Legislator
Legislator > Barbara McCann Stamato
State Assemblymember
Barbara McCann Stamato
(D) - New Jersey
New Jersey Assembly District 31
In Office - Started: 01/09/2024
contact info
Jersey City Office
39 Kearney Ave.
Annex 4
Jersey City, NJ 07305
Annex 4
Jersey City, NJ 07305
Phone: 201-451-5100
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| A5598 | Modifies requirements to obtain licensure in public accountancy. | Modifies requirements to obtain licensure in public accountancy. | Crossed Over |
| A4331 | Establishes licensure for cosmetic retail services. | Establishes licensure for cosmetic retail services. | Crossed Over |
| 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. | Passed |
| A3856 | 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. | In Committee |
| A3361 | Establishes limit on rent increase for certain dwelling sites for modular or industrialized buildings or manufactured homes. | Establishes limit on rent increase for certain dwelling sites for modular or industrialized buildings or manufactured homes. | Passed |
| A5690 | Makes labeling of candidate ballot positions discretionary rather than mandatory. | Under current law, county clerks are required to label each position on a primary election ballot with a number and letter, such as "1A", corresponding to the line of the ballot where candidate names are placed. This bill would allow, rather than require, each county clerk to determine whether or not they want to use such labels on primary election ballots in their respective counties. | In Committee |
| S1067 | "Right to Mental Health for Individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing Act"; establishes certain requirements concerning provision of mental health services to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. | ""Right to Mental Health for Individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing Act"; establishes certain requirements concerning provision of mental health services to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. | Vetoed |
| S3525 | Requires financial institutions to allow mortgagors to make biweekly and semi-monthly payments and payments to mortgage principal. | Requires financial institutions to allow mortgagors to make biweekly and semi-monthly payments and payments to mortgage principal. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4751 | Permits purchase of service credit in SPRS for period of enrollment in military service academy and in New Jersey State Police Academy, and employment as class two special law enforcement officer. | Permits purchase of service credit in SPRS for period of enrollment in military service academy and in New Jersey State Police Academy, and employment as class two special law enforcement officer. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4966 | Eliminates statute of limitations for kidnapping and human trafficking prosecutions, and extends statute of limitations for civil cases arising from human trafficking. | Eliminates statute of limitations for kidnapping and human trafficking prosecutions, and extends statute of limitations for civil cases arising from human trafficking. | In Committee |
| A5521 | Requires that warning notices regarding certain health risks of alcohol consumption be reviewed and updated. | This bill requires the Commissioner of the Department of Health to update the warning notice regarding the adverse effects of alcohol consumption during pregnancy within six months of the effective date of this bill, and at least every five years thereafter, to reflect the most recent information available concerning the health risks of alcohol consumption, including the consequences of prenatal alcohol exposure and the link between alcohol consumption and certain cancers. Under current law, all Class C (retail sales) and club alcoholic beverage license holders, except for plenary retail transit license holders, are to prominently post warnings prepared by the Department of Health about the adverse effects of alcohol consumption during pregnancy in service areas and certain restrooms on their premises. The warning notice is intended to warn patrons regarding the health risks associated with the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. This bill requires the commissioner to update the warning notice in consultation with appropriate medical and scientific experts, appropriate professional organizations, and advocacy groups. According to the sponsor, the current warning notice regarding the health dangers of alcohol consumption has not been updated in over a decade. In that time, scientific and medical understanding has increased substantially. The sponsor provides that it is in the public's best interest to have up-to-date information on health and safety issues. | In Committee |
| S3587 | Upgrades, and in some circumstances provides for extended terms of imprisonment for, certain retail theft crimes, addresses gift card fraud, and authorizes new Attorney General initiatives to address organized retail theft. | An Act concerning retail theft, amending and supplementing various parts of the statutory law, and making an appropriation. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A1675 | Extends membership in TPAF to 10 years after discontinuance of service and to 15 years for those who were laid off or had 10 or more years of continuous service upon voluntary termination. | Extends membership in TPAF to 10 years after discontinuance of service and to 15 years for those who were laid off or had 10 or more years of continuous service upon voluntary termination. | Crossed Over |
| A3973 | Revises law concerning patient referrals to substance use disorder treatment facilities, recovery residences, and clinical laboratories. | Revises law concerning patient referrals to substance use disorder treatment facilities, recovery residences, and clinical laboratories. | Crossed Over |
| A3974 | Prohibits use of deceptive marketing practices by substance use disorder treatment providers. | Prohibits use of deceptive marketing practices by substance use disorder treatment providers. | Crossed Over |
| A5278 | Establishes "New Jersey Menopause Coverage Act"; requires health insurance coverage of medically necessary perimenopause and menopause treatments. | Establishes "New Jersey Menopause Coverage Act"; requires health insurance coverage of medically necessary perimenopause and menopause treatments. | In Committee |
| A4365 | Establishes Council for Community Recovery and Family Success; appropriates $4.0 million. | This bill establishes the Council for Community Recovery and Family Success in, but not of, the Department of Community Affairs, which will develop strategies to promote the well-being of infants, children, youth, and families, and encourage family success. The council will consist of 25 members, including the Commissioners of Children and Families, Community Affairs, Corrections, Education, Health, Human Services, and Labor and Workforce Development, and the Executive Director of the Juvenile Justice Commission in the Department of Law and Public Safety, or their designees, who will serve ex officio, and 17 public members, who will be representatives of certain entities that provide services to children and families, or have certain experience with receiving family services in New Jersey. The council will manage the development and implementation of a Statewide initiative concerning the social and economic well-being of infants, children, youth, and families, and the provision of holistic, age and developmentally appropriate services that support a child's development from birth to young adulthood. In order to implement the Statewide initiative, the council will: (1) advocate for a State Bill of Rights for Infants, Children, Youth, and Families, which will provide a framework for the initiative; (2) identify and develop policies, strategies, and financial priorities that promote family success; (3) recommend policies to improve the efficacy of existing State and community-based services and programs; (4) explore strategies to leverage public and private funding to provide preventive services; and (5) establish community recovery and family success councils in each county. The goal of the Statewide initiative will be to: promote positive family relationships, community connections, and preventive services to ensure financial security, quality education, health, safety, and permanency for infants, children, youth, and families through an integrated service planning and delivery system. The bill defines "distress services" to mean services to remediate circumstances that endanger the safety, permanency, health, and well-being of infants, children, and youth; and "preventative services" as those services that promote the safety, permanency, health, and well-being of the target populations and divert the need for distress services. The council will submit an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature that will include recommendations for legislative and administrative actions on the use of public and private resources to support family success initiatives and preventive services for all families. The bill appropriates $4.0 million from the General Fund to the council to implement the provisions of the bill, and provides that the council may use any unexpended appropriations in the succeeding fiscal year. | In Committee |
| A4091 | Expands services that can be provided by audiologists and hearing aid dispensers. | An Act concerning audiologists and hearing aid dispensers and amending various parts of the statutory law. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4051 | Prohibits sale of cats, dogs, or rabbits by pet shops; repeals "Pet Purchase Protection Act." | Prohibits sale of cats, dogs, or rabbits by pet shops; repeals "Pet Purchase Protection Act." | In Committee |
| S4136 | Authorizes public bodies to continue using newspapers for required public notices and legal advertisements until certain specified date regardless of format; requires submission of certain subscription and other data. | An Act allowing the publication of required public notices and legal advertisements in certain newspapers for extended period regardless of format, requiring the submission of certain data, and amending P.L.2024, c.106. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4755 | Upgrades, and in some circumstances provides for extended terms of imprisonment for, certain retail theft crimes, addresses gift card fraud, and authorizes new Attorney General initiatives to address organized retail theft. | Upgrades, and in some circumstances provides for extended terms of imprisonment for, certain retail theft crimes, addresses gift card fraud, and authorizes new Attorney General initiatives to address organized retail theft. | In Committee |
| A1673 | "Right to Mental Health for Individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing Act"; establishes certain requirements concerning provision of mental health services to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. | "Right to Mental Health for Individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing Act"; establishes certain requirements concerning provision of mental health services to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. | In Committee |
| A5343 | Authorizes public bodies to continue using newspapers for required public notices and legal advertisements until certain specified date regardless of format; requires submission of certain subscription data. | Authorizes public bodies to continue using newspapers for required public notices and legal advertisements until certain specified date regardless of format; requires submission of certain subscription data. | In Committee |
| A4361 | Establishes requirements for on-demand micro transit programs operating within State. | This bill requires the Commissioner of Transportation to establish and issue requirements for the operation of any on-demand micro transit programs operating within the State. These requirements are to provide that: (1) employees of an entity providing on-demand micro transit service are responsible for directly operating these services, with certain exceptions described in the bill; (2) on-demand micro transit drivers hold a valid commercial driver license; (3)on-demand micro transit drivers are compensated at no less than the same wages, hours, working conditions, and benefits as other drivers directly employed by the entity providing on-demand micro transit service; (4) existing employees of an entity that provides on-demand micro transit service are not adversely affected by the establishment and operation of the on-demand micro transit program; (5) each on-demand micro transit program creates additional transit service to transit deserts; and (6) the New Jersey Transit Corporation (corporation), in consultation with the Commissioner of Transportation, may establish any other rules, guidelines, or protocols. The bill also establishes the Micro Transit Oversight Committee (committee), which is required to review each on-demand micro transit plan established by the New Jersey Transit Corporation, a county transit agency, or any other entity and to certify that the plan meets all of the requirements established under the bill. The committee is to be comprised of three members: a representative from the New Jersey Transit Corporation appointed by the Governor upon recommendation of the executive director of the corporation, a member of the New Jersey General Assembly appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, and a member appointed by the President of the Senate upon recommendation of the labor organization representing the plurality of employees of the corporation involved in motorbus operations. Each member is to serve a term of one year. A majority of the membership of the committee constitutes a quorum for the transaction of committee business, and action may be taken at any meeting by the affirmative vote of a majority of the membership of the committee. An entity is prohibited from providing on-demand micro transit service until the entity receives the certification required by the bill. Under the bill, "on-demand micro transit" is defined as publicly available, technology-enabled, shared transportation provided by means of a motor vehicle to individuals selecting a pick-up and drop-off location by telephone or through a mobile application, and which transportation is provided at a time selected by the individual or as soon as possible after the individual selects pick-up and drop-off locations for such transportation. | Dead |
| A5329 | Requires DOH to study cost of establishing long-term health care benefit for certain individuals. | This bill requires the Department of Health to study the cost of establishing a long-term health care benefit for certain individuals. Under the bill, the Commissioner of Health (commissioner) is to study modeling of public and private options for leveraging private resources to help individuals prepare for long-term health care services and support needs. The study is to model two options: (1) a public long-term health care benefit for workers, funded through a payroll deduction that would provide a time-limited long-term health care insurance benefit; and (2) a public-private reinsurance or risk-sharing model, with the purpose of providing a stable and ongoing source of reimbursement to insurers for a portion of the insurer's catastrophic long-term health care services and supports losses in order to provide additional insurance capacity for the State. Within 365 days following the bill's effective date, the commissioner is to prepare and submit a report containing all relevant findings to the Governor, and to the Legislature. The report is to include any recommendations for legislation or regulatory changes that would address long-term care health benefits, and include input from the Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee, the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens committee, and other interested stakeholders. The report is to also include an analysis that considers: (1) the expected costs and benefits for participants; (2) the total anticipated number of participants; (3) the projected savings to the State's Medicaid program, if any; and (4) the legal and financial risks to the State. Presently, the cost for long-term health care in New Jersey may exceed more than $65,000 a year. The current average length of stay in a long-term care facility is 2.5 years. One national study, which projected nursing home use, suggested that, of the approximately 2.2 million persons reaching age 65 each year, more than 900,000 are expected to enter a nursing home. A similar study reported that, among people who live to age 65, one in four would spend at least one year or more in a nursing home or other type of long-term care facility. | In Committee |
| A5330 | Requires public school to adopt cell phone and social media policy based on guidelines developed by DOE. | This bill requires public schools to adopt a policy concerning student use of cell phones and social media based on guidelines issued by the Department of Education. Under the bill, a board of education is to develop a policy applicable to students enrolled in grades kindergarten through 12 concerning student use of cell phones and social media platforms during regular school hours. The DOE is required to develop guidelines to assist in the development of the policy. The guidelines are to, at a minimum, (1) provide age appropriate and grade-level differentiated guidelines concerning limiting and prohibiting student use of cell phones and social media platforms; (2) prohibit non-academic use of a cell phone or social media during classroom instruction; (3) be consistent with State and federal law including accommodations provided in a student's Individualized Education Program or educational plan; (4) permit student use of cell phones in the case of an emergency or in response to a perceived threat of danger; (5) 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; (6) address smartphones, cell phones with only text or voice, and other relevant devices, including smart watches; (7) list options that may be utilized by a public school for cell phone storage, including locked pouches and cell phone lockers; (8) provide guidance for a public school to establish network-based restrictions to prevent the use of, or access to, social media platforms; and (9) 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. | In Committee |
| A5334 | Establishes requirements for on-demand micro transit programs operating within State. | This bill requires the Commissioner of Transportation (commissioner) to establish and issue requirements for the operation of any on-demand micro transit programs operating within the State. These requirements are to provide that: (1) data on such micro transit programs be reported to the New Jersey Transit Corporation (corporation) monthly; (2) that such data be published quarterly on the corporation's Internet website; (3) employees of an entity providing on-demand micro transit service are responsible for directly operating these services, with certain exceptions described in the bill; (4) on-demand micro transit drivers hold a valid commercial driver license; (5) on-demand micro transit drivers are compensated at no less than the same wages, hours, working conditions, and benefits as other drivers directly employed by the entity providing on-demand micro transit service; (6) existing employees of an entity that provides on-demand micro transit service and its contractors, if any, and the corporation, are not adversely affected by the establishment and operation of the on-demand micro transit program; (7) each on-demand micro transit program creates additional transit service to transit deserts; (8) on-demand micro transit programs be available to persons without access to smart phone technology, internet service, or a credit card; (9) on-demand micro transit programs accommodate persons with disabilities at the same service levels as the general population; and (10) the commissioner, in consultation with the corporation, may establish any other rules, guidelines, or procedures. The bill also establishes the Micro Transit Oversight Committee (committee), which is required to review each on-demand micro transit plan established by the corporation, a county transit agency, or any other entity and to certify that the plan meets all of the requirements established under the bill. The committee is to be comprised of three members: a representative from the corporation appointed by the Governor upon recommendation of the executive director of the corporation, a member of the New Jersey General Assembly appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, and a member of the public appointed by the President of the Senate upon recommendation of the labor organization representing the plurality of employees of the corporation involved in motorbus operations. Each member is to serve a term of one year. A majority of the membership of the committee constitutes a quorum for the transaction of committee business, and action may be taken at any meeting by the affirmative vote of a majority of the membership of the committee. An entity is prohibited from providing on-demand micro transit service until the entity receives the certification required by the bill. Under the bill, "on-demand micro transit" is defined as publicly available, technology-enabled, shared transportation provided by means of a motor vehicle to individuals selecting a pick-up and drop-off location by telephone or through a mobile application, and which transportation is provided at a time selected by the individual or as soon as possible after the individual selects pick-up and drop-off locations for transportation. | In Committee |
| A4972 | Permits single exit stairwells in certain new residential buildings under State Uniform Construction Code. | This bill would permit the governing body of a municipality to adopt an ordinance or resolution to allow a single exit stairway to serve a residential building of less than six stories for a Group R-2 occupancy, as defined in the bill, notwithstanding any provision of the "State Uniform Construction Code Act," P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.), the State Uniform Construction Code, or any other provision of law to the contrary. The bill specifies that the first floor of such a structure may be used for a purpose other than residential use, provided that use is classified by the Commissioner of Community Affairs as a nonhazardous occupancy and served by entrances that are separate from those serving the residential floors. The requirements of the bill would only apply to new applications for development of residential structures submitted on or after the effective date of the bill. The bill requires the Commissioner of Community Affairs to adopt a regulatory guidance publication for the governing body of a municipality and publish the guidance on the Internet website of the Department of Community Affairs, which is required by the bill to include a model ordinance for the governing body of a municipality to utilize when acting pursuant to the authority granted under the bill. The bill would take effect on the first day of the fourth month next following the date of enactment, except the Commissioner of Community Affairs would be permitted to take anticipatory action necessary to effectuate the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| A2804 | Provides DHS and State Board of Medical Examiners to develop and implement process to improve efficiency of reviewing NJ FamilyCare provider applications. | Requires DHS and State Board of Medical Examiners to develop and implement process to improve efficiency of reviewing NJ FamilyCare provider applications. | Crossed Over |
