Legislator
Legislator > Jessica Ramirez
State Assemblymember
Jessica Ramirez
(D) - New Jersey
New Jersey Assembly District 32
In Office - Started: 01/09/2024
contact info
Hoboken Office
80 River St.
Second Floor
Hoboken, NJ 07030
Second Floor
Hoboken, NJ 07030
Phone: 201-683-7917
General Capitol Building Address
P.O. Box 068
State House, 145 W. State St.
Trenton, NJ 08625-0068
State House, 145 W. State St.
Trenton, NJ 08625-0068
Phone: 609-847-3905
| Bill | Bill Name | Summary | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3910 | Makes various changes to provision of preschool aid and facilities requirements; establishes Universal Preschool Implementation Steering Committee; requires full-day kindergarten in all school districts. | Makes various changes to provision of preschool aid and facilities requirements; establishes Universal Preschool Implementation Steering Committee; requires full-day kindergarten in all school districts. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S1439 | Requires health benefits coverage for additional orthotic and prosthetic appliances under certain circumstances; requires coverage for orthotic and prosthetic appliances obtained through podiatrists. | Requires health benefits coverage for additional orthotic and prosthetic appliances under certain circumstances; requires coverage for orthotic and prosthetic appliances obtained through podiatrists. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A5466 | Requires BPU to study effects of data centers on electricity costs. | Requires BPU to study effects of data centers on electricity costs. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| 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. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4937 | Concerns satellite cannabis dispensaries, Cannabis Regulatory Commission membership, and post-employment restrictions on State employees. | Concerns satellite cannabis dispensaries, Cannabis Regulatory Commission membership, and post-employment restrictions on State employees. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A5199 | Requires resident and fellow physicians employed by Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, who are eligible for coverage in SHBP, to be eligible to enroll and receive health insurance on first day of employment. | This bill requires that enrollment for health care coverage under the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) for eligible resident and fellow physicians employed by Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, including University Hospital, and their dependents, be available on the first day of employment for new hires, and on the bill's effective date for such current employees. Delays in health care coverage and access to life-saving medicine can be dangerous and cause debilitating health care debt during emergencies. In 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Governor signed Executive Order 172 allowing public employees to immediately enroll in the SHBP. However, the ability to immediately enroll was eliminated when the Governor later signed Executive Order 244 in 2021, which ended the public health emergency. This bill provides for immediate enrollment for eligible resident and fellow physicians employed by Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, including University Hospital, and their dependents. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S1067 | Directs DHS to conduct landscape analysis of available mental health services. | Directs DHS to conduct landscape analysis of available mental health services. | Vetoed |
| A4915 | Establishes reproductive health travel advisory. | This bill requires the Department of State to establish the "New Jersey Reproductive Health Travel Advisory" to inform New Jersey residents of the extent to which states within the United States restrict access to reproductive healthcare services. While many pregnancies are safe and uneventful, there is always some risk that a pregnancy will unexpectedly result in a medical emergency endangering the life or health of the patient. The effective treatment of such emergencies sometimes requires termination of the pregnancy. In the states that limit reproductive health care services, it is unclear to what extent necessary medical treatment for pregnancy-related emergencies will be permitted. There is thus a need to create an advisory that will inform New Jersey residents of the extent to which states within the United States limit reproductive health care services so that they may make informed travel decisions while pregnant. Pursuant to this bill, the travel advisory is to provide a description of each state in the United States with respect to reproductive healthcare services, including but not limited to, gestational duration bans, waiting periods, insurance coverage bans, medication restrictions, constitutional protections, reproductive health care funding, and criminal and civil liability for patients and healthcare providers. The travel advisory is required to provide the information according to the following tiered system: (1) "Blue: Exercise normal caution," which signifies that pregnant individuals have access to all forms of reproductive medical care without fear of civil or criminal prosecution; (2) "Yellow: Exercise increased caution," which signifies that pregnant individuals have restricted access to reproductive medical care that could result in civil or criminal prosecution; and (3) "Red: Reconsider travel," which signifies that pregnant individuals have extremely restricted access to reproductive medical care that could result in an adverse medical outcome, pregnant individuals being subject to civil or criminal prosecution, and individuals seeking emergency reproductive medical care not being provided life-saving care due to state law. The Department of State is to publish the travel advisory in a prominent location on its website and update the advisory for each state every time a state experiences a change in its law, rules, or regulations concerning reproductive healthcare services. | In Committee |
| A3979 | Requires certain providers of substance or alcohol use disorder treatment, services, or supports to be assessed for conflicts of interest prior to receiving State funds, licensure, or certification. | Requires certain providers of substance or alcohol use disorder treatment, services, or supports to be assessed for conflicts of interest prior to receiving State funds, licensure, or certification. | Crossed Over |
| A4380 | Establishes "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act"; revises motor vehicle franchise agreements. | Establishes "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act"; revises motor vehicle franchise agreements. | In Committee |
| A5000 | Requires Medicaid coverage for fertility preservation services in cases of iatrogenic infertility caused by medically necessary treatments. | Requires Medicaid coverage for fertility preservation services in cases of iatrogenic infertility caused by medically necessary treatments. | Crossed Over |
| A4971 | Requires EDA to provide grants to certain small businesses affected by State infrastructure and construction projects. | Requires EDA to provide grants to certain small businesses affected by State infrastructure and construction projects. | Passed |
| A5309 | Permits up to three credits of continuing medical education on menopause to be used by advanced practice nurses and physicians for license renewal. | Permits up to three credits of continuing medical education on menopause to be used by advanced practice nurses and physicians for license renewal. | Passed |
| S3041 | Prohibits cooperative from receiving public works contract when cooperative-approved vendor fails to pay prevailing wage; concerns cooperative purchasing agreements with other states; and permits contracting units to award certain indefinite contracts. | Prohibits cooperative from receiving public works contract when cooperative-approved vendor fails to pay prevailing wage; concerns cooperative purchasing agreements with other states; and permits contracting units to award certain indefinite contracts. | Passed |
| S3309 | Establishes "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act"; revises motor vehicle franchise agreements. | Establishes "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act"; revises motor vehicle franchise agreements. | Passed |
| S4377 | Authorizes NJ Infrastructure Bank to expend certain sums to make loans for transportation infrastructure projects for FY2026; makes appropriation. | This bill authorizes the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (NJIB) to expend up to $53,450,000 in Fiscal Year 2026 (FY2026) to provide low-interest loans to certain local government units that undertake one of 17 eligible transportation infrastructure projects set forth in the bill. The bill also authorizes the NJIB to make a maximum of $1 million in principal-forgiveness financing loans to project sponsors for planning and design costs. Under the bill, up to $100,000 of a loan, per borrower, is to be forgiven for a project where a principal amount of at least $250,000 is financed by the Transportation Infrastructure Financing Program through completion of the project's construction. Additionally, the bill permits the NJIB to use any loan repayments received to date, and the amounts for capitalized interest, interest accrued pursuant to a short-term or temporary loan made to a project sponsor pursuant to the Interim Transportation Financing Program, bond issuance expenses, and related amounts, to fund the FY2026 New Jersey Transportation Infrastructure Financing Program (NJTIB). The bill also authorizes the NJIB to utilize certain funds generated by the operation of the bank, including, but not limited to, proceeds from the sale of bonds, the revenues derived from investments, and loan repayments, to defray the NJIB's FY2026 operating expenses. Finally, the bill appropriates certain funds from the General Fund to the NJIB. Since its creation in 2018, the NJIB, in partnership with the Department of Transportation, has provided low-cost NJTIB loans for the construction of critical transportation infrastructure projects with the mission of reducing the cost of financing for New Jersey counties and municipalities and making possible responsible and sustainable economic development. | Passed |
| S1403 | Requires employer or contractor engaged in work for public body to submit payroll records to DOLWD. | Requires employer or contractor engaged in work for public body to submit payroll records to DOLWD. | Passed |
| A2365 | Makes various changes to "New Jersey Angel Investor Tax Credit Act" and Technology Business Tax Certificate Transfer Program; repeals "New Jersey Ignite Act." | Makes various changes to "New Jersey Angel Investor Tax Credit Act" and Technology Business Tax Certificate Transfer Program; repeals "New Jersey Ignite Act." | In Committee |
| S3711 | Makes annual allocation of $500,000 from Clean Communities Program Fund for public outreach concerning single-use plastics reduction program permanent. | Makes annual allocation of $500,000 from Clean Communities Program Fund for public outreach concerning single-use plastics reduction program permanent. | Passed |
| S4467 | Authorizes NJ Infrastructure Bank to expend certain sums to make loans for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2026. | Authorizes NJ Infrastructure Bank to expend certain sums to make loans for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2026. | Passed |
| A5621 | Authorizes NJ Infrastructure Bank to expend certain sums to make loans for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2026. | This bill would authorize the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (NJIB) to expend up to $2.4 billion to provide loans to local governments and privately-owned water companies (project sponsors) for a portion of the costs of water infrastructure projects, for the purpose of implementing the State fiscal year 2026 New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Financing Program (NJEIFP). A companion bill, Assembly Bill No. 5622 of this session, would appropriate certain federal and State moneys to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for the purpose of partially funding the costs of the clean water and drinking water projects enumerated by the bill. The bill would authorize the NJIB to provide loans to fund the following projects: (1) in subsection a. of section 2 of the bill, a list of two projects to improve water discharge and treatment systems that had previously received a loan and require supplemental loans, representing $5.2 million in estimated total loan amounts; (2) in subsection b. of section 2 of the bill, a list of four projects to improve drinking water systems that had previously received a loan and require supplemental loans, representing $19 million in estimated total loan amounts; (3) in subsection c. of section 3 of the bill, a list of four projects in the Pinelands area that are receiving funding under the "Pinelands Infrastructure Trust Bond Act of 1985," P.L.1985, c.302 to improve water discharge and treatment systems, representing $15.3 million in estimated total loan amounts; (4) in subsection a. of section 4 of the bill, the "Storm Sandy and State Fiscal Year 2026 Clean Water Project Eligibility List," a list of 151 projects to improve water discharge and treatment systems, representing $1.7 billion in estimated total loan amounts; and (5) in subsection b. of section 4 of the bill, the "Storm Sandy and State Fiscal Year 2026 Drinking Water Project Eligibility List," a list of 59 projects to improve drinking water systems, representing $651.7 million in estimated total loan amounts. The bill would also appropriate to the NJIB an amount up to $1.5 billion, as necessary, to make short-term or temporary loans to project sponsors on the "Interim Environmental Financing Program Project Priority List," which is required to be submitted to the Legislature by the DEP Commissioner. The bill would also appropriate to the NJIB the amount needed to fund project sponsors on the "Environmental Disaster Relief Emergency Financing Program Project Priority List," which is also required to be submitted to the Legislature by the DEP Commissioner. In addition, the bill would appropriate available funds from the "Economic Development and Infrastructure Improvement Revolving Fund" created pursuant to the annual appropriations act for State fiscal year 2021, P.L.2020, c.97, to provide debt service reserves or guarantees to certain local government units for the purpose of making them eligible to receive a loan from the NJIB to finance the environmental infrastructure component of a redevelopment project. The bill would also authorize the NJIB to transfer moneys between various State funds, for the purpose of funding the NJEIFP and providing the State match for federal funding provided under the federal laws, including the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act, as detailed in subsection c. of section 1 of the bill. The bill would establish certain requirements on loans to project sponsors made by the NJIB pursuant to the bill, as enumerated in section 6 of the bill. The bill would also authorize the NJIB to decrease or increase the loan amounts it provides, subject to certain conditions enumerated in sections 7 and 8 of the bill. Finally, the bill would authorize the NJIB to utilize certain moneys to fund its annual operating expenses. | In Committee |
