodation of persons, whether or not a person is actually present. This bill further provides that a person who commits second degree burglary of a residence under the bill would be subject to the provisions of the No Early Release Act (NERA). Under NERA, persons convicted of certain enumerated violent crimes of the first or second degree are required to serve a minimum term of at least 85% of the sentence imposed. | In Committee |
| S3099 | Concerns justified use of force and deadly force. | This bill revises the law concerning the justified use of force and deadly force. Under the bill, a person is justified in using or threatening to use force, except deadly force, against another when and to the extent that the person reasonably believes that such conduct is necessary to defend himself or herself or another against the other person's imminent use of unlawful force. A person who uses or threatens to use such force does not have a duty to retreat before using or threatening to use such force. The bill provides that a person is justified in using or threatening to use deadly force if the person reasonably believes that using or threatening to use deadly force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to the person or another or to prevent the imminent commission of a crime set forth in section 2 of P.L.1995, c.126 (C.2C:43-7.1). The referenced crimes are those enumerated in the "Three Strikes" law. They include murder; aggravated manslaughter; manslaughter; kidnapping; aggravated sexual assault; robbery; carjacking; aggravated assault; burglary; and unlawful possession of a weapon. A person who uses or threatens to use deadly force under the bill does not have a duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground if the person is not engaged in the commission of a crime and is in a place where the person has a right to be. The bill repeals the current statutes concerning the use of force and deadly force, set out in N.J.S.2C:3-4 through N.J.S.2C:3-7. | In Committee |
| S3103 | Clarifies crime of highway and public passage obstruction and increases penalties. | This bill creates separate crimes for recklessly and purposefully obstructing a highway or public passage in this State and increases the penalties for doing so. Under current law, it is a petty disorderly offense for a person, who, having no legal privilege to do so, purposely or recklessly obstructs any highway or other public passage whether alone or with others. Further, it is a petty disorderly persons offense for a person in a gathering to refuse to obey a reasonable official request or order to move off the highway or public passage. A petty disorderly offense is punishable by up to 30 days imprisonment, a fine of up to $500, or both. Under the bill, it is a disorderly persons offense for a person who, having no legal privilege to do so, recklessly obstructs any highway or other public passage. Further, it is a crime of the fourth degree for a person who, having no legal privilege to do so, purposely obstructs, delays, or affects commerce or the movement of any article or commodity in commerce by obstructing any highway or other public passage. Finally, the bill makes it a disorderly persons offense for a person in a gathering to refuse to obey a reasonable official request or order to move off the highway or public passage. A disorderly persons offense is punishable by up to six months imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. | In Committee |
| S3073 | Authorizes municipality to enact ordinance regulating where certain sex offenders may reside. | This bill permits a municipality to enact an ordinance establishing areas in or around elementary or secondary schools, playgrounds, or child care centers where certain registered sex offenders may be prohibited from residing. It is the Legislature's intent to enhance the public safety by permitting municipalities to enact ordinances to prevent convicted sex offenders who have committed crimes against minors from residing within 500 feet of a school, playground or child care center, subject to certain statutorily-enumerated exceptions. The bill establishes specific limitations that the ordinance may impose on sex offenders establishing residences. These ordinances would be applicable to a "person subject to limitations," which the bill defines as a person over the age of 21 subject to the registration requirements set forth in Megan's Law who has been convicted of, adjudicated delinquent or found not guilty by reason of insanity for a sex offense in which the victim was under 18 years of age, except for those offenders whose risk of re-offense has been determined to be low. Under the bill's provisions, an ordinance could be formulated to prohibit a person subject to limitations from residing within 500 feet of the real property comprising an elementary or secondary school, playground, or child care center, provided that the ordinance does not prohibit these persons from residing in every residentially-zoned area within the municipality. The municipal ordinance is not to be applied to prohibit a person from residing within 500 feet of an elementary or secondary school, playground, or child care center if: (1) the person is required to serve a sentence at a jail, prison, juvenile facility or other correctional institution or facility or is involuntarily committed to a psychiatric, mental health or other facility which is located within 500 feet of the elementary or secondary school, playground, or child care center; (2) the person resides and receives services at an institution, mental health or other facility licensed or permitted by the Department of Human Services which is located within 500 feet of an elementary or secondary school, playground, or child care center; (3) the parole board, after considering the person's housing options, determines that a needs-based exception for the person is required; or (4) a court that discharges the person from a psychiatric facility determines that an exception is appropriate. The bill provides that an ordinance is not to be applied to prohibit a person from continuing to reside at a residence established by that person within the municipality prior to the enactment of the ordinance. Under the bill, an ordinance enacted pursuant to the bill is required to provide that the municipal engineer is required to produce a map for the purpose of depicting the location and boundaries of the areas. The original of every map is to be filed with the clerk of the municipality and be maintained as an official record of the municipality. | In Committee |
| S3093 | Establishes expedited ejectment proceeding to remove certain unauthorized real property occupants. | This bill establishes an expedited ejectment proceeding to remove certain unauthorized occupants of real property. In an action by a property owner in the Superior Court to obtain possession of real property from a person occupying the property without the consent of the owner, without color of title, and without making any prior payment for the occupancy, the bill requires the court to, within three business days of receiving a verified complaint, allow a hearing on the complaint to proceed. The court is required to notify the real property owner or the owner's agent of the court's determination. If the court allows a special expedited ejectment proceeding, the court is required to fix the date of the hearing, to occur on or before the fifth business day following the court's determination. In the complaint filed by the real property owner or the owner's agent, the real property owner or the owner's agent is required to certify the following:· that prior to the submission of the complaint to the court, the property occupant has been provided with written notice of the complaint or written notice has been posted prominently on the real property;· the person verifying the complaint is the property owner or the owner's agent;· the occupant of the property has never been a lawful tenant of the property, and does not lawfully own or possess the real property; · the occupant of the property has never paid rent to the property owner or the owner's agent; and · the occupant of the property has never had a written lease or other written permission from the property owner or the owner's agent, to reside on the property. In addition to any notice that the Administrative Director of the Courts may determine to be appropriate, a property occupant, who is the subject of a complaint submitted in accordance with the bill, would be provided with written notice of the date, time, and location of the special expedited ejectment proceeding within 24 hours of scheduling. If, in a special expedited ejectment proceeding, the court determines that the information certified by the owner or the owner's agent is accurate, the bill requires the court to issue a writ of possession. An officer of the court is required by the bill to remove the unauthorized occupant following the issuance of the writ of possession. The bill provides that the court would be authorized to extend the timeline requirements, if necessary in the interest of justice, in extraordinary circumstances. The bill provides that a person commits a crime of the third degree if the person knowingly forges a document for the purpose of availing oneself of, or circumventing, the special ejectment proceeding processes established in the bill. A crime of the third degree is punishable by imprisonment for three to five years, and a fine of up to $15,000. As a result of existing provisions of chapter 39 of Title 2A of the New Jersey Statutes, which this bill supplements, a property owner who prevails in an action initiated pursuant to the bill, would recover all damages proximately caused by the unlawful occupancy, including court costs and reasonable attorney's fees. Additionally, the bill provides that a prevailing property owner would be entitled to treble damages for all damages proximately caused by the unlawful entry and detainer. The bill would take effect on the first day of the third month following enactment, and would apply to an action for a writ of possession initiated on or after that date. | In Committee |
| S3076 | Amends appropriations act to provide funding for restoration of State school aid reductions for certain school districts; shifts $64,920,000 from certain appropriations for purposes of restoring aid; provides supplemental appropriation of $145,215,047. | This bill amends the FY 2024 appropriations act to provide funding for the restoration of State school aid reductions for certain school districts. The bill ensures that: 1) school districts that previously received an allotment of Supplemental Stabilization Aid under P.L.2023, c.32 receive such aid in the same amount allocated to the district under that law; and 2) that a school district proposed to experience a State school aid reduction in the 2024-2025 school year receive an additional amount of State school aid equal to the difference between the amount of aid received in the 2023-2024 school year and the amount of aid proposed for the 2024-2025 school year. The total funds that would be appropriated under the bill to effectuate these purposes is $210,135,047. The bill would shift a total of approximately $64.9 million in funds from current FY 2024 appropriations, as well as certain unexpended balances from appropriations made in prior fiscal years, to provide for a portion of the total funding needed to effectuate the purposes of the bill. In order to provide for the remaining need, the bill appropriates an additional $145.2 million from the General Fund for the bill's purposes. | In Committee |
| S2984 | Extends closing time of polling places by one hour. | This bill extends the closing time of polling places by one hour. Under current law, in most circumstances, polling places open at 6:00 A.M. and close at 8:00 P.M. This bill changes the closing time, in most circumstances, to 9:00 P.M. The bill extends the closing time for early voting sites. Early voting sites are currently open 10:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. Monday through Saturday and 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. on Sunday. This bill requires early voting sites to stay open until 9:00 P.M. Monday through Saturday and until 7:00 P.M. on Sunday. The office of the municipal clerk is open on election day to assist voters. Under current law, the office of the municipal clerk is open from 6:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. This bill requires the office of the municipal clerk to stay open until 9:00 P.M. This bill extends the time for which minors between 16 and 18 years of age serving at an election are required to stop. Under current law, they are permitted to serve until 9:00 P.M. This bill changes the time minors must complete service from 9:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. to account for the later poll closing time. Requiring the polls to stay open an extra hour will allow for more flexibility for voters who choose to vote in the evening hours. | In Committee |
| SCR95 | Urges Congress and President of US to enact legislation addressing interstate transportation of firearms or ammunition. | This concurrent resolution urges Congress and the President of the United States to enact H.R.225, which addresses interstate transportation of firearms or ammunition. In amending the "Firearm Owners' Protection Act of 1986," this bill provides increased legal protection for a person who transports a licensed firearm to and from a state where it may be legally possessed, provided that the firearm remains unloaded and stored in a locked container. In particular, the bill broadens the definition of "transport" to offer legal protection for traveling gun owners during overnight stays; medical emergencies; food, fuel, and vehicle maintenance stops; as well as any activity incidental to transport. Under current law, a law-abiding gun owner may face imprisonment for choosing to exercise their constitutional right to transport legal firearms through a state with strict gun laws. For example, despite his every attempt to comply with federal guidelines, Greg Revell was jailed for 10 days in New Jersey after attempting to travel through the State in 2005 with his licensed firearm. Moreover, the chances of unnecessary legal complications are increased when unpredictable events, such as delayed or missed flights, disrupt a traveler's itinerary, as was the case with Mr. Revell. This criminalization of law-abiding citizens is an injustice that requires remedial federal action in the form of H.R.225. | In Committee |
| SR80 | Urges Congress and US President to enact "Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act." | This resolution urges Congress and the President of the United States to enact the "Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act," which is pending before the House of Representatives as H.R. 38. H.R. 38 authorizes a person possessing a valid identification document containing the person's photograph to carry a concealed handgun, other than a machine gun or destructive device, in any state, so long as the individual is not prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal law or from carrying a concealed firearm in the individual's state of residence. This legislation also requires the person to first obtain a permit to carry a concealed firearm before traveling with a firearm into other states, and respects states' rights by requiring the traveler to comply with restrictions of the state to which the individual is traveling when present in that state. States may currently decline to recognize concealed carry permits lawfully issued in other states, leaving citizens traveling in those states without the ability to protect themselves and their families. The resolution urges Congress and the President of the United States to move forward with the enactment of H.R. 38 to: 1) safeguard our citizens' constitutionally protected Second Amendment rights, and 2) allow our citizens to engage in interstate travel without fear of sacrificing their Second Amendment rights or the ability to protect themselves and their families. | In Committee |
| S2910 | Prohibits DEP from requiring person under 16 years of age to obtain horseback riding permit to ride in State wildlife management areas. | This bill would prohibit the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from requiring a person under 16 years of age to obtain a permit from the Division of Fish and Wildlife to engage in horseback riding in a State wildlife management area. The bill further prohibits the DEP from charging a person under 16 years of age a $2.00 nonrefundable permit application fee. | In Committee |
| S2909 | Authorizes voluntary donation of expired food or food waste to farmers; authorizes donations if farmer waives liability. | This bill authorizes any retail seller or distributor to donate expired food or food waste to a farmer for use as animal feed, provided the farmer signs and submits to the retail seller or distributor a liability waiver. The bill also directs the Farm Liaison, established pursuant to P.L.2019, c.94 (C.4:1-48), to: 1) collaborate with farmers and retail sellers and distributors to develop contacts and networks to request, process, and receive expired food or food waste donations; and 2) coordinate communications about expired food or food waste available for donation and distribution. The bill specifies the liability waiver provide that the person signing the waiver: 1) understands and accepts the potential dangers and negative impacts for people or animals consuming expired food or food waste; 2) releases the retail seller or distributor from any liability with regard to the donated expired food or food waste; and 3) waives any right to legal action as a result of accepting the donated expired food or food waste. | In Committee |