| A4636 | Requires that notice concerning gift card fraud be posted by retail mercantile establishments that sell gift cards to consumers. | Requires that notice concerning gift card fraud be posted by retail mercantile establishments that sell gift cards to consumers. | In Committee |
| A4888 | Establishes AI and Labor Market Study Commission to analyze impact of artificial intelligence on labor market. | Establishes AI and Labor Market Study Commission to analyze impact of artificial intelligence on labor market. | In Committee |
| A3007 | Increases maximum age for pediatric long-term care facility residents to 26. | Increases maximum age for pediatric long-term care facility residents to 26. | In Committee |
| A2507 | Requires Administrative Law Judges to be enrolled in Workers Compensation Judges Part of PERS. | This bill requires the enrollment in the Workers Compensation Judges Part of the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) of Administrative Law Judges of the Office of Administrative Law, as a condition of employment for service as an administrative law judge for each judge enrolled after the effective date of the bill. Currently, administrative law judges are enrolled in the Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP). Administrative law judges will be subject to and governed by the laws and regulations of the Workers' Compensation Judges Part which was established in 2001 and reopened in 2021. An administrative law judge who is currently a participant in the DCRP will be transferred out of the program to the Workers' Compensation and Administrative Law Judges Part of PERS within 90 days following the bill's effective date. An administrative law judge who is currently a participant in PERS will be transferred into the Workers' Compensation and Administrative Law Judges Part of PERS within 90 days following the bill's effective date. The account in the DCRP for each judge will be transferred and each judge will be given service credit for service during participation in the program of administrative law judges. The unfunded liability for the benefits provided by the transfer will be paid by appropriations from the State General Fund. | In Committee |
| A4935 | Establishes Artificial Intelligence Apprenticeship Program and artificial intelligence apprenticeship tax credit program. | This bill establishes an Artificial Intelligence Apprenticeship Program in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Under the bill, the program will collaborate with companies in the artificial intelligence industry to offer apprenticeship opportunities that focus on artificial intelligence technology, data analytics, and automation; facilitate partnerships between employers and educational institutions; assist employers in establishing and administering apprenticeship programs; and inform employers of the artificial intelligence apprenticeship tax credit program. The bill also establishes an artificial intelligence apprenticeship tax credit program under the gross income tax and corporation business tax. The bill gives employers with qualified artificial intelligence industry apprenticeship programs the lesser of $5,000 per apprentice or one-half of an apprentice's wages. To qualify for credit, an apprenticeship must employee an unskilled or semi-skilled person in the artificial intelligence industry, including data analytics and automation, that is employed by the taxpayer for no less than 20 calendar weeks in the privilege period as part of a term of artificial intelligence industry training not exceeding four tax years. | In Committee |
| A5160 | Provides PERS members and certain retirees same benefits provided to members enrolled in retirement system before July 1, 2007. | This bill removes the membership tiers established in the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) and transfers all current non-retired members of PERS to the membership tier referred to as "Tier 1" by the Division of Pensions and Benefits. All transferred members will be considered eligible for any benefits associated with Tier 1. Under the bill, employees of public employers who earn more than the minimum salary requirement, but do not currently meet the minimum hour eligibility requirements, will be considered eligible to be enrolled as members of PERS. The employer is to process the compulsory enrollment of each affected employee within two months following the enactment of the bill. Any affected employees who are currently enrolled as participants of the Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP) will be eligible for an automatic transfer of all years of service credit to PERS, if the employee elects to transfer their membership from DCRP to PERS. Any years of service credit transferred to PERS from DCRP will be used to qualify members for retirement and health benefits associated with PERS, but will not be used to calculate the amount of pension benefit. A participant's prior contributions into the DCRP will not be transferred into PERS and will remain in the fund. The employee will receive a notice of the transfer of service credit to PERS within two months following the enactment of the bill. Upon receiving the notice, the affected employee has six months to notify their employer if they do not wish to become enrolled as a member and transfer their service credit to PERS. Employees in the DCRP who opt out of the transfer will remain in the DCRP. Additionally, any members of PERS who are receiving long term disability insurance will be eligible to apply for disability retirement as long as they apply within two calendar years following the enactment of the bill. Any changes to the early retirement, deferred retirement, service retirement, and maximum base salary resulting from the transfer of members to Tier 1 of PERS will only affect members who begin processing a retirement application after the bill is enacted. | In Committee |
| A5166 | Establishes separate crime of porch piracy, "Porch Theft Task Force," and public awareness campaign; appropriates funds. | This bill establishes a separate crime of residential package theft, also known as "porch piracy," as a distinct crime, separate from the consolidated theft statute, N.J.S.2C:20-2. Under the bill, residential package theft is a crime of the third degree if the amount involved is less than $75,000 or is undetermined, and is a crime of the second degree if the amount involved is $75,000 or more. A crime of the third degree is ordinarily 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 ordinarily punishable by a term of imprisonment of five to 10 years, a fine of up to $150,000, or both. Under the bill, in addition to any other disposition authorized by law, the court may impose a fine not to exceed $250,000 or five times the retail value of the contents of the package stolen from the residence seized at the time of the arrest, whichever is greater. Also, under the bill, in addition to the ordinary penalties for crimes of the third or second degree, the presumption of non-imprisonment for a person convicted of a first offense of a crime of the third degree would not apply. Further, a person convicted of a second or subsequent offense is required to serve a mandatory minimum term of one-third to one-half of the sentence imposed, during which time the defendant shall not be eligible for parole. The bill also provides that a person may be charged with residential package theft in addition to, or in combination with, any other crime such as home invasion burglary, residential burglary, or trespass, as applicable. Additionally, the bill establishes the "Porch Theft Task Force" to be led by the Attorney General, and involving State and local law enforcement and delivery companies. The task force is required to track and reduce residential package thefts, centralize data collection concerning residential package thefts, and coordinate law enforcement efforts. The bill requires the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety to establish a public awareness campaign to educate residents on how to prevent residential package theft. Finally, the bill appropriates from the General Fund to the Department of Law and Public Safety such funds as are necessary to implement the bill. | In Committee |
| A5158 | Provides TPAF members and certain retirees same benefits provided to members enrolled in retirement system before July 1, 2007. | This bill removes the membership tiers established in the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) and transfers all current non-retired members of TPAF to the membership tier referred to as "Tier 1" by the Division of Pensions and Benefits. All transferred members will be considered eligible for any benefits associated with Tier 1. Under the bill, employees of public employers who earn more than the minimum salary requirement, but do not currently meet the minimum hour eligibility requirements, will be considered eligible to be enrolled as members of TPAF. The employer is to process the compulsory enrollment of each affected employee within two months following the enactment of the bill. Any affected employees who are currently enrolled as participants of the Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP) will be eligible for an automatic transfer of all years of service credit to TPAF, if the employee elects to transfer their membership from DCRP to TPAF. Any years of service credit transferred to TPAF from DCRP will be used to qualify members for retirement and health benefits associated with TPAF, but will not be used to calculate the amount of pension benefit. A participant's prior contributions into the DCRP will not be transferred into TPAF and will remain in the fund. The employee will receive a notice of the transfer of service credit to TPAF within two months following the enactment of the bill. Upon receiving the notice, the affected employee has six months to notify their employer if they do not wish to become enrolled as a member and transfer their service credit to TPAF. Employees in the DCRP who opt out of the transfer will remain in the DCRP. Additionally, any members of TPAF who are receiving long term disability insurance will be eligible to apply for disability retirement as long as they apply within two calendar years following the enactment of the bill. Any changes to the early retirement, deferred retirement, service retirement, and maximum base salary resulting from the transfer of members to Tier 1 of TPAF will only affect members who begin processing a retirement application after the bill is enacted. | In Committee |
| A5175 | 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 |
| A5151 | Allows public bodies to continue using newspapers for required public notices and legal advertisements until certain specified date regardless of format. | An Act allowing publication of required public notices and legal advertisements in certain newspapers for extended period regardless of format. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4893 | Requires financial institutions to allow mortgagors to make biweekly and semi-monthly payments and payments to mortgage principal. | Requires financial institutions to allow mortgagors to make biweekly and semi-monthly payments and payments to mortgage principal. | In Committee |
| A5140 | Increases penalties for denying access to public facilities, NJT, and transportation network companies to service dogs and their handlers. | This bill increases the penalties, from civil to criminal, for any person who denies or interferes with the access of a service dog or their handler to a public facility, to any form of transportation operated by the New Jersey Transit Corporation, or any transportation network company. Currently, any person who interferes or denies the access of a service dog or their handler to a public facility is liable for civil penalties as follows:· $250 for the first violation; · $500 for the second violation; and· $1,000 for the third and each subsequent violation. This bill would subject any person denying access to a public facility, to any form of transportation operated by NJT, or any transportation network company towards a service dog or their handler to criminal penalties. A person in violation of section 1 of P.L.1971, c.130 (C.10:5-29), or section 1 of P.L.2016, c.25 (C.27:25-5b), or section 15 of P.L.2017, c.26 (C.39:5H-15) would be charged with a petty disorderly persons offense for the first violation, and a disorderly persons offense for the second and each subsequent violation. A petty disorderly persons offense is punishable by imprisonment for up to 30 days, a fine of up to $500, or both. A disorderly persons offense is punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of up to $1,000, or both; however, for a second and each subsequent violation, the standard term of up to six months' imprisonment has been increased to up to one year. | In Committee |
| A4047 | Revises unemployment compensation law. | An Act concerning unemployment compensation and amending various parts of the statutory law. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4083 | Establishes "John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey." | Establishes "John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey." | In Committee |
| S3608 | Permits restaurants and certain alcoholic beverage retailers and manufacturers to conduct business within designated outdoor space or on public sidewalk. | An Act concerning outdoor sale of food and alcoholic beverages and supplementing Title 40 of the Revised Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S2652 | Revises statutory terms pertaining to sexual exploitation or abuse of children. | An Act concerning certain criminal offenses involving sexual exploitation or abuse of children and amending various parts of the statutory law. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A5033 | Establishes public-private partnerships to develop artificial intelligence job training. | This bill enables the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development to establish public-private partnerships to develop and advance AI workforce training. The training will have a dual purpose of retraining workers displaced by AI and providing training in AI skills for active workers to enable the workforce to remain competitive in evolving AI technology. The public-private partnerships will enable the private entity to assume full financial and administrative responsibility for the development of training and retraining services related to AI in exchange for not being subject to certain procurement and prevailing wage criteria. The department will establish methods of publicizing the program, establish criteria for evaluating the proposals, and define the various administrative requirements. In addition, the department will establish an advisory council to provide targeted feedback on the progress of the program and insight on how that training can be improved. | In Committee |
| A4866 | Permits restaurants and certain alcoholic beverage retailers and manufacturers to conduct business within designated outdoor space or on public sidewalk. | Permits restaurants and certain alcoholic beverage retailers and manufacturers to conduct business within designated outdoor space or on public sidewalk. | In Committee |
| A4987 | Establishes protections for immigrants interacting with government agencies; designates "New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act." | This bill creates a uniform code for State and local government entities, as well as health care facilities, regarding the use of resources to aid federal immigration law enforcement, and designates the "New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act." Under the bill, the definition of government entities includes any of the principal departments of the executive branch of State government and any parts or creations thereof, any independent State authority, commission, instrumentality or agency, including any public institution of higher education. The bill's definition also includes political subdivisions of the State and combinations of political subdivisions, independent authorities, commissions, instrumentalities and agencies created by a political subdivision or combination of political subdivisions. Under the bill, government entities and healthcare facilities are prohibited from collecting certain personal and identifying information unless it is strictly necessary for program or service administration. Any record resulting from that collection, whether written or oral, would not be a government record under the "Open Public Records Act" unless an election agency requires it to ascertain the eligibility of a candidate when citizenship is required for an elected office. Any record also shall not be disclosed except as required to administer benefits or services pursuant to State or federal law, or valid court order or warrant, issued by a federal Article III judge or magistrate or the State equivalent. The bill provides that the prohibition on sharing information may be waived if the subject of the record or information provides written consent in that person's preferred language. The written consent shall include the following: (1) the exact record or information to be shared; (2) the purpose for sharing the record or information; (3) a statement clarifying that consent is voluntary and declining to consent shall not result in discrimination or retaliation by the government entity; (4) a statement clarifying that consent may be revoked, but that revocation does not impact a record or information already shared via prior written consent provided pursuant to this section; and (5) the person or agency to receive the record or information. The bill requires government entities to review their confidentiality policies, guidance and recommendations to identify any changes necessary to ensure compliance with the provisions of the bill and make any changes as expeditiously as possible, but no later than one year after the bill becomes effective. The bill also requires these entities to share their policies prominently on their Internet websites. This bill also requires the Attorney General, in consultation with the Public Defender, to prepare a written notice explaining in plain language the provisions of section 6 of the bill. Section 6 of the bill details the prohibition of certain actions by law enforcement. The bill requires the notice and all translations to be posted to the Internet website of the Department of Law and Public Safety and to be considered vital documents pursuant to P.L.2023, c.263 (C.52:14-40 et seq.). The Attorney General is also required to consult with stakeholders serving or representing immigrant communities in the development of standardized training and guidance for law enforcement to comply with the bill's provisions. The AG also shall provide mandatory training to all State, county and local law enforcement agencies within one year of the bill's effective date. Any newly sworn officer is required to complete this training within a year of the officer's appointment. The Department of Human Services is required to consult with stakeholders serving or representing immigrant communities to develop and lead a multilingual campaign to promote public awareness of the bill's requirements for law enforcement agencies. As part of the awareness campaign, DHS is required to publish the text of section 6 of the bill's provisions and a plain language summary and explanation of those requirements on its Internet website within 180 days of the bill's enactment. Under the bill, the Attorney General is also required to consult with other government entities and stakeholders in the development of model policies for sensitive locations. These locations include health care facilities, public schools, public libraries, shelters, and any other locations deemed appropriate by the Attorney General to ensure that eligible individuals are not deterred from seeking services or engaging with government entities. The model policies prohibit the request or collection of certain information regarding a person's immigration status, place of birth or taxpayer identification except to determine eligibility for services or program benefits. The model policies prohibit assistance or participation of immigration enforcement, and prohibit the permission of immigration enforcement on entity premises that are not open without restriction to the general public. The Attorney General is required to publish the model policies on the Internet website of the Department of Law and Public Safety. The bill requires government entities with authority to regulate sensitive places to adopt the model policies within 180 days of issuance by the Attorney General's office and encourages facilities not regulated by government entities to adopt the policies. The bill prohibits certain actions by law enforcement. Specifically, State, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies and officials shall not: (1) stop, question, arrest, search, or detain any individual based on actual or suspected citizenship or immigration status, or actual or suspected violations of federal civil immigration law; (2) inquire about an individual's immigration status, citizenship, place of birth, or eligibility for a social security number; (3) make an arrest, detain, or prolong the detention of an individual based on civil immigration warrants; (4) use agency or department moneys, facilities, property, equipment, or personnel to investigate, enforce, or assist in the investigation or enforcement of any federal program requiring registration of individuals on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, immigration status, citizenship, or national or ethnic origin; or (5) make agency or department databases available to anyone or any entity for the purpose of immigration enforcement or investigation or enforcement of any federal program requiring registration of individuals on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, immigration status, citizenship, or national or ethnic origin. The bill nullifies any agreement, policy or practice in place that is in conflict with this clause. Law enforcement agencies in the State are also prohibited from: (1) participating in civil immigration enforcement operations; (2) providing to federal immigration authorities any information that identifies, relates to, describes, is reasonably capable of being associated with, or could reasonably be linked, directly or indirectly, with a particular person; (3) providing access to any State, county, or municipal law enforcement equipment, office space, database, or property; (4) providing access to a detained individual for an interview; (5) facilitating or complying with immigration detainers, notification requests, and transfer requests from federal immigration authorities; (6) continuing to detain a person past the time the person would otherwise be eligible for release from custody based solely on an immigration detainer or civil immigration warrant; (7) entering into, modifying, renewing, or extending any agreement to exercise federal immigration authority or conduct immigration enforcement pursuant to section 287(g) of Title 8 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. §1357(g), or otherwise exercising federal civil immigration authority or conducting immigration enforcement outside of the purview of 287(g) of Title 8 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. §1357(g); or (8) providing or sharing funds, property, equipment, personnel, or access to facilities or real property not open to the general public for purposes of engaging in, assisting, supporting, or facilitating immigration enforcement. The bill provides that violations of the prohibitions on police conduct in the bill would be enforceable under the "New Jersey Civil Rights Act," P.L.2004, c.143. If an agency or law enforcement official intends to comply with an immigration detainer, notification request, civil immigration warrant, or transfer request concerning a person in custody, a written explanation specifying the legal basis for that action is required to be given to the person is custody. Lastly, the bill requires each State, county, and municipal law enforcement agency to submit to the Attorney General a report that includes: (1) the number of detainer requests, transfer requests, and notification requests made by immigration authorities, and the responses of the State, county, or municipal law enforcement agency. For any request that was granted, the report shall specify any legal basis for granting that request; (2) the number of interviews requested and the number of interviews conducted, either in person or telephonically, by immigration authorities of people in State, county, or municipal law enforcement custody. For each interview conducted, the report shall specify any legal basis for granting the interview; (3) any other requests made by immigration authorities for the agency's participation in immigration enforcement, the responses of the State, county, or municipal law enforcement agency, and the legal basis for granting the request; and (4) to the extent the law enforcement agency has knowledge, any information about State, county, and municipal databases to which immigration authorities have had access to at any time in the course of the year, including: the name of the database; an overview of information available on the database; the purpose for which immigration authorities have access to this database; the process through which immigration authorities requested access and agencies reviewed this request, if applicable; any legal basis for providing immigration authorities access to the database; and the frequency with which immigration authorities accessed the database over the course of the year. Law enforcement agencies have 180 days after the effective date of the bill to produce the first report and must then annually submit a report within 30 days of the end of the State's fiscal year. The Attorney General is initially required to publish the report on the office's website within 90 days of receipt, and then within 90 days of the end of the fiscal year thereafter. The Attorney General is also required to annually submit to the Governor and Legislature a report on each law enforcement agency's compliance with the provisions of this act. | In Committee |