| S3663 | Establishes reproductive health travel advisory. | This bill requires the Department of State to establish the "New Jersey Reproductive Health Travel Advisory" to inform New Jersey residents of the extent to which states within the United States restrict access to reproductive healthcare services. While many pregnancies are safe and uneventful, there is always some risk that a pregnancy will unexpectedly result in a medical emergency endangering the life or health of the patient. The effective treatment of such emergencies sometimes requires termination of the pregnancy. In the states that limit reproductive health care services, it is unclear to what extent necessary medical treatment for pregnancy-related emergencies will be permitted. There is thus a need to create an advisory that will inform New Jersey residents of the extent to which states within the United States limit reproductive health care services so that they may make informed travel decisions while pregnant. Pursuant to this bill, the travel advisory is to provide a description of each state in the United States with respect to reproductive healthcare services, including but not limited to, gestational duration bans, waiting periods, insurance coverage bans, medication restrictions, constitutional protections, reproductive health care funding, and criminal and civil liability for patients and healthcare providers. The travel advisory is required to provide the information according to the following tiered system: (1) "Blue: Exercise normal caution," which signifies that pregnant individuals have access to all forms of reproductive medical care without fear of civil or criminal prosecution; (2) "Yellow: Exercise increased caution," which signifies that pregnant individuals have restricted access to reproductive medical care that could result in civil or criminal prosecution; and (3) "Red: Reconsider travel," which signifies that pregnant individuals have extremely restricted access to reproductive medical care that could result in an adverse medical outcome, pregnant individuals being subject to civil or criminal prosecution, and individuals seeking emergency reproductive medical care not being provided life-saving care due to state law. The Department of State is to publish the travel advisory in a prominent location on its website and update the advisory for each state every time a state experiences a change in its law, rules, or regulations concerning reproductive healthcare services. | Passed |
| A5420 | Permits 30-calendar day extension to cure period for certain businesses to address and resolve certain violations. | This bill permits 30-calendar day extensions to cure periods for certain businesses to address and resolve certain violations. Under current law, a State agency, department, or authority may suspend enforcement of any monetary fine or civil penalty, for a period of 60 calendar days, that would otherwise be imposed on a business for a first-time violation that does not or would not result in a significant adverse impact to the public safety or welfare, result in loss of income or benefits to an employee, or present the risk of environmental harm. This bill provides that the State agency, department, or authority may extend the 60-calendar day cure period an additional 30 calendar days for a business where such agency, department, or authority determines that not providing the extension would be contrary to equity and good conscience. | Crossed Over |
| A5463 | Requires electric public utilities to submit annual report on voting to BPU. | Requires electric public utilities to submit annual report on voting to BPU. | Passed |
| S4426 | Appropriates funds to DEP for environmental infrastructure projects in FY2026. | Appropriates funds to DEP for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2026. | Passed |
| S3189 | Makes various changes to "New Jersey Angel Investor Tax Credit Act" and Technology Business Tax Certificate Transfer Program; repeals "New Jersey Ignite Act." | An Act 2[increasing the amount of the tax credits provided for investments made in emerging technology businesses under] making various changes to2 the "New Jersey Angel Investor Tax Credit Act2[,]2" 2[and amending P.L.1997, c.349 and P.L.2013, c.14] and the Technology Business Tax Certificate Transfer Program, revising various parts of the statutory law, and repealing parts of P.L.2020, c.1562. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3776 | Establishes Chronic Absenteeism Task Force. | Establishes Chronic Absenteeism Task Force. | Passed |
| A4479 | Requires social media platforms to cooperate with nonprofit organization initiatives to remove nonconsensual intimate images or videos. | Requires social media platforms to cooperate with nonprofit organization initiatives to remove nonconsensual intimate images or videos. | Crossed Over |
| A5848 | Modifies child endangerment statute to include AI technology; establishes criminal penalties. | This bill amends the child endangerment statute, N.J.S.A.2C:24-4, to create a fourth degree crime of knowingly or recklessly causing or allowing a child to be subjected to sexual conduct through the use of automated interactive computer technology. Under current law, endangering the welfare of a child occurs when a person engages in sexual conduct which would impair or debauch the morals of the child. Endangering is a second degree crime when committed by a person with a legal duty to care for the child, and is a third degree crime when committed by other persons. Although the statute does not specify what types of acts constitute sexual conduct which would impair or debauch the morals of the child, it has been well-settled by the courts of this State that the conduct can occur online or over the telephone without actual physical contact, and can include conversations with children that describe sexual activity. See, e.g., State v. Maxwell, 361 N.J. Super. 502 (Law Div. 2001); State v. Johnson, 460 N.J. Super. 481 (Law Div. 2019); State v. McInerney, 428 N.J. Super. 432 (App. Div. 2012). Under the bill, any person who knowingly or recklessly causes, or allows, a child to be subjected to sexual conduct which would impair or debauch the morals of the child, through the person's creation, control, possession, manipulation, use, dissemination, sale, or promotion of any automated interactive computer technology that is capable of performing or simulating sexual conduct, is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. The bill provides an exception for AI technology that has safety features designed to stop a chatbot from simulating sexual conduct when it detects that a user is a child. A crime of the second degree is punishable by five to 10 years' imprisonment, a fine of up to $150,000, or both. A crime of the third degree is punishable by three to five years' imprisonment, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by up to 18 months' imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. It is the sponsor's intent that the bill would impose criminal penalties in situations where the creator of an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot knowingly or recklessly programs the chatbot to engage in simulated sexual chats with users who are children. Such deliberate creation or misuse of AI chatbots, without regard to the safety of children, and their proliferation across social media platforms and the Internet, was reported in an April 26, 2025 article in the Wall Street Journal, entitled "Meta's 'Digital Companions' Will Talk Sex with Users - Even Children." | Crossed Over |
| A4295 | Establishes New Jersey-India Commission. | Establishes New Jersey-India Commission. | 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. | Crossed Over |
| AJR216 | Directs BPU to investigate PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.'s Reliability Pricing Model; directs State to promote affordable energy practices and to urge PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. to implement certain reforms. | This joint resolution respectfully: (1) directs the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to investigate PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.'s (PJM) Reliability Pricing Model; and (2) directs the State of New Jersey to collaborate with neighboring states to promote affordable energy practices and to urge PJM to implement market reforms and expeditiously review new electricity generation applications. PJM is the regional transmission organization responsible for coordinating the movement of electricity and ensuring reliable and cost-effective energy distribution in New Jersey, several other states, and the District of Columbia. One of PJM's responsibilities is to administer a capacity market to ensure adequate resources exist on the grid to maintain reliability at the lowest possible cost through a competitive auction. The rising cost of capacity in PJM's capacity market auctions, which contributes to the overall increase in electricity bills for ratepayers, raises concerns about the alignment of capacity prices with the principles of affordability and transparency outlined in New Jersey's "Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act". In addition, delays in PJM's interconnection queue have prevented new electric generation resources from becoming operational in a timely manner. As a result, these new resources, which are needed to maintain reliability at low costs, will be unable to compete in PJM's capacity market auctions in the near future. The BPU has been working to incentivize the development of new generation resources to help meet growing energy demand and thereby prevent increases in energy and capacity prices. The BPU has also been actively working to protect ratepayers from price increases and coordinating with other PJM states to push for capacity market reforms. The BPU's initiatives, led by Governor Murphy, are accompanied by the actions of consumer advocates, who have furthered the region's efforts to reduce prices through additional complaints at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which the BPU has pledged to support. | In Committee |
| A4544 | Expands eligibility requirements of State's child care assistance program to include full-time graduate and post-graduate students. | Expands eligibility requirements of State's child care assistance program to include full-time graduate and post-graduate students. | Passed |
| A5422 | Allows businesses to receive information via email concerning new regulations and economic incentives that affect business. | This bill provides businesses with the option of receiving notifications from the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services and, as applicable, from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, on new statutory and regulatory requirements and economic incentives related to their industry. Current processes require that all businesses registered in the State receive these updates via traditional paper communication. The bill allows any business with the option of providing a registered email address to the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, which will coordinate the dissemination of these statutory, regulatory and economic incentive-related communications through the provided email. The bill also provides a method for businesses to revert to the traditional means of paper communication. | Crossed Over |
| A5462 | Requires electric public utilities to develop and apply special rules for certain data centers to protect non-data center customers from increased costs. | Requires electric public utilities to develop and apply special rules for certain data centers to protect non-data center customers from increased costs. | Crossed Over |
| A5195 | Requires producer of certain firefighting equipment containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances to provide written notice to purchaser; prohibits sale, manufacture, and distribution of certain firefighting equipment containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. | Requires producer of certain firefighting equipment containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances to provide written notice to purchaser; prohibits sale, manufacture, and distribution of certain firefighting equipment containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. | Crossed Over |
| A5517 | Directs BPU to study feasibility of developing advanced reactors Statewide. | Directs BPU to study feasibility of developing advanced reactors Statewide. | Crossed Over |
| A5712 | Establishes Air Traffic Controller Loan Redemption Program; supports partnership between public institution of higher education and federal Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative and establishment of Center for Study of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena; appropriates $3.5 million. | Establishes Air Traffic Controller Loan Redemption Program; supports partnership between public institution of higher education and federal Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative and establishment of Center for Study of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena; appropriates $3.5 million. | Crossed Over |
| A5790 | Requires health benefits coverage for treatment of lipedema. | Requires health benefits coverage for treatment of lipedema. | Crossed Over |
| A1675 | Extends membership in TPAF to 10 years after discontinuance of service and to 15 years for those who were laid off or had 10 or more years of continuous service upon voluntary termination. | Extends membership in TPAF to 10 years after discontinuance of service and to 15 years for those who were laid off or had 10 or more years of continuous service upon voluntary termination. | Passed |
| A2390 | Requires municipalities in compliance with affordable housing obligations be provided priority consideration for certain State grants and assistance. | Requires municipalities in compliance with affordable housing obligations be provided priority consideration for certain State grants and assistance. | Passed |