| S2839 | "Energy Security and Affordability Act"; requires BPU to consider energy security, diversity, and affordability when preparing Energy Master Plan and perform economic and ratepayer impact analysis of energy generation projects and Energy Master Plan. | This bill would amend P.L.1977, c.146 (C.52:27F-14), which establishes the State's Energy Master Plan Committee, to require the Board of Public Utilities (BPU), when preparing the Energy Master Plan or any portion thereof or amendment thereto, to consider the following: (1) the energy needs, supplies, and reliability in all geographic areas of the State; (2) the use and development of diverse energy generation sources including, but not limited to, solar, wind, nuclear, hydrogen, natural gas, and renewable natural gas to assure a reliable and sufficient energy supply; (3) the affordability of energy generation, transmission, and distribution to ratepayers; (4) the prioritization of in-State energy generation, to the extent practicable and feasible to minimize subsidies for out-of-State energy generation; and (5) the use of incentives, rather than mandates, when feasible, to increase consumer transparency and choice. The bill would also require the Energy Master Plan to provide that intermittent energy sources are not to exceed 50 percent of the State's energy generation portfolio. The bill updates membership of the Energy Master Plan Committee in accordance with Governor Murphy's Executive Order No. 28. The bill also adds the heads of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of the Rate Counsel, and New Jersey Infrastructure Bank, or their designees, as members of the Energy Master Plan Committee. In addition, the bill would require the BPU to perform an analysis of any energy generation facility project prior to issuing final approval, and of the State's Energy Master Plan no later than six months after publishing an update thereto. Specifically, the analysis would: (1) detail the cost, financial impact to the State and any applicable local government unit, effect on ratepayers, and economic impact of the energy policy or project, as applicable; (2) provide a breakdown of all associated costs including, but not limited to, the capital cost of energy generation, transmission, and distribution as well as the capital cost of any infrastructure upgrades needed; (3) use only open source modeling software, and provide details about the software used and all parameters entered into the model; (4) provide an opportunity for public comment at least 30 days prior to the publication of the analysis, and include all pertinent written comments received as part of the analysis; and (5) be published and maintained for at least 10 years on the board's Internet website. The bill would also require the BPU, upon invitation, to present testimony each year to the Senate Environment and Energy Committee and the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee on the analyses it performed during the previous year. | In Committee |
| S2779 | Authorizes reimbursement for EMT training from EMT Training Fund for certain volunteer firefighters. | This bill clarifies that agencies, entities and organizations that train and certify volunteer emergency medical technicians will be reimbursed for the cost of providing that training and certification to volunteer members of first aid and rescue squads, as well as to volunteer firefighters. Currently, any private agency, organization or entity that trains and tests members of volunteer ambulance, first aid and rescue squads seeking emergency medical technician certification or recertification may be reimbursed from the Emergency Medical Technician Training Fund. This bill provides that reimbursement will also be made when this training is provided to members of volunteer fire companies. | 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 |
| S2557 | Establishes requirements for sale and planting of running bamboo; requires recordkeeping of certain violations and consideration thereof as grounds for license or registration review. | This bill would establish uniform requirements Statewide for the sale and planting of running bamboo. Running bamboo is defined in the bill as any bamboo in the genus Phyllostachys, including Phyllostachys aureosulcata. The bill would not take effect until the 60th day following the date of enactment. Specifically, under the bill, only a certified nurseryman may sell running bamboo in the State. In addition, only licensed landscape architects, registered home improvement contractors, and their employees and contractors may plant running bamboo. Any person who sells or plants running bamboo without the proper qualification would be subject to a $100 fine. Each day during which the violation continues would constitute a separate offense. Additionally, the bill provides that a licensed landscape architect or registered home improvement contractor who plants running bamboo may not plant it on any property within 100 feet of the property boundary line or a public right-of-way unless certain measures are taken to contain the running bamboo. A licensed landscape architect or registered home improvement contractor who fails to comply with these requirements would be liable to a civil penalty of $100 for the first offense, and a civil penalty of $250 for a second or subsequent offense. The bill provides the civil penalty would be collected in a summary proceeding pursuant to the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," and enforced by a municipal court or the Superior Court. In addition to imposition of the civil penalty, the court would be required to report the violator and offense to the Division of Consumer Affairs. Furthermore, the bill requires the Division of Consumer Affairs to maintain records of the reported violators and offenses. The bill authorizes the division, upon receiving multiple reports concerning a licensed landscape architect or registered home improvement contractor, to consider the reports grounds for review of the landscape architect's license or the home improvement contractor's registration for suspension or revocation. The bill specifies that the number of reports that result in license or registration review would be at the discretion of the division. The bill provides that a person who owns property on which running bamboo is planted according to the bill's provisions, or a subsequent purchaser of the property or person who takes possession of the property pursuant to a foreclosure, would be responsible for maintaining the running bamboo in compliance with the bill. A person who fails to properly maintain the bamboo would be liable for any damages caused to any adjacent property by the running bamboo. However, if the spread of running bamboo onto an adjacent property is the result of improper planting of the running bamboo by a licensed landscape architect or registered home improvement contractor, the person who owns the property on which the bamboo was planted by seek indemnification from the licensed landscape architect or registered home improvement contractor. Finally, the bill would require the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety to require the property condition statement obtained from the seller to include the following question: "Are you aware of the presence of any bamboo or running bamboo (Phyllostachys aureosulcata or other bamboo in the genus Phyllostachys) on this property at any time in the past five years? If yes, describe the location of the running bamboo, and any action taken to remove or contain the running bamboo, it known." | In Committee |
| S2597 | Permits individual holding a nursing multistate license to be eligible for school nurse certification. | This bill permits registered nurses holding a nursing multistate license to be eligible for an educational services certificate with a school nurse endorsement, a school nurse/non-instructional endorsement, and a substitute school nurse/non-instructional credential. P.L.2019, c.172 (C.45:11A-9 et seq.) entered the State into the enhanced multistate Nurse Licensure Compact (eNCL). The eNLC provides for a mutual recognition model of nurse licensure in which a nurse needs to obtain one license from the nurse's state of residence in order to be permitted to practice nursing in any other state that is a party to the compact, as long as the nurse complies with the state practice laws of the state in which the patient is located at the time that care is rendered. This bill amends current law to permit a nurse holding a multistate license through the eNCL to be eligible for an educational services certificate with a school nurse endorsement, a school nurse/non-instructional endorsement, and a substitute school nurse/non-instructional credential. | In Committee |
| S2559 | Requires State reimbursement to municipalities of cost of disabled veterans' total property tax exemption. | This bill would require the State to annually reimburse each municipality for the cost of complying with the State mandate of affording disabled veterans with a total exemption from property taxation. The bill would require the State to cover the cost of the actual taxes exempted plus the administrative costs incurred by municipalities in connection with the reimbursement program. Under current law, each municipality must individually make up for any lost revenue resulting from a parcel of property being exempted from property taxation because of its ownership by a disabled veteran. This often results in an increase in taxes to other property taxpayers in the municipality or a reduction in municipal services. Because the number of qualifying disabled veterans varies from municipality to municipality, compliance with the State policy to exempt disabled veterans' property taxes impacts upon some municipalities more greatly than on others resulting in inequity. This bill would put an end to that inequity by having the State reimburse each municipality for the cost of complying with the State mandate of affording disabled veterans with a total exemption from property taxation. | In Committee |
| S2561 | Concerning noncitizens voting in local elections and conduct in office by local government officers. | This bill concerns conduct by local government officers while in office by declaring the actions of any local unit to authorize or permit individuals who are not citizens of the United States to vote in elections of the local unit to be against public policy and declare any such policies null and void. The bill maintains that, pursuant to Article II, Section I, paragraph 3 of the New Jersey Constitution and Title 19 of the New Jersey Statutes, only individuals who are citizens of the United States are eligible to vote in elections held in the State, and specifically prohibits elected local government officers from voting or acting to approve any ordinance or resolution which would allow individuals who are not citizens of the United States to vote in elections of the local unit. At least 14 municipalities in various states allow noncitizens to participate in certain elections. The bill also amends the "Local Government Ethics Law" to include violations of an elected local governmentofficer's oath of office by a local government officer as a violation under the "Local Government Ethics Law," and subject to potential fine. | In Committee |
| S2467 | Relates to provision of financial assistance to eligible property owners, renters, and vehicle owners impacted by remnants of Hurricane Ida; appropriates $100 million. | This bill provides funding for the Division of Disaster Recovery and Mitigation (division) in the Department of Community Affairs (department) to disburse as awards to eligible property owners, renters, and vehicle owners impacted by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. Under the bill, an "eligible property owner" is defined as an individual or household that is qualified to receive Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds because their primary residence on September 1, 2021 was in New Jersey and whose real or personal property was damaged as a result of the remnants of Hurricane Ida. For tenant renters, damages are to be established from FEMA or other evidence of at least one-foot of flood damage, or $100 worth of damage, as determined by the division. For owner-occupied real property, an eligible property owner is required to establish damages through a document from homeowner's or flood insurance, FEMA, or a letter from a municipality. For a vehicle owner, the property owner is required to establish damages, with insurance documentation sufficient to document significant damage to a vehicle. Under the bill, the division is required to develop policies and procedures including, but not limited to:· public advertising of benefits available through local media, social media, public events, and through community organizations;· providing information and consultation services to eligible remnants of Hurricane Ida survivors seeking benefits;· establishing uniform application forms to be used by eligible remnants of Hurricane Ida survivors;· establishing reasonable timelines concerning the application process, including a period where: (1) eligible property owners, renters, and vehicle owners may apply for awards; (2) applications are reviewed by the division, including establishing a process where applicants who have filed incomplete or faulty applications are notified of the incompleteness or faultiness and given adequate time to correct the identified problems; and (3) eligible property owners, renters, and vehicle owners are notified of the award of benefits; · a method of prioritizing reimbursement claims in the event that the total value of requested benefits by eligible property owners, renters, and vehicle owners who applied is an amount greater than the appropriation authorized under the bill. Under the bill, the division will award grants to eligible property owners, renters, and vehicle owners for categories described in the bill. The bill directs the division to issue a final report to the Governor and the Legislature no later than one year after all funds are disbursed as grant awards, which is required to include, but not be limited to, information concerning: the total number of individuals who applied for an award; the number of awards which were disbursed to eligible remnants of Hurricane Ida survivors; the average amount of the awards which were disbursed to eligible property owners, renters, and vehicle owners; and any recommendations that the division deems appropriate and necessary concerning the disbursement of funding for eligible property owners, renters, and vehicle owners. The bill appropriates $100 million from the General Fund for eligible property owner, renter, and vehicle owner assistance. | In Committee |
| S2468 | Prohibits State Board of Education from requiring student growth objectives to evaluate teachers. | This bill prohibits the State Board of Education from requiring the completion of student growth objectives as part of the evaluation of any teacher. Under current law, the State Board of Education sets the minimum standards for the teacher evaluation rubric. The student achievement component of the teacher evaluation rubric currently utilizes "student growth objectives," which are multiple assessments designed by teachers to measure student progress in relation to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. Student growth objectives account for between 15 and 50 percent of a teacher's overall evaluation. Under the bill, the State Board of Education would be prohibited from requiring student growth objectives, or any substantially similar assessment, as part of the evaluation of any teacher. | In Committee |
| S1470 | Provides workers' compensation benefits for certain public safety workers who developed illness or injury as result of responding to September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. | This bill provides that a public safety worker who participated in the response to the September 11, 2001 attacks and is treated or monitored through the World Trade Center Health Program established by the Centers for Disease Control is presumed to be compensable under the State workers' compensation law without respect to when the worker files his claim for compensation, except that the claim is required to be filed within two years after the effective date of the bill. A worker is deemed ineligible for the benefits if the worker is eligible for benefits for the same injury, illness, or death under workers' compensation programs of other states or the federal government. The bill requires the Division of Archives and Records Management in the Department of State, and each county, municipality, regional or joint public safety entity, or other agency involved in the public safety, to notify all active and retired personnel and next-of-kin, if the personnel are deceased, of the presumption of compensability within three months of the effective date of the bill. | In Committee |