| A4872 | Prohibits certain coordination among residential rental property owners who restrict competition with respect to residential dwelling units. | Prohibits certain coordination among residential rental property owners who restrict competition with respect to residential dwelling units. | In Committee |
| AJR203 | Designates November 21 of each year as "Urinary Tract Infection Awareness Day" in NJ. | This resolution designates November 21 of each year as "Urinary Tract Infection Awareness Day" in New Jersey. A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of the urinary system. The urinary tract system includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. UTIs typically occur when bacteria enters the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to spread in the bladder. In older adults, UTIs may be overlooked or mistaken for other conditions. UTIs can cause sudden confusion, also known as delirium, in older adults. If an older adult has a sudden and unexplained change in their behavior, such as increased confusion, agitation, or withdrawal, this may be because of a UTI. Formulation of a successful diagnostic and treatment plan is based on determining the location of the UTI and identifying underlying physical impairments of the patient, such as diabetes. UTIs do not always cause symptoms, but when symptoms do arise they may include a strong urge to urinate that does not go away, a burning feeling when urinating, urinating often, passing small amount of urine, urine that looks cloudy, and strong-smelling urine. UTI infections that go untreated can spread from the bladder to the kidneys and ultimately lead to a life threatening infection known as sepsis. The best way to prevent a UTI is to urinate every few hours, empty ones bladder completely, drink plenty of water, and practice good genital and urinary hygiene. Designating November 21 of each year as "Urinary Tract Infection Awareness Day" would provide New Jerseyans with an annual reminder on the negative health effects that UTIs have on the New Jerseyans across the State. | In Committee |
| A4940 | Expands competitive contracting for local contracting units and boards of education; permits county colleges to utilize competitive contracting. | This bill expands competitive contracting for local contracting units and board of education and permits county colleges to utilize competitive contracting. Under current law, local contracting units and boards of education are permitted to use competitive contracting in lieu of public bidding for specialized goods and services exceeding the bid threshold. This bill expands the list of specialized goods and services for which local contracting units and boards of education can use competitive contracting. Specifically, the bill permits local contracting units to utilize competitive contracting for the provision or performance of goods and services for the purpose of producing Class I or Class II renewable energy. The bill also permits boards of education to utilize competitive contracting for: maintenance, custodial, and groundskeeping services; consulting services; grant writing services; or the provision or performance of goods and services for the purpose of producing Class I renewable energy. Additionally, the bill enables a county college to utilize competitive contracting in lieu of public bidding for the procurement of certain listed specialized goods and services that exceed the bid threshold. The bill authorizes the use of competitive contracting for the following purposes: (1) purchasing or licensing certain proprietary computer software; (2) hiring a for-profit entity or a not-for-profit entity incorporated under current law to operate, manage, or administer recreation or social services facilities or programs and data processing services; (3) obtaining services concerning energy conservation education; (4) procuring certain telecommunications services; (5) obtaining laboratory testing services; (6) procuring maintenance, custodial, and groundskeeping services; (7) contracting for grant writing services; (8) concessions; (9) contracting for specified services to produce Class I renewable energy; (10) procuring any service exempt from the requirements for public advertising under current law, at the discretion of the county college; and (11) operating, managing, or administering other services, with the approval of the Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs. The bill stipulates that contracts awarded for these purposes may be awarded for a term not to exceed five years, unless otherwise permitted by law. The bill enumerates the process by which competitive contracting may be utilized by the county colleges, including: the requirements for request for proposals documentation; the manner in which county colleges are to solicit competitive contract proposals; and the methods for awarding competitive contracts. Finally, the bill revises the process by which county colleges may purchase any materials, supplies, goods, services or equipment under a contract entered into on behalf of the State by the Division of Purchase and Property. The bill stipulates that the terms and conditions of the contracts awarded by the Division of Purchase and Property are to be binding. The bill also provides that a county college is not entitled to any bonding or indemnification protections provided to the State unless the vendor agrees to extend the protections to the county college. Under the bill, a county college is permitted to enter into these contracts for a period exceeding 24 consecutive months, up to the length of the contract term. | In Committee |
| A4936 | Requires school districts to provide instruction on artificial intelligence; requires Secretary of Higher Education to develop artificial intelligence model curricula. | This bill requires instruction on artificial intelligence. Under the bill, school districts are required to incorporate instruction on artificial intelligence in an appropriate place in the curriculum of students in grades kindergarten through 12 as part of the district's implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Computer Science and Design Thinking. The bill also requires the Commissioner of Education to provide school districts with age-appropriate sample learning activities and resources designed to implement the artificial intelligence curriculum requirement. Additionally, the bill requires each public institution of higher education to offer certificate and degree programs in artificial intelligence. The bill requires the Secretary of Higher Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education, the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development, the Economic Development Authority, the New Jersey Council of County Colleges, the New Jersey Presidents' Council, and the Chief Innovation Officer for the State, to develop an artificial intelligence model curriculum for use by public four-year institutions of higher education in the State and an artificial intelligence model curriculum for use by county colleges in the State. The model curricula developed is to be made available to assist public four-year institutions of higher education and county colleges in implementing the certificate and degree programs requirement established in the bill. Under the bill, the artificial intelligence model curricula is to account for academic quality and other applicable standards required for accreditation of artificial intelligence-related degree programs. Additionally, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the Economic Development Authority, in consultation with the New Jersey Council of County Colleges, the New Jersey Presidents' Council and the Chief Innovation Officer for the State, is required to develop and distribute to public institutions of higher education artificial intelligence career pathway marketing materials that provide descriptions of artificial intelligence careers and the benefits of pursuing those careers. | In Committee |
| A4887 | Requires helmet while operating bicycle, scooter, or motorized scooter. | This bill requires all persons to wear a helmet when bicycling, roller skating, or skateboarding. Current law requires persons 17 years of age and younger to wear a helmet when bicycling, roller skating, or skateboarding. This bill also extends the helmet requirement to operators of non-motorized and motorized scooters. Under current law, it is unlawful to manufacture, assemble, sell, offer to sell, or distribute bicycles, roller skates, or skateboards without a warning notice advising customers of the legal provisions concerning the wearing of approved helmets and appropriate personal protection equipment, and persons selling or renting bicycles, roller skates, or skateboards are required to advise their customers of these legal provisions and make helmets available to persons subject to the helmet requirement. Businesses complying with these requirements would not be liable in a civil action for damages for any physical injury sustained by a bicyclist, roller skater, or skateboarder who fails to wear a helmet. The bill expands these requirements and civil immunity provisions to non-motorized and motorized scooters. The bill does not amend section 8 of P.L.1997, c.411 (C.39:4-10.12), and therefore, it is the sponsor's understanding that the bill's provisions do not apply to operators and patrons of roller skating rinks subject to the "New Jersey Roller Skating Rink Safety and Fair Liability Act," P.L.1991, c.28 (C.5:14-1 et seq.). | In Committee |
| A4889 | Mandates certain child care centers to retain audio-visual recordings for 180 days and requires review of such recordings before recordings can be deleted. | This bill would require all child care and family day care centers that have an audio-visual surveillance system in place to retain all recordings for 180 days. This bill would also require the Department of Children and Families or an independent third-party organization designated by the department to review the recordings before the recordings can be deleted. This bill would not require child care and family day centers that do not currently have an audio-visual surveillance system in place to install such a surveillance system. | In Committee |
| A1400 | Requires water supplier to notify affected municipalities, school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools of violations of drinking water quality standards. | This bill would require the owner or operator of a public water system to immediately notify, by telephone and electronic mail, the governing body of a municipality and the chief administrator of every school district, charter school, and nonpublic school located within the municipality whenever the public water system violates any drinking water quality standard for drinking water supplied by the public water system within the municipality. The notification would provide the name of any contaminant that exceeds a drinking water quality standard, the maximum contaminant level or the action level, as appropriate, for the contaminant, the level of the contaminant found on each date, the dates when the tests were performed, the location of each sample tested and the location of each sample tested that exceeds a maximum contaminant level or action level. The bill also requires the owner or operator of the public water system to provide information on suggested remedies that a customer may take to address the violation. | Crossed Over |
| A2607 | Authorizes taxicabs, limousines, and transportation network companies to provide paratransit services for two-year period. | An Act concerning paratransit services. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4473 | Eliminates statute of limitations on income tax assessments that arise out of erroneous refunds induced by fraud. | This bill would eliminate a conflict between two fraud exceptions contained in current State law governing the statute of limitations for tax assessments under the "New Jersey Gross Income Tax Act." Under current law, the Division of Taxation ("division") in the Department of the Treasury is required to assess additional taxes within three years after a taxpayer has filed a tax return. However, this three-year statute of limitations does not apply in certain cases, including when a taxpayer has filed a false or fraudulent return. In other words, the division may issue an assessment at any time if a taxpayer files a false or fraudulent return with the intent to evade tax. Current law also authorizes the division to issue an assessment for a deficiency arising out of an erroneous refund within three years from the issuance of the refund. This statute of limitations is extended to five years in cases in which any part of the refund was induced by fraud or misrepresentation of a material fact. The statute, however, does not explicitly define "fraud" or "misrepresentation of a material fact," which has led to questions concerning whether the statute treats fraud as having a standard that is different from misrepresentation of a material fact. This bill seeks to eliminate the disparity in treatment between when: 1) a taxpayer files a false or fraudulent return, in which case the division may assess additional taxes at any time; and 2) a fraudulent return yields a refund to a taxpayer, in which case the division may assess additional taxes within five years from the issuance of the refund. Specifically, the bill would eliminate the five-year statute of limitations on assessments for erroneous refunds that are induced by fraud. With this change, the bill provides that the division may assess additional taxes at any time if it appears that any part of an erroneous refund was induced by the filing of a false or fraudulent return with intent to evade tax. This change would eliminate the current conflict between the two fraud exceptions and specifies that the filing of a false or fraudulent return would not include a taxpayer's inadvertence, reliance on incorrect technical advice, honest difference of opinion, negligence, or carelessness. The bill eliminates the use of the term "misrepresentation of a material fact." Finally, the bill's provisions would take effect immediately and would apply retroactively to assessments of deficiencies arising out of erroneous refunds that were made within the five years preceding the date of enactment of the bill. | Crossed Over |
| A2835 | Establishes Second Chance Program in charge of providing opportunities through labor organizations for formerly incarcerated individuals. | Establishes Second Chance Program in charge of providing opportunities through labor organizations for formerly incarcerated individuals. | Crossed Over |
| AJR112 | Designates calendar week that includes September 10th of each year as "Suicide Prevention Week" in NJ. | Designates calendar week that includes September 10th of each year as "Suicide Prevention Week" in NJ. | Crossed Over |
| A3539 | Revises statutory terms pertaining to sexual exploitation or abuse of children. | This bill updates terminology in statutory law pertaining to the sexual exploitation or abuse of children. Current state law prohibits the creation, manufacture, distribution, sale or viewing of child pornography. Among child protection advocates, however, terms such as "child sexual abuse material" and "child sexual exploitation material" have come into wider use, replacing the general description of "child pornography" because these terms more accurately reflect the suffering of the children who are victims of these crimes. When used in the context of depictions of children, the term "pornography" may be understood to legitimize or trivialize the sexual abuse or exploitation of those children. In addition, the term "pornography" carries with it the implication that the acts are performed with the consent of the child, and represent legitimate sexual material. This bill replaces the term child pornography with the term "trade in child sexual abuse or exploitation material" in Title 2A. In Title 2C, the definition of "item depicting the sexual exploitation or abuse of a child" is amended to include "child sexual abuse or exploitation material" and the acronym "CSAEM." The bill replaces the term child pornography with "network to share child sexual abuse or exploitation material" in various sections of Title 2C concerning the definition, degrees of crime, examination referrals, registration of sex offenders, and special sentencing for parole supervision for life for a leader of a network distributing depictions of child sexual abuse or exploitation. The bill further clarifies that online distribution or possession of sexual abuse or exploitation material is to be included in the schedule of penalties pertaining to offenses involving computer criminal activity in Title 2C. In Title 9, the term pornography is replaced with "any crime involving child sexual abuse or exploitation material" concerning disqualification of employment pursuant to N.J.S.9:3-40.5. In Title 18A, the word pornography is replaced with the term "child sexual abuse or exploitation material" with regard to the practice of "sexting," or sending sexually explicit messages pursuant to N.J.S.18A:35-4.32. This bill replaces the term pornography in various parts of Title 30 with "any crime involving child sexual abuse or exploitation material" in the statutes concerning revocation of a day care center's registration, criteria for permanent disqualification from employment, disqualification from adopting a child or being a resource family parent, and disqualification of employment at, or ownership or sponsorship of, a child day care center. In Title 52, the term pornography is replaced with "online distribution or possession of child sexual abuse or exploitation material" in the statutes concerning the Department of Law and Public Safety's efforts to receive and respond to inquiries or complaints from members of the public reporting computer crimes pursuant to N.J.S.52:17B-193. This bill also updates the terminology used in current law to replace outdated references to certain crimes that involve the sexual exploitation or abuse of children. According to the sponsor, the changes made in this bill are not intended, nor should they be construed, to have any substantive impact on the applicability of the affected provisions; the changes are intended to render the terminology consistent with the rest of the current statutory scheme and the broader international trend. The bill also corrects technical inconsistencies in the statutes. | In Committee |
| A3800 | Bans certain children's products containing excessive amounts of lead, mercury, or cadmium. | Bans certain children's products containing excessive amounts of lead, mercury, or cadmium. | Crossed Over |
| S2188 | Requires DEP, DOH, owners or operators of certain public community water systems, and owners or operators of certain buildings or facilities to take certain actions to prevent and control cases of Legionnaires' disease. | An Act concerning Legionnaires' disease and supplementing P.L.1977, c.224 (C.58:12A-1 et seq.) and Title 26 of the Revised Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4360 | "New Jersey Design Professional Self-Certification Act"; requires DCA to establish design professional self-certification program. | An Act establishing a design professional self-certification program and supplementing P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.). | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A3772 | Revises process for property tax lien holder to foreclose right to redeem a property tax lien; allows property owner to protect remaining equity. | An Act revising the process for a property tax lien holder to foreclose the right to redeem a property tax lien, amending various parts of the statutory law, and supplementing chapter 5 of Title 54 of the Revised Statutes and P.L.1948, c.96 (C.54:5-104.29 et seq.). | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A1970 | Requires DEP, DOH, owners or operators of certain public community water systems, and owners or operators of certain buildings or facilities to take certain actions to prevent and control cases of Legionnaires' disease. | Requires DEP, DOH, owners or operators of certain public community water systems, and owners or operators of certain buildings or facilities to take certain actions to prevent and control cases of Legionnaires' disease. | Crossed Over |