| AR186 | Honors life of Congressman William J. Pascrell, Jr. | This resolution honors late Congressman Pascrell. Congressman Pascrell, a tireless advocate for public health and safety who served New Jersey for decades, leaves behind a legacy of distinguished public service. Congressman Pascrell founded the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force, an initiative that has played a critical role in advancing national policy, research, and resources for individuals affected by brain injuries. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) occur due to a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that disrupts normal brain function, while acquired brain injuries (ABI) result from internal causes such as strokes, aneurysms, or tumors. Individuals who suffer from TBI or ABI often experience long-term disabilities ranging from minor impairments to severe and life-altering conditions, which affect their cognitive, physical, emotional, and social well-being. Over the years the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force has worked to increase awareness of brain injuries, support groundbreaking research initiatives, promote rehabilitation services, and address the long-term effects of brain injuries on individuals, families, and communities. As a co-chair of the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force, Congressman Pascrell advocated for research initiatives focused on treatment, rehabilitation, and potential cures for TBI. Brain injuries impact thousands of New Jersey residents in every congressional district, affecting children, veterans, athletes, seniors, and survivors of accidents and medical conditions, all of whom need strong legislative advocacy and support at both the State and federal levels. The Congressional Brain Injury Task Force remains a bipartisan effort, currently co-chaired by Democratic Congressman Chris Deluzio from Pennsylvannia and Republican Congressman Morgan Luttrell from Texas, and continues to advance Congressman Pascrell's legacy of championing policies that improve brain injury awareness, prevention, research, and treatment. It is vital that New Jersey's congressional delegation continues Congressman Pascrell's legacy by joining and supporting the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force to ensure that our State remains a leader in brain injury advocacy and policy. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| 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. | Crossed Over |
| A5004 | Creates separate crime for items depicting sexual exploitation or abuse of children; concerns computer generated or manipulated sexually explicit images. | Creates separate crime for items depicting sexual exploitation or abuse of children; concerns computer generated or manipulated sexually explicit images. | Crossed Over |
| A4194 | Prohibits cooperative from receiving public works contract when cooperative-approved vendor fails to pay prevailing wage; concerns cooperative purchasing agreements with other states; and permits contracting units to award certain indefinite contracts. | Prohibits cooperative from receiving public works contract when cooperative-approved vendor fails to pay prevailing wage; concerns cooperative purchasing agreements with other states; and permits contracting units to award certain indefinite contracts. | In Committee |
| A4029 | Requires employer or contractor engaged in work for public body to submit payroll records to DOLWD. | Requires employer or contractor engaged in work for public body to submit payroll records to DOLWD. | In Committee |
| A3871 | Requires school districts to provide instruction on history and contributions of Latino and Hispanic Americans as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards. | Requires school districts to provide instruction on history of Latinos and Hispanics as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards. | In Committee |
| A5153 | Makes annual allocation of $500,000 from Clean Communities Program Fund for public outreach concerning single-use plastics reduction program permanent. | Makes annual allocation of $500,000 from Clean Communities Program Fund for public outreach concerning single-use plastics reduction program permanent. | In Committee |
| A5260 | Prohibits sale, manufacture, and distribution of certain apparel containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. | This bill would prohibit, beginning two years after the bill's effective date, the sale, manufacture, and distribution of apparel containing intentionally added PFAS within the State. As defined in the bill, "apparel" means (1) clothing items intended for regular wear or formal occasions, including, but not limited to, undergarments, shirts, pants, skirts, dresses, overalls, bodysuits, costumes, vests, dancewear, suits, saris, scarves, tops, leggings, school uniforms, leisurewear, athletic wear, sports uniforms, everyday swimwear, formal wear, onesies, bibs, diapers, footwear, and everyday uniforms or work-wear; (2) outdoor apparel; and (3) outdoor apparel designed for severe wet conditions. A violation of the bill's provisions would be an unlawful practice pursuant to P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.), commonly known as the State's consumer fraud act. An unlawful practice under the consumer fraud act is punishable by a monetary penalty of not more than $10,000 for a first offense and not more than $20,000 for any subsequent offense. 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. | 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. | Crossed Over |
| A4124 | Establishes minimum qualifications for persons employed on public works contract. | Establishes minimum qualifications for persons employed on public works contract. | In Committee |
| SJR154 | Directs BPU to investigate PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.'s Reliability Pricing Model; directs State to promote affordable energy practices and to urge PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. to implement certain reforms. | This joint resolution respectfully: (1) directs the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to investigate PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.'s (PJM) Reliability Pricing Model; and (2) directs the State of New Jersey to collaborate with neighboring states to promote affordable energy practices and to urge PJM to implement market reforms and expeditiously review new electricity generation applications. PJM is the regional transmission organization responsible for coordinating the movement of electricity and ensuring reliable and cost-effective energy distribution in New Jersey, several other states, and the District of Columbia. One of PJM's responsibilities is to administer a capacity market to ensure adequate resources exist on the grid to maintain reliability at the lowest possible cost through a competitive auction. The rising cost of capacity in PJM's capacity market auctions, which contributes to the overall increase in electricity bills for ratepayers, raises concerns about the alignment of capacity prices with the principles of affordability and transparency outlined in New Jersey's "Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act". In addition, delays in PJM's interconnection queue have prevented new electric generation resources from becoming operational in a timely manner. As a result, these new resources, which are needed to maintain reliability at low costs, will be unable to compete in PJM's capacity market auctions in the near future. The BPU has been working to incentivize the development of new generation resources to help meet growing energy demand and thereby prevent increases in energy and capacity prices. The BPU has also been actively working to protect ratepayers from price increases and coordinating with other PJM states to push for capacity market reforms. The BPU's initiatives, led by Governor Murphy, are accompanied by the actions of consumer advocates, who have furthered the region's efforts to reduce prices through additional complaints at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which the BPU has pledged to support. | Passed |
| S2335 | Requires school districts to provide instruction on history of Latinos and Hispanics as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards. | Requires school districts to provide instruction on history of Latinos and Hispanics as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards. | Passed |
| A5858 | Authorizes NJ Infrastructure Bank to expend certain sums to make loans for Community Hazard Assistance Mitigation Program projects for FY2026. | This bill would authorize the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (NJIB) to expend up to $6,813,000 to provide low-interest loans to local government units that undertake one of three eligible hazard mitigation and resilience projects listed in the bill. The loans represent the NJIB's implementation of the Community Hazard Assistance Mitigation Program (CHAMP) for fiscal year 2026 (FY 2026). The CHAMP program was established by the "Community Hazard Assistance Mitigation Program Revolving Loan Fund Act," P.L.2023, c.63 (C.58:11B-20.3 et al.), in order to implement the federal "Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation Act" (STORM Act), Pub. L. 116-284, in New Jersey. The bill would permit the NJIB to use any loan repayments received to date, and the amounts for interest accrued pursuant to a loan made to a project sponsor pursuant to the Community Hazard Assistance Mitigation Program, in order to fund the CHAMP program for FY 2026. The bill would also authorize the NJIB to utilize certain funds generated by the operation of the bank, including, but not limited to, proceeds from the sale of bonds, the revenues derived from investments, and loan repayments, to defray the NJIB's FY 2026 operating expenses. Since its creation in 2023, the NJIB, in partnership with the State Office of Emergency Management in the Department of Law and Public Safety, applied for federal STORM Act funds and received approximately $7 million to finance the construction of hazard mitigation and resilience projects with the mission of reducing the cost of financing these projects for New Jersey counties and municipalities. | In Committee |
| A5267 | Requires BPU to procure and incentivize transmission-scale energy storage. | Requires BPU to procure and incentivize transmission-scale energy storage. | Passed |
| S3052 | Concerns grade options at public institutions of higher education for service member and dependents unable to complete course due to military obligation. | Concerns grade options at public institutions of higher education for service member and dependents unable to complete course due to military obligation. | Passed |
| S2961 | Establishes minimum qualifications for persons employed on public works contract. | Establishes minimum qualifications for persons employed on public works contract. | Passed |
| A2998 | Permits court to order counseling for children in households with domestic violence in appropriate cases; establishes presumption of award of custody to domestic violence victim in appropriate cases. | Permits court to order counseling for children in households with domestic violence in appropriate cases; establishes presumption of award of custody to domestic violence victim in appropriate cases. | Crossed Over |
| A5623 | Authorizes NJ Infrastructure Bank to expend certain sums to make loans for transportation infrastructure projects for FY2026; makes appropriation. | This bill authorizes the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (NJIB) to expend up to $53,450,000 in Fiscal Year 2026 (FY2026) to provide low-interest loans to certain local government units that undertake one of 17 eligible transportation infrastructure projects set forth in the bill. The bill also authorizes the NJIB to make a maximum of $1 million in principal-forgiveness financing loans to project sponsors for planning and design costs. Under the bill, up to $100,000 of a loan, per borrower, is to be forgiven for a project where a principal amount of at least $250,000 is financed by the Transportation Infrastructure Financing Program through completion of the project's construction. Additionally, the bill permits the NJIB to use any loan repayments received to date, and the amounts for capitalized interest, interest accrued pursuant to a short-term or temporary loan made to a project sponsor pursuant to the Interim Transportation Financing Program, bond issuance expenses, and related amounts, to fund the FY2026 New Jersey Transportation Infrastructure Financing Program (NJTIB). The bill also authorizes the NJIB to utilize certain funds generated by the operation of the bank, including, but not limited to, proceeds from the sale of bonds, the revenues derived from investments, and loan repayments, to defray the NJIB's FY2026 operating expenses. Finally, the bill appropriates certain funds from the General Fund to the NJIB. Since its creation in 2018, the NJIB, in partnership with the Department of Transportation, has provided low-cost NJTIB loans for the construction of critical transportation infrastructure projects with the mission of reducing the cost of financing for New Jersey counties and municipalities and making possible responsible and sustainable economic development. | In Committee |
| A5717 | Makes various changes to provision of preschool aid and facilities requirements; establishes Universal Preschool Implementation Steering Committee; requires full-day kindergarten in all school districts. | Makes various changes to provision of preschool aid and facilities requirements; establishes Universal Preschool Implementation Steering Committee; requires full-day kindergarten in all school districts. | In Committee |