| S740 | Revises elements of offense of agricultural trespass, expands number and type of activities constituting agricultural trespass, and expands definition of "lands" susceptible to agricultural trespass. | This bill would revise the law pertaining to the offense of agricultural trespass. Current law provides that a person commits the crime of agricultural trespass if the person either: (1) knowingly or recklessly operates a motorized vehicle or rides horseback upon the lands of another without obtaining and possessing the written permission of the owner, occupant, lessee, or licensee of the lands; or (2) knowingly or recklessly damages or injures any tangible property, including any fence, building, feedstocks, crops, trees, or domestic animals, located on the lands of another. Current law also provides for the imposition of a civil penalty in cases where a person knowingly or recklessly engages in these activities. This bill would eliminate the law's provisions requiring knowledge or recklessness to be established as an element of the offense of agricultural trespass, and it would additionally expand the types of activities that will be deemed to constitute such offense. Specifically, under the bill's provisions, a person would be deemed to have committed the crime of agricultural trespass, and would additionally be subject to a civil penalty for agricultural trespass, if the person: (1) encroaches upon the lands of another by entering or remaining on such lands, whether on foot, while riding horseback, while using a motorized or non-motorized vehicle, while operating motorized or non-motorized equipment, or otherwise, without obtaining and being in possession of the written permission of the owner, occupant, lessee, or licensee of the lands; or (2) damages or injures any tangible property, including, any fence, building, equipment, feedstock, crop, tree, or domestic animal, which is located on the lands of another. The bill would further clarify that nothing in the law will relieve the owners of agricultural or horticultural lands from the obligation to post conspicuous notice prohibiting trespass on the waters, or on the banks along or around any waters, which are listed for stocking with fish in the current State Fish and Game Code, adopted pursuant to section 32 of P.L.1948, c.448 (C.13:1B-30), before a trespass violation may be found to have occurred on such banks or in or on such waters. Under the bill's provisions, and consistent with existing law, any person who trespasses upon the agricultural or horticultural lands of another would be subject to a civil penalty of at least $100, and any person who operates a motorized vehicle, operates motorized equipment, or rides horseback upon the lands of another without obtaining and being in possession of the written permission of the owner, occupant, lessee, or licensee thereof, or who damages or injures any tangible property located on the lands of another, including, but not limited to, any fence, building, equipment, feedstock, crop, tree, or domestic animal, would be subject to a civil penalty of up to $1,000 and the payment of attorneys' fees, which penalties would be in addition to any other fines, penalties, or restitution that may be imposed pursuant to the law. Finally, the bill would amend the existing statutory definitions of "lands" that are subject to agricultural trespass, in order to clarify those definitions, facilitate ease of reading, and expand the definitions to include the following types of land: (1) appurtenant woodland, which is contiguous to, a part of, or beneficial to, another tract of land to which the woodland is supportive and subordinate, which other tract of land has at least five acres devoted to agricultural or horticultural uses including the production, for sale, of Christmas trees, but excluding the production, for sale, of other trees or forest products; and (2) land that is appurtenant to the above-described appurtenant woodland or to any other types of lands already susceptible to agricultural trespass under the applicable statutory definitions, provided that such appurtenant land is used for the maintenance or storage of agricultural equipment. | In Committee |
| S1331 | "Fairness in Women's Sport Act." | This bill requires that participation in school-sanctioned sports be based on biological sex at birth. It provides that public and nonpublic schools, as well as institutions of higher education, designate athletic or sports teams on the basis of biological sex. The bill also prohibits any athletic teams or sports designated for females, women, or girls from being open to males. In the event the sex of a student is disputed, the student will establish sex by presenting a signed physician's statement that indicates the student's sex based solely on (1) the student's internal and external reproductive anatomy; (2) the student's normal endogenously produced levels of testosterone; and (3) an analysis of the student's genetic makeup. A school or institution of higher education would not be subject to investigation or any adverse action for maintaining separate athletic teams or sports for students of the female sex. Students who are deprived of athletic opportunities or suffer any harm as a result of a violation of the provisions of this bill would have a private cause of action for injunctive relief, damages, or other legal remedy permitted by law against the school or institution of higher education. A student subject to retaliation or any adverse action by his or her school, institution of higher education, or athletic association or organization for reporting a violation of the bill would also have a private right of action against the school, institution of higher education, or athletic association or organization. A school or institution of higher education that suffers any harm as a result of a violation of this bill would likewise have a private cause of action for injunctive relief, damages, or other legal remedy permitted by law. Any student, school, or institution of higher education able to bring suit under this bill would be required to bring their claims within two years after the harm occurred. Students or organizations that prevail on any claim brought pursuant to this bill would be entitled to monetary damages, including damages for any psychological, emotional, and physical harm suffered, reasonable attorney's fees and costs, and any other appropriate relief. | 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 |
| S727 | Authorizes EDA to provide grants from "Global Warming Solutions Fund" to finance replacement of certain agricultural equipment. | This bill would authorize the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to provide grants to farmers, using moneys from the "Global Warming Solutions Fund," established pursuant to section 6 of P.L.2007, c.340 (C.26:2C-50), to finance the replacement of inefficient or polluting agricultural equipment with more efficient, less polluting equipment. Under current law, the EDA is authorized to use moneys in the "Global Warming Solutions Fund" to provide grants and other forms of financial assistance to commercial, institutional, and industrial entities to: (1) support end-use energy efficiency projects and new, efficient electric generation facilities that are state of the art; (2) develop combined heat and power production and other high efficiency electric generation facilities; (3) stimulate or reward investment in the development of innovative carbon emissions abatement technologies with significant carbon emissions reduction or avoidance potential (4) develop qualified offshore wind projects; and (5) provide financial assistance to manufacturers of equipment associated with qualified offshore wind projects. This bill would add agricultural entities to the types of entities eligible to receive funding, and would add the replacement of inefficient or polluting agricultural equipment with more efficient, less polluting equipment to the list of the types of projects authorized to receive funding. As provided under current law, the EDA, in consultation with the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), would be authorized to determine the process by which the grants would be applied for and awarded. However, the bill would require the application process for a grant to finance the replacement of agricultural equipment to require the applicant to demonstrate that the old equipment has been dismantled or otherwise permanently decommissioned. The "Global Warming Solutions Fund" serves as the repository for funds generated from the sale of greenhouse gas emissions allowances under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). The EDA receives 60 percent of moneys appropriated by the Legislature from the fund each year, while the BPU and the DEP each receive 20 percent. | In Committee |
| S2127 | Lowers age at which certain insurers are required to provide coverage for mammograms. | This bill requires health insurers (health, hospital and medical service corporations, commercial individual and group health insurers, health maintenance organizations, health benefits plans issued pursuant to the New Jersey Individual Health Coverage and Small Employer Health Benefits Programs, the State Health Benefits Program, and the School Employees' Health Benefits Program) to provide coverage for mammograms for women 35 years of age or older. Existing law requires insurers to provide the coverage for women 40 years of age or older. Under the bill, insurers are required to provide coverage for one baseline mammogram examination for women who are 35 years of age; a mammogram examination every year for women age 35 and over; and, in the case of a woman who is under 35 years of age and has a family history of breast cancer or other breast cancer risk factors, a mammogram examination at such age and intervals as deemed medically necessary by the woman's health care provider. | In Committee |
| S510 | Prohibits download or use of TikTok application on any State-issued electronic device. | This bill prohibits the download or use of the social media application TikTok and visiting the TikTok Internet website, or that of any successor application or service, on State-issued electronic devices. On November 17, 2022, FBI Director Christopher Wray testified before the United States House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee that TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, present a significant security risk to the people of New Jersey and the United States. TikTok collects massive amounts of user data, which can be accessed by ByteDance employees. This includes employees in ByteDance's offices in China. Director Wray also testified that Chinese law allows the government to access data obtained from companies headquartered there. This combination of access and Chinese law may expose Americans to the risk of data collection and influence campaigns by the Chinese government. By prohibiting TikTok on State-issued devices, this bill protects the people of New Jersey and the State government from these security risks. The bill also provides an exception for law enforcement officers using TikTok in investigative activities. The Attorney General will establish guidelines for the appropriate use of TikTok as an investigative tool. | In Committee |
| S962 | Prohibits mandatory vaccination against COVID-19 as condition of attending public K-12 schools. | This bill prohibits the Commissioner of Health and other State governmental entities from requiring immunization against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), as a condition of attendance at a public primary or secondary school. | In Committee |
| S1365 | Prohibits investment by State of pension and annuity funds in Chinese pharmaceutical companies. | The COVID-19 pandemic has caused widespread harm, claiming over 200,000 lives to date. The pandemic has also shut down the economies of the world, leading to massive closures of small businesses and loss of employment. In the United States alone, over 20 million Americans have filed for unemployment since the pandemic reached our shores. The risks of COVID-19 were hidden from foreign nations by the Chinese government, increasing the risk and toll of the pandemic worldwide. Chinese companies should not be rewarded with additional investment from State and national resources while they control a large proportion of pharmaceutical manufacturing. The state should reinvest in New Jersey-based pharmaceutical manufacturing to improve health and economic resources. This bill prohibits investment in any Chinese pharmaceutical company and any company that has an equity tie or is engaged in business operations with a Chinese pharmaceutical company. The State Investment Council will work with an independent research firm to track any current investments in Chinese pharmaceutical companies and take appropriate action to end the investment. The Division of Investment will submit an annual report to highlight the progress in fulfilling the requirements of the bill. The bill also protects the State Investment Council, employees of the Division of Investment, and other State officers and employees from legal action that may arise due to the provisions of this bill. | In Committee |
| S1377 | Concerns certain agreements entered into by State political subdivisions with groups outside US. | This bill provides that a municipality, county, or political subdivision of the State entering into a sister city or political subdivision pairing agreement with any group outside of the United States is required to apply for and obtain approval by the Secretary of State before entering into the agreement. A sister city, county, or political subdivision pairing relationship can be a broad-based, long-term partnership between two communities often in two countries. A sister city, county, or political subdivision pairing relationship is often officially recognized after elected or appointed officials from both communities formally ratify an agreement. The State's sister cities and other pairing programs, both in concept and practice, are valuable programs for encouraging cultural, educational, and trade relationships between different political subdivisions in the New Jersey and political subdivisions in other countries. These programs have resulted in a number of successful cultural, educational, and economic exchanges in New Jersey. Despite the success that these programs have brought to the State, a recent sister city agreement that the City of Newark entered into with a fictitious city has raised serious concerns. It is in the State's interest to require all sister city and political subdivision pairing agreements entered into by a municipality, county, or political subdivision of the State with any group outside of the United States to be approved by the Secretary of State as a form of due diligence to avoid another incident involving a New Jersey municipality, county, or other political subdivision entering into or ratifying a sister city or political subdivision pairing agreement that could be detrimental to the municipality, county, other political subdivision, or the State. | In Committee |
| S1330 | "Michelle's Law"; requires health benefit plans to cover mammogram for an individual if recommended by health care provider. | This bill requires health benefit plans to cover the cost of a mammogram if a health care provider recommends the examination. Presently, health benefit plans are only required to cover mammograms for women who are 40 and over or women under the age of 40 if they have a family history of breast cancer or other breast cancer related risk factor. Health benefit plans must also cover additional testing of an entire breast or breasts after a baseline mammogram examination. Under this bill, health benefit plans will be required to cover the cost of a mammogram examination, and any additional testing after the examination, if the health care provider of the subscriber or other person covered under the plan recommends it. Mammograms for women 40 and over will still be covered under this bill. This bill, named "Michelle's Law," is in response to the tragic death of Michelle DeVita. Michelle was a 38-year-old woman who lost her battle to breast cancer. Under the requirements of the current law, insurance was not required to provide her coverage for a mammogram. | In Committee |
| S1380 | Establishes Civil Air Patrol Fund to be supported by annual appropriations of $100,000; appropriates $100,000. | This bill would create a "Civil Air Patrol Fund" within the Department of Military and Veteran's Affairs. Under the bill, the "Civil Air Patrol Fund" is a non-lapsing fund which is to be credited by all monies appropriated annually by the Legislature, federal and other grants received by the State and any donations made by members of the public. This bill would require an appropriation to the fund of $100,000 annually from the General Fund. The monies in the "Civil Air Patrol Fund" shall be used by the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to provide support and funding to the New Jersey Wing of the Civil Air Patrol. The bill also appropriates $100,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to implement the provisions of the bill. The Civil Air Patrol was founded in 1936 by Gill Robb Wilson, a World War I aviator and the New Jersey director of aeronautics. Wilson envisioned mobilizing America's civilian aviators for national defense and shortly after, launched his national program. The Civil Air Patrol was approved by the federal government and national recruiting began on December 8th, 1941. Since the program's inception, the Civil Air Patrol has played key roles in World War II, the Cold War, and national defense in a post-9/11 world. Today, the Civil Air Patrol continues to have a profound impact by aiding in mobilizations for COVID-19 by delivering supplies, building and staffing field hospitals and transporting vaccine vials. The Civil Air Patrol also develops pertinent new programs and new technology, such as multispectral imaging for post-disaster damage assessment. | In Committee |