| A4029 | Requires employer or contractor engaged in work for public body to register with and submit payroll records to DOLWD. | This bill requires any employer or contractor engaged in work for a public body to register with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and submit certified payroll records to the department and to the public entity with which the employer or contractor is engaged to work. Under current law, employers and contractors engaged in public work, or otherwise subject to the State's prevailing wage requirements, are required to register with the State and submit certified payroll records. This bill would require all contractors engaged in work for a public body to register, whether or not that work is subject to the prevailing wage law or constitutes public work under the law. Under the bill, a "public body" is defined as "the State of New Jersey, any of its political subdivisions, any authority created by the Legislature of the State of New Jersey and any instrumentality or agency of the State of New Jersey or of any of its political subdivisions." The bill defines "work for a public body" as "construction, reconstruction, demolition, alteration, custom fabrication, duct cleaning, or repair work, or maintenance work, which is done under contract and paid for in whole or in part out of the funds of a public body, done on any property or premises owned or leased by the public body or under agreement to be owned or leased by the public body, or undertaken in connection with any loan, loan guarantee, grant, incentive, expenditure, investment, tax exemption or other financial assistance approved, funded, authorized, administered or provided by a public body, or undertaken to fulfill any condition of receiving any of the financial assistance." | In Committee |
| A4637 | Requires certain consumer disclosures relating to rabies testing and establishes optional training for veterinarians. | The bill provides that it is a violation of the consumer fraud act for a veterinarian to intentionally misrepresent, including through the use of euphemisms, code words, or otherwise, the information required under current law to be provided to the owner of a dead domestic companion animal undergoing testing for rabies. An unlawful practice is punishable by a monetary penalty of not more than $10,000 for a first offense and not more than $20,000 for any subsequent offense. In addition, a violation can result in cease and desist orders issued by the Attorney General, the assessment of punitive damages, and the awarding of treble damages and costs to the injured party. In addition, the bill requires the Division of Consumer Affairs to develop a poster and pamphlet with information relating to rabies vaccines and quarantine and testing protocols. Veterinarians are required to display the poster in office reception areas and to distribute the pamphlets to certain customers. Lastly, the bill requires the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services to develop a trauma-informed mental health protection training certification program for veterinarians and staff. The program is optional, and those who complete it are to receive a certification from the division. | In Committee |
| A4657 | Creates "Reproductive Health Care Access Fund" to strengthen access to reproductive health care; makes appropriation. | This bill implements various measures to strengthen access to reproductive health care services in the State and establishes the "Reproductive Health Care Access Fund" to address those purposes. The fund will be used for the following purposes: (1 "Reproductive Health Care Clinical Training Program"; (2) "Reproductive Health Care Security Grant Program"; and (3) "Reproductive Health Care Facility Loan Program". The purpose of the "Reproductive Health Care Clinical Training Program" established in the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety will be to protect access to reproductive health care by ensuring that there are sufficient number of health care professionals to provide reproductive health care services. For instance, the program will ensure that the coordinating organization has demonstrated experience in coordinating health care training programs for reproductive health care services and family planning services. The coordinating organization will also be responsible for administering grants to develop and sustain reproductive health care services. The bill provides that the "Reproductive Health Care Security Grant Program" in the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness will make available grants to eligible reproductive health care facilities which the Director of the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness determines are at a high risk of being the target of unlawful activity, including acts of violence, property damage, vandalism, cyber attacks, and harassment. Grants provided under the program will be used to hire security personnel and target-hardening equipment. Further, the "Reproductive Health Care Facility Loan Program" will award loans to eligible reproductive health care facilities that provide reproductive health care services. Under the bill, loans awarded will be used to support establishing or renovating existing health care facilities, investments in technology to facilitate care, the recruitment and retention of staff, and other operational needs that increase reproductive health care services. The bill requires that the Department of Health conduct a Statewide needs assessment to examine the gaps in access and delivery of reproductive health care services in the State, including the impact that out-of-State restrictions have had on the need for reproductive health care services and the provider network in the State. Finally, the bill appropriates monies from the General Fund, subject to availability, to the "Reproductive Health Care Access Fund." The FY 2024 Appropriations Act includes a $5 million appropriation for OBGYN Clinical Training Program to provide training to licensed members of the health care community. Another $5 million in FY 2024 is appropriated for the Reproductive Health Security Grant Program toward securing clinics. These grants support reproductive health care facilities that provide reproductive health care with target hardening support. The FY 2024 Governor's Budget recommends language in which the Office of Homeland Security Preparedness will receive reimbursement to administer the grant. | In Committee |
| A4656 | Secures protections for patients and providers accessing and providing legally protected health care activities; establishes right of residents to legally protected health care services, which are restricted in other states. | This bill establishes certain protections for individuals seeking abortion or gender-affirming health care services, as well as certain protections for professionals who provided abortion-related health care services. Crime: Interference with Reproductive or Gender-Affirming Health Services This bill creates the new crime of "interference with reproductive or gender-affirming health services." A person is guilty of the crime if the person purposely or knowingly, with the purpose to unlawfully restrict another's access to or receipt or provision of reproductive or gender-affirming health care services or to intimidate the person from becoming or remaining a reproductive or gender-affirming health care services patient, provider, volunteer or assistant: (1) inflicts or attempts to inflict bodily injury; (2) obstructs any person seeking to enter into or exit from a reproductive or gender-affirming health care services facility; (3) intimidates, threatens, or coerces, or attempts to intimidate, threaten, or coerce, any person or entity because that person or entity is a reproductive or gender-affirming health care services patient, provider, volunteer, or assistant; (4) damages, defaces, or destroys the property of a person, entity, or facility, or attempts to do so, because the person, entity, or facility is a reproductive or gender-affirming health care service patient, provider, assistant, volunteer, or facility; (5) videotapes, films, photographs, or records by electronic means, within 100 feet of the entrance to a reproductive or gender-affirming health care services facility, a patient, provider, volunteer, or assistant without that person's consent; or (6) discloses or distributes a videotape, film, photograph, or recording of the person. Interference with reproductive or gender-affirming health care services is a crime of the fourth degree, but is a crime of the second degree if the victim suffers significant or serious bodily injury. Further, interference with reproductive or gender-affirming health care services is a disorderly persons offense if the act would cause a reasonable person to suffer: (1) damage to the victim's business or personal reputation; (2) financial harm; or (3) pain and suffering, mental anguish, or emotional harm. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. A crime of the second degree is punishable by five to ten years imprisonment, a fine of up to $150,000, or both. A disorderly persons offense is a punishable by up to six months imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. Civil Action: Interference with Reproductive or gender-affirming Health Services The bill also authorizes a person to bring a civil action against a person who unlawfully interferes with another person's reproductive or gender-affirming health care services. Under the bill, a court may award: (1) injunctive relief; (2) compensatory damages in an amount not less than liquidated damages computed at the rate of $1,000 for each violation; (3) punitive damages upon proof of willful or reckless disregard of the law; (4) reasonable attorney's fees and other litigation costs; and (5) any other preliminary and equitable relief as the court determines to be appropriate. Under the bill, the Attorney General may bring a civil action to enjoin a violation of the law, for compensatory damages, and for the assessment of a civil penalty against each person who violates the law. The civil penalty imposed on each actor will be up to, but not exceed, $10,000 for a first violation, and $25,000 for any subsequent violation. Dispersal of Gatherings The bill authorized any law enforcement officer to order the immediate dispersal of a gathering that substantially impedes access to or departure from an entrance or driveway to a reproductive or gender-affirming health care facility during the business hours of the facility. Failure to comply with an order to disperse issued by the Attorney General or a law enforcement officer is a disorderly persons offense. A disorderly persons offense is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. Licensing Boards The bill prohibits a board from imposing any additional or alternative penalties, in accordance with N.J.S.A.34:1-22, on the holder of a certificate, registration, or license based solely on the holder providing, authorizing, participating, referring to, or assisting with any health care, medical service, or procedure related to an abortion for a person who resides in a jurisdiction where the provision, authorization, participation, referral, or assistance is illegal. Applicability of Laws of Other States The bill establishes that a law of another state that authorized a person or government entity to bring a prosecution, civil action, or any other legal action to deter, prevent, sanction, or punish any person engaging, aiding, or assisting in providing or prescribing any legally protected health care activity is against the public policy of this State. Further, such laws of another state are prohibited from being applied to any matter, case, or controversy heard in a State court or in an administrative tribunal of this State. The prohibition does not apply to an action founded in tort, contract, or statute under the laws of this State, or an action founded in tort, contract, or statute under the similar laws of another state. This includes, but is not limited to, an alleged act of malpractice or negligence by a person in the person's profession or occupation. Protection of Patient Information This bill updates P.L.2022, c.51 to provide a definition of "legally protected health care activity" and "gender-affirming health care services." P.L.2022, c.51 provides certain protections with respect to the disclosure of patient information relating to reproductive health care services, as well as protecting access to health care, medical services, and procedures related to an abortion for persons who come to this State from jurisdictions in which these actions are illegal. The bill provides that in any civil action or other proceeding preliminary thereto, a medical provider or other covered entity, as described under federal law concerning medical privacy and security, is barred from disclosing the following communications or information, unless the patient or patient's conservator, guardian, or other authorized legal representative explicitly consented in writing to the disclosure: (1) any communication made to the covered entity, or any information obtained by the covered entity from, a patient or the conservator, guardian, or other authorized legal representative of a patient relating to legally protected health care activity; or (2) any information obtained by personal examination of a patient relating to legally protected health care activity that is permitted under the laws of this State. Additionally, under the bill, a public entity of this State or employee, appointee, officer or official or any other person acting on behalf of a public entity would be prohibited from providing any information, or expending or using time, money, facilities, property, equipment, personnel or other resources in furtherance of any interstate investigation or proceeding seeking to impose civil or criminal liability upon a person or entity for: (1) the provision, receipt, or seeking of, or inquiring or responding to an inquiry about legally protected health care activity that is legal in this State; or (2) assisting, advising, aiding, abetting, facilitating, soliciting, or conspiring with any person or entity providing, receiving, seeking, or inquiring or responding to an inquiry about legally protected health care activity that is legal in this State. Extradition This bill updates N.J.S.A.2A:160-14.1 to prevent a person from being extradited to another state under certain circumstances related to "legally protected health care activity." Under current law, N.J.S.A.2A:160-14.1 prevents extradition as it relates to "reproductive health care services." Under the bill, "Legally protected health care activity" is defined as activity providing, seeking, receiving, assisting with, or inquiring about reproductive health care services or gender-affirming health care services that are lawful in this State, regardless of the patient's location. Relatedly, the bill also defines "gender-affirming health care services" to mean all supplies, care, and services of a medical, behavioral health, mental health, surgical, psychiatric, therapeutic, diagnostic, preventative, rehabilitative, or supportive nature, including medication, relating to the treatment of gender dysphoria and gender incongruence. "Gender-affirming health care services" does not include sexual orientation change efforts as defined by N.J.S.A.45:1-55. In Vitro Fertilization Protections This bill strengthens reproductive health care freedom in New Jersey by specifying that: every individual present in this State, including, but not limited to, an individual who is under State control or supervision, shall have the fundamental right to choose whether to use assisted reproductive technology (ART), including, but not limited to in vitro fertilization (IVF); and a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus shall not have independent rights under any of the laws of the State. Medicolegal Investigations This bill removes the requirement that a medical examiner conduct a medicolegal investigation of a death in the State related to a fetal death occurring without medical attendance. This provisions seeks to ensure that a woman who has a miscarriage or fetal complications is not investigated or the fetal death criminalized. Repealers The bill repeals the following statutes, which have either been obviated by court decision or would be obviated by this bill: (1) N.J.S.A.2A:65A-5 through N.J.S.A.2A:65A-7 (banned partial birth abortions); (2) N.J.S.A.9:17A-1.1 through N.J.S.A.9:17A-1.12 (required parental notification for minors' abortion); (3) N.J.S.A.30:4D-6.1 (barred Medicaid payment for abortion except where necessary to save the woman's life). | In Committee |
| A4644 | Requires social media companies to take certain actions concerning accounts maintained by or featuring minors. | This bill requires social media companies to develop and use on its social media platform: (1) algorithms that detect suspicious patterns and flag potentially inappropriate activity, including adult interactions with minors, private messaging frequency between adults and minors, and attempts to establish inappropriate relationships with minors; and (2) a real-time monitoring system that continuously analyzes social media content and identifies potentially inappropriate activity involving minors, including an automated reporting mechanism that promptly reports identified instances to the appropriate authorities. Additionally, a social media company is required to: (1) prohibit minors from appearing in the results of a search conducted by a person through the social media platform's search function unless the person holds an account that the minor user has previously added; (2) identify features and content that are inappropriate for an account holder who is a minor to access and use geo fencing to restrict the minor's access to such content or features; (3) prioritize and handle reports of inappropriate activity involving minors by directing reports to the appropriate local authorities or child protection agencies based on the account holder's location; (4) collaborate with law enforcement agencies, child protection agencies, and legal experts to ensure compliance with privacy laws and regulations; (5) send safety alerts and notifications to an account holder in a specific geographic area that has an increased risk of child exploitation; and (6) conduct regular audits and assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented monitoring and reporting measures and make necessary improvements. This bill also requires that, in the event the account holder uses a minor's name or likeness in more than 25 percent of the sponsored content for the account, the social media platform is required to verify that the account holder is the parent or guardian of the minors portrayed in the account holder's sponsored content and is the primary account holder. Upon verification, the social media platform is required to place a public banner on the account holder's account page that clearly indicates the account holder is an adult and the account may appear in the results of a search conducted by any account holder through the social media's platform's search function. The Division of Consumer Affairs (division) is responsible for enforcement of the bill's provisions. The division is required to investigate consumer complaints alleging violations of, and enforce the provisions of this bill. The division is authorized to impose a civil penalty of up to $2,500 for each violation or to initiate a civil suit in Superior Court. In addition, an individual may bring an action in the Superior Court against a social media company, for failure to comply with the provisions of this bill. If the individual's suit is successful, the individual is entitled to reasonable attorney fees and court costs. The individual is also entitled to either actual damages or $2,500, whichever is greater. | In Committee |
| AR145 | Urges Congress and President enact "Social Security Fairness Act." | This resolution urges Congress and the President of the United States to enact the "Social Security Fairness Act," currently pending in Congress. Many of New Jersey's law enforcement officers, firefighters, and certain local governmental employees are unfairly penalized by Social Security offsets that reduce or eliminate the earned Social Security benefits of these employees or their spouses. Social Security was enacted in 1935. Initially, state and local governments and their employees were prohibited from participating. Over the years, federal laws were passed allowing these employers and employees the opportunity to elect to join the program. Most public employees in New Jersey retirement systems contribute to Social Security with the exception of law enforcement officers, firefighters, correctional officers, and others in certain local retirement systems. The windfall elimination provision (WEP) reduces benefits that were paid for as part of the Social Security payroll tax. The WEP can lead to a significant reduction of the Social Security benefit and can deprive a retiree of up to $587 per month of the Social Security that was earned and paid. The survivor benefit was paid for by the Social Security earner as part of the Social Security payroll tax. The survivor benefit was created to ensure the surviving spouse was not left without adequate financial support. The government pension offset (GPO) eliminates the survivor benefit even with a modest public pension. These provisions cause first responders and certain local governmental employees to prematurely retire and discourage qualified individuals from entering into government service. The "Social Security Fairness Act" would repeal these provisions. | In Committee |
| A4575 | Requires development of State data and technology infrastructure investment plan for public health emergencies. | This bill requires the State to develop a State data and technology infrastructure investment plan for public health emergencies. The bill requires the Office of Information Technology, in consultation with the Department of Health and State Office of Emergency Management, to prepare a data and technology infrastructure investment plan, which will serve as the State's long-term capital investment strategy for upgrading and maintaining the State's data and technology infrastructure to promote public health emergency preparedness and the continuity of State services during a public health emergency. The office will submit the investment plan to the Governor and the Legislature no later than 18 months after the effective date of this bill and will report annually thereafter on the implementation of the plan. The investment plan will include, but not be limited to: (1) strategies for establishing early warning systems in the State for public health emergencies that utilize data from State, federal, and international data sources and for coordinating the interpretation of early warning data with other States to aid multi-state emergency response efforts; (2) strategies to ensure that the State has the capability of collecting and utilizing critical public health data and that such data is stored in a centralized data repository that is accessible by State agencies as needed during a public health emergency; and (3) strategies to expand each State agency's digital services capabilities to ensure that appropriate State services can be delivered digitally in an efficient and effective manner in emergency and non-emergency situations including, but not limited to, improving the remote work capabilities of State employees. During the course of preparing the investment plan, the office will: (1) make available to all interested persons a copy of the proposed plan or proposed revisions to the current plan at least 90 days prior to submitting it to the Governor and Legislature, and will provide an opportunity for the public to submit written comments, consider the comments submitted, make any revisions as the office deems necessary, and provide a written summary of responses to comments and any revisions made based on those comments; (2) conduct at least three public meetings, which may be conducted using video teleconferencing, on the proposed plan or proposed revisions and updates to the current plan; and (3) consider the comments made at public meetings and written comments, and make any revisions to the proposed plan or proposed revisions and updates to the current plan as the office deems necessary, and provide a written summary of responses to comments and any revisions made based on those comments. | In Committee |