| A5622 | Appropriates funds to DEP for environmental infrastructure projects in FY2026. | This bill would appropriate certain federal and State moneys to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for the purpose of implementing the State Fiscal Year 2026 New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Financing Program (NJEIFP). The bill would appropriate these funds for the purpose of making loans to local governments and privately-owned water companies (project sponsors) for a portion of the costs of water infrastructure projects. A companion bill, Assembly Bill No. 5621 of this session, would authorize the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (NJIB) to execute loans using the funds appropriated to the DEP by this bill to finance a portion of the costs of the clean water and drinking water projects enumerated by the bill. The bill would authorize the DEP to use the moneys appropriated by the bill to fund the following projects: (1) in subsection a. of section 2 of the bill, a list of two projects to improve water discharge and treatment systems that had previously received a loan and require supplemental loans, representing $5.2 million in estimated total loan amounts; (2) in subsection b. of section 2 of the bill, a list of four projects to improve drinking water systems that had previously received a loan and require supplemental loans, representing $19 million in estimated total loan amounts; (3) in paragraph (1) of subsection a. of section 3 of the bill, the "Storm Sandy and State Fiscal Year 2026 Clean Water Project Eligibility List," a list of 151 projects to improve water discharge and treatment systems, representing $1.7 billion in estimated total loan amounts; (4) in paragraph (2) of subsection a. of section 3 of the bill, a list of four projects in the Pinelands area that are receiving funding under the "Pinelands Infrastructure Trust Bond Act of 1985," P.L.1985, c.302, to improve water discharge and treatment systems, representing $15.3 million in estimated total loan amounts; and (5) in subsection b. of section 3 of the bill, the "Storm Sandy and State Fiscal Year 2026 Drinking Water Project Eligibility List," a list of 59 projects to improve drinking water systems, representing $651.7 million in estimated total loan amounts. The bill would also appropriate the unexpended balances from various funds to the DEP, and allow the DEP to transfer moneys between various State funds, for the purpose of funding the NJEIFP and providing the State match for federal funding provided under the federal laws, including the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act, as detailed in subsection a. of section 1 of the bill. In addition, the bill would appropriate to the DEP funds deposited in the "Clean Water State Revolving Fund" and the "Drinking Water State Revolving Fund" pursuant to the federal "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act," Pub. L. 117-58. The bill would authorize loans to certain project sponsors to include zero interest or principal forgiveness, subject to certain funding limits and restrictions detailed in subsections b. through e. of section 1 of the bill. Projects designated for zero interest or principal forgiveness loans include projects that reduce or eliminate discharges from combined sewer overflow outfalls, water quality restoration projects, water and energy efficiency projects, and emerging contaminant projects. The bill would establish certain requirements on loans to project sponsors made by the DEP pursuant to the bill, as enumerated in section 4 of the bill. The bill would also establish additional restrictions, described in section 5 of the bill, for "Sandy financing loans," which are those loans that utilize federal funding provided pursuant to the federal "Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2013," Pub.L. 113-2. Under the bill, the project lists and the DEP's authorization to utilize the funds appropriated by the bill would expire on July 1, 2026. The bill would also authorize the NJIB to utilize repayments of loans made using moneys from various State funds, enumerated in subsections a. and b. of section 10 of the bill, to recoup trust bond repayments and administrative fees that have not been paid by project sponsors instead of redepositing the money into the funds. However, the bill would also require the NJIB to make a compensatory deposit into certain State funds, as detailed in subsection c. of section 10 of the bill, when the NJIB receives the deficient payments or fees from the project sponsor. Finally, the bill would appropriate to the NJIB, from repayments of loans, interest payments, certain federal funds, and any earnings received from the investment of those funds, as enumerated in sections 12 and 13 of the bill, such amounts as the chairperson or secretary of the NJIB certifies are necessary and appropriate for deposit into one or more reserve funds established by the NJIB. | In Committee |
| A5779 | Establishes Chronic Absenteeism Task Force. | Establishes Chronic Absenteeism Task Force. | In Committee |
| A5421 | Requires development of online tax training for small and micro-businesses. | This bill requires the Director of the Division of Taxation (division) to develop, and update as necessary to reflect current law, an online training program for the purpose of providing instruction on the process of filing and remitting State taxes, including, but not limited to, the corporation business tax, gross income tax, and sales and use tax. The training program is required to be designed specifically for use by small businesses and micro-businesses and to be made available, free of charge, on the Internet website of the division. | Crossed Over |
| A5601 | Requires State entities to offer optional service for businesses to receive certain notices electronically. | This bill requires State entities that issue legally required notices to businesses operating in this State to provide an optional service for businesses to receive such notices electronically. Such notices may include notices of violations, underpayment notifications, and employee unemployment claims. Within 60 days of the effective date of this bill, each State entity responsible for issuing legally required notices to businesses is required to notify any business within their purview of the optional electronic notification service. State entities are also required to provide the businesses with the necessary information to opt in to the electronic notification service. This bill defines "State entity" as a State department or agency in the Executive Branch of State Government, and any board, commission, corporation, authority, or instrumentality thereof. | Crossed Over |
| A4878 | Concerns grade options at public institutions of higher education for service member and dependents unable to complete course due to military obligation. | This bill extends certain options in regard to grades to dependents of service members enrolled in public institutions of higher education who cannot complete a course due to an unplanned military obligation of the service member. The bill also clarifies the scope of existing grade options and establishes additional grade options. Under current law, a student enrolled in public institution of higher education who is unable to complete a course due to a deployment, mobilization, reassignment, or other military obligation as a service member has four options in regard to the grade for the course. If the student has completed at least eight weeks of the course, the student may choose to receive a (1) letter grade; (2) pass or fail grade; (3) grade of incomplete; or (4) withdrawal. If the student has completed fewer than eight weeks of the course, the student's options are limited to choosing between receiving an incomplete grade and withdrawing from the course. Current law also specifies that a student who accepts a grade of pass or fail may, within a year of returning to the institution, complete the course work to receive a letter grade. Under the bill, these grade options are to also be made available to the dependents of the service member. The bill defines a "dependent" as a dependent child or spouse of the service member. The bill clarifies that the deployment, mobilization, reassignment or other military obligation preventing the service member or dependent from completing the course be unplanned. The bill also changes the demarcating line of course completion from eight weeks to 55 percent of the duration of the course. If the service member or dependent has completed 55 percent of the duration of the course, receipt of a letter grade would only be granted if the faculty member teaching the course determines that the service member or dependent has completed sufficient work, and there is sufficient evidence of progress toward meeting the requirements of the course, to justify the grade. A grade of pass or fail would also be based on whether the faculty member determines the member or dependent completed sufficient work and there is sufficient evidence of meeting the course requirements. The bill also adds the options of receiving a temporary grade or transferring into an equivalent online section of the course when available and with appropriate approval. The options are to be subject to the approval of the teacher, department, registrar, or appropriate office at the institution, If the service member or dependent has completed less than 55 percent of the duration of the course, the service member or dependent may receive an incomplete for the grade only if the faculty member teaching the course determines that the student or dependent has completed sufficient work, and there is sufficient evidence of progress toward meeting the requirements of the course, to justify the grade. The service member or dependent also has an added option of transferring into an equivalent online section of the course when available and with appropriate approval. The options shall be subject to the approval of the teacher, department, the registrar, or the appropriate office at the institution, Finally, the bill specifies that the service member or dependent who initially chose to accept a pass or fail grade, but subsequently returns to the institution within a year to complete course work to receive a letter grade, may contact the faculty member who taught the course, the academic chair of the department offering the course, the registrar, or the appropriate office at the institution to establish a plan for completing the course work to receive the grade. | In Committee |
| ACR169 | Respectfully urges Congress to appropriate emergency funds for and increase staffing at facilities supporting Newark Liberty International Airport. | Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is a critical transportation hub for New Jersey, serving nearly 50 million passengers annually and supporting the State's economy through air travel, cargo transport, and tourism. In July 2024, control of EWR's airspace was transferred from New York Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) to Philadelphia TRACON, a move intended to address understaffing at New York TRACON. The shift to Philadelphia TRACON did not increase the number of air traffic controllers available to manage EWR's airspace. In recent weeks, EWR has experienced multiple serious air traffic control system disruptions, including radar and communications outages which have resulted in flight delays, flight cancellations, ground stops, and air traffic controllers taking medical leave. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has struggled with outdated infrastructure for decades and has acknowledged that old systems, such as aging copper telecommunications lines and remote radar feeds, are contributing to the ongoing issues at EWR. The FAA is below targeted staffing levels nationwide and the Philadelphia TRACON remains affected by the nationwide air traffic controller shortage, with only 22 fully certified controllers and several others still in training, putting air traffic controllers in untenable situations and leading to precautionary flight caps at EWR, exacerbating flight delays and cancellations. On May 8, 2025, the Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation announced a plan to build a brand new air traffic control system, but this long-term plan will take years to complete and action to modernize air traffic control infrastructure and increase staffing at EWR is urgently needed now. The safe, efficient, and modern functioning of the national airspace system is a federal responsibility, and ensuring system reliability and resilience at high-volume airports like EWR is essential to avoiding catastrophes and protecting public safety, regional economic continuity, and national mobility, and is in the best interests of the State. | Crossed Over |
| A5381 | Provides medical documentation requirement for certain members of PERS, PFRS, and SPRS to receive accidental disability retirement allowance for participation in 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations; removes filing deadline. | Provides medical documentation requirement for certain members of PERS, PFRS, and SPRS to receive accidental disability retirement allowance for participation in 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations; removes filing deadline. | Passed |
| S4511 | Authorizes NJ Infrastructure Bank to expend certain sums to make loans for Community Hazard Assistance Mitigation Program projects in FY2026. | This bill would authorize the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (NJIB) to expend up to $6,813,000 to provide low-interest loans to local government units that undertake one of three eligible hazard mitigation and resilience projects listed in the bill. The loans represent the NJIB's implementation of the Community Hazard Assistance Mitigation Program (CHAMP) for fiscal year 2026 (FY 2026). The CHAMP program was established by the "Community Hazard Assistance Mitigation Program Revolving Loan Fund Act," P.L.2023, c.63 (C.58:11B-20.3 et al.), in order to implement the federal "Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation Act" (STORM Act), Pub. L. 116-284, in New Jersey. The bill would permit the NJIB to use any loan repayments received to date, and the amounts for interest accrued pursuant to a loan made to a project sponsor pursuant to the Community Hazard Assistance Mitigation Program, in order to fund the CHAMP program for FY 2026. The bill would also authorize the NJIB to utilize certain funds generated by the operation of the bank, including, but not limited to, proceeds from the sale of bonds, the revenues derived from investments, and loan repayments, to defray the NJIB's FY 2026 operating expenses. Since its creation in 2023, the NJIB, in partnership with the State Office of Emergency Management in the Department of Law and Public Safety, applied for federal STORM Act funds and received approximately $7 million to finance the construction of hazard mitigation and resilience projects with the mission of reducing the cost of financing these projects for New Jersey counties and municipalities. | Passed |
| 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. | Passed |
| A5792 | Provides for workers' compensation coverage of certain counseling services for first responders and provides that certain mental health related communications are confidential. | Provides for workers' compensation coverage of certain counseling services for first responders and provides that certain mental health related communications are confidential. | Passed |
| A5376 | Creates Health Care Cost Containment and Price Transparency Commission, Office of Healthcare Affordability and Transparency, and hospital price transparency regulations. | Creates Health Care Cost Containment and Price Transparency Commission, Office of Healthcare Affordability and Transparency, and hospital price transparency regulations. | In Committee |
| A2255 | Requires boards of education to ensure that all staff are trained in care of students with epilepsy and seizure disorders every five years. | Requires boards of education to ensure that all staff are trained in care of students with epilepsy and seizure disorders every five years. | In Committee |