| S58 | Authorizes proportional property tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans having a service-connected disability and proclaims that the State shall reimburse municipalities for cost of exemptions. | The bill grants a property tax exemption to honorably discharged veterans having a service-connected disability in proportion to their disability percentage rating. The exemption is only granted to those with a disability percentage rating of at least 30 percent, and the exemption is capped at $10,000. Those with a 100 percent disability percentage rating would still be allowed a 100 percent property tax exemption without a cap, as is the case under current law. In addition, the bill grants those honorably discharged veterans having less than a 100 percent service-connected disability, but who are unemployable, a 100 percent property tax exemption, which matches the current 100 percent property tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans having a 100 percent disability percentage rating. As under current law, the bill allows the 100 percent property tax exemption to extend to the surviving spouse of a veteran. However, the newly allowed property tax exemption for a veteran with a less than 100 percent property tax exemption would not extend to the surviving spouse. The bill also eliminates all references to medical conditions so that any service-connected disability, as determined by the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs, will make a veteran eligible for the property tax exemption. Finally, the bill proclaims that the State shall annually reimburse taxing districts, including for administrative costs, for the property tax exemptions granted to disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. The bill includes reporting provisions so proper reimbursement can be made. | In Committee |
| S724 | Authorizes counties to establish mentoring programs for, and resell preserved farmland at reduced price to, and beginning farmers. | This bill would authorize county agriculture development boards (CADBs) to establish mentoring programs for beginning farmers and authorize counties and CADBs to resell preserved farmland to beginning farmers at a price below what the county paid for the land. The bill would expand the powers of CADBs by authorizing them to establish beginning farmer mentoring programs by which experienced farmers provide guidance, advice, and other appropriate assistance to beginning farmers. In addition, the bill would specify that a county or CADB may resell or lease preserved farmland, acquired in fee simple by a county, to a beginning farmer, as defined in the bill, for an amount less than that originally paid by the county or CADB, as applicable. Under the bill, the land would be subject to agricultural deed restrictions as required by current law. However, the bill provides that for any sale or lease of land for farmland preservation purposes to a beginning farmer pursuant to the bill, the State's pro rata share of the proceeds may be reduced to reflect the reduction in price paid by the beginning farmer. Under current law, the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) provides grants to counties to pay up to 80 percent of the cost of acquisition of fee simple titles to farmland from willing sellers for farmland preservation purposes. Current law, and SADC rules and regulations, require that such land be offered for resale or lease with agricultural deed restrictions and that the proceeds received be dedicated for farmland preservation purposes, with the SADC's pro rate share of the proceeds deposited into the applicable farmland preservation fund. Current funding for farmland preservation is provided from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax (CBT) revenues pursuant to Article VIII, Section II, paragraph 6 of the State Constitution, approved by the voters of the State in November 2014. The "Preserve New Jersey Act," P.L.2016, c.12 (C.13:8C-43 et seq.), implements the constitutional dedication of CBT revenues for open space, farmland, and historic preservation. The "Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund" was established pursuant to section 8 of the "Preserve New Jersey Act." New Jersey has long committed to preserving farmland, however New Jersey cannot rest on the success of land preservation. The State needs to do much more to preserve farming and take further action to preserve its farmers as well. This bill is intended to provide an incentive for, and encouragement to, people who take up the vital and historic role of farmer. Currently, the average age of a farmer in the United States is 57.5 years. The national average age has increased by 1.6 percent annually since 1994, on average, according to the 2017 Census of Agriculture conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture. The average age of a New Jersey farmer is 59.7 years, according to the same report. | In Committee |
| S728 | Prohibits government entities from procuring and using technology products and services from companies owned by, controlled by, or domiciled in certain foreign countries. | The Office of the Director of National Intelligence has identified several nations which have both the capability and desire to launch cyber attacks against the United States and pose an active and persistent cyber espionage threat. The State of New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness has also recognized the threat of cyber attacks against the State of New Jersey by foreign actors. This bill prohibits the State of New Jersey, its agencies, and local governments from procuring or using any technology products, services, or systems from companies owned by, controlled by, or domiciled in foreign countries which have been identified as posing a cybersecurity threat to the United States or the State of New Jersey. | In Committee |
| S1669 | Eliminates requirement for State residency for public officers and employees with limited historic exceptions. | This bill eliminates the requirement that all public officers and employees, with certain exceptions, have their principal residence in this State. This requirement was imposed in 2011. Prior to imposing the requirement on all public officers and employees, R.S.52:14-7 required State residency for the Governor, each member of the Legislature, the head of each principal department of the Executive Branch of State government, and every Justice of the Supreme Court, judge of the Superior Court, and judge of any inferior court established under the laws of this State. This bill retains the residency requirement for persons holding these positions, but eliminates it for all other public officers and employees covered by R.S.52:14-7. | In Committee |
| S735 | Increases sending district representation on receiving district's board of education in certain circumstances. | This bill would increase sending district representation on a receiving district's board of education in certain circumstances. Under current law, a sending district is entitled to representation on a receiving district's board of education when the sending district's students comprise at least 10 percent of the total enrollment of the students in the grades of the receiving district. If two or more sending districts do not individually meet this percent threshold, but collectively comprise at least 15 percent of the total enrollment of the relevant grades of the receiving district, the sending districts are required to collectively have two representatives on the receiving district's board of education. The bill provides that two or more sending districts that do not meet the requirements for representation under current law and collectively comprise at least 10 percent of the total enrollment of the relevant grades of a receiving district that is located in a county of the third class, having a population greater than 100,000 people but less than 120,000 people according to the 2020 federal decennial census, are to have one representative on the receiving district's board of education. Additionally, the bill provides that two or more sending districts that do not meet the requirements for representation under current law and collectively comprise at least 10 percent of the total enrollment of the relevant grades of a receiving district may collectively have one representative on the receiving district's board of education, subject to the approval of a majority of the board's members. Finally, the bill provides that if two or more sending districts collectively comprise less than 10 percent of the total enrollment of students in the relevant grades in the receiving district, the sending districts are to collectively have one non-voting representative on the receiving district's board of education. | In Committee |
| S732 | Establishes Rural Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program in EDA; appropriates $2.5 million in federal funds. | This bill establishes the "Rural Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program" (grant program) within the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (authority) for the purpose of providing grants to qualified applicants for the expansion and improvement of broadband telecommunications infrastructure and the provision of broadband telecommunications service in rural areas of the State. The bill requires the authority, in conjunction with the Board of Public Utilities (board) to establish and administer the grant program. In order to qualify for the grant program, a qualified applicant is required to submit certain information to the authority and demonstrate to the authority that certain criteria is met. As defined by the bill, "qualified applicant" means a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, business entity, non-profit organization, political subdivision, or any other entity in the State that is authorized to construct or repair broadband telecommunications infrastructure or provide broadband telecommunications service within the State. Under the grant program, the authority may approve applications for the grant program on a rolling basis, subject to the availability of funds. However, the authority would be required to prioritize applications that address unserved areas. As defined by the bill, "unserved area" means an area in which customers are without broadband service at speeds of at least 25 megabits per second download and 3 megabits per second upload. Upon approval of an application, the authority would provide a grant, in the amount determined by the authority, to the qualified applicant to support the expansion and improvement of broadband telecommunications infrastructure and the provision of broadband telecommunications service in rural areas of the State. The grants provided under the grant program would be made to a qualified applicant in an amount not to exceed $75,000 per project, provided the qualified applicant would be required to contribute private capital, in an amount not less than 25 percent of the value of the grant, to finance the proposed project. To the extent permitted under federal law, a qualified applicant may use any monies received from the federal "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021," to support the required contribution of private capital. Specifically, the bill requires these grants to be utilized for the acquisition, construction, equipment, and site-preparation costs associated with the deployment of broadband telecommunications infrastructure, as well as any other purpose related to the provision of broadband telecommunications service in rural areas of the State. The bill requires the authority to prepare and submit a report on the "Rural Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program" to the Governor and the Legislature within 12 months of the approval of the program's first qualified applicant and to make the report available on the authority's Internet website. The report would be required to include the number of qualified applicants that applied for the grant program, the number and names of the qualified applicants approved for the grant program, the total number of grants distributed, the amount received per qualified applicant, and any other information the authority determines necessary to evaluate the progress of the grant program. The bill also requires the authority to establish and maintain a non-lapsing revolving fund, which would be known as the "Rural Broadband Infrastructure Grant Fund." The revolving fund would serve as the repository of all monies used to support the grant program. Finally, the bill appropriates $2.5 million in federal funds to the authority for deposit into the "Rural Broadband Infrastructure Grant Fund." Specifically, this appropriation would be supported by certain federal monies provided to the State pursuant to the federal "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act." | In Committee |
| SCR50 | Amends Constitution to dedicate money credited to the "9-1-1 System and Emergency Response Trust Fund Account" to maintain 9-1-1 system and emergency response. | This concurrent resolution proposes an amendment to the State Constitution prohibiting money from being drawn from the "9-1-1 System and Emergency Response Trust Fund Account" for any purpose or in any manner other than as established under current law.Under current law, money from the "9-1-1 System and Emergency Response Trust Fund Account" is used for funding the State's capital equipment, facilities, and operating expenses that arise from emergency response, emergency response training, operating the Office of Emergency Telecommunications Services, operating the Statewide Public Safety Communications Commission, implementing the requirements of the Federal Communications Commission concerning 9-1-1 service, planning, designing, or implementing automatic location identification technology, and planning, designing, or acquiring replacement equipment or systems related to enhanced 9-1-1 network service. In the past, money from the trust fund account has been used for other purposes.This amendment to the State Constitution prohibits money in the trust fund account from being used for any other purpose other than those established under current law. | In Committee |
| S725 | Criminalizes unlawful occupancy of dwellings. | This bill would criminalize unlawful occupancy of a dwelling, also known as "squatting." Currently, squatting is not a criminal act. In order to lawfully evict a squatter, the owner of the property must apply to the court for a writ of possession. This bill would create three criminal offenses: housebreaking, unlawful occupancy, and unlawful reentry. They would be crimes of the fourth degree. Housebreaking. Under the bill, a person who forcibly enters an uninhabited or vacant dwelling knowing or having reason to believe that such entry is without permission of the owner of the dwelling or an authorized representative of the owner, with the intent to take up residence or provide a residency to another therein, would be guilty of housebreaking. The bill provides that a person is presumed to know that an entry is without the permission of the owner of the dwelling or an authorized representative of the owner unless the person provides a written rental agreement that is notarized or signed by an authorized agent of the owner and includes the current address and telephone number of the owner or the owner's authorized representative. Unlawful Occupancy. The bill provides that a person who takes up residence in an uninhabited or vacant dwelling and knows or has reason to believe that such residency is without permission of the owner of the dwelling or an authorized representative of the owner is guilty of unlawful occupancy. A person is presumed to know that the residency is without the permission of the owner or an authorized representative unless the person provides a written rental agreement that is notarized or signed by an authorized agent of the owner, and includes the current address and telephone number of the owner or the owner's authorized representative. Unlawful Reentry. The bill provides that a person commits unlawful reentry if an owner of real property has recovered possession of the property from the person pursuant to a court order and, without the authority of the court or permission of the owner, the person reenters the property. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. | In Committee |
| S739 | Establishes "Salute to Service and Sacrifice Memorial Commission." | This bill establishes a "Salute to Service and Sacrifice Memorial Commission." Under the bill, there is established in, but not of, the Department of Law and Public Safety a commission to be known as the "Salute to Service and Sacrifice Memorial Commission." The purpose of the commission is to select a location and design for the construction of a "Salute to Service and Sacrifice Memorial" that honors and recognizes law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty. A non-lapsing fund will be established for the design, construction, and maintenance of the memorial The commission is to consist of the following thirteen members: the Attorney General or designee, a representative of the New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association, a representative of the New Jersey Fraternal Order of Police, a representative of the State Troopers Fraternal Association, a representative from the New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association, a representative from the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey, a representative from the New Jersey Emergency Medical Services Council, a representative from the New Jersey State First Aid Council, two public members with experience in the design, construction, or maintenance of memorials, and three public members who are family members of a fallen law enforcement officer, a fallen firefighter, and a fallen emergency medical services personnel. All members are to be appointed by the Governor. The bill requires the appointments to be made within 90 days of the bill's effective date. The commission is to organize as soon as practicable after the appointment of the majority of the members. A majority of all of the authorized members constitutes a quorum. Under the bill, the Department of Law and Public Safety is to provide staff and related support services as the commission requires to carry out its work. The bill requires the commission to select a suitable design and location for the construction of the Salute to Service and Sacrifice Memorial Fund and to oversee the construction of the memorial. The memorial is required to have three walls to represent the following branches of emergency service: law enforcement, firefighting, and emergency medical service. Each wall will contain the names of each fallen law enforcement officer, firefighter, and emergency medical services personnel, as appropriate. The walls are to be constructed with additional space to add additional names as necessary. Within 18 months of the bill's effective date, the commission is required to submit a final report to the Governor and the Legislature which is to include the final design and location selected for the memorial. Finally, the bill establishes in the Department of Treasury a special non-lapsing fund to be known as the "Salute to Service and Sacrifice Memorial Commission Fund." The fund will support the design, construction, and maintenance of the Salute to Service and Sacrifice Memorial. The fund is to be credited with any donations by members of the public, funds appropriated by law, or any other moneys that may become available for its purpose. | In Committee |