| A4574 | Expands oversight and regulation of long-term care facilities; makes appropriation. | This bill expands the oversight and regulation of long-term care facilities and makes an appropriation. Under the bill, the Commissioner of Health (commissioner) is to establish multiple teams of individuals, to be known as a "Mission Critical Long-Term Care Team," which are to be responsible for identifying long-term care facilities for which progressive levels of oversight and direct intervention may be necessary to prevent the decline of health and safety at the facility or the disruption of necessary health care services at the facility. Each Mission Critical Long-Term Care Team is to work collaboratively with long-term care facilities to improve the financial and operating results of the facility with a focus on resident health and safety. Each Mission Critical Long-Term Care Team established by the commissioner is to comprise four individuals with relevant expertise in long-term care administration and management, financial management, nursing care, infection prevention, social work, quality improvement, safety, and continuing professional education. The bill provides that the commissioner is to recruit, hire, train, and retain an additional number of long-term care facility inspectors as is necessary to conduct more frequent and thorough inspections of long-term care facilities with the aim to improve care and safety within long-term care facilities. The bill amends section 1 of P.L.2019, c.243 (C.26:2H-12.87) to provide that a long-term care facility's outbreak response plan, in addition to the current statutory requirements, is to also include: (1) enhanced infection control protocols based on the latest guidance offered by public health officials; (2) protocols for comprehensive training programs on infection control and prevention; and (3) protocols for conducting regular emergency preparedness drills. Finally, the bill appropriates from the General Fund to the Department of Health such funds as are necessary to implement the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| A4561 | Includes Sikhs as protected class in bias intimidation law; appropriates $100,000. | This bill amends N.J.S.A.2C:16-1, the crime of bias intimidation,to specifically include Sikhism in the protected classes set forth in the statute. Sikhism is the monotheistic religion founded in India in the 15th century by Guru Nanak. New Jersey is home to approximately 100,000 Sikhs, which is one of the largest Sikh populations in the United States. On October 16, 2023, the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI") released its annual report of hate crime statistics, which recorded 198 anti-Sikh hate crime incidents. According to the FBI report, Sikhs remain the second-most targeted group in the nation for religiously-motivated hate crime incidents. Current law enumerates the protected classes of race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, and ethnicity in the bias intimidation statute. Under the provisions of the bill, a person is guilty of the crime of bias intimidation if he commits, attempts, conspires, or threatens the immediate commission of certain specified offenses with a purpose to intimidate an individual or group because of their membership within a protected class, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ethnicity, or Sikhism, or knowing that the conduct would cause an individual or group to be intimidated on that basis or under circumstances in which the victim believes he was targeted on that basis. Pursuant to this bill, all local, county, and State law enforcement entities in New Jersey are to report all violations under the statute to the State and federal law enforcement agencies responsible for preparing bias crime reports. Further, this bill sets forth that the Office of Attorney General, in consultation with the Department of Education, is to: (1) develop training, for the dissemination to county and local law enforcement agencies, on Sihkism, which shall include, but not limited to, visible Sikh identity features, including turbans, bracelets, moustaches, beard, and physical attire, and the classification of bias intimidation cases as anti-sikh, to prevent the misclassification of hate and bias incidents. (2) coordinate with other State agencies and departments in the creation of a public awareness campaign and educational initiatives on Sikhism; and (3) annually report to the Governor and the Legislature on the public awareness campaign,educational initiatives on Sikhism executed through the public awareness campaign across different public platforms, and on the steps taken to include Sikhism education across curriculum standards in different grades across township boards of education within this State. Pursuant to this bill, the New Jersey Office of Attorney General, in consultation with the New Jersey field office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, shall develop a transnational repression recognition and response training program that is to include how to identify different tactics of transnational repression and best practices for appropriate county, local and state law enforcement prevention, reporting, and response tactics. Current law establishes within the Division of Purchase and Property in the State Department of the Treasury, the position of Chief Diversity Officer. This bill expands the Chief Diversity Officer's responsibilities to include: ensuring that each public entity of this State incorporate the definition for anti-Sikh hate into the bias intimidation policy of the public entity; and ensuring that the definition of anti-Sikh hate is incorporated into the diversity, equity, and inclusivity promotion policies in any program offered by the State or any political subdivision of the State. This bill appropriates $100,000, for three consecutive years following enactment, from the General Fund to the Office of the Attorney General to fund Sikh awareness educational initiatives and outreach efforts to the Sikh community. | In Committee |
| A4483 | "Cancer Patient Care and Compassion Act." | This bill, to be known as the "Cancer Patient Care and Compassion Act," provides certain protections for Stage III, Stage IV, or terminal cancer patients. The bill: 1. Requires health insurance carriers (including health service corporations, hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, commercial individual and group health insurers, and health maintenance organizations), entities contracted to administer health benefits in connection with the State Health Benefits Program and School Employees' Health Benefits Program, and the NJ FamilyCares/Medicaid program to provide coverage for individuals diagnosed with cancer and with a prognosis that is deemed Stage III, Stage IV, or terminal (1) parenteral treatment of the cancer; (2) survivorship care plan, including follow-up appointments; and (3) any other service or item as determined by the regulators of each type of carrier or contract. Under the bill, "parenteral treatment" means the intravenous, intra-arterial, intraperitoneal, or intrathecal administration of nutrition or medication bypassing the gastrointestinal system and "survivorship care plan" means a plan for an individual with cancer from diagnosis through the end of life that focuses on the health and well-being of the individual. This includes, but is not limited to, side effects from treatment, cancer recurrence, and quality of life. Any cost-sharing or copayment or coinsurance that may be required for coverage will not apply. 2. Prohibits residential mortgage lenders from providing a notice of intention to a residential mortgage debtor undergoing treatment for Stage III, Stage IV, or terminal cancer. Under the bill, a residential mortgage lender shall ensure, before sending a notice of intention to cure a default on a mortgage debtor's residential mortgage obligation, that the residential mortgage debtor is not undergoing treatment for Stage III, Stage IV, or terminal cancer. If a mortgage debtor is undergoing treatment, the mortgage lender will be prohibited from providing a notice of intention to the mortgage debtor until the mortgage lender receives notice from the physician of the mortgage debtor that the debtor is no longer undergoing treatment. Additionally, the bill provides that any foreclosure action to take possession of a residential property will be dismissed upon submission by the residential mortgage debtor to the residential mortgage lender of a letter from the physician of the debtor certifying that the debtor is undergoing treatment for Stage III, Stage IV, or terminal cancer. 3. Prohibits a creditor from initiating a collection proceeding for a default on any debt against an individual who is undergoing treatment for Stage III, Stage IV, or terminal cancer and who submits to the creditor a letter from the individual's physician certifying treatment of the individual for Stage III, Stage IV, or terminal cancer. The bill also provides that any collection proceeding against an individual who is undergoing treatment for Stage III, Stage IV, or terminal cancer is required to be dismissed upon submission by the individual of a letter from the individual's physician certifying treatment of the individual for Stage III, Stage IV, or terminal cancer. 4. Requires that for eviction actions based on nonpayment or habitual late payment of rent, or for failure to pay a rent increase, the Superior Court will authorize a stay of eviction for up to 45 days if the tenant is actively undergoing Stage III, Stage IV, or terminal cancer treatment. To qualify for this stay, the tenant must provide a confidential certification from their treating physician, submitted under seal. Additionally, during the stay period, the tenant has the right to renew their lease upon its expiration, subject to reasonable changes proposed by the landlord. The bill also provides the right to reinstatement to equivalent employment after a period of leave applies to all periods in which TDI or FLI benefits are provided, including extending that right to FLI leave takers employed by employers with less than 30 employees, as is presently the case for TDI leave takers. Under the bill, an employee who is eligible for both earned sick leave and either TDI or FLI benefits, may use either the earned sick leave or whichever is applicable of the TDI or FLI benefits, and may select the order in which they are taken, but may not receive more than one kind of paid leave benefits during any period of time. | In Committee |
| A4427 | Promotes trauma-informed care in State to mitigate negative effects of adverse childhood experiences and toxic stress. | This bill requires the Department of Children and Families (department) to develop and implement a program to promote trauma-informed care in order to mitigate the negative effects of adverse childhood experiences and toxic stress in this State. In implementing the program, the department will, at a minimum: a. develop a trauma-informed care toolkit of resources that provide trauma awareness and self-care education for State employees, increase recognition of signs of adverse child experience exposure, and offer effective interventions to mitigate trauma and build resilience, which toolkit is to be shared across all State agencies and organizations for use at service delivery access points; b. promote a Trauma Awareness Month in New Jersey with appropriate events to be held across the State; c. share information with State employees and community partners on educational and professional development opportunities related to adverse childhood experiences and building resilience; d. create a recognition program for individuals who work in the prevention and early intervention-treatment continuum, which may include individuals, divisions within an agency, and community partners, such as schools and school districts; e. identify gaps in available services or service capacity along the prevention and early intervention-treatment continuum for children and their caregivers Statewide; f. develop a comprehensive plan focused on early intervention for children and their caregivers exposed to adverse childhood experiences in order to help prevent, and remedy the impact of, abuse and neglect; and g. coordinate the collection, evaluation, and reporting of adverse childhood experience data in the State. The bill requires each State agency that provides services for children and adults to implement best practices for providing trauma-informed care, which will include, but not be limited to: offering regularly scheduled training to staff to increase their knowledge about the impact of adverse childhood experiences and toxic stress on short-term and long-term health outcomes; promoting strategies to enhance staff resilience and self-care; using trauma-specific language in requests for proposals and in service contracts with providers, when appropriate; and implementing evidence-informed services to prevent and respond to toxic stress and build resilience in children, adults, and communities. | In Committee |
| A4387 | Allows students to use portion of opportunity grant awards under Educational Opportunity Fund program during summer session. | This bill provides that a student may elect to use a portion of an opportunity grant funded through the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF), during the summer session following the academic year for courses that fulfill graduation requirements or award credits in the student's academic major. The student would be responsible for notifying the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education of the intent to use a portion of the award during the summer. The Secretary of Higher Education would adjust the amount of the student's award that will be disbursed during the academic year, and notify the student that using a portion of the grant during the summer session will reduce the amount of the award that will be disbursed during the academic year. The secretary would also be required to annually report the number of students who did and did not use a portion of a grant award to enroll in courses during the summer, and the number and percent of these students who graduated within 100 percent and 150 percent of average completion time. This bill implements a recommendation of the College Affordability Study Commission which released its final report in September 2016. | In Committee |
| AR139 | Expresses sincere appreciation to staff of New Jersey General Assembly. | This resolution expresses sincere appreciation to the staff of the New Jersey General Assembly. Each legislative session, the General Assembly of New Jersey elects officers and administrative personnel to serve the vital functions of the General Assembly. These staff members play a pivotal role in the smooth functioning of the legislative process in this State, and their experience and diverse backgrounds contribute greatly to the effectiveness of the General Assembly's operations. Despite any challenges faced during each legislative session, the General Assembly staff uphold exemplary standards of professionalism and expertise within the constitutionally mandated timeframes. It is essential to recognize the Chief Clerk and all members of the General Assembly staff for their unwavering dedication and service to the State of New Jersey. Therefore, the General Assembly wishes to express its heartfelt appreciation to the Chief Clerk and all members of the General Assembly staff for their outstanding dedication, cooperation, and excellent work. | In Committee |
| A4377 | Permits disclosure of certain State taxpayer information to certain municipalities that administer employer payroll tax. | This bill concerns the disclosure of State tax return information to municipalities that administer an employer payroll tax pursuant to the "Local Tax Authorization Act," P.L.1970, c.326 (C.40:48C-1 et seq.). Under the "Local Tax Authorization Act," a municipality with a population in excess of 200,000 residents is authorized to enact an ordinance imposing an employer payroll tax on certain employers operating within the municipality. Currently, only the cities of Newark and Jersey City have populations in excess of 200,000 residents and both have adopted an ordinance to impose an employer payroll tax. A municipality that imposes an employer payroll tax pursuant to the "Local Tax Authorization Act" is permitted to tax, at a rate of up to one percent, an amount equal to the total remuneration paid by employers to employees for certain services if those services are performed within the municipality or those services are performed outside the municipality and the place from which the services are supervised is within the municipality. Under current law, the Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury is generally prohibited from disclosing State tax return information, except as otherwise permitted in statute. Currently, the director, at their discretion, is authorized to furnish certain State tax return information to a municipality authorized to impose an employer payroll tax under the "Local Tax Authorization Act." This disclosure of information is limited to employer-provided wage and tax withholding information contained in tax reports or returns filed under the New Jersey gross income tax, and the municipality may only use this information to verify the payroll information reported by employers subject to the employer payroll tax to an eligible municipality. The bill would expand the scope of State tax return information that may be disclosed to a municipality that administers an employer payroll tax. Specifically, the bill provides that the municipality may authorize the furnishing of wage and tax withholding information, or such other State tax return information as may be necessary, for the two following purposes: (1) verifying the payroll information reported by employers subject to the employer payroll tax; and (2) identifying each employer operating within the municipality that is subject to the employer payroll tax, and which did not report payroll information for a preceding calendar quarter. This would enable an eligible municipality to certify that information in the municipality's employer database is consistent with the information employers submit to the Division of Taxation. The bill also removes the provision of current law that provided that this disclosure of information would be subject to the discretion of the Director of the Division of Taxation. | In Committee |
| A4382 | Revises film and digital media content production tax credit program to include requirement for production of domestic original music and musical scores. | The bill revises the Garden State Film and Digital Media Tax Credit Program, which provides corporation business tax and gross income tax credits for expenses incurred for the production of certain films and digital media content. Specifically, the bill revises the tax credit program to include an additional criterion for certain film and digital media content expenses to be considered eligible for the tax credit. The bill adds a requirement to the tax credit program for taxpayers that produce films and digital media content that include original music or original musical scores. The bill requires all original music and original musical scores developed for the production of film or digital media content to be produced and recorded domestically in the United States or any of its territories. | In Committee |
| A2198 | Clarifies DHS authority to regulate sober living homes and halfway houses as residential substance abuse aftercare facilities; requires background checks and other protections for residents of residential substance abuse facilities. | This bill would amend the State's substance abuse treatment laws in relation to the regulation of sober living homes and halfway houses. In particular, the bill would expressly clarify that the existing statutory authority of the Department of Human Services (DHS) to license and regulate residential substance abuse facilities, pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1975, c.305 (C.26:2B-7 et seq.) which concerns alcohol and P.L.1970, c.334 (C.26:2G-21 et seq.) which concerns narcotic drugs, includes the authority to license and regulate residential substance abuse aftercare facilities such as transitional sober living homes and halfway houses. The bill also provides for criminal history record background checks of a person employed or seeking employment as an administrator of these residential substance abuse facilities, or as a representative payee who receives government benefits on behalf of an individual residing in a facility. The background checks are also to be conducted on a person who is the owner of the physical plant on which a facility is located. A person would be disqualified from securing or maintaining a license pursuant to P.L.1975, c.305 (C.26:2B-7 et seq.) or certificate of approval pursuant to P.L.1970, c.334 (C.26:2G-21 et seq.), if the criminal history record background check of the person who is the owner of the physical plant of the facility or a person employed as an administrator or representative payee at the facility reveals a record of conviction of the crimes or offenses enumerated in the bill. If a person refuses to consent to, or cooperate in, securing a criminal history record background check, DHS is to suspend, deny, revoke, or refuse to renew the license or certificate of approval of the facility. The criminal history record background checks are to be processed by the Division of State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the person who undergoes the background check is to assume the cost of the background check. The bill also provides that the facilities are not to remove a resident from a facility until at least one week following the date of delivery by the facility to the resident of a written notice advising that the resident is to be removed. However, this provision would not apply if the resident poses an immediate and serious threat to other residents or the facility. DHS is also required to conduct inspections every two weeks if there is an investigation for a violation of the laws and regulations governing these facilities or under any other authority. Additionally, the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services in DHS is to oversee the development and maintenance of a registry to collect and track information about the number of openings available for persons seeking residency in these facilities. The facilities are required to submit to the registry, no less than once a day, information as to the number of openings that are available on that day. The registry would contain, by county, the following information: the name, address and telephone number of the facility; the type of services provided; the maximum occupancy; and the number of openings available. The registry would: be prominently displayed on the DHS website; provide for a search by county or name; be made available to the public, upon request, through the addictions telephone hotline and the Statewide 2-1-1 telephone system; and also be made available using any other means that the Commissioner of Human Services deems appropriate. Lastly, the bill would update the language used in this area of law, in order to ensure grammatical correctness, maintain consistency with current rules of statutory drafting, and correctly reference the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services in DHS, which is the agency and division currently responsible for the regulation of substance abuse treatment facilities. | In Committee |