| A4428 | Updates definition of veteran to include discharged LGBTQ veteran; requires DMVA develop review process for such veterans. | This bill updates the definition of veteran in various statutes to include discharged LGBTQ veterans. This bill also requires the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs (DMVA) to develop a review process for discharged LGBTQ veterans concerning lost benefits. An estimated 100,000 LGBTQ veterans were discharged from the military under less than honorable conditions from the start of World War II until the 2011 repeal of the military's 1993 "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Transgender veterans continued to be banned and discharged from service until the June 2016 Directive-Type Memorandum-16-005, issued by then-Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter, which was subsequently reversed by the March 2019 Directive-Type Memorandum-19-004, issued by Deputy Secretary of Defense David Norquist. These veterans lost their right to both state and federal benefits by being discharged under less than honorable conditions. This bill adds a definition of "discharged LGBTQ veteran" to various statutory definitions of "veteran." "Discharged LGBTQ veteran" means a veteran who was discharged less than honorably from military or naval service due to their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, or statements, consensual sexual conduct, or consensual acts relating to sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, or the disclosure of such statements, conduct, or acts that were prohibited by the Armed Forces of the United States at the time of discharge. The added definition, along with the addition of a DMVA review process for discharged LGBTQ veterans, will restore State benefits for those veterans. | In Committee |
| A4083 | Establishes "John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey"; appropriates $2.5 million. | Establishes "John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey"; appropriates $2.5 million. | In Committee |
| A5745 | Requires large organic waste generators to separate and recycle organic waste. | This bill would amend current law to require large organic waste generators that are located within 25 road miles of an authorized organic waste recycling facility and generate an average projected volume of 52 or more tons per year of organic waste within 25 road miles of an authorized organic waste recycling facility to: (1) source separate its organic waste from other solid waste; and (2) send the source separated organic waste to an authorized organic waste recycling facility that has available capacity and will accept it. This bill would amend current law that establishes requirements for certain large food waste generators to source separate its food waste and deliver the source separated food waste to an authorized food waste recycling facility and, instead, provide that the requirements would apply to certain large organic waste generators. As defined in the bill, "organic waste" means any material that derives from a plant or animal and is biodegradable, including, but not limited to, food waste, yard trimmings, branches, leaves, crop residues, and animal manure. The bill would update all references under the current law to "large food waste generator," "food waste," and "authorized food waste recycling facility" and replaces those terms with "large organic waste generator," "organic waste," and "authorized organic waste recycling facility," respectively, to extend the requirements under current law for large food waste generators to large organic waste generators. The bill would also add golf courses, farms, and landscaping service providers to the list of entities defined as "large organic waste generators." Specifically, the bill would amend current law to provide that if a large organic waste generator is not located within 25 road miles of an authorized organic waste recycling facility, or the facility will not accept the generator's organic waste, the generator may send the organic waste for final disposal at a solid waste facility as provided in the approved district solid waste management plan for the solid waste management district in which the generator is located. In addition, a large organic waste generator would be deemed in compliance with the bill if the generator: (1) performs enclosed on-site composting, or anaerobic or aerobic digestion of its source separated organic waste in accordance with standards adopted by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP); or (2) recycles organic waste using an alternative authorized organic waste recycling method. In addition, the bill would amend current law to authorize a large organic waste generator to petition the DEP for a waiver of the recycling requirement if the cost of transporting the organic waste plus the fee charged by an authorized organic waste recycling facility located within 25 road miles of the large organic waste generator is at least 10 percent more than the cost of transporting the organic waste for disposal as solid waste plus the disposal fee charged for solid waste disposal in the State for noncontract commercial waste by a properly licensed transfer station, sanitary landfill facility, incinerator, or resource recovery facility located within 25 road miles of the large organic waste generator. Finally, the bill would require the DEP to update the rules and regulations adopted under the current law as necessary to implement the provisions of this bill. | In Committee |
| A5746 | Imposes civil monetary penalties for frivolous litigation in domestic violence cases. | This bill imposes civil monetary penalties for frivolous litigation in domestic violence cases. Under current law, in civil cases, if the court finds at any time that a non-prevailing party has engaged in frivolous litigation, the court may award the other party litigation costs and reasonable attorneys' fees. In determining whether a complaint, counterclaim, cross-claim, or defense is frivolous, the court may consider the pleadings, discovery, or evidence presented showing that litigation was commenced or continued in bad faith, or solely for the purpose of harassment, delay, or malicious injury, or that the non-prevailing party knew or should have known that its litigation position was without any reasonable basis in law or equity and could not be supported by a good faith argument for an extension, modification, or reversal of existing law. Under the bill, in civil domestic violence cases, the court may also consider whether the evidence shows that frivolous litigation was commenced or continued as part of a pattern of coercive control against a victim of domestic violence. Coercive control includes, but is not limited to, abuse of the legal process such as threatening to make or making baseless reports to the police, the courts, or other government agencies. The bill recognizes that frivolous retaliatory litigation is sometimes used as a tactic in domestic violence cases, which only goes to further the abuse. If the court finds that a party to a domestic violence case has engaged in frivolous litigation, the court will impose a civil penalty of $5,000 for the first instance, $10,000 for the second instance, and $15,000 for the third or each subsequent instance, in addition to any other relief which may be granted. Civil penalties collected under the bill will be forwarded to the Domestic Violence Victims' Fund. | In Committee |
| A5747 | Limits increases to certain recurring fees charged to residential tenant. | This bill sets a 10 percent limit on an increase in recurring fees charged by a landlord to a residential tenant. Specifically, this bill prohibits a landlord from, over the course of a 12-month period, increasing the recurring fees, whether severally or in the aggregate, on a rental unit by more than 10 percent over the amount charged during the preceding 12-month period. The bill defines the term "recurring fee" to mean fees and costs chargeable to a residential tenant pursuant to or supplementing a lease, which are not included in the base rent. The bill specifies that a "recurring fee" is to include, but not be limited to, fees for amenities, pets, parking, convenience charges, charges incorporated into the costs of paying the monthly rent such as credit card fees, or other similar costs chargeable on a recurring basis, or related to charges that occur on a recurring basis, to a tenant. The bill prohibits a tenant from entering into a sublease in violation of the bill's recurring fee limit. A landlord is permitted by the bill to establish an initial recurring fee rate for a new tenancy in which no tenant from the preceding tenancy remains in lawful possession of the rental unit, while the bill's prohibition is only to apply to subsequent increases after that initial recurring fee rate has been established with respect to the new tenancy. As a result of a landlord's violation of the bill: (1) the maximum amount of recurring fees chargeable to the tenant for the duration of the present lease or agreement term is to be the recurring fee for the rental term preceding the increase in violation of the bill; (2) the landlord is to be liable for a penalty of $1,000 per violation per unit, collected and enforced by the Commissioner of Community Affairs or the Attorney General; (3) a tenant is permitted to petition a court to terminate a lease or agreement between the tenant and landlord, which shall terminate all obligations under the lease; (4) the landlord is subject, at the discretion of the tenant, to a separate cause of action by the tenant, who is permitted to recover $1,000 from the landlord, in addition to reasonable attorney's fees or expenses, court costs, expenses for expert witnesses, and other expenses incurred in proving a violation of the bill; and (5) the landlord is subject to the penalties in the bill for each violation against each tenant, and the imposition of a penalty pursuant to any provision of the bill is not to prevent the imposition of a penalty pursuant to a different provision of the bill or any other provision of law including the New Jersey consumer fraud act, P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.). The bill provides that the bill's requirements: are to function in addition to, and not in place of, the existing prohibition on unconscionable rent increases; are not to be construed to interfere with or impede a lease agreement between a landlord and tenant for which recurring fees are characterized as rent or additional rent; are not to be construed to prohibit or otherwise impair a landlord's ability to commence an eviction action; and are to function only to limit the ability of a landlord to increase the amount of recurring fees beyond the authorized amount set forth in the bill. The bill also amends the Anti-Eviction Act, P.L.1974, c.49 (C.2A:18-61.1 et seq.) to specify that a violation of the bill is to constitute an unconscionable rent increase, which is a jurisdictional bar to an eviction action. The bill would take effect immediately. | In Committee |
| A5744 | Limits increase in association dues for unit owners in association of planned real estate development to 10 percent under certain circumstances. | This bill prohibits the executive board of an association of a planned real estate development (executive board) from increasing association dues, as defined in the bill, by more than 10 percent, with limited exceptions. Specifically, the bill prohibits an executive board or board member from, over the course of a 12-month period, increasing association dues for unit owners, whether severally or in the aggregate, by more than 10 percent over the amount charged during the prior 12-month period. In addition to any other relief that may be available by law, the bill authorizes certain persons to request an investigation from the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety (director), who may investigate the alleged violation; file a court action against the executive board or board member; or exercise the person's right to alternative dispute resolution. The bill authorizes the director, court, or entity with jurisdiction to render a decision to resolve the dispute, upon finding that a violation has occurred, to: (1) declare void any action of the executive board or board member related to the violation; (2) report the violation to the association members; and (3) grant any other relief that deemed proper under the circumstances, based upon the severity of the violation. If an action is filed in a court of competent jurisdiction, the executive board or board member is to be personally liable for a violation of the bill; board members or officers are to be personally jointly and severally liable. The executive board or board members are liable to a penalty of $1,000 per violation, payable to the plaintiff. Further, the bill authorizes the court to order that an amount, equal to the moneys paid to the association exceeding the limitation set forth in the bill, be paid to the plaintiff from the association. A determination under the bill that the executive board or board members have violated the bill, would establish a rebuttable presumption that a violation of the bill has occurred for the purposes of an action filed by a unit owner against the executive board or board members alleging a violation of the bill. The bill permits an executive board or board member to petition the Commissioner of Community Affairs (commissioner) to request approval to increase the association dues by an amount in excess of 10 percent. The bill permits the commissioner, after a hearing, to grant the executive board or board member's request. If the commissioner fails to act within 90 days, the increase in the amount requested is to be deemed approved. The bill would not apply to: (1) increases in association dues that are directly related to compliance with sections 6 and 7 of P.L.2023, c.214 (C.45:22A-44.2 and C.45:22A-44.3); (2) increases in association dues that are subject to an exception established by the commissioner; or (3) an association subject to an exemption pursuant to a petition to the commissioner. The bill requires the commissioner to adopt rules and regulations as necessary to effectuate the provisions of the bill. The bill would take effect on the first day of the fourth month next following the date of enactment, except that the Commissioner of Community Affairs is to take anticipatory action necessary to effectuate the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| A4857 | Extends anti-SLAPP protections to complainants of sexual assault, harassment, and discrimination. | This bill extends the State's anti-SLAPP law, P.L.2023, c.155 (N.J.S.A.2A:53A-49 et seq.), to protect persons who make a report or complaint of sexual assault, harassment, or discrimination. A SLAPP (strategic lawsuit against public participation) is typically a lawsuit, such as a defamation lawsuit, filed in retaliation against a victim, complainant, witness, whistleblower, advocate, or journalist in order to intimidate or silence the person from speaking out. As demonstrated by the #MeToo movement, victims of sexual assault, harassment, and discrimination may be reluctant to come forward due to fear of retaliation, including fear of SLAPP suits. Under existing law, a person facing a SLAPP suit can file an order to show cause with the court to dismiss the SLAPP claim if it can be shown that the SLAPP claim was asserted based on the person's (1) communication in a legislative, executive, judicial, administrative, or other governmental proceeding; (2) communication on an issue under consideration or review in a legislative, executive, judicial, administrative, or other governmental proceeding; or (3) exercise of the right of freedom of speech or of the press, the right to assembly or petition, or the right of association, guaranteed by the United States Constitution or the New Jersey Constitution, on a matter of public concern. If the SLAPP claim is dismissed, the person can recover litigation costs and reasonable attorneys' fees. Under the bill, anti-SLAPP protections are extended to persons who make a report or complaint, in good faith and without malice, of: a sexual offense pursuant to chapter 14 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes or N.J.S.2C:24-4, or a violation of the Law Against Discrimination, N.J.S.10:5-1 et seq., or an incident of retaliation for the making of such a report or complaint, where the person has, or at any time had, a reasonable basis to make such a report or complaint, whether or not a criminal prosecution or civil or administrative action was actually initiated. The bill also allows a person who successfully dismisses a SLAPP claim to be awarded compensatory and punitive damages, in addition to litigation costs and attorneys' fees. | Crossed Over |