| S737 | Requires motor vehicle history checks and adds certain disqualifying offenses for community agency employees. | This bill requires motor vehicle history checks and adds certain disqualifying offenses for community agency employees. N.J.S.A.30:6D-64 requires criminal background checks for community agency employees. This bill amends N.J.S.A.30:6D-64 to also require motor vehicle history checks for community agency employees. Under the bill, a prospective or current employee of a community agency may be disqualified from employment if his or her driving record reveals any of the following offenses in New Jersey or any other state or jurisdiction in the previous 10 years: operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs; operating a motor vehicle in a reckless or careless manner; or a driver's license suspension due to the accumulation of motor vehicle penalty points or multiple motor vehicle offenses. The bill provides that no individual is to be disqualified from employment or from being qualified as a community care residence applicant, alternate, or household member on the basis of any conviction disclosed by a motor vehicle history record background check if the individual has affirmatively demonstrated to the Department of Human Services, clear and convincing evidence of the individual's rehabilitation. | In Committee |
| SJR28 | Designates second weekend of September each year as "Salute to Service and Sacrifice Weekend." | This joint resolution designates the second weekend in September as "Salute to Service and Sacrifice Weekend." The joint resolution recognizes New Jersey's fallen members of the police, firefighting, and emergency medical service professions. Since record keeping began, New Jersey has lost over 600 firefighters and 500 police officers to line-of-duty deaths. For emergency medical service professionals, line of duty deaths is harder to count and still being assessed with respect to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This joint resolution calls upon public officials and residents of New Jersey to observe the second weekend of September each year with appropriate activities and programs. | 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 |
| S1703 | Credits $2.35 billion to "New Jersey Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund"; appropriates $4.32 billion to Department of Treasury to provide funds to municipalities and counties for debt retirement and avoidance. | This bill adds $2.35 billion from the General Fund to the "New Jersey Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund," and appropriates a total of $4.32 billion from the fund to the Department of the Treasury for the purpose of providing funds to each municipality and county in the State to be used by the municipality or county to retire and defease local debt or to fund capital projects on a pay-as-you-go basis rather than issuing additional local debt. The total amount of funds appropriated by the bill includes $1.97 billion in currently unallocated balances in the New Jersey Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund. Under the bill, $3.0 billion would be allocated to each municipality on an equal per capita basis wherein each municipality receives the same dollar amount per resident. The remaining $1.32 billion appropriated by the bill would be allocated to each county on an equal per capita basis. The bill requires that all funds appropriated by the bill be distributed to each municipality and each county within 30 days of enactment. The State budget has recently benefited from debt reduction and avoidance from prior appropriations to the New Jersey Debt Defeasance and Prevention account, though typically only after funds have remained in the account for inordinately long periods of time while inflation destroys its value. Local governments can frequently have significant debt which can be equally or more expensive for taxpayers than State debt. Local governments have compelling infrastructure and capital needs that include, but are not limited to: water, sewer, parks, flooding, storm water, public safety, emergency medical services, community development, and traffic improvements. The State's budgeting process has frequently provided only small and symbolic amounts of assistance towards local infrastructure and capital improvements and only after burdensome, inefficient, and politicized processes that chose winners and losers based on favoritism. The sponsor believes it is sound public policy to quickly and efficiently direct remaining balances in the New Jersey Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund towards debt reduction and avoidance that benefits property taxpayers and all residents of the State through a fair and reasonable allocation process. | In Committee |
| S736 | Extends crime of identity theft to include fraudulent impersonation or false depiction by means of artificial intelligence or deepfake technology. | This bill extends the crime of identity theft to include fraudulent impersonation or false depiction by means of artificial intelligence or deepfake technology. A so-called "deepfake" or, as defined under this bill, a "false personation record," includes images, video, sound, speech, or text generated entirely by or substantially manipulated using newer technology such as artificial intelligence with the intent of making it appear, as realistically as possible, that the person being depicted has engaged in activity or speech that did not actually occur. Deepfakes have been used to embarrass or harass a person, cast a person in a false light or misappropriate a person's identity or likeness, and fraudulently misrepresent a person's words and actions to the public, and have been distributed to the public both with and without the intention of pecuniary gain. Falsely depicting a person by means of a deepfake is tantamount to stealing that person's identity. Under the bill, the grading of identity theft into crimes of the fourth, third, and second degree remains unchanged. However, false depiction by means of a deepfake would be graded by the number of victims affected. Thus, false depiction affecting one victim is a crime of the fourth degree except that a second or subsequent conviction for such an offense constitutes a crime of the third degree. False depiction affecting at least two but less than five victims is a crime of the third degree, and false depiction affecting five or more victims is a crime of the second degree. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. A crime of the third degree is punishable by three to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. A crime of the second degree is punishable by five to ten years imprisonment, a fine of up to $150,000, or both. To remediate the economic or reputational harm caused by a false depiction, the court may order that the deepfake be destroyed and a public retraction be made at the defendant's expense. In addition, the bill clarifies that any civil action for economic restitution by a victim does not preclude a civil action for non-economic losses such as common law defamation, libel, slander, invasion of privacy, false light, misappropriation of identity, intrusion of privacy, or public disclosure of private facts. | In Committee |
| S1326 | Prohibits release of illegal immigrants from correctional facilities. | This bill is intended to ensure that persons who are unlawfully present in the United States and have been incarcerated in prisons, jails, youth detention, or other correctional facilities in this State are not released back into the general population upon their release, but rather are remanded solely to the custody of federal immigration officials. The bill requires the administrator, superintendent, warden or other person responsible for the operation of a prison, jail, youth detention or other correctional facility to determine the nationality of every inmate incarcerated in the facility. If an inmate is not a United States citizen, the facility's administrator is required to determine whether the inmate is lawfully present in the United States. When this cannot be determined, the inmate is to be deemed not lawfully present in the United States. The bill prohibits the release of an inmate if the inmate is not a United States citizen or is not lawfully present in the United States except to the custody of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services officials. Administrators, superintendents, wardens or other operators of correctional facilities who violate the bill's provisions are liable to a civil fine as specified by the Commissioner of Corrections. | In Committee |
| S1375 | Requires legislative approval of updates or revisions to core curriculum content. | This bill requires legislative approval of updates or revisions to core curriculum content standards. Under current law, the State Board of Education is directed to review and update the core curriculum content standards every five years. This bill provides that any update or revision made to the core curriculum content standards following the bill's effective date will require the approval of the Legislature. The State board is required to submit the update or revision to the Legislature, and the Legislature is required to adopt a concurrent resolution within 45 days of submission to approve or disapprove the update or revision. If the Legislature adopts a concurrent resolution to approve the update or revision, it is required to be implemented. If the Legislature adopts a concurrent resolution to disapprove the update or revision, it may not be implemented. | In Committee |
| S738 | Requires motor vehicle rental companies provide 24-hour drop off or return service. | This bill requires motor vehicle rental companies to permit a customer to return a motor vehicle 24 hours per day. Currently, after-hours vehicle returns are not available at all car rental locations or by all rental companies. Unforeseen circumstances, such as traffic or air travel delays, may create conditions that make it problematic for a rented vehicle to be returned within standard business hours. This creates an inconvenience to the customer and, in some cases, an added expense. This bill requires rental companies to develop a method for customers to return vehicles after-hours. A violation of the bill's provisions results in a civil penalty of $2,500 for a first offense and up to $5,000 for any subsequent offense, which may be collected and enforced by the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. | In Committee |
| S1662 | Revises Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Aid program; requires all energy taxes to be paid directly to municipalities. | This bill revises the Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief ("ETR") Aid Program by requiring all energy taxes to be paid directly to municipalities. Historically, energy providers and public utility companies were required to pay gross receipts and franchise taxes based on their use of public lands. For many decades, these taxes were paid directly to municipalities as a means of compensation for hosting such facilities. In the 1980s, the State began to collect these taxes on behalf of municipalities, distribute a portion of the proceeds to municipalities as State aid, and retain the remaining revenues for other State purposes. In the late 1990s, this practice was continued when the State established the ETR Aid program after reforming the taxation of energy providers and public utility companies. Under current law, the State is required to annually deposit a statutorily determined amount of monies into the "Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund" and distribute those monies to municipalities as ETR Aid. Every year, the total distribution of ETR Aid is required to increase based on inflation. During any year in which the State fails to provide this aid, the State is required to forego the collections of certain taxes on energy providers and public utilities (e.g., sales tax collections for energy services, corporation business tax collections from certain public utility companies, etc.), hereinafter referred to as "energy taxes." Under this bill, the ETR Aid program would be restructured to reflect the original design of the gross receipts and franchise taxes, wherein all energy taxes were paid directly to municipalities. Beginning in Fiscal Year 2022, and during each year thereafter, the bill requires the State Treasurer to: (1) determine the aggregate amount of ETR Aid provided Statewide; (2) determine the amounts provided to each municipality; (3) direct each energy taxpayer to make direct payment of energy taxes to one or more municipalities; and (4) advise each municipality of the name of each energy taxpayer that would make direct payment of energy taxes to the municipality, the amounts owed therefrom, and the dates on which each payment would be provided. The State Treasurer would also be required to establish additional requirements concerning the payment of ETR Aid, including but not limited to dates on which each payment would be provided. The bill provides that whenever an energy tax payment is made directly to a municipality, the amount of the payment may be taken as a credit against the tax liability of the energy taxpayer, as prescribed by the State Treasurer. Additionally, the bill provides that beginning in Fiscal Year 2022, the aggregate amount of ETR Aid provided during any fiscal year is required to equal the greater of: (1) the total amount that would have been otherwise provided under current law; or (2) the total amount of energy taxes due and payable during that fiscal year. Consequently, the bill would prevent the State from retaining any portion of these energy tax collections for other State purposes. Under the bill, if the total energy taxes due and payable during any fiscal year exceed the amount of ETR Aid that would have been otherwise provided under current law, then the difference would be distributed amongst all municipalities in proportion to the equalized assessed valuation of real and personal property owned by all energy taxpayers located within each municipality, as determined by the State Treasurer. Alternatively, the bill also provides that if the total energy taxes due and payable during any fiscal year is less than the amount of ETR Aid that would have been otherwise provided under current law, then the State Treasurer is required to make such additional payments as are necessary, from the Property Tax Relief Fund, to ensure that each municipality receives the amount owed. During any fiscal year in which the State fails to comply with the requirements of this bill, the State would be required to forego the collection of all energy taxes. | In Committee |
| S412 | Requires public schools to post curriculum plans online; requires school districts to make textbooks or other materials used in implementing curriculum plans available for inspection by parents and legal guardians. | This bill requires school districts to post curriculum plans for each course offered to students in each grade level at least 30 days prior to the beginning of a school year. Specifically, a school district would be required to post information concerning each unit of study, student learning objectives, and information concerning textbooks and other materials to be used in implementing the district's curriculum plans. School districts would be required to update their Internet websites each time a curriculum plan is updated or revised. The bill also requires school districts to post information concerning when and where textbooks and other materials used as part of the district's implementation of the district's curriculum plans will be available for review by the parents or legal guardians of students in the district. Parents and legal guardians would be given the opportunity to review these materials prior to the time in which they will be incorporated into classroom instruction. By requiring that school districts post their curriculum plans online and providing parents and legal guardians with the opportunity to review textbooks and other materials used as part of the curriculum, the State can ensure greater transparency and collaboration between school officials and the families they serve. | In Committee |