| A4207 | Requires public utility to charge nonprofit organization residential rate. | This bill requires a public utility to charge a nonprofit organization a residential rate for service delivered to the property at which the nonprofit organization primarily operates, if the residential rate is lower than the commercial rate for the service at that property. In consultation with the Board of Public Utilities, a public utility is to establish a reasonable procedure by which an organization may certify itself as a nonprofit organization with the public utility for this purpose. | In Committee |
| A4 | Reforms municipal responsibilities concerning provision of affordable housing; abolishes COAH; appropriates $16 million. | An Act concerning affordable housing, including administration and municipal obligations, amending, supplementing, and repealing various parts of the statutory law, and making an appropriation. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4042 | Allows ranked-choice voting options for municipal and school board elections under certain circumstances. | This bill, the "Municipal and School Board Voting Options Act," allows municipalities and school boards in this State to adopt ranked choice voting for conducting their local elections under certain circumstances. Under the bill, "ranked-choice voting" means a method of voting in which each voter gets one vote, where voters rank multiple candidates in order of their preference, the ballots are counted in rounds, and the votes are counted and transferred to candidates according to the preferences marked on each ballot. Under the bill, for conducting and counting ranked-choice voting elections, the instant runoff method would be used for single winner races like mayor elected at-large or council or school board member elected from wards or districts, and the single transferable vote method would be used for multiple-winner races. The bill defines the terms necessary for implementing these two ranked-choice voting methods and the manner of counting the votes and declaring elected candidates. The bill provides that all municipal governing bodies and all school boards in this State would be permitted to adopt ranked-choice voting by adopting an ordinance or resolution, as appropriate, to be submitted to the voters for approval through a referendum on the ballot. The bill also allows the voters to place a direct petition on the ballot to adopt ranked choice voting, using the petition process currently established under current law for "Faulkner Act" municipalities. The direct petition would be submitted to the municipal clerk or clerks, as the case may be, and would be required to be signed by the legal voters equal in number to at least 10 percent of the total votes cast in the municipality or municipalities, as the case may be, at the last election at which members of the General Assembly were elected. The petition would include the proposed public question and a clear and concise interpretative statement explaining ranked-choice voting. If approved by the voters of the municipality or school district, all elections for the offices of mayor or a member of a municipal governing body, or a member of an elected school board, as appropriate, other than any primary election, would be conducted using ranked-choice voting. Finally, the bill directs the Division of Elections in the Department of State to adopt the rules and regulations necessary to effectuate its provisions and provide guidelines and technical rules to assist local election officials in implementing and counting a ranked choice voting election. | In Committee |
| A3985 | Requires DHS and DOH, respectively, to provide information on SNAP, WFNJ, and WIC recipients regarding card skimming, cloning, and similar fraudulent activities and to replace stolen benefits; makes appropriation. | This bill directs the Commissioners of Human Services and Health, respectively, to provide information to certain benefit recipients regarding card skimming and cloning and to replace stolen benefits under fraudulent circumstances. Specifically, the Commissioner of Human Services is responsible for implementing these provisions for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Work First New Jersey Program (WFNJ), while the Commissioner of Health is responsible for implementing the provisions for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The bill also appropriates the necessary funds to the departments to support the provisions of the bill. As used under the bill, "skimming" means the illegal installation of devices on point-of-sale or automatic teller machine terminals to capture a cardholder's personal identification number and other data stored on the magnetic strip of the electronic benefits transfer card; and "card cloning" means making an unauthorized copy of an electronic benefits transfer card. Under the bill, each commissioner is to provide information to program recipients regarding the: risks of card skimming, card cloning, and similar fraudulent methods; precautions a recipient can take to avoid falling victim to fraudulent methods; claims process, established under the bill, through which a recipient can have stolen benefits replaced; and process by which a recipient can report stolen to the appropriate department or to local law enforcement agencies. This information is to be distributed to recipients, at a minimum, at the point of enrollment and recertification in the program and with the issuance of the recipient's electronic benefits transfer card. Each commissioner is also required to post the information on the department's website and at eligibility determining offices. The bill mandates the commissioners to establish a claims process, that mirrors the provisions of federal law regarding the replacement of stolen SNAP benefits, by which a recipient's stolen program benefits can be replaced by either federal or State funds, subject to availability. The bill also directs the commissioners to coordinate with vendors to implement available precautions to reduce the vulnerability of electronic benefits transfer cards to theft, such as the inclusion of an embedded microchip in all electronic benefits transfer cards Finally, the commissioners are required to report to the Governor and the Legislature, 18 months following the effective date of the bill, and annually thereafter, data regarding stolen and replaced program benefits, as collected under the bill, as well as any other information that demonstrates the departments' efforts to protect recipients from fraud. | In Committee |
| A3968 | Revises tax lien foreclosure process to protect equity accrued by property owner in tax lien foreclosure. | This bill revises New Jersey's tax lien foreclosure laws to comply with the United States Supreme Court's decision in Tyler v. Hennepin County, Minnesota, et al., 143 S. Ct. 1369 (2023), and the New Jersey Appellate Division court decision in 257-261 20th Avenue Realty, LLC v. Alessandro Roberto, et al., A-3315-21 (December 4, 2023). In the Tyler decision, the Supreme Court concluded that the taking of the entirety of a property owner's equity in a parcel of real estate because that property owner was delinquent in the payment of property taxes attributable to the parcel of real property violates the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution. In the Roberto decision, the Appellate Division found that New Jersey's tax sale law, which established the confiscation of a property owner's equity when a tax lien on a property is foreclosed, violates the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution as determined in the Tyler case, and also approved the retroactive application of the decision to any foreclosure case pending final judgment to account for the new principle of law established in Tyler (The Appellate Division court referred to this as "pipeline retroactivity"). In order to address the Tyler and Roberto decisions, the bill provides that notwithstanding any provision of the "tax sale law," R.S.54:5-1 et seq., or the "In Rem Tax Foreclosure Act, 1948", P.L.1948, c.96 (C.54:5-104.29 et seq.), or any other law to the contrary, in the case of a parcel of real property that is the subject of a foreclosure action filed in Superior Court pursuant to the provisions of either law, upon the approval of the action to foreclose the right of redemption by the court, the court may not award a property ownership to the tax lien purchaser. Instead, the court would be required to order: (1) a judicial sale of the property to be conducted by the sheriff of the county in which the property is located, pursuant to any direction or guidance promulgated by the Administrative Office of the Courts or the Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs; (2)that the sum of all property taxes paid by the tax lien purchaser, and interest due thereon, together with all costs related to the filing and adjudication of the action to foreclose the right of redemption that were paid by the tax lien purchaser, would be the first priority lien on the property, paramount to any other lien, including any outstanding municipal lien; and (3) that all costs of the judicial sale incurred by the sheriff's office would be reimbursed from the proceeds of the sale. The bill also provides that the amount received at the judicial sale would be conclusively deemed to be the fair market value of the property, and in the event that there are no bidders at the judicial sale and the purchaser obtains fee title from the sheriff, the property would be deemed to have no equity. With regard to the disbursement of funds from a judicial sale of a foreclosed property, the bill would require the sheriff to make the following reimbursements from these moneys in the following order not later than 14 days following receipt by the sheriff of the moneys paid by the winning bidder: (1) to the purchaser, the sum of all property taxes paid, and interest due thereon, together with all costs related to the filing and adjudication of the action to foreclose the right of redemption, notwithstanding any other provision of law. These costs may include, but shall not be limited to, the costs associated with prejudgment noticing, any service and filing fees, and all reasonable attorney's fees; (2) to the municipality in which the real property is located, the amount of any other municipal liens on the property together with interest due and owing thereon; 3) to the sheriff's office, the amounts needed to reimburse the costs of the judicial sale, and (4) to the defendant, all remaining moneys from the judicial sale, except that if the sheriff is unable to locate and forward any remaining moneys to the defendant, those funds would escheat to the municipality. The bill would also prohibit the payment by a bidder at a tax lien sale of a premium payment to the municipality in order to obtain a tax sale certificate, once the interest rate has been bid down to zero. Instead, the bill would require a tax collector to accept interest rate bids in even increments and in fractional interest rates of 0.25percent only. If multiple bidders offer the same lowest rate of interest, the collector would then be required to use a random-number generator to select the successful bidder. If a tax sale certificate is not purchased, the certificate would be struck off to the municipality at the maximum rate of interest allowed by law. The bill would entitle the collector to a fee of five percent of the amount of the delinquent taxes and interest when a tax sale certificate is sold, except that the fee would be included in the face value of the certificate, and the collector would not be entitled to the fee until that certificate is redeemed or purchased. | In Committee |
| A3683 | Establishes "Patient Protection and Safe Staffing Act." | This bill establishes the "Patient Protection and Safe Staffing Act," which provides certain staffing standards in State hospitals, ambulatory surgical facilities, developmental centers, and psychiatric hospitals. Specifically, the bill provides that, in addition to existing staffing requirements provided by law or regulation, the Commissioner of Health is to adopt regulations that provide minimum direct care registered professional nurse-to-patient staffing ratios and unlicensed assistive personnel-to-patient staffing ratios for all patient units in general and special hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities, in accordance with the minimum staffing requirements that are established by the bill. The regulations adopted by the Commissioner of Health are not to decrease any staffing ratios that are already in effect on the bill's effective date. The bill provides that the Commissioner of Health is to require all general and special hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities to employ an acuity and staffing system for the purpose of increasing staffing levels above the minimum levels established in the bill, or otherwise provided by law or regulation, in order to ensure adequate staffing of each unit, service, or department. The bill requires the Department of Health to enforce the bill's requirements by conducting periodic inspections and responding to complaints. A registered professional nurse or other staff member, a collective bargaining agent of a staff member, or a member of the public, who believes that the hospital or facility in which the nurse or staff member is employed is in violation of the requirements established by the bill, may file a complaint with the Commissioner of Health. In responding to a complaint, the commissioner will be required to conduct an investigation to determine whether or not a hospital or facility is in violation. Following the completion of an investigation, in which investigation the department determines a hospital or facility to be in violation of the requirements established by the bill, the hospital or facility may be issued a civil penalty in increasing amounts for repeat violations. Any money collected by the court in payment of a civil penalty imposed will be conveyed to the State Treasurer for deposit into the Patient Protection and Staffing Fund (fund) established by the bill. Moneys in the fund will be dedicated and used only for the purposes of increasing the number of inspectors employed by the Department of Health to enforce the provisions of the bill, advancing nursing recruitment and retentions programs, supporting student loan forgiveness for nursing students, and increasing pay for nursing teaching staff. Finally, in addition to the above-described requirements applicable to the Commissioner of Health, the bill requires the Commissioner of Human Services to conduct a review of Department of Human Services regulations concerning registered professional nurse staffing standards in developmental centers and State psychiatric hospitals, and to revise the regulations, as appropriate, to reflect safe staffing practices and assure adequate staffing at the facilities. | In Committee |
| A547 | Requires public agency receiving State funds to post on website use of State funds for public work contracts with minority, women, and veteran owned businesses. | This bill requires a public agency that is receiving State funds for the purpose of public work to post on its main website for public inspection an accounting of how much of those funds were used for public work contracts in which the public agency contracted with businesses to owned by minorities, women, and veterans. The accounting will also provide how much of those funds were used for public work contracts in which the public agency contracted with other businesses that are not owned by minorities, women, or veterans, and the accounting is required to be updated monthly. Whenever a public agency does not maintain a website, the information shall be forward by the public agency to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and posted on that department's main website, which shall be updated monthly. The bill also requires the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, on an annual basis, to submit a report that summarizes each public agency's use of State funds for public work and how much of those funds went to contracts with businesses owned by minorities, women, and veterans. | In Committee |
| A2255 | Requires boards of education to ensure that all staff are trained in care of students with epilepsy and seizure disorders every two years. | This bill amends current law concerning the provision of care for students with epilepsy and seizure disorders enrolled in public school to require that all staff employed by a board of education be trained in the care of students with epilepsy and seizure disorders once every two years. Under "Paul's Law," P.L.2019, c.290, the board of education of a school district is required to coordinate the care of students with epilepsy and seizure disorders. Parents or guardians seeking epilepsy or seizure disorder care for a student while at school are required to annually submit to the school nurse a seizure action plan for the student and provide written authorization for the provision of epilepsy or seizure disorder care. The school nurse is then required to develop an individualized health care plan and an individualized emergency health care plan for the student and update the plans annually. In addition, boards of education are required to ensure that all staff, including staff working with school-sponsored programs outside of the regular school day, are trained in the care of students with epilepsy and seizure disorders. However, there is currently no requirement that this training be conducted at regular intervals. This bill would require that all school staff undergo training in the care of students with epilepsy and seizure disorders every two years. | In Committee |
| A3097 | Establishes presumption of pretrial detention for certain vehicular offenses. | This bill establishes a presumption of pretrial detention for a person who commits reckless vehicular homicide or strict liability vehicular homicide. A person is guilty of strict liability vehicular homicide, a crime of the third degree, if the person commits vehicular homicide by driving while intoxicated. A person commits second degree reckless vehicular homicide if the person was operating an auto recklessly while under the influence in violation of N.J.S.A.39:4-50. Reckless vehicular homicide is a first degree crime if the defendant was operating the auto in violation of N.J.S.A.39:4-50 while on school property, within 1,000 feet of school property, or driving through a school crossing under certain circumstances. Under current law, 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. The rebuttable presumption applies when a prosecutor makes a motion for pretrial detention, and may be rebutted upon a showing of proof, by a preponderance of the evidence, in favor of the defendant. This bill provides that the rebuttable presumption of pretrial detention also applies to defendants charged with reckless vehicular homicide and strict liability vehicular homicide as established pursuant to N.J.S.A.2C:11-5 and N.J.S.A.2C:11-5.3. A defendant charged pursuant to N.J.S.A.2C:11-5 or N.J.S.A.2C:11-5.3 would be subject to forfeiture of the auto or vessel which was used in the commission of the offense, unless the defendant establishes at a hearing, which may occur at the time of sentencing, by a preponderance of the evidence that such forfeiture would constitute a serious hardship to the family of the defendant that outweighs the need to deter such conduct by the defendant and others. Finally, the bill also permits a court, if deciding against the pretrial detention of a defendant for a violation of the reckless driving or strict liability vehicular homicide provisions, to order the suspension or revocation of the defendant's license. | In Committee |
| A2014 | Requires DOH to prepare resource guide on preeclampsia and gestational diabetes for distribution to pregnant persons. | This bill requires the Department of Health (DOH) to prepare a resource guide which provides information on preeclampsia and gestational diabetes to all pregnant persons in the State. Specifically, the resource guide is to be distributed to each pregnant person receiving perinatal treatment and care, by the personnel at a hospital that provides inpatient maternity services or birthing center licensed in the State pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.), as part of the hospital or birthing facility's patient intake process. The resource guide is to be in a language the pregnant person understands and is to include, but not be limited to, information on: (1) the symptoms and early warning signs of preeclampsia and gestational diabetes; (2) the effects of preeclampsia or gestational diabetes on a pregnant person and the pregnant person's baby; and (3) effective strategies that will help a pregnant person advocate for, or communicate to a health care provider any concerns the person has about, the person's health and the health of the person's baby. Under the provisions of the bill, the DOH is to: distribute the resource guide, at no charge, to all the hospitals and birthing facilities in the State; update the guide as necessary; make additional copies of the guide available to hospitals and birthing facilities upon request; and make the information contained in the guide available on its Internet website, both in print and in an easily printable format. | In Committee |
| A1371 | Prohibits tourist helicopter operations in New Jersey. | This bill requires the Commissioner of Transportation to prohibit tourist helicopter operations at aviation facilities licensed by the State. Tourist helicopter is defined to mean a helicopter that operates for the purpose of providing sightseeing tours to patrons in areas including, but not limited to, the Hudson River between New Jersey and New York City, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island. Flights by helicopters owned or operated by a federal or military authority or the State government and helicopters providing emergency medical transportation are not included in the prohibition. | In Committee |