| 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 |
| A1841 | Expands requirements for health insurance carriers concerning prostate cancer screening and requires coverage be provided without cost sharing. | Expands requirements for health insurance carriers concerning prostate cancer screening and requires coverage be provided without cost sharing. | In Committee |
| A1973 | Establishes requirements to evaluate certain people who are pregnant and who have given birth for endometriosis. | Establishes requirements to evaluate certain people who are pregnant and who have given birth for endometriosis. | Crossed Over |
| A1389 | Requires seizure of ammunition and certain firearm components in response to domestic violence restraining order or conviction. | Requires seizure of ammunition and certain firearm components in response to domestic violence restraining order or conviction. | Crossed Over |
| A3541 | Establishes legislative internship program. | Establishes legislative internship program. | Crossed Over |
| 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. | 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. | Crossed Over |
| AJR67 | Designates last week of April of each year as "Reentry Week." | Designates last week of April of each year as "Reentry Week." | Crossed Over |
| S3525 | Requires financial institutions to allow mortgagors to make biweekly and semi-monthly payments and payments to mortgage principal. | An Act concerning financial institutions servicing mortgages and supplementing P.L.2009, c.53 (C.17:11C-51 et seq.). | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4374 | Establishes criminal penalties for certain violations of the "New Jersey Prevailing Wage Act." | Establishes criminal penalties for certain violations of the "New Jersey Prevailing Wage Act." | In Committee |
| A5630 | Mandates biennial LGBTQ+ cultural training for certain educators, healthcare professionals, and State employees. | This bill requires certain educators, health care professionals, and State employees to undergo LGBTQ+ cultural competency training. The bill modifies current law to require that the Commissioner of Education provide a mandatory biennial training module on LGBTQ+ competency for K-12 educators. The training for K-12 educators will include, but will not limited to, the following topics: LGBTQ+ identities and terminology; Creating inclusive classrooms; Responding to bullying and bias in the classroom as an educator; and Supporting LGBTQ+ students' mental health. Under the bill, any health care professional licensed or certified pursuant to Title 45 of the Revised Statutes shall be required to complete a biennial LGBTQ+ cultural competency training that includes, but is not limited to, the following topics: LGBTQ+ identities and terminology; Creating inclusive environments in healthcare settings; Responding to bias; and Supporting LGBTQ+ patients' mental health. The bill stipulates that all part-time, full-time, and contract State employees are required to bienniely compelte a LGBTQ+ cultural competency training program. The training program is to be provided by the State Ethics Commission. The training on LGBTQ+ cultural competency will include but not be limited to the following topics: LGBTQ+ identities and terminology; Creating an inclusive workplace; Responding to bias; and Supporting LGBTQ+ mental health in the workplace. | In Committee |
| A5631 | Includes residential condominiums or cooperative buildings with four or fewer dwelling units in definition of excluded structure for purpose of certain structural integrity-related inspections. | This bill amends P.L.2023, c.214 (C.52:27D-132.2 et al.) to include residential condominiums or cooperative buildings with four or fewer dwelling units in the definition of "excluded structure." The bill ensures that these buildings are not to be subject to the provisions of P.L.2023, c.214 (C.52:27D-132.2 et al.), which established precautions concerning the structural integrity of certain residential structures. | In Committee |
| A5639 | Removes municipal authority to charge application fee for representation by municipal public defender. | This bill repeals the law permitting a municipality to impose an application fee for a person applying for representation by a municipal public defender. Under current law, N.J.S.A.2B:24-17, a municipality is permitted to impose, by ordinance, an application fee of up to $200 on any person applying for representation by a municipal public defender. A court is permitted to waive any required application fee, in whole or in part, if the court determines that the application fee represents an unreasonable burden on the person seeking representation. This bill would repeal this statute and thus remove the authority of a municipality to impose such fee. It is the sponsor's intent to remove any barrier, including the imposition of a fee, to a person's Sixth Amendment right under the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees individuals accused of crimes the right to counsel. | In Committee |
| A5640 | Establishes basic life support services as essential; requires municipalities to arrange for basic life support services; makes an appropriation. | This bill requires each municipality to provide basic life support (BLS) and ambulance service to meet the needs of its population and designates BLS as an essential service in this State. Under the bill, the governing body of a municipality may arrange BSL by: providing a license or franchise to a private company; contracting with a public, private, or nonprofit entity for the service; entering into a mutual aid agreements with the one or more municipal governing bodies; or entering into an agreement with a hospital. The bill establishes an appropriation to the Department of Health in such sums as are necessary to reimburse municipalities for the cost of establishing basic life support services as an essential service in this State. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| A4844 | Requires BPU to establish beneficial building electrification and decarbonization program and requires certain entities to submit plans to implement individual beneficial building electrification and decarbonization programs. | This bill would direct the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to establish a beneficial building electrification program, and would require electric public utilities to prepare and implement beneficial building electrification plans. As used in the bill, "beneficial electrification" means a change in end-use equipment from a nonelectric type to an efficient electric type for any building end use, including water heating, space heating, industrial process, or transportation, provided that the change: reduces cost from a societal perspective; reduces greenhouse gas emission, or promotes the increased use of the electric grid in off-peak hours. The bill directs the BPU to adopt, no later than one year after the bill becomes law, rules and regulations establishing a beneficial building electrification program. As part of the program, the BPU would develop greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for beneficial building electrification programs implemented by each electric public utility in the State and require electric public utilities to prepare and implement beneficial building electrification plans. The BPU would: (1) establish beneficial electrification program targets expressed in the amount of on-site greenhouse gas emission reductions; (2) establish program design elements and minimum filing requirements to achieve the goals of the energy master plan; (3) establish a cost recovery and performance incentive mechanism for programs established under the bill; (4) determine whether the electric public utilities or the board would be responsible for the implementation of building electrification programs for new construction; and (5) develop and provide direct incentives for the installation of electric heat pumps. The bill would require each electric public utility to prepare a multi-year beneficial electrification plan to achieve the targets established by the BPU. To be approved by the BPU, an electricity public utility plan would be required to meet or exceed on-site greenhouse gas emission reduction targets set by the board and be cost effective from a societal perspective utilizing a cost-effectiveness test that includes consideration of the environmental benefits of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and methane emissions. Under the bill, a beneficial building electrification plan may meet the greenhouse gas emission reduction targets set pursuant to the bill through the following: (1) conversion of fossil fuel-based space and water heating systems, including natural gas and propane systems as well as other unregulated fuels, to systems that employ high-efficiency electric heat pumps; (2) replacement of fossil fuel based appliances with high-efficiency electric appliances such as induction cooking ranges and heat-pump clothes dryers; (3) conversion of fossil fuel-based industrial equipment or processes to energy-efficient electric-powered equipment or processes; or (4) market transformation programs aimed at educating and training contractors to use appliances, equipment, and systems that are high-efficiency. | In Committee |
| A4163 | Requires health insurers to provide coverage for biomarker precision medical testing. | An Act concerning health insurance coverage for biomarker precision medical testing and supplementing various parts of the statutory law. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S2236 | Exempts nursing mothers from jury duty. | An Act concerning exemption from jury service and amending N.J.S.2B:20-10. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| S3620 | Requires electric and gas public utilities to establish "Energy Bill Watch" program and include certain information in bills and notices to customers. | An Act concerning electric and gas public utilities and supplementing Title 48 of the Revised Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| AJR166 | Urges Congress to continue progress on National Museum of the American Latino. | Urges Congress to continue progress on National Museum of the American Latino. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4658 | Requires affirmative written consent for certain entities to disclose individual's medical information regarding reproductive health care services, with limited exceptions, unless disclosure is necessary to provide those services. | This bill requires health care providers, business associates of a covered entity, and carriers to receive affirmative written consent in order to disclose a patient's or covered person's medical information regarding reproductive health care services, with limited exceptions, unless disclosure is necessary to provide those services. Under the bill: "health care provider" means an individual or entity which, acting within the scope of its licensure or certification, provides a health care service; a "business associate of a covered entity" means the same as those terms are defined under federal "Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act" rules, or a person or entity that performs certain functions or activities that involve the use or disclosure of protected health information on behalf of, or provides services to, health plans, health care clearinghouses, and health care providers; "carrier" means an insurance company, health service corporation, hospital service corporation, medical service corporation, or health maintenance organization authorized to issue health benefits plans in this State; and "reproductive health care services" means all medical, surgical, counseling, or referral services relating to the human reproductive system including, but not limited to, services relating to pregnancy, contraception, or termination of a pregnancy. Specifically, this bill prohibits a health care provider, a business associate of a covered entity, or carrier from intentionally sharing, selling, using for marketing, or otherwise disclosing any personally identifiable medical information regarding reproductive health care services for any purpose not necessary to provide, or pay benefits for, those services, without the affirmative written consent of the patient or the covered person, or an authorized legal representative. Under the bill, "Medical information" includes information that is acquired using in-person or telephone communication, submitted documentation, a mobile application, an Internet website, or a wearable device. Further, "affirmative written consent" means a freely given, specific agreement collected on a standalone form, which clearly states to the patient how records containing medical information could be used and to whom the contents of the records could be disclosed, and allows the patient to refuse consent for specific disclosures. The bill further mandates that a health care provider, a business associate of a covered entity, or carrier are required to inform a patient or a covered person, or authorized legal representative, of the right to withhold such affirmative written consent at or before the time reproductive health care services are rendered or at such time as the covered person discloses any information relating to reproductive health care services that have been previously rendered. The bill allows for disclosure without affirmative written consent under certain circumstances. These exceptions include when disclosure is: 1) to medical personnel to the extent necessary to meet a bona fide medical emergency; 2) to the extent that the health care provider or carrier is a covered entity and the disclosure is made to a business associate under a valid business associate agreement; 3) as required to comply with the laws of this State, federal law, or the Rules of Court; 4) pursuant to a court order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction in this State upon a showing of good cause; 5) by a health care provider or carrier against whom a claim has been made, for use in the defense of the action or proceeding; 6) to certain State entities or licensing boards for records of a patient or covered person in connection with an investigation of a complaint, if the records are related to the complaint; 7) to a federal or State agency charged with investigating known or, in good faith, suspected child abuse, abuse of an elderly individual, abuse of an individual who is incapacitated, or abuse of an individual with a physical or mental disability, if such disclosure is requested in connection with an investigation of abuse that would constitute a crime under the laws of this State and such records are related to such investigation; and 8) pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Commissioners of Health and Banking and Insurance. Under the bill, if a court of competent jurisdiction finds that a health care provider or carrier has violated the provisions of this bill, the court may award damages, computed at a rate of $1,000 per violation, reasonable attorney's fees, and the costs incurred in maintaining that civil action. Finally, nothing contained in the bill is to be construed to limit, diminish, or abrogate the rights of a person under the federal "Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996," Pub.L.104-191 or the obligations of a health care provider or carrier under that law. | In Committee |