| S1329 | Provides that public school parent who objects to learning material or activity that parent considers harmful may receive voucher from school district to enroll student in nonpublic school. | This bill provides that in the event that the parent or guardian of a student enrolled in a school district objects to a learning material or activity that is part of the curriculum, on the basis that the material or activity is harmful, withdraws his child from the school district and enrolls the child in a nonpublic school, the resident school district is required to provide the parent or guardian with a voucher to support the tuition and fees of the nonpublic school. The voucher will equal 75 percent of the resident school district's annual spending per pupil prorated based upon the number of days remaining in the school year. An objection to a learning material or activity on the basis that it is harmful includes, but is not limited to, an objection that the material or activity questions, violates, or conflicts with the parent or guardian's belief or practice regarding sex, sexuality, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, conscience, ethics, morality, or religion. | In Committee |
| S731 | Prohibits any foreign company created under laws of foreign adversary from participating in critical infrastructure. | This bill prohibits any foreign company created under the laws of a foreign adversary from participating in critical infrastructure in this State. The bill defines "foreign adversary" to mean any foreign government determined by the United States Secretary of Commerce to have engaged in a long-term pattern or serious instances of conduct significantly adverse to the national security of the United States or the security and safety of United States persons. Under the bill, the State of New Jersey, and all agencies or political subdivisions thereof, are prohibited from allowing a foreign company created under the laws of a foreign adversary to participate in the construction, maintenance, or control of any critical infrastructure in this State. Critical infrastructure includes communication networks, electric generation, gas distribution systems, water pipelines, and related support facilities, such as buildings, offices, lines, poles, pipes, structures, and equipment. The State's safety, security, and stability depend on protecting critical infrastructure from foreign adversaries. The disruption of these key services would significantly disrupt the well-being of the people of this State and the functioning of the economy. The involvement of a foreign company created under the laws of a foreign adversary raises substantial security threats, such as cyber-attacks or the intentional disruption of services. Accordingly, to protect against risks posed by foreign adversaries, it is crucial to ensure that only trusted entities control the State's critical infrastructure. | In Committee |
| SCR52 | Urges Congress and President to prohibit private financial institutions from penalizing individuals for exercise of free speech. | This resolution urges Congress and the President of the United States to enact legislation prohibiting private financial institutions from penalizing individuals for expression of constitutionally protected speech. A recent policy update notice from PayPal, Inc. indicated that its services could not be used, starting November 3, 2022, to promote misinformation, an infraction to be defined solely by PayPal, Inc. and to result in a fine of $2,500. Under the policy, PayPal, Inc. would have also been able to penalize users who would have violated other restrictions on expression, including on content that, in the sole discretion of PayPal, Inc., is unfit for publication. Public outrage led to the company retracting this change, but consumers remain vulnerable to the decisions of private financial institutions to implement similar policies going forward. Wide dependence upon financial institutions in daily life renders their ability to implement broad policies penalizing certain expressions inequitable. This resolution urges Congress and the President to enact legislation to protect consumers from such restrictions under federal law, which has the potential to more broadly protect consumers than state law alone. | In Committee |
| S696 | Requires hospital urine drug screenings to include test for fentanyl. | This bill requires that, whenever a general acute care hospital conducts a urine drug screening to assist in diagnosing a patient's condition, the urine drug screening is to include a test for the presence of fentanyl. Fentanyl is a highly potent synthetic opioid that, even in very small amounts, can result in overdose and death. Fentanyl use has significantly increased during the opioid epidemic, in part because, with growing frequency, fentanyl is used to cut other drugs, including heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. This practice has resulted in increasing overdose deaths, even among people who do not ordinarily use opioid drugs. Currently, urine drug screenings typically include tests for cocaine, certain opioids, and phencyclidine, but not fentanyl. It is the sponsor's belief that mandatory testing for the presence of fentanyl can help prevent overdose deaths by ensuring that patients who have ingested fentanyl, either intentionally or unintentionally, receive proper treatment for a fentanyl overdose. This bill will take effect immediately and expire on January 1, 2028. | In Committee |
| S722 | Requires MVC to issue blue envelopes that hold documents required to operate motor vehicle to persons diagnosed with autism. | This bill requires the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, in consultation with the Commissioner of Human Services, the Superintendent of State Police, and at least one organization that advocates on behalf of persons who have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, to design and make available blue envelopes that may be utilized by a person who has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder to hold documents required for the operation of a motor vehicle. Under the bill, the blue envelopes are required to: (1) be of a color shade easily recognizable to law enforcement officers; (2) be capable of holding a person's driver's license, motor vehicle registration certificate, and insurance identification card; (3) provide written information on the outside of the envelope identifying the envelope holder as a person who has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder; and (4) provide written guidance to assist law enforcement officers in effectively communicating with a person who has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. The bill also requires that the chief administrator, in consultation with the commissioner, establish the documentation required to be produced by a person who has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, or by the parent, guardian, or caregiver of the person, in order to obtain a blue envelope. The bill is based on a 2020 Connecticut statute. | In Committee |
| S723 | Restricts all ownership of agricultural land in State by foreign governments and persons. | This bill would prohibit any foreign government or foreign person from acquiring, purchasing, or otherwise obtaining a legal, beneficial, or other interest in any agricultural land in the State on or after the bill's effective date, with limited exceptions, as described below. The bill would permit a foreign government or foreign person that already owns or holds an interest in agricultural land in the State, on the bill's effective date, to continue to own or hold the interest in such land for a maximum of five years thereafter. Within five years after the bill's effective date, the foreign government or foreign person would be required to sell or otherwise convey the ownership of, or interest in, the agricultural land to an individual, trust, corporation, partnership, or other business entity that is not a foreign government or foreign person, with a deed of easement attached to the land requiring the land to remain devoted to agricultural use. The bill would provide the following exceptions to the general prohibition on the continued foreign ownership of agricultural land: 1) a foreign government or foreign person may acquire agricultural land, on or after the bill's effective date, through a process of law involving the collection of debt, the execution of a deed in lieu of foreclosure, the forfeiture of a contract for deed, or imposition of a lien or claim on the land, whether by mortgage or otherwise, but such person or government would then be required to sell or convey the land, within two years after the transfer of title thereto, to an individual, trust, corporation, partnership, or other business entity that is not a foreign government or foreign person, with a deed of easement attached to the land requiring the land to remain devoted to agricultural use; and 2) the provisions of the bill would not be applicable to agricultural land acquired by devise or descent or pursuant to a bona fide encumbrance established on agricultural land taken for the purposes of security. The bill further provides that, whenever land assessment valuation is undertaken in association with the acquisition of land by a foreign government or foreign person pursuant to a process of law involving the collection of debt, the execution of a deed in lieu of foreclosure, the forfeiture of a contract for deed, or the imposition of a lien or claim on the land, whether created by a mortgage or otherwise, the valuation is to incorporate and reflect the fact that the land is to remain devoted to agricultural use. The bill provides that any provision of the bill which is inconsistent with, or in violation of, any treaty between the United States and another country would not apply to any foreign government or foreign person residing in a country that is party to the treaty. Finally, the bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture, no more than 90 days after the effective date of the bill, and annually thereafter, to report to the Governor and the Legislature: 1) the total acreage of agricultural land in the State that is owned by foreign governments or foreign persons; 2) the percentage change in the amount of in-State agricultural land acreage owned by foreign governments or foreign persons, per year, over the preceding 10 years; 3) the top 10 nationalities of foreign governments or foreign persons owning agricultural land in the State, by total amount of acreage owned; and 4) the purposes for which agricultural land owned by foreign governments or foreign persons has been used in the preceding five years, and any significant changes or trends in the use of such land. The bill authorizes the secretary to base the requisite data on reports that are submitted to the Department of Agriculture, by the United States Department of Agriculture, pursuant to federal law, or based on any other relevant information available to the department. The bill also directs the State Agriculture Development Committee and other State agencies and departments, as well as county boards of agriculture and other local agencies, boards, or political subdivisions in the State, to provide the secretary with any relevant information available concerning the data required to be compiled and reported by the bill. | In Committee |
| S730 | Requires Director of Division of Taxation to conduct study on impact of State business income taxation on business out-migration, formation, and employment for previous and upcoming tax years. | This bill requires the Director of the Division of Taxation to engage in a study of the impact of New Jersey business income taxes on business out-migration, business formation, and employment within the State. In conducting the study, the director would examine data available from corporation, partnership, and other New Jersey income tax returns from the period beginning on January 1 of the eighth calendar year immediately preceding the effective date of the bill and ending on December 31 of the eighth calendar year immediately following the effective date of the bill. Based on data available from the period beginning on January 1 of the eighth calendar year immediately preceding the effective date of the bill and ending on December 31 of the calendar year immediately preceding the effective date of the bill, the director would be required to submit a Retrospective Tax Policy Impact Report consisting of the study's findings and recommendations, including whether any State or local tax laws or policies may be modified to improve the State's business climate and decrease the financial impact of taxes on businesses residing in the State. The director would be required to submit the report on or before January 15 of the second calendar year immediately following the effective date of the bill to the Governor and the Legislature. For the first full calendar year beginning after the effective date of the bill and for each of the seven calendar years thereafter, the director would be required to annually submit to the Governor and the Legislature, a Tax Policy Impact Report consisting of the study's findings and recommendations from the data available for that year, by January 15 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year for which each report is prepared. | In Committee |
| S508 | Requires each public school to post on website comprehensive list of all resources available in school library. | This bill requires each public school that has a school library to post for public inspection on the school's website in an easily accessible location a comprehensive list of every resource that is available in the school library, including but not limited to, books, periodicals, DVDs, and databases, offered in print or digitally. Any new resource ordered or purchased is required to be added to the list within 10 days of the order or purchase. Under the bill, the school library media specialist who oversees the school library is responsible for ensuring that the list is updated and posted on the school's website. In the event that a school does not employ a school library media specialist, the principal of the school is required to appoint existing staff members to oversee the cataloging of the library resources. | In Committee |
| S733 | Requires State Division of Investment to review pension and annuity fund assets to determine extent to which assets are invested in businesses with ties to foreign adversaries. | This bill requires the Director of the Division of Investment in the Department of the Treasury to conduct a review of State pension and annuity fund assets to determine the extent to which those assets are invested in any foreign company with an equity tie to a foreign adversary or its instrumentalities. For purposes of the bill, "foreign adversary" is defined as any foreign government or foreign non-government person determined by the United States Secretary of Commerce to have engaged in a long-term pattern or serious instances of conduct significantly adverse to the national security of the United States or security and safety of United States persons. The bill defines "equity tie" as manufacturing or mining plants, employees or advisors, facilities, or an investment, fiduciary, monetary or physical presence of any kind, including an ownership stake in one or more subsidiary or joint venture with one or more companies in the country. "Equity tie" would not include the activities of any foreign company providing humanitarian aid to people through a non-governmental organization. Six months after the bill's effective date, the director would be required to submit to the Governor, the Legislature, and the State Investment Council a report of all pension and annuity fund assets invested in foreign companies with an equity tie to a foreign adversary and recommendations as to whether the State should divest fund assets from those companies. | In Committee |
| S734 | Requires insurers and SHBP to provide coverage for expenses incurred in screening for ovarian cancer. | This bill requires hospital, medical, and health service corporations, commercial individual, small employer, and larger group insurers, health maintenance organizations, and the State Health Benefits Program to provide coverage for medically necessary expenses incurred in screening for ovarian cancer for symptomatic women or women at risk of ovarian cancer, which coverage shall include, but is not limited to, an annual pelvic examination, an ultrasound and blood testing for cancer markers, such as CA 125 levels. Ovarian cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in women in the United States. The provisions of this bill will ensure that women who may have symptoms of ovarian cancer, or are at risk of ovarian cancer because of a family history or other health conditions, are able to receive appropriate and necessary diagnostic screening tests for this deadly disease. | In Committee |
| SCR61 | Constitutes special committee of Senate and General Assembly entitled "New Jersey Public Employee Health Care Program Costs Investigation Committee." | This concurrent resolution constitutes a special committee of the Legislature entitled the "New Jersey Public Employee Health Care Program Costs Investigation Committee." The creation of this committee is in response to several news articles highlighting the recommended increase in premiums and periodic charges for the State health care programs and allegations the Governor's Office may have intervened during contract disputes with the State's contractor, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield. The committee will review and investigate the recommended increases in the premiums of the State Health Benefits Program and School Employees' Health Benefits Program. The committee will also investigate allegations that the Governor's Office may have pressured staff at the Department of the Treasury to halt the contract dispute with Horizon and the effort by the department to recoup the $34 million from the contract. Additionally, the committee will review the implementation, if any, of P.L.2019, c.143, which created subaccounts in the State Health Benefits Program Fund and the School Employees' Health Benefits Program Fund and also required the State to procure a professional services contract for a third-party medical claims reviewer for the State Health Benefits Program and School Employees' Health Benefits Program. The committee will make recommendations that address this subject. | In Committee |