| A2013 | Requires non-invasive prenatal testing for pregnant persons and health insurance coverage for non-invasive prenatal testing. | This bill directs the Commissioner of Health to require every hospital in the State, every birthing center licensed in the State pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.), every federally qualified health center, and every physician or health care practitioner in the State providing care to a pregnant person, to administer to every pregnant person a non-invasive prenatal test.. As defined in the bill, "non-invasive prenatal test" means a blood test performed beginning at ten weeks of pregnancy that is used to screen for Down syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities. Under the bill's provisions, the testing is to be based on industry best practices and guidance, as determined by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists or another nationally-recognized body designated by the commissioner. A hospital, licensed birthing center, or federally qualified health center providing care to, or a physician or other health care practitioner who is the primary caregiver for, a pregnant person or a person, would, in accordance with guidelines developed by the commissioner: (1) provide the person with information on Downs syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities and the risk factors associated with such abnormalities based on an educational program developed by the commissioner; (2) inform the person of the benefits of undergoing non-invasive prenatal testing, and that the person is required to be tested, unless the person provides a written refusal to be tested; (3) and perform a non-invasive prenatal test unless the person provides written refusal to be tested. The person would be required to acknowledge receipt of the information provided by the hospital, birthing center, federally qualified health center, physician, or health care practitioner, as applicable, regarding the benefits of undergoing non-invasive prenatal testing. The bill requires the commissioner to develop a standardized form to be used to acknowledge receipt of the information, which form may also be used to provide written refusal to undergo non-invasive prenatal testing. The commissioner will also be required to develop, in consultation with the New Jersey Perinatal Associates and any other community-based organization as may be designated by the commissioner, a non-invasive prenatal testing educational program for pregnant persons. The educational program would include information on Downs syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities and the risk factors associated with such abnormalities. Upon receipt of the results of a non-invasive prenatal test conducted pursuant to the provisions of the bill, the hospital, licensed birthing center, federally qualified health center, or physician or health care practitioner, as applicable, is to discuss the results with the person and, if the person receives a positive test result, make a referral to a genetic counselor for further consultation. The bill also requires health insurers to cover the costs for conducting non-invasive prenatal tests for a pregnant person. Specifically, certain health insurers (health, hospital, and medical service corporations, commercial individual and group health insurers, health maintenance organizations, the State Health Benefits Program, the School Employees' Health Benefits Program, and the State Medicaid Program) are to provide health benefits coverage for expenses incurred expenses incurred in conducting a non-invasive prenatal test for a pregnant person. | In Committee |
| AJR16 | Permits evidence of prompt reports of sexual assault or employment discrimination be admissible as hearsay exception. | This Joint Resolution amends the Rules of Evidence to permit the jury to consider a statement by a declarant as it relates to sexual assault or employment discrimination in certain cases. The resolution permits statements by the declarant relating to sexual assault or employment discrimination when: (i) the complaint was made spontaneously and voluntarily, (ii) within a reasonable amount of time after the crime had occurred, and (iii) to a person the victim ordinarily would turn to for support. The resolution permits admission of declarant's statement for the purposes of assessing the credibility of the complainant with respect to the commission of the offense; to negate the inference that the victim's initial delay or silence means the complaint was fabricated; or when relevant, and to the extent necessary, to explain the investigative process and complete the narrative of events leading to the defendant's arrest. | In Committee |
| A2209 | Establishes process for county colleges to offer baccalaureate degree programs in certain critcal-need applied science fields. | This bill establishes a process for a county college to offer a baccalaureate degree in the area of applied sciences. Under the bill, the board of trustees of a county college may submit a proposal to the New Jersey Presidents' Council for the establishment of a baccalaureate degree program in an applied sciences field in which a critical shortage of qualified labor exists, or is projected to exist, in the region. Under the bill, the New Jersey Presidents' Council is directed to review the proposal and notify the board of trustees of any deficiencies in writing, and the council must provide the board of trustees with an opportunity to correct the deficiencies. The New Jersey Presidents' Council must forward the proposal, with its recommendation for approval or disapproval of the proposal, to the Secretary of Higher Education. The secretary is directed to provide the county college with a written determination on the approval or disapproval of the proposal. The bill provides that the establishment of a baccalaureate degree program by a county college will be dependent upon the county college receiving accreditation for the program by the appropriate accrediting body. A county college may offer no more than three baccalaureate degree programs through the bill's provisions. Seven years following the establishment of a baccalaureate degree program, the board of trustees of the county college must submit a report to the secretary, the Governor, and to the Legislature on the implementation and impact of its baccalaureate program. The secretary is directed to then make a recommendation to the Governor and to the Legislature on the advisability of continuing the program. | In Committee |
| A2206 | "Homeowners' Historic Property Reinvestment Act"; allows homeowners to claim credit against gross income tax for certain costs of rehabilitating historic properties. | This bill establishes the "Homeowners' Historic Property Reinvestment Act." The bill allows homeowners to claim a refundable credit against gross income tax in an amount equal to 25 percent of the homeowner's outlay for rehabilitating a historic property in this State. The credit is capped at $25,000 per property during a ten-year period. To qualify for the credit, a property that is to be rehabilitated is required to meet certain criteria, as specified in the bill. The bill requires a homeowner seeking a tax credit under the bill to spend no more than 60 percent of the cost of rehabilitation on interior rehabilitation and to own and occupy the qualified property as the homeowner's principal residence for twelve consecutive months following the completion of the rehabilitation. The bill requires rehabilitation expenditures to be at least 50 percent of the equalized assessed value of the structure for local real estate tax purposes as indicated on the most recent property tax bill for the property prior to the start of the rehabilitation. The bill provides that the cumulative amount of tax credits approved cannot exceed $15 million. The bill requires the SHPO, in consultation with the director, to prepare and submit a written report to the Governor and the Legislature on or before December 31st of the fourth year following the bill's effective date. The reports would detail the number and total monetary amount of tax credits granted for the rehabilitation of qualified properties, the geographical distribution of the credits granted, an evaluation of the effectiveness of the tax credits in promoting the rehabilitation of historic properties, recommendations for administrative or legislative changes to increase the effectiveness of the program, and any other information that the officer or the director may deem useful or appropriate. | In Committee |
| A2212 | Exempts sales of pet medication purchased from sales and use tax. | This bill exempts pet medication from the State's sales and use tax. Specifically, "qualified pet medication" is exempted from the State's sales and use tax under the provisions of the bill. The term "qualified pet medication" is defined as:· medicine that has been recognized as a drug in any official compendium, or supplement to a compendium, by the State Board of Pharmacy or the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in a qualified pet;· medicine intended to affect the structure or function of the body of a qualified pet--except that a food, dietary ingredient, or dietary supplement (as those terms are defined in federal statute) does not necessarily qualify solely because its labeling claims it is medication; or· medicine prescribed by a person licensed by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to practice veterinary medicine, surgery, or dentistry in the State. Furthermore, the bill defines the term "qualified pet" to mean a legally owned, domesticated live animal normally maintained in or near the household of its owner. The provisions of the bill will become operative on the first day of the first full calendar quarter next following the date of enactment. | In Committee |
| A2208 | Extends time period for tenants receiving federal housing choice voucher program assistance to locate new housing after landlord sells property. | This bill would require the Department of Community Affairs (department) to establish a standard initial period of at least 180 calendar days for a household in this State to locate new housing under the federal Housing Choice Voucher Program, commonly referred to as the "Section 8 Voucher Program," if the household is required to vacate their rental unit as a result of the sale or transfer of the property by the landlord. This new 180-day standard would apply to the department and other entities in the State that serve as Public Housing Agencies for the purposes of the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Under current law, the initial period of time for a household to locate acceptable housing is 60 calendar days. If the household is unable to locate acceptable housing by that date, the household may submit a request for an extension, which may be granted at the discretion of the department. Under the department's current Housing Choice Voucher Program Administrative Plan, a cumulative total of 180 days may be considered for certain households, and a cumulative total of 240 days may be considered for certain households with a member who is a person with a disability. | In Committee |
| A2205 | Prohibits transportation network companies from engaging in surge pricing during state of emergency. | This bill prohibits a transportation network company from engaging in surge pricing for a prearranged ride during a natural disaster or emergency for which a state of emergency has been declared in the area in which the state of emergency has been declared. Surge pricing is defined to mean charging a transportation network company rider a higher fare rate than the usual fare rate charged for the prearranged ride during times of high demand for prearranged rides, including by using a rate multiplier. The bill specifies that any increase in the fare rate that is in excess of two times the usual fare rate constitutes surge pricing. | In Committee |
| A2201 | Requires 90 days' notice of cancellation or nonrenewal of stop loss insurance for small employer health benefits plans. | This bill requires that, with respect to a policy of stop loss or excess risk insurance issued relative to a small employer health benefits plan, the insurer shall provide not less than 90 days written notice of cancellation or nonrenewal of the policy to the plan sponsor, in a form to be determined by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance. "Stop loss" or "excess risk insurance," for the purposes of small employer health benefits plans regulated by the Department of Banking and Insurance, means an insurance policy designed to reimburse a self-funded arrangement of one or more small employers for catastrophic, excess or unexpected expenses, wherein neither the employees nor other individuals are third party beneficiaries under the insurance policy. In order to be considered stop loss or excess risk insurance for the purposes of P.L.1992, c.162 (C.17B:27A-17 et seq.), the policy shall establish a per person attachment point or retention or aggregate attachment point or retention, or both, which meet the following requirements: a. If the policy establishes a per person attachment point or retention, that specific attachment point or retention shall not be less than $20,000 per covered person per plan year; and b. If the policy establishes an aggregate attachment point or retention, that aggregate attachment point or retention shall not be less than 125% of expected claims per plan year. | In Committee |
| A2200 | Requires businesses in financial, essential infrastructure, and health care industries to develop cybersecurity plans. | This bill would require a sensitive business, defined as a business engaged in the financial, essential infrastructure, or healthcare industries to develop cybersecurity programs based on regulations to be adopted by the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC) in the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness. These requirements include updating cybersecurity programs to apply to all of the sensitive business' industrial control systems if applicable, reasonably conforming these programs to the most recent version of certain industry-recognized cybersecurity frameworks, and annually certifying compliance with these requirements. The bill would require sensitive businesses to submit their cybersecurity plans and revisions to the NJCCIC. The NJCCIC would be directed to audit any sensitive business that fails to submit a cybersecurity plan. | In Committee |
| A2211 | Provides abstention does not count towards remaining members in vote to fill certain municipal vacancies. | Under the provisions of this bill a member of a municipal governing body who abstains from voting to fill a vacancy in the office of mayor or on the governing body would not be counted as a remaining member of the governing body, and a majority would be determined by those voting in favor or in opposition to a nominee to fill the vacancy. | In Committee |
| A2199 | Requires businesses in financial, essential infrastructure, and health care industries to report cybersecurity incidents. | This bill would require sensitive businesses to report certain cybersecurity incidents promptly to the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC). For the purposes of this bill, a "cybersecurity incident" means an event occurring on or conducted through a computer network that jeopardizes the integrity, confidentiality, or availability of, or information residing on, computers, information systems, communications systems networks, physical or virtual infrastructure controlled by computers, or information systems. The bill would direct the NJCCIC to audit the relevant business no later than 30 days after being made aware of an incident. Cybersecurity audits would be conducted by a qualified and independent cybersecurity company at the sensitive business' expense. | In Committee |
| A2202 | Upgrades simple assault to aggravated assault if committed against crossing guard or parking enforcement officer. | This bill upgrades the crime of simple assault to aggravated assault if the victim is a crossing guard or parking enforcement officer who is in uniform or engaged in official duties, or when the assault is due to the person's status as a crossing guard or parking enforcement officer. Currently, N.J.S.2C:12-1 establishes increased criminal penalties when certain victims - including law enforcement officers, school employees, and health care workers - are assaulted while performing official duties or because of their job status. This bill extends that protection to crossing guards and parking enforcement officers. Aggravated assault under paragraph (5) of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:12-1 is a crime of the third degree if the victim suffers bodily injury; otherwise it is a crime of the fourth degree. A crime of the third degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of three to five years; a fine of up to $15,000, or both. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment for not more than 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. | In Committee |
| A2210 | Permits certain cities to transfer a portion of its public employees from a locally-administered health benefits program to SHBP. | This bill permits certain municipalities to transfer a portion of its public employees from its locally-administered health benefits program into the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP). Currently, a municipality with its own health benefits program may transition all of its public employees into SHBP on an "all or nothing basis." However, this bill permits municipalities of the first class, a municipality with a population of more than 150,000, the option to transfer certain employees from the municipality's health benefits program into SHBP, while retaining in their locally-administered health benefits program any other employees not transferred to the State program. Under the bill, a governing body of a municipality thereof that elects to transfer certain employees into SHBP is required to provide, in writing, notice to those employees of its intent to change providers for those employees not less than 45 days prior to the date that the change in providers would be effective. The governing body is also required to provide those employees, or their majority representative, with the master plan documents of both the current and proposed benefits prior to implementation of any changes. | In Committee |
| A2204 | Expands Medicaid coverage regarding assistive devices for hearing impaired under certain circumstances. | This bill requires Medicaid coverage for hearing aids and other assistive devices for hearing impaired under certain circumstances. Specifically, the bill provides that coverage under the Medicaid Program includes expenses for unilateral or bilateral hearing aids, cochlear implants, or auditory osseointegrated devices, as well as any related accessories or services, provided that the devices, accessories, and services are deemed to be medically necessary and are prescribed or recommended by a licensed physician or audiologist. Under the bill, a "hearing aid" means an ear-level or body-worn electroacoustic device for amplifying sound whose basic components are a microphone, amplifier, and receiver; a "cochlear implant" means a device that is implanted under the skin that picks up sounds and converts them to impulses transmitted to electrodes placed in the cochlea; and an "auditory osseointegrated device" means a device implanted in the skull that replaces the function of the middle ear and provides mechanical energy to the cochlea via a mechanical transducer. Furthermore, "bilateral" means relating to or involving both ears, while "unilateral" means relating to or involving one ear. Currently, the State's Medicaid Plan provides that hearing aids are a covered benefit for eligible participants of the Medicaid Program if the hearing aid is determined to be medically necessary. This bill codifies this existing provision, and expands upon the benefit to include cochlear implants and auditory osseointegrated devices, as well as any related accessories or services. | In Committee |
| A3350 | Requires candidates for county committee to receive number of write-in votes at least equal to number of signatures required to be placed on ballot in order to be elected. | This bill requires candidates for county committee whose name does not appear on the ballot to receive the number of write-in votes at least equal to the number of signatures required to be placed on ballot, in order to be elected. Under current law, N.J.S.A.19:23-8, candidates for county committee must receive a certain number of signatures to be placed on the primary election ballot. In a municipality that has a population over 14,000, the candidate is required to receive at least 50 signatures of voters on a petition. In all other municipalities, the candidate is required to receive at least 25 signatures. However, the number of signers may be fewer than these minimums, but is required to be at least 5 percent in number of the total vote cast by the voters of that political party at the last preceding primary election held for the election of that party's candidates for the General Assembly. In no case, however, would there be fewer than one signer of any such petition. | In Committee |
| A2213 | Requires financial aid shopping sheet prepared by institutions of higher education and certain proprietary institutions to include information on average starting salaries of students. | This bill requires the financial aid shopping sheet prepared by institutions of higher education and certain proprietary institutions to include information on the average starting salaries of students. Under current law, a public or independent institution of higher education or a proprietary institution licensed to offer academic degrees is required to provide a financial aid "shopping sheet" to each prospective student as part of the institution's financial aid offer to that student. The purpose of the shopping sheet is to provide prospective students and their families with clear information on the costs, loan options, and estimated debt that the student will incur in attending the institution, and to allow students and families to easily evaluate and compare financial aid packages from different institutions. This bill requires the financial aid shopping sheet to also include information on the average starting salaries of students who complete various degree programs offered by the institution. | In Committee |
| A2203 | Requires employers to provide paid leave to employees to vote in certain circumstances. | This bill requires an employer to provide two hours of paid leave annually to each employee working for the employer in the State for the purpose of voting at a general election in the State. Specifically, an employer is required to offer paid time off, which is fully paid, and may be used at the beginning or the end of an employee's work shift on the day of a general election in the State. Under the bill, an employee is required to notify an employer of the necessity for leave to vote two business days in advance of a general election in the State, and an employer is required to provide notice to employees of the employees' rights and obligations under this bill at least ten days prior to a general election in the State. The bill does not apply to: (1) an employee performing service in the construction industry that is under contract pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement; (2) a per diem health care employee; or (3) a public employee who is provided with leave for voting with full pay or a paid holiday on the day of a general election in the State pursuant to any other law, rule, or regulation of this State. | In Committee |