| A5133 | Requires health insurance and Medicaid coverage for the treatment of stuttering. | Requires health insurance and Medicaid coverage for the treatment of stuttering. | 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 |
| A3540 | Establishes criminal penalties for production or dissemination of deceptive audio or visual media, commonly known as "deepfakes." | An Act establishing civil and criminal penalties for the production and dissemination of deceptive audio or visual media and supplementing Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| AJR217 | Designates April 9 of each year as "Paul Robeson Day" in State of New Jersey. | This joint resolution designates April 9 of each year as "Paul Robeson Day" in New Jersey. Paul Leroy Robeson was born on April 9, 1898, in Princeton, New Jersey. As a gifted debater, scholar, linguist, athlete, actor, singer, author, and political activist, Robeson was the quintessential 20th-century renaissance man. Robeson attended Rutgers University on a four-year scholarship, becoming the third African-American student to attend the institution. As a standout student and athlete, Robeson earned his place as class valedictorian and a spot on the All-American football team. Robeson would later attend Columbia University Law School, continuing his success as a professional football player while pursuing a legal education. However, racial tensions and discrimination greatly limited his career as a lawyer, and he instead rose to fame as a widely acclaimed actor and singer in the late 1920s and 1930s. As Robeson's popularity grew, he broke barriers as one of the first African-American men to play significant roles in the predominantly white American theater. Robeson strongly believed in the responsibility of influential figures to advocate for justice and peace. This sense of responsibility led Robeson to advocate for the rights of African-Americans, workers, and colonized peoples around the world. Unfortunately, his political activism led to his blacklisting and the revocation of his passport, significantly hindering his career and obscuring his accomplishments and role in the history of civil rights. Despite these hardships and his death in 1976, Robeson remains a source of inspiration, and his remarkable life and legacy should be remembered and celebrated by the State of New Jersey. Designates April 9 of each year as "Paul Robeson Day" in State of New Jersey. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A1992 | Exempts nursing mothers from jury duty. | This bill exempts nursing mothers from jury duty. Under current law, nursing mothers are not explicitly exempted from jury duty, which can present a hardship to mothers who are nursing or expressing milk for their babies. Currently, exemptions from jury duty are statutorily authorized for persons: 75 years of age or older; who have served on a jury within the previous three years; or who will suffer severe hardship due to circumstances that are unlikely to change within a year (e.g. medical conditions, care of another or financial hardship). Members of volunteer fire departments and first aid or rescue squads and, under certain circumstances, teachers are exempted. Medical professionals state breastfeeding provides health benefits to infants. Breastfeeding has been associated with reduced risk of respiratory infections, gastrointestinal tract infections, sudden infant death syndrome, allergic disease, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, diabetes, childhood leukemia and lymphoma, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Breastfeeding has also been associated with health benefits to mothers such as reduced risk of rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, breast cancer and ovarian cancer. In 2011, the United States Surgeon General issued a "Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding." The State of New Jersey Department of Health has recognized the benefits associated with breastfeeding and has issued proposed guidelines for New Jersey hospitals which are designed to encourage more mothers to breastfeed in order to improve health outcomes of both mothers and infants It is the view of the sponsor that nursing mothers should be supported in their efforts to breastfeed their babies. This bill provides assistance to mothers who are nursing or expressing milk by enabling them to claim an exemption from jury duty during the first year of their child's life. | In Committee |
| A4222 | Requires New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority to establish public awareness campaign on benefits of doula and midwife services. | Requires New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority to establish public awareness campaign on benefits of doula and midwife services. | In Committee |
| A1799 | Requires DOH to develop shared decision-making tool and establish maternal health care pilot program. | Requires DOH to develop shared decision-making tool and establish maternal health care pilot program. | In Committee |
| A861 | Provides certain deceptive practices in advertising of pregnancy-related services violate the consumer fraud act. | Provides certain deceptive practices in advertising of pregnancy-related services violate the consumer fraud act. | In Committee |
| A3418 | Enters New Jersey in Women's Reproductive Health Care Compact. | Enters New Jersey in Women's Reproductive Health Care Compact. | In Committee |
| A941 | Makes total property tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans retroactive to effective date of determination of total disability; requires State to reimburse municipalities for reimbursement of property taxes paid to veteran. | This bill provides that the total property tax exemption extended to totally disabled veterans is to be retroactive to the effective date of the determination of the veteran's total disability by the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs. The bill also requires that the governing body of each municipality return all taxes collected on the veteran's property after the effective date of the determination of total disability by the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs, and requires the State to reimburse municipalities for the amount of such property taxes returned to a totally disabled veteran pursuant to the requirements of the bill. | In Committee |
| A5456 | Makes human trafficking-related crimes subject to No Early Release Act sentencing. | This bill makes the crimes of human trafficking pursuant to N.J.S.A.2C:13-8, assisting in human trafficking pursuant toN.J.S.A.2C;13-9, and commercial sexual abuse of a minor pursuant to N.J.S.A.2C:13-10, subject to the "No Early Release Act" (section 2 of P.L.1997, c.117 (C.2C:43- 44 7.2)). Under current law, these human trafficking crimes are not subject to the State's No Early Release Act (NERA), which requires the court to fix a minimum term of 85 percent of the sentence imposed for certain first and second degree crimes before being eligible for parole. NERA also requires a court to impose a five-year term of parole supervision if the defendant is being sentenced for a crime of the first degree, or a three-year term of parole supervision for a crime of the second degree. During the term of parole supervision the defendant would remain in the legal custody of the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections and be supervised by the State Parole Board as if on parole. As such, the defendant could be returned to prison for a parole violation. Under current law, a person convicted of the first degree crime of human trafficking pursuant to N.J.S.A.2C:13-8 is to be sentenced to either a term of 20 years, during which the person is ineligible for parole, or a specific term between 20 years and life imprisonment, in which case the person is required to serve 20 years before being eligible for parole. Under the bill, a person convicted of human trafficking is to be sentenced to: a term of 24 years to life imprisonment, of which 85 percent of the sentence would need to be served before being eligible for parole. Under NERA, a life sentence is deemed to be 75 years, so a defendant sentenced to a term of life imprisonment would be required to complete 63.75 years prior to being eligible for parole. Under current law, a person guilty of the second degree crime of assisting in human trafficking is to be sentenced to a term of imprisonment, which includes a period of parole ineligibility of one-third to one-half of the term of imprisonment imposed or three years, whichever is greater. A crime of the second degree is generally punishable by a fine of up to $150,000, a term of imprisonment of five to 10 years, or both. Under the bill, a person guilty of assisting in human trafficking would need to serve 85 percent of the sentence imposed before being eligible for parole. A person convicted of commercial sexual abuse of a minor pursuant under current law is guilty of a crime of the first degree. A crime of the first degree is generally punishable by a fine of up to $200,000, a term of imprisonment of 10-20 years, or both. The provisions of the bill would require a person sentenced for a violation under this section to serve 85 percent of the sentenced imposed prior to being eligible for parole. | In Committee |
| A5450 | Establishes plan for provision of coverage to homeowners who are otherwise unable to procure homeowners insurance. | This bill establishes a plan for the provision of coverage to homeowners who are otherwise unable to procure homeowners insurance. The bill requires the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance to promulgate rules and regulations establishing a plan for the provision of insurance coverage to homeowners who are unable to procure homeowners insurance through ordinary methods, especially those who unable to procure coverage due to the presence or threat of flooding to their property. Every insurer admitted to transact and transacting any line of insurance in the State of New Jersey is required to participate in the plan and provide insurance coverage to the extent required in the rules and regulations. The bill requires the homeowners insurance plan to provide: (1) for a rating system which shall produce rates for each coverage which are adequate for the safeness and soundness of the plan, and are not excessive nor unfairly discriminatory; (2) for rates charged to plan insureds which shall be sufficient to meet the plan's expenses and the plan's losses on an incurred basis; (3) for a limited assignment distribution system permitting insurers to enter into agreements with other insurers or qualified entities to transfer applicants and insureds; and (4) that the plan shall not be subsidized by any source external to the plan. Prior to the adoption or amendment of rules and regulations, the commissioner is required to consult with members of the insurance industry, as the commissioner deems appropriate. The bill requires the governing body administering the plan to report annually to the Legislature and the Governor on the activities and soundness of the plan. | In Committee |
| A5453 | Clarifies and expands landlord registration procedures; creates certain rights for tenants; makes certain changes concerning tenant notifications, inspections, and maintenance in multiple dwellings; permits percentage of affordable housing obligation to be satisfied by certain rehabilitation projects. | This bill, designated as the "Landlord Registration and Tenant Protection Act," would create a streamlined and expanded landlord registration process and make certain changes concerning multiple dwelling inspections. The bill would also establish certain protections for tenants and permit municipalities to satisfy up to ten percent of their affordable housing obligations by establishing a program encouraging the rehabilitation of substandard dwelling units and the dedication of rehabilitated units for rental as low-income housing. Landlord Registration Current law provides that all landlords of rental premises are required to be registered either with the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), the municipality in which the rental premises is located, or both, depending on the circumstances. The bill makes several changes to current registration procedures, including:· Requiring landlords to: (1) provide tenants with a copy of the landlord's certificate of registration; and (2) display the certificate of registration in a common area of the rental premises; · Expanding and clarifying the information landlords have to provide for purposes of registration. The expansion includes, but is not limited to, the provision of: (1) email addresses; (2) mailing addresses that include a street address, not just a post office box; (3) in the case of business entities, such as a limited liability company, the personal information of certain people with authority over the property; (4) for out-of-county owners, the name and contact information for a person who resides in the county and is authorized to issue receipts and accept notices and service of process; and (5) the names and contact information of any party who regularly provides maintenance to the rental; · Requiring that certificates of registration be filed within seven days of the creation of a tenancy, and that amended certificates of registration be filed within 10 days of a change in information;· Changing the penalty for landlords who do not comply with registration requirements. Under current law, the penalty is $500 for each offense. Under the bill, the penalty for a first offense would be $100; a second offense would be $500; and a third or subsequent offense would be $1,000. Inspections Under the bill, if a significant violation is found following an inspection or reinspection of a multiple dwelling, the Commissioner of Community Affairs is required to serve written notice upon the owner within 48 hours of completing an inspection that identifies a significant violation. The notice is required to identify every violation and provide a period of time in which the owner is afforded to correct the violations. The bill defines "significant violation" to mean conditions that are a threat to the health or safety of the tenants, which remain unaddressed, including but not limited to: failure to provide heat, running water, or adequate sewage disposal facilities; structural deficiency; or an infestation of rats, mice, roaches, termites, or other vermin. The bill further provides that if an application for a hearing is filed pursuant to section 18 of P.L.1967, c.76 (C.55:13A-18) for a significant violation, the hearing is to be held within no more than 30 days and a final decision is to be rendered by the commissioner within 60 days from the date of the hearing. Miscellaneous Provisions Under the bill, if a tenant successfully defends against an eviction by asserting a breach of the implied warranty of habitability, the court would make such a finding on the record and mark the case as "Dismissed for Reasons Concerning Habitability" in any record disclosed to the public. Additionally, the bill permits a municipality to satisfy up to 10 percent of its affordable housing obligation by establishing a program encouraging the rehabilitation of substandard dwelling units and the dedication of rehabilitated units for rental as low income housing for periods of at least 30 years. Under the bill, a municipality could accept funds from any source, including a municipal affordable housing trust fund, the "New Jersey Affordable Housing Trust Fund," established pursuant to section 20 of P.L.1985, c.222 (C.52:27D-320), any other State entity, and the federal government, for the purpose of awarding or granting payments to property owners as incentives for the rehabilitation of substandard dwelling units. Finally, the bill repeals sections of law, which would become obviated by the enactment of the bill, as the requirements contained in those sections would be consolidated into other sections of law, as provided in the bill. | In Committee |