| S1327 | Expands EDA small business loan program to include certain broadband telecommunications service providers. | This bill requires the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA), in consultation with the Board of Public Utilities (BPU), to offer loans to broadband telecommunications service providers providing broadband telecommunications service to rural areas under an existing small business loan program administered by the EDA. The bill defines a "broadband telecommunications service provider" as a person, business, for-profit or nonprofit corporation, unincorporated association, or partnership, including, but not limited to, a rural electric cooperative, which is certified by the BPU to offer broadband telecommunications service within a rural area of this State. The bill also defines the terms "broadband telecommunications service" and "rural area." The bill requires that an EDA-approved loan under the program is to be made pursuant to a loan agreement, bear interest at rates and terms deemed appropriate by the EDA, and contain other terms and conditions considered appropriate by the EDA that are consistent with the purposes of the bill and with regulations adopted by the EDA to implement the bill. The bill requires the EDA, in consultation with the BPU, to adopt rules and regulations as are necessary to effectuate the purposes of the bill. The bill repeals a duplicative provision added by section 3 of P.L.2019, c.240. | In Committee |
| SCR53 | Proposes constitutional amendment to authorize municipalities to provide property tax credit of up to 100 percent for primary residence of volunteer firefighter or volunteer first aid squad member. | If approved by the voters, this proposed amendment to the State Constitution would authorize the governing body of a municipality to provide a property tax credit of up to 100 percent for the primary residence of a volunteer firefighter or volunteer first aid rescue squad member. To qualify for the credit, the volunteer is required to be an active member of a fire company or first aid squad that serves the municipality where the primary residence is located. This credit is being offered as a way to encourage more residents to volunteer as first responders and to acknowledge those who currently put their lives on the line to ensure the safety of our communities each and every day. | In Committee |
| S726 | Prohibits public institutions of higher education from accepting gifts and donations from foreign adversaries. | This bill prohibits public institutions of higher education from accepting gifts and donations from certain entities and individuals. Under the bill, a public institution of higher education is prohibited from accepting gifts and donations from a foreign adversary, an individual acting on behalf of a foreign adversary, or an entity that is owned, controlled, or subject to a jurisdiction deemed a foreign adversary. The bill defines foreign adversary as any foreign government or foreign non-government person determined by the United States Secretary of Commerce to have engaged in a long-term pattern or serious instances of conduct significantly adverse to the national security of the United States or security and safety of United States persons. | In Committee |
| S619 | Eliminates transfer inheritance taxes on brothers and sisters of a decedent. | This bill amends the New Jersey transfer inheritance tax to eliminate the tax on brothers and sisters of a decedent for transfers made on or after January 1, 2022. Presently, transfers to brothers and sisters of a decedent are taxed according to the rate imposed on "Class C" beneficiaries, or at a rate of 11 to 16 percent depending on the amount transferred, with the first $25,000 exempt from taxation. This bill would effectively treat transfers to a brother or sister of a decedent on par with transfers to other immediate family members, including the spouse, domestic partner, civil union partner, father, mother, grandparent, or child of a decedent. | 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 |
| S2017 | Establishes Statewide Opioid Antidote Coordinator position; appropriates funds. | This bill establishes the Office of the Statewide Opioid Antidote Coordinator in the Department of Human Services and makes an appropriation. Under the bill, the Commissioner of Human Services will appoint a Statewide Opioid Antidote Coordinator, who will serve at the pleasure of the commissioner. The Statewide Opioid Antidote Coordinator will be required to have prior experience in mental health and substance use disorders, law enforcement, health care, health policy, or procurement and processing. The commissioner will assign administrative and clerical staff as necessary to support the activities of the Statewide Opioid Antidote Coordinator. The Statewide Opioid Antidote Coordinator will be responsible for: 1) overseeing the bulk purchasing and distribution of opioid antidotes on behalf of all State agencies, as well as certain other entities that distribute or administer opioid antidotes, including, but not limited to, emergency medical response entities, law enforcement agencies, recognized places of public access, public and nonpublic schools, and sterile syringe access programs, when those entities request assistance with purchasing opioid antidotes; 2) working and liaising with the Department of Health, the Office of the Attorney General, the New Jersey State Police, the New Jersey Coordinator for Addiction Responses and Enforcement Strategies in the Office of the Attorney General, the Office of the Governor, and other governmental entities as may be necessary to support those entities in the performance of their duties as those duties relate to the purchase, distribution, and administration of opioid antidotes; and 3) establishing and maintaining an Internet website that provides information to the public concerning opioid antidotes, including information concerning the nature of opioid antidotes, the administration of opioid antidotes, access to opioid antidotes, and responding to a suspected opioid overdose. The Office of the Statewide Opioid Antidote Coordinator will be supported by such federal funds as may be available for this purpose, as well as by an annual appropriation in an amount as may be needed to ensure the office is fully funded. In addition, the bill requires an appropriation be made to the Department of Human Services from the General Fund to support the establishment of the opioid antidote information website. The Commissioner of Human Services will be required to prepare and submit an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature describing the activities of the Statewide Opioid Antidote Coordinator over the prior year, including the total quantity of opioid antidotes purchased and distributed by the coordinator, the types of entities to which opioid antidotes were distributed and the quantity of opioid antidotes distributed to each type of entity, estimated cost savings realized through the use of bulk purchasing of opioid antidotes, public information and outreach initiatives undertaken by the coordinator, and any other information the commissioner determines to be necessary and appropriate. According to the Department of Health, between June 2017 and April 2021, emergency medical services providers and law enforcement alone administered more than 54,000 doses of opioid antidotes in New Jersey. Opioid antidotes are an essential component of the State's response to the opioid epidemic, and have been a proven resource that saves the lives of New Jerseyans. It is the sponsor's view that, given the critical role opioid antidotes play in responding to the opioid epidemic, it is essential to create an Office of the Statewide Opioid Antidote Coordinator in order to facilitate the ability of State, county, and local governmental entities, as well as law enforcement, first responders, and public health providers, to access, dispense, and administer opioid antidotes in a comprehensive, efficient, and cost-effective manner. | In Committee |
| S617 | Adds illicit fentanyls to Schedule I in the "New Jersey Controlled Dangerous Substances Act." | This bill would add "illicit fentanyls" to Schedule I in the "New Jersey Controlled Dangerous Substances Act." Schedule I substances have high potential for abuse, and either have no accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, or lack accepted safety for use in treatment under medical supervision. Illicit fentanyls are derivatives of the regulated prescription drug fentanyl. In September 2016, the Office of the Attorney General issued an emergency order that temporarily added seven illicit fentanyls to Schedule I. On March 21, 2017 this designation was made permanent, when these substances were added to Schedule I in the Administrative Code (N.J.A.C. 13:45H-10.1.) This bill would codify the Schedule I placement of illicit fentanyls in the statutes. This bill would not change the designation of prescription fentanyl, which is a Schedule II substance. A substance is placed in Schedule II if it: (1) has high potential for abuse; (2) has currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, or currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions; and (3) abuse may lead to severe psychic or physical dependence. Under subsection b. of N.J.S.A.2C:35-5, unlawfully manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing any Schedule I or II substance in a quantity of one ounce or more is a crime of the second degree (punishable by a term of imprisonment of five to ten years or a fine up to $150,000, or both). Unlawfully manufacturing, distributing or dispensing in a quantity of less than one ounce is a crime of the third degree (generally punishable by a term of three to five years or a fine up to $15,000, or both, but in this case also punishable by an increased fine of up to $75,000). Specifically, the bill adds the following substances to Schedule I: Illicit fentanyls. Illicit fentanyls include any material, compound, mixture, or preparation that is not listed as a controlled substance in Schedules I through V, is not a Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drug, and contains any quantity of the following substances, their salts, isomers (whether optical, positional, or geometric), homologues (analogs), and salts of isomers, and homologues (analogs) unless specifically excepted whenever the existence of these salts, isomers, homologues (analogs), and salts of isomers and homologues (analogs) is possible within the specific chemical designations:i. Furanyl Fentanyl, with a chemical composition of N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl]-2-furancarboxamide, monohydrochloride or N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)-N-phenylfuran-2-carboxamide; ii. 3-Methylfentanyl, with a chemical composition of 3-methyl-N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenethyl-4-piperidyl)-propanamide); iii. 3-Methyl Butyrylfentanyl, with a chemical composition of 3-Methyl, N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl]-butanamide, monohydrochloride; iv. Valeryl Fentanyl, with a chemical composition of N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl]-pentanamide, monohydrochloride; v. Norfentanyl, with a chemical composition of N-phenyl-N-4-piperidinyl-propanamide; vi. Para-Fluorobutyryl-Fentanyl, with a chemical composition of N-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl) -4-piperidinyl]-butanamide, monohydrochloride; and vii. Carfentanyl, with a chemical composition of 2-hydroxypropane-1, 2, 3-tricarboxylic acid; methyl 1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-(N-propanoylanilino) piperidine-4-carboxylateor. | In Committee |
| S801 | Provides free admission to State parks, forests, and beaches for certain veterans and military personnel. | This bill would amend current law to provide free admission to State parks, forests, and beaches for certain veterans and military personnel. Specifically, the bill would provide free admission to veterans who are residents of the State, and to any person who is in active military service in any of the Armed Forces of the United States, including the reserves, who is a State resident or stationed in New Jersey, regardless of their residency status. Current law already provides free admission to State residents who are active members of the National Guard, totally disabled, or 62 or more years of age. | In Committee |
| S1488 | Establishes "Opioid Prevention and Rehabilitation Program Fund" and tax on opioid drugs. | This bill establishes the "Opioid Prevention and Rehabilitation Program Fund," which would support programs that provide treatment for individuals who are uninsured, underinsured, or enrolled in the Medicaid program. The fund would be supported by a tax on the first wholesale distribution of an opioid drug in this State at the rate of one cent per milligram of active opioid ingredient. As used in the bill, "distribution," "drug," and "wholesale distributor" have the same definitions as the current law providing for the licensure of pharmaceutical wholesale distributors. | In Committee |
| S418 | Makes FY2023 supplemental appropriation of $17 million to DEP for grants for certain lake management activities. | This bill makes a one-time supplemental appropriation of $17 million for Fiscal Year 2023 to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from the General Fund. The bill directs the DEP to establish a program to use these funds for grants to assist qualified entities to pay certain costs associated with the management and maintenance of lakes for recreation and conservation purposes. The bill requires the DEP to develop criteria for the evaluation and ranking of applications to provide priority to projects submitted by qualified entities responsible for a lake with public access; and projects to improve water quality and increase recreational access and use of lakes, including projects to control nutrient levels in lakes in order to prevent future harmful algal blooms. The bill provides that a grant issued pursuant to the bill may be used for stormwater and nonpoint source pollution management activities, if the DEP determines that those activities would directly enhance, improve, or protect the use of a lake for recreation and conservation purposes. The bill defines "qualified entity" to mean: the Greenwood Lake Commission; the Lake Hopatcong Commission; a local government unit; an entity established pursuant to law or an entity established pursuant to ordinance by the municipalities surrounding a publicly-accessible lake for the management of the lake, including, but not limited to, the Deal Lake Commission or the Lake Topanemus Park Commission; or a nonprofit organization that is exempt from federal taxation pursuant to 26 U.S.C. s.501 (c)(3) and whose mission is the management or maintenance of a publicly-accessible lake. | In Committee |
| S191 | Classifies xylazine as Schedule III controlled dangerous substance under certain circumstances. | This bill classifies xylazine as a Schedule III controlled dangerous substance (CDS), except when it is acquired, prescribed, administered, or dispensed by a veterinarian in the course of the professional practice of veterinary medicine. Drugs listed as Schedule III CDS that do not otherwise carry a specific criminal penalty are subject to certain standard criminal penalties related to the illegal manufacturing, distribution, dispensing, possession, and use of the drug. Accordingly, a person convicted of the illegal manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, use, or being under the influence of xylazine would be guilty of a crime of the third degree, which is punishable by imprisonment for three to five years, as well as a fine of up to $25,000 in the case of manufacturing, distribution, and dispensing offenses, and a fine of up to $35,000 for possession, use, or intoxication offenses. Certain enhanced penalties would apply for offenses committed within 1,000 feet of school property, for offenses committed within 500 feet of certain public spaces, and for distributing xylaxine to a person under 18 years of age or who is pregnant. Xylazine, which is also known by the street names "tranq," "tranq dope," and "zombie drug," has been approved for use as an animal sedative and is commonly used in veterinary practice, but has not been approved for use in humans. However, it has been reported that xylazine has been increasingly detected in illegal street drugs, and particularly in opioid drugs, as it can enhance and prolong the euphoric effects of opioids. However, xylazine is not itself an opioid, and it does not respond to opioid antidotes like naloxone. Accordingly, a person who consumes an opioid drug that includes xylazine may die of an overdose notwithstanding the prompt administration of an opioid antidote. Furthermore, xylazine is highly addictive, results in severe withdrawal symptoms, and can cause severe skin ulcers and abscesses. Although some drug users seek out xylazine for its effects in enhancing opioid intoxication, others may not be aware they are consuming it or that they are at enhanced risk of overdose and other drug-related injuries. It is the sponsor's belief that listing xylazine as a Schedule III CDS, except when it is being used in the course of practicing veterinary medicine, will help protect the lives of New Jersey citizens and prevent unnecessary deaths. | In Committee |