| A2207 | Requires spousal consent to election of certain pension payout options under TPAF, JRS and PERS. | This bill requires written spousal consent whenever a member of the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF), the Judicial Retirement System (JRS), or the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) elects a retirement benefit which is payable for the life of the member only or any other payout option that provides a benefit to the member's spouse that is less than one-half of the member's retirement allowance. Current law requires that whenever a TPAF, JRS or PERS member elects a retirement benefit that is payable only during the life of the member and terminates at death, without payment of any kind to the spouse, the division must send a notice, by certified mail, to the spouse that the retirement benefit chosen by the member is payable only during the member's lifetime and that no benefits, other than any applicable life insurance benefits, will be payable to any beneficiary after the member's death. Under the bill, whenever a member of the TPAF, the JRS, or the PERS elects a retirement benefit that is payable only during the life of the member and terminates at death, without payment of any kind to the spouse, or any other payout option that provides a benefit to the member's spouse that is less than one-half of the member's retirement allowance to be continued throughout the life of the spouse, the election will not take effect unless: 1) the spouse of the member consents in writing to such election; 2) such election designates a beneficiary or an option neither of which may be changed without spousal consent, or the consent of the spouse expressly permits designations by the member without any requirement of further consent by the spouse; and 3) the spouse's consent acknowledges the effect of such election and is witnessed by a representative of the Division of Pensions and Benefits or a notary public. Such consent will not be required if it is established to the satisfaction of the retirement system that the consent may not be obtained because there is no spouse, the spouse cannot be located, or there are such other circumstances as the Division of Pensions and Benefits may prescribe by regulations. These requirements are similar to those of nongovernmental plans regulated by federal law pursuant to the Employees Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). | In Committee |
| A944 | 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 |
| A1142 | Prohibits harassing or taking of certain wildlife at competitive event; establishes penalties. | This bill prohibits the harassing or taking of certain wildlife (defined as "covered wildlife" in the bill) at a competitive event, except in conjunction with a field trial or field day authorized by a license issued pursuant to R.S.23:4-26. The bill also prohibits any person from organizing, sponsoring, promoting, conducting, or participating in a competitive event at which the participants harass or take covered wildlife except in conjunction with such an authorized field trial or field day. "Covered wildlife" is defined as a bobcat, coyote, crow, fox, mink, opossum, rabbit, raccoon, skunk, squirrel, weasel, woodchuck, or the dead body or parts thereof. The bill provides that a person who violates the prohibitions in the bill would be guilty of a disorderly persons offense and, in addition to the applicable penalties pursuant to Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes, would also have suspended for five years: 1) any license or permit issued to the person by the Division of Fish and Wildlife; and 2) all privileges to take or possess wildlife. A disorderly persons offense is subject to a penalty of up to six months of imprisonment, a fine up to $1,000, or both. This bill requires any covered wildlife injured as a result of a competitive event to be transported to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or State licensed veterinarian for proper treatment or to be euthanized if necessary. The bill authorizes the Division of Fish and Wildlife to forfeit the remains of any covered wildlife killed at a competitive event held in violation of this bill or euthanized as a result of the competitive event. Forfeited remains would become property of the Division of Fish and Wildlife. The bill directs municipal police officers, the State Police, and law enforcement officers in the Division of Fish and Wildlife and the Division of Parks and Forestry in the Department of Environmental Protection to enforce the bill's provisions. | In Committee |
| A1162 | Clarifies that "Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991" covers elder abuse in domestic settings. | This bill clarifies that the "Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991," P.L.1991, c.261 (C.2C:25-17 et al.), covers various forms of physical and non-physical elder abuse in domestic settings. Although the existing findings and declarations to the act reference the Legislature's intention of addressing elder abuse (and abuse against disabled persons) "on an equal basis as violence against spouses and children," the bill updates the findings and declarations to expressly reference elder abuse by current or former household members in its many possible forms; that is, all such "emotional, psychological, and physical [domestic] violence" against the elderly. It also updates the existing definition of "victim of domestic violence" under the act, which currently covers "any person who is 18 years of age or older," to expressly include a reference to an elderly person in a domestic setting, who is not otherwise protected pursuant to P.L.1977, c.239 (C.52:27G-1 et seq.)as an institutionalized elderly person in a public or private facility or institution. | In Committee |
| Bill | Bill Name | Motion | Vote Date | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1277 | Establishes centralized directory for affordable housing, and housing for senior citizens and veterans. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| S862 | Requires DOT to provide additional information in annual report on pavement condition; makes report available to public. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| SJR30 | Designates June 23 of each year as "International Widows' Day." | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| S1439 | Requires health benefits coverage for additional orthotic and prosthetic appliances under certain circumstances; requires coverage for orthotic and prosthetic appliances obtained through podiatrists. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| S1400 | "Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act"; provides alternative process for handling partition actions filed in court concerning real property with multiple owners, at least one of whom had acquired title from relative. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| AJR62 | Designates first week of May of each year as "Children's Mental Health Awareness Week." | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A3008 | Requires certain health care facilities to offer lactation counseling and consultations to persons who have given birth. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A3361 | Establishes limit on rent increase for certain dwelling sites for modular or industrialized buildings or manufactured homes. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A1996 | Establishes requirements to evaluate certain people who are pregnant and who have given birth for preeclampsia. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Abstain |
| A3036 | "Swift Access For Emergency Response Actions Preservation Program (SAFER APP)"; authorizes Attorney General to order turn-by-turn navigation systems to reroute vehicular traffic under certain conditions. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A913 | Authorizes medical cannabis for treatment of sickle cell anemia. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A3157 | Requires DMVA create Bereavement Counseling Program for family members and volunteer caregivers of certain veterans. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A2415 | Requires Silver Alert System receive same broadcast alerts as Amber Alert System. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| AJR56 | Designates May of each year as "Older Americans Month" in New Jersey. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| S2332 | Allows complaint for guardianship of minor to be filed six months before minor reaches age 18 under certain circumstances; establishes certain standards for filing guardianship complaints. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | 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. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A3759 | Prohibits internet sale of lottery tickets by State Lottery Commission. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| S2886 | Requires pharmacies to provide certain information regarding insulin manufacturer assistance programs. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A3941 | Changes classification of State Investigators in civil service. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A3981 | Subjects certain rooming and boarding houses to municipal land use regulations; requires owners and operators of cooperative sober living residences to submit certain approvals with license applications. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A4178 | Authorizes State Treasurer to grant temporary deed of easement in Borough of Sea Girt in Monmouth County. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A4276 | Requires DOH to use Basic Screening Survey to access oral health in children. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| AJR171 | Celebrates career of New Jersey resident John Sterling. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A4331 | Establishes licensure for cosmetic retail services. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A4535 | Concerns State regulation of cooperative sober living residences and boarding houses generally; appropriates $100,000. | Assembly Floor: Concur Governor Recommendations | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A4562 | Allows State, municipality, and county to implement automatic enrollment of their employees in deferred compensation plans. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A4618 | Requires official inspection facility employees covered by collective bargaining agreement to be offered employment following contract renewal or award of new contract; requires collective bargaining agreement to be binding in certain cases. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A4652 | Establishes offense of inciting public brawl; upgrades penalty for disorderly conduct in certain circumstances. | Assembly Floor: Table Motion | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A4652 | Establishes offense of inciting public brawl; upgrades penalty for disorderly conduct in certain circumstances. | Assembly Floor: Concur Governor Recommendations | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A4767 | Limits regulated perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in menstrual products. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A4763 | Requires development of educational fact sheet on water safety for public and nonpublic schools; requires DOE to maintain list of locations providing swim lessons. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A4753 | Requires hospitals and birthing facilities to request new parents watch water safety video prior to discharge. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A4762 | Designates May of each year as "Water Safety Month" in NJ; encourages DOE to provide resources on water safety. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A4857 | Extends anti-SLAPP protections to complainants of sexual assault, harassment, and discrimination. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A4854 | Modifies method of allocating State aid for providing auxiliary and remedial services to nonpublic school students. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A4899 | Limits amount of residential rental property application fee; establishes penalty. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A4913 | Establishes certain State funding preferences for municipalities that enhance opportunities to develop housing. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| S3787 | Requires municipal tax collectors who obtain payments in lieu of taxes under "Long Term Tax Exemption Law" to transmit county portion directly to county. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | 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. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A4986 | Codifies early language instruction program for deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind children in DHS. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| S3850 | Permits county boards of elections to extend distance within which electioneering is prohibited. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A5017 | Exempts certain personal information collected by insurance-support organizations from certain requirements concerning notification and disclosure of personal data. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| S3928 | Limits general application of certain consumer contracts. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| S3961 | Requires public and certain nonpublic schools to offer no-fee option to parents for making school lunch and other payments; requires payment processing platforms used by certain schools to provide users with information on user fees. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A5170 | Requires State to purchase certain unused tax credits issued under New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A5211 | Establishes New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities Initiative Act. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A5264 | Requires establishment of automated platform to expedite construction code approval of applications to install residential solar energy systems. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| S4121 | Amends Fiscal Year 2025 annual appropriations act to assign distribution of funding for Community Security Initiatives to Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A5358 | Revises New Jersey Secure Choice Savings Program. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| S4162 | Limits use or disclosure of certain education records. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A5378 | Modifies provisions of Cultural Arts Incentives Program; eliminates Community-Anchored Development Program. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A5395 | Requires cancellation option for any subscription service and establishes certain standards pertaining to use of negative option features. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A5424 | Promotes housing availability and prevents speculation by imposing fee for institutional ownership of certain unproductive residential property. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A5442 | Requires BPU members to have certain experience and complete certain training. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A5432 | Establishes standards for determining an unconscionable rent increase; excludes from public access landlord tenant records in certain circumstances. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A5435 | Requires Division of Housing and Community Resources in DCA and applicable State agencies and nonprofits to establish a consolidated application for residential utility assistance programs. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A5466 | Requires BPU to study effects of data centers on electricity costs. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Abstain |
| A5463 | Requires electric public utilities to submit annual report on voting to BPU. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A5463 | Requires electric public utilities to submit annual report on voting to BPU. | Assembly Floor: Table Motion | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A5545 | Authorizes soil conservation districts to have more than five supervisors. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A5598 | Modifies requirements to obtain licensure in public accountancy. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A5572 | Establishes quorum standards for professional licensing entities under certain circumstances. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A5606 | Amends Fiscal Year 2025 annual appropriations act to clarify distribution of Meals on Wheels Program grant to Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A5618 | Requires Administrative Office of the Courts to collect and publish statistical information about consumer debt lawsuits. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| A5733 | Provides for State agency reviews and increases of income thresholds for residential customers to participate in certain utility bill payment assistance and energy efficiency programs. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| AR193 | Affirms support for SNAP and program's progress in reducing hunger among vulnerable populations in New Jersey. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 05/22/2025 | Yea |
| S862 | Requires DOT to provide additional information in annual report on pavement condition; makes report available to public. | Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee: Reported with Amendments | 05/08/2025 | Yea |
| A1423 | Requires MVC to conduct unscheduled surprise inspections of certain school buses. | Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee: Reported Favorably | 05/08/2025 | Yea |
| A2596 | Requires DOT to provide additional information in annual report on pavement condition; makes report available to public. | Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee: Reported with Amendments | 05/08/2025 | Yea |
| A4618 | Requires official inspection facility employees covered by collective bargaining agreement to be offered employment following contract renewal or award of new contract; requires collective bargaining agreement to be binding in certain cases. | Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee: Reported Favorably | 05/08/2025 | Yea |
| A5612 | Concerns parking violations that obstruct NJT bus operations and bicycle lanes in certain circumstances. | Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee: Reported Favorably | 05/08/2025 | Yea |
| A5623 | Authorizes NJ Infrastructure Bank to expend certain sums to make loans for transportation infrastructure projects for FY2026; makes appropriation. | Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee: Reported Favorably | 05/08/2025 | Yea |
| SJR30 | Designates June 23 of each year as "International Widows' Day." | Assembly Community Development and Womens Affairs Committee Committee: Reported Favorably | 05/05/2025 | Yea |
| AJR45 | Designates June 23 of each year as "International Widows' Day." | Assembly Community Development and Womens Affairs Committee Committee: Reported Favorably | 05/05/2025 | Yea |
| A3555 | Requires inspection for pest infestation prior to certain demolitions. | Assembly Community Development and Womens Affairs Committee Committee: Reported with Amendments | 05/05/2025 | Yea |
| A4486 | Establishes State contract goal for socially and economically disadvantaged businesses. | Assembly Community Development and Womens Affairs Committee Committee: Reported Favorably | 05/05/2025 | Yea |
| A4586 | Establishes "Minority and Women-Owned Businesses State Contractor Remedies Act." | Assembly Community Development and Womens Affairs Committee Committee: Reported with Substitution | 05/05/2025 | Yea |
| A4723 | Modifies title and role of Chief Diversity Officer; establishes New Jersey Office of Supplier Development and Business Opportunities. | Assembly Community Development and Womens Affairs Committee Committee: Reported with Amendments | 05/05/2025 | Yea |
| A4966 | Eliminates statute of limitations for kidnapping and human trafficking prosecutions, and extends statute of limitations for civil cases arising from human trafficking. | Assembly Community Development and Womens Affairs Committee Committee: Reported with Amendments | 05/05/2025 | Yea |
| S1310 | Makes certain for-profit debt adjusters eligible for licensing to conduct business in State. | Assembly Regulated Professions Committee: Reported Favorably | 04/10/2025 | Yea |
| A4598 | Makes certain for-profit debt adjusters eligible for licensing to conduct business in State. | Assembly Regulated Professions Committee: Reported with Amendments | 04/10/2025 | Yea |
| A5384 | Establishes "Virtual Currency Kiosk Consumer Protection Act." | Assembly Regulated Professions Committee: Reported with Amendments | 04/10/2025 | Yea |
| A5572 | Establishes quorum standards for professional licensing entities under certain circumstances. | Assembly Regulated Professions Committee: Reported Favorably | 04/10/2025 | Yea |
| S1548 | Requires school districts to adopt policies concerning student use of sunscreen and sun-protective clothing at school and school-sponsored functions. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 03/24/2025 | Yea |
| S2236 | Exempts nursing mothers from jury duty. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 03/24/2025 | Yea |
| S1320 | Requires certain information be included in certain contracts with licensed public adjusters. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 03/24/2025 | Yea |
| A3340 | Clarifies which health care professional may provide documentation to school district of need for home instruction due to student's health condition. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 03/24/2025 | Yea |
| A3025 | Exempts poll workers wages from affecting unemployment compensation. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 03/24/2025 | Yea |
| AJR67 | Designates last week of April of each year as "Reentry Week." | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 03/24/2025 | Yea |
| A1211 | Upgrades criminal penalties for use or possession of payment card scanning device; requires merchant to take reasonable safety measures to prevent scanning of payment card. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 03/24/2025 | Yea |
| A3283 | Directs certain unclaimed electric, gas, and water public utility deposits in Unclaimed Utility Deposits Trust Fund and societal charge revenues to be paid to Statewide nonprofit public utility assistance organizations meeting certain eligibility criteria. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 03/24/2025 | Yea |
| A1973 | Establishes requirements to evaluate certain people who are pregnant and who have given birth for endometriosis. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 03/24/2025 | Yea |
| A1715 | Requires public institution of higher education to invite Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey on institution's campus. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 03/24/2025 | Yea |
| A1700 | Requires DOH to establish public awareness campaign and develop policies and procedures to promote recognition and treatment of perinatal anxiety. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 03/24/2025 | Yea |
| A1825 | Establishes certain guidelines for SHBP, SEHBP, and Medicaid concerning step therapy protocols. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 03/24/2025 | Yea |
| A2115 | Requires public transportation employees and certain motorbus operators to complete training course on handling and responding to suspected human trafficking; requires inclusion of certain content in certain courses. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 03/24/2025 | Yea |
| A1389 | Requires seizure of ammunition and certain firearm components in response to domestic violence restraining order or conviction. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 03/24/2025 | Yea |
| A3540 | Establishes criminal penalties for production or dissemination of deceptive audio or visual media, commonly known as "deepfakes." | Assembly Floor: Concur Governor Recommendations | 03/24/2025 | Yea |
| A3541 | Establishes legislative internship program. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 03/24/2025 | Yea |
| S2594 | Appropriates $28,670,924 in 2003 and 1992 bond act monies for loans for dam restoration and repair projects and inland waters projects. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 03/24/2025 | Yea |
| State | District | Chamber | Party | Status | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NJ | New Jersey Assembly District 31 | Assembly | Democrat | In Office | 01/09/2024 |