| SCR15 | Applies to Congress for an Article V Convention of States to limit certain powers of the federal government and terms of office. | This Senate concurrent resolution applies to Congress for the calling of an Article V Convention of the States limited to proposing amendments to the United States Constitution that impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government and limit the terms of office for its officials. | In Committee |
| S1883 | Excludes certain illegal aliens from workers' compensation and temporary disability benefits. | This bill excludes illegal aliens from workers' compensation coverage unless they were lawfully admitted for permanent residence at the time the employment was performed, were lawfully present for the purpose of performing the employment, or otherwise were permanently residing in the United States under color of law at the time the employment was performed. The bill also provides that illegal aliens will not be eligible to receive benefits pursuant to the "Temporary Disability Benefits Law," P.L.1948, c.110 (C.43:21-25) if they are not eligible for benefits pursuant to the "unemployment compensation law," R.S.43:21-1 et seq. This bill is in response to the decision of Mateo Coria v. Board of Review and National Fence Systems, No. A-5076-89-T5 (App. Div. 1991). In that case, the Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court held that the "Temporary Disability Benefits Law" does not disqualify individuals for benefits based upon their status as illegal aliens. | In Committee |
| S1886 | Requires certification that persons directly or indirectly receiving State monies or privileges are not unauthorized aliens. | This bill provides that no person will receive a contract, loan, tax deferral, tax reduction, tax abatement, grant, subsidy, loan guarantee, certification, or license from the State unless that person has certified that his or her presence in the United States is authorized under federal law; or if the person is an employer receiving monies, licensure or any other benefit from the State, that the employer made a good faith effort to verify an employee's eligibility for employment in compliance with federal law. A penalty would apply only for "knowingly and willfully" false statements. The bill requires the New Jersey Department of Labor to prepare and make available to all State agencies a form which requires signatories, as individuals and as employers, to indicate compliance with federal law with regard to unauthorized aliens. The form will contain the following statement: "I certify that all the above statements are true, that I am aware that State law provides a penalty for written statements that are knowingly and willfully false and that the State of New Jersey reserves the right to terminate, cancel, rescind or revoke any privilege or benefit granted by the State based upon the above statements should any of them prove knowingly and willfully false." The bill states that the intent is to have each State agency incorporate the language of the form into existing documents and procedures rather than establish a separate certification filing system. | In Committee |
| SR12 | Urges NJ DOH to increase public awareness on effects of xylazine. | This resolution urges the New Jersey Department of Health to take the appropriate steps to inform the public of the dangers to humans who use xylazine as a recreational drug. The New Jersey Department of Health should increase efforts to raise awareness on the human use of xylazine by providing New Jerseyans with appropriate educational resources. A new street drug, xylazine, also known as "Tranq" and "Zombie Drug" has created a growing concern in the State. The drug is a central nervous system depressant that can cause drowsiness and amnesia as well as slow breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure to dangerously low levels. Xylazine, a non-opioid veterinary tranquilizer not approved for human use, has been linked to an increasing number of overdose deaths in humans in New Jersey and surrounding states. Xylazine or xylazine-containing drugs are used by injecting, snorting, swallowing, or inhaling. Repeated xylazine use is also associated with skin ulcers, abscesses, and complications. People that are exposed to xylazine, knowingly or unknowingly, use it in combination with other drugs, particularly illicit fentanyl. Xylazine containing fentanyl is used to lengthen the veterinary tranquilizer's euphoric effects. Overdose deaths linked to both xylazine and fentanyl also involved other substances, including cocaine, heroin, benzodiazepines, alcohol, gabapentin, methadone, and prescription opioids. Since xylazine is not an opioid, naloxone, a medication used for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose, cannot be used as an antidote. | In Committee |
| SCR69 | Proposes Constitutional amendment to limit exercise of eminent domain to acquisition of land for essential public purposes. | This concurrent resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to limit the eminent domain power of State and local government to the acquisition of private property only for purposes considered to be "essential public purposes." The proposed amendment would define "essential public purposes" to include and be limited to the establishment of utility and transportation corridors, educational facilities, airports, correctional facilities, solid waste handling facilities, landfills, sewage treatment facilities, storm water management facilities, in-patient health facilities, and recreational facilities. Currently, the State Constitution establishes the clearance, replanning, development or redevelopment of blighted areas as a public purpose and public use for which government may take or acquire private property. This amendment would specifically prohibit government from acquiring private property for these purposes, although it would permit government to continue to grant tax exemptions to private corporations in order to promote the redevelopment of blighted areas. It is the sponsor's belief that as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Kelo v. City of New London, 545 U.S. 469 (2005) which upheld a municipality's right to condemn private residences for private redevelopment, New Jersey homeowners and business owners are now more vulnerable to overreaching government action which impairs private property rights. Accordingly, this constitutional amendment represents an attempt to protect New Jersey residents from the effects of this decision. | In Committee |
| S4696 | Prohibits health insurance carriers from obtaining pharmacy benefits manager licenses. | Prohibits health insurance carriers from obtaining pharmacy benefits manager licenses. | Introduced |
| S4698 | Provides that pharmacy benefits managers have fiduciary duty to financial interests of covered persons. | Provides that pharmacy benefits managers have fiduciary duty to financial interests of covered persons. | Introduced |
| S4699 | Requires Attorney General to establish Human Trafficking Unit in Department of Law and Public Safety. | Requires Attorney General to establish Human Trafficking Unit in Department of Law and Public Safety. | Introduced |
| Bill | Bill Name | Motion | Vote Date | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1636 | Changes MVC voter registration procedures. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| S2167 | Requires public and certain nonpublic schools to comply with breakfast and lunch standards adopted by USDA. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S317 | Revises "Athletic Training Licensure Act." | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2019 | Authorizes pharmacists to dispense HIV prophylaxis without individual prescription under certain circumstances; mandates prescription benefits coverage. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S862 | Requires DOT to provide additional information in annual report on pavement condition; makes report available to public. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2051 | Requires law enforcement officer to conduct risk assessment of and provide assistance to domestic violence victims. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S1403 | Requires employer or contractor engaged in work for public body to submit payroll records to DOLWD. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S1320 | Requires certain information be included in certain contracts with licensed public adjusters. | Senate Floor: Concur Governor Recommendations | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S1067 | Directs DHS to conduct landscape analysis of available mental health services. | Senate Floor: Concur Governor Recommendations | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A2929 | Requires disclosure of lead drinking water hazards to tenants of residential units; prohibits landlords from obstructing replacement of lead service lines; concerns testing of certain property for lead drinking water hazards. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3323 | Requires pay for extracurricular activities to be included in compensation for TPAF purposes. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A3361 | Establishes limit on rent increase for certain dwelling sites for modular or industrialized buildings or manufactured homes. | Senate Floor: Concur Governor Recommendations | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A3128 | Authorizes HMFA to use certain tax credits; directs HMFA to conduct tax credit auctions to provide financial assistance for certain housing purposes. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A1948 | Requires VCCO to issue annual report to Governor and Legislature. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A1682 | Requires State Board of Education to adopt New Jersey Student Learning Standards pertaining to labor movement; requires school districts to provide instruction on labor movement. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| 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 | Abstain |
| A4937 | Concerns satellite cannabis dispensaries, Cannabis Regulatory Commission membership, and post-employment restrictions on State employees. | Senate Floor: Amend | 06/30/2025 | Abstain |
| A4954 | Requires members of historic preservation commissions to complete historic preservation planning course. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| A5130 | Requires enforcing agency to conduct inspection of construction in specified time window. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3982 | Requires certain information be provided to parent at least two business days prior to annual Individualized Education Program (IEP) team meeting; establishes IEP Improvement Working Group in DOE. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5170 | Requires State to purchase certain unused tax credits issued under New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| S4028 | Limits amount of payment that State agency as property owner may withhold from certain contractors on State construction contracts to two percent of amount due. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5199 | Requires resident and fellow physicians employed by Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, who are eligible for coverage in SHBP, to be eligible to enroll and receive health insurance on first day of employment. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5267 | Requires BPU to procure and incentivize transmission-scale energy storage. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5267 | Requires BPU to procure and incentivize transmission-scale energy storage. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5267 | Requires BPU to procure and incentivize transmission-scale energy storage. | Senate Floor: Reconsidered Vote | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5267 | Requires BPU to procure and incentivize transmission-scale energy storage. | Senate Floor: Amend | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5264 | Requires establishment of automated platform to expedite construction code approval of applications to install residential solar energy systems. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4122 | Revises apportionment of State lottery contributions. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4135 | Provides allowance for certain redevelopment projects undertaken by institutions of higher education under New Jersey Aspire program. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5309 | Permits up to three credits of continuing medical education on menopause to be used by advanced practice nurses and physicians for license renewal. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5378 | Modifies provisions of Cultural Arts Incentives Program, New Jersey Aspire Program, and Grow New Jersey Program; eliminates Community-Anchored Development Program. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5381 | Provides medical documentation requirement for certain members of PERS, PFRS, and SPRS to receive accidental disability retirement allowance for participation in 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations; removes filing deadline. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4263 | Revises certain provisions concerning, and establishes certain education and data reporting requirements related to, involuntary commitment. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5447 | Prohibits sweepstakes model of wagering; establishes new penalties for unlawful gambling operations and practices; directs Division of Consumer Affairs and Division of Gaming Enforcement to enforce penalties. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5463 | Requires electric public utilities to submit annual report on voting to BPU. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| S4293 | Requires owner or operator of data center to submit water and energy usage report to BPU. | Senate Floor: Reconsidered Vote | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| 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 | Nay |
| A5563 | Establishes "Summer Termination Program" for certain utility customers. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5563 | Establishes "Summer Termination Program" for certain utility customers. | Senate Floor: Amend | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5546 | Concerns financial powers and responsibilities of Capital City Redevelopment Corporation. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| S4376 | Establishes Department of Veterans Affairs. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| A5687 | Establishes Next New Jersey Manufacturing Program to incentivize in-State manufacturing investments and job creation. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5688 | Imposes surcharge on hotel occupancies in certain municipalities to fund fire services; provides for appropriation. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4426 | Appropriates funds to DEP for environmental infrastructure projects in FY2026. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4426 | Appropriates funds to DEP for environmental infrastructure projects in FY2026. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4467 | Authorizes NJ Infrastructure Bank to expend certain sums to make loans for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2026. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4467 | Authorizes NJ Infrastructure Bank to expend certain sums to make loans for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2026. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4451 | Clarifies requirements for land use plan element and housing plan element of municipal master plan. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| SCR131 | Approves FY2026 Financial Plan of NJ Infrastructure Bank. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4400 | Extends hours that minor employed by national sports association, league, or team may work under certain circumstances. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4387 | Requires establishment of tracking system in Division of Consumer Affairs to determine compliance with continuing education requirements. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4423 | Authorizes BPU to provide site approval for small modular reactors; authorizes operators of small modular reactors to store spent nuclear fuel on-site. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4476 | Permits awarding of contracts for certain preschool education services by resolution of board of education; extends maximum length of preschool education services contracts to three years. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| S4472 | Eliminates five percent down payment requirement for local bond ordinances involving hazard mitigation and resilience projects. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4506 | Exempts minor league baseball players from certain State wage laws under certain circumstances. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4530 | Requires BPU to revise community solar program targets. | Senate Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| S4530 | Requires BPU to revise community solar program targets. | Senate Floor: Concur in Assembly Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Nay |
| State | District | Chamber | Party | Status | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NJ | New Jersey Senate District 23 | Senate | Republican | In Office | 12/19/2022 |