| A5451 | Prohibits certain institutional investors from purchasing or acquiring single-family homes. | This bill would prohibit certain institutional investors from placing a bid on, acquiring, or purchasing a single-family home. Specifically, the bill would prohibit an institutional investor, subject to the exceptions provided in the bill, from placing a bid on, acquiring, or purchasing, directly or indirectly, or through any combination of the institutional investor's constituent persons or entities, a single-family home in this State. The bill defines the term "institutional investor" to mean: (1) a partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or trust; (2) an affiliate, subsidiary, or holding company of a partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or trust; (3) a beneficial owner, as defined in the bill, of a partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or trust; or (4) a beneficial owner of an affiliate, subsidiary, or holding company of a partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or trust. The bill specifies that an "institutional investor" does not mean: a nonprofit corporation organized for the development and provision of affordable housing; a family trust; or a family limited liability company, as those terms are defined in the bill. The bill would not apply to certain nonprofit organizations; certain new construction of a single-family home; small institutional investors, as defined in the bill; financial institutions owning or acquiring a single-family home through foreclosure or through a secured transaction; an institutional investor acting as a condemnor; a governmental authority; a public utility; or other institutional investors allowed by the Commissioner of Community Affairs (commissioner), as specified in the bill. The bill requires all institutional investors to provide an annual report to the commissioner containing certain information required by the bill. The bill specifies that the report is to be provided on a form established by the Department of Community Affairs (department). The bill requires an institutional investor that places a bid on, acquires, or purchases, directly or indirectly, or through any combination of the institutional investor's constituent persons or entities, a single-family home in this state to alienate the single-family home within six months of acquiring the single-family home. Any profit is to be payable to the Attorney General. The bill provides that it would be an unlawful practice, pursuant to and in violation of the New Jersey consumer fraud act, for an institutional investor to place a bid on, acquire, or purchase a single-family home in violation of the bill. An institutional investor that violates the bill would also be liable to a civil penalty charged for each day, as specified in the bill, that the violation continues or has not been remedied, which is to be collected in a civil action brought by the Attorney General by a summary proceeding pursuant to the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.). Additionally, the bill permits any person or entity adversely affected by a violation to file a complaint against the institutional investor in violation of the bill. The complainant would be permitted to recover certain fees and expenses incurred in proving a violation of the bill, and the amount of any actual economic benefits accruing to the violator from the violation. The bill requires the commissioner to adopt rules and regulations to implement the provisions of the bill. The bill would take effect on the first day of the sixth month next following the date of enactment, and apply to the acquisition of, and all bids placed and contracts executed for the purchase of, a single-family home, on or after the effective date of the bill, except that the commissioner would be permitted to take anticipatory action necessary to effectuate the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| A5454 | Provides CBT and GIT credits for undertaking of qualified moderate-income housing projects in certain distressed municipalities. | This bill provides corporation business and gross income tax credits to taxpayers for qualified moderate-income housing projects undertaken in certain distressed municipalities. Specifically, the credits would be for either 25 percent or $1 million of the qualified construction costs incurred by the taxpayer, whichever is less, during the privilege period or taxable year for a qualified moderate-income housing project located in a qualified distressed municipality. In order to claim the tax credits allowed under the bill, a taxpayer would be required to submit an application to the Director of the Division of Taxation, in a form and manner prescribed by the director, demonstrating that the qualified moderate-income housing project undertaken by the taxpayer incurred qualified construction costs, and the amount of the tax credit the taxpayer is entitled to pursuant to the bill. Upon approval of the application, a copy of the certification issued by the director would be required to be included with the taxpayer's tax return when such return is filed. A taxpayer that is eligible to claim the credits would be permitted to apply for a tax credit transfer certificate with the Director of the Division of Taxation in lieu of having the credits applied against their tax liability. Upon issuance of the transfer certificate, the taxpayer would then be permitted to be sell the credits to another taxpayer with tax liability under certain other State taxes. If the sale of a transfer certificate occurs, it is required to be conducted for private financial consideration of no less than 75 percent of the transferred credit amount. The bill defines a "qualified moderate-income housing project" as development undertaken in a qualified distressed municipality for the purpose of creating one or more residential structures, whether in the form of detached units or attached units for separate occupancy, in which a substantial percentage of the housing units are reserved for moderate-income housing. The bill specifically prohibits a qualified moderate-income housing project from including development in which any portion is dedicated for commercial purposes. The bill also defines a "moderate-income household" as housing affordable, occupied, or reserved for occupancy by households with a gross household income equal to more than 50 percent but less than 80 percent of the median gross household income for households of the same size within the housing region in which the housing is located, according to United States Department of Housing and Urban Development or other recognized standards for home ownership and rental costs. The bill further defines a "qualified distressed municipality" as a municipality in the State that is qualified to receive assistance as an urban aid municipality, a municipality under the supervision of the Local Finance Board within the Division of Local Government Services, a municipality identified by the Director of the Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs to be facing serious fiscal distress, a SDA municipality, or a municipality in which a major rail station is located. | In Committee |
| A5457 | Requires DOC to conduct study on quality of health care services in correctional facilities. | This bill requires the Commissioner of Corrections, in consultation with the Department of Health and Human Services, to conduct a study on health care services in correctional facilities to evaluate any gaps in such services. The study may include, but not be limited to: 1) on average, the response time, and resolution time for addressing any health-related concern or medical requests made by an incarcerated person; 2) an evaluation of the per day visits made by medical staff for pain-management, management of acute discomfort, or overall patient care from an illness or serious injury of an incarcerated person; and finally 3) any identifiable gaps in the quality of medical services provided and the reasons for these gaps. The commissioner will submit a written report, within one year of the effective date of the bill, to the Governor and the Legislature, with the findings of the study and legislative recommendations. | In Committee |
| A5452 | Establishes Statewide residency preference for affordable housing. | This bill permits municipalities and persons seeking to sell or lease housing for low- or moderate-income households, in compliance with the "Fair Housing Act," P.L.1985, c.222 (C.52:27D-301 et al.), to provide a preference for households having at least one member who resides in the State of New Jersey. Specifically, the bill authorizes a municipality, and a property owner or developer, seeking to sell or lease housing for low- or moderate-income households, in compliance with the "Fair Housing Act," P.L.1985, c.222 (C.52:27D-301 et al.), to provide a preference for occupancy for those households having at least one member who resides in the State of New Jersey. The bill specifies that the bill's provisions are not to be construed so as to require a person to a be a State resident for any specific duration or period of time prior to receiving preference for affordable housing, which the bill specifies is to be given on the first day that a person establishes residency in the State of New Jersey. The bill would take effect on the first day of the fifth month next following enactment, except the Commissioner of Community Affairs would be permitted to take anticipatory actions necessary to comply with the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| A5458 | Requires DCA and housing authorities to permit certain nonviolent ex-offenders to temporarily reside with family member in certain subsidized housing. | This bill requires housing authorities, and the Department of Community Affairs, to permit a nonviolent ex-offender to temporarily reside with a family member in a housing project. The bill defines a "housing project" to mean the same as the term is defined in the "Local Redevelopment and Housing Law," P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-1 et seq.), and including housing authorized by section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. s.1437f), and project-based housing supported by the State rental assistance program. The bill defines a "non-violent ex-offender" as a person who is leaving prison, or has been incarcerated within the preceding 12 months, and has not ever been convicted of a crime that:· was a violent crime enumerated in P.L.1997, c.117 (C.2C:43-7.2);· consisted of the manufacture or production of methamphetamine on the premises of federally assisted housing; or · resulted in a lifetime registration requirement under a State sex offender registration program. The bill also amends the "Fair Chance in Housing Act," P.L.2021, c.110 (C.46:8-52 et seq.) to prohibit a housing authority from withdrawing a conditional offer based on an applicant's family member's criminal record, or prohibiting a nonviolent ex-offender from moving into a rental dwelling unit in a housing project to reside with a family member for six months or less. This bill takes effect immediately. | In Committee |
| AR182 | Affirms New Jersey's commitment to 22nd Amendment to United States Constitution. | This Assembly resolution affirms New Jersey's commitment to the 22nd Amendment to the United States Constitution. The State of New Jersey is devoted to the democratic principles enshrined in the United States Constitution, particularly the safeguards established by the 22nd Amendment, which limits the President to two elected terms in office. This amendment, was ratified in 1951 in response to concerns over the accumulation of executive power after President Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected for four terms. Since then, it has served as a vital mechanism for ensuring fair competition, accountability, and the peaceful transfer of power in the highest office of the land. Presidential term limits have long been recognized as essential to preventing the concentration of authority in a single individual, preserving the balance of power among the branches of government, and maintaining public trust in the democratic process. The amendment has enjoyed bipartisan support, and numerous attempts to repeal or weaken it have failed due to strong public and legislative opposition. Despite this historical precedent, recent political discourse has raised concerns about potential efforts to undermine the amendment, posing a threat to a long-standing safeguard of American democracy. New Jersey, a state with a deep-rooted commitment to democratic governance and constitutional protections, opposes any attempt to repeal or modify the 22nd Amendment without broad national consensus and compelling justification. Recognizing that term limits serve as a critical check on executive power and reflect the will of the American people, the New Jersey General Assembly unequivocally declares that the state will not consent to any changes that would jeopardize the integrity of the 22nd Amendment. New Jersey stands firm in its role as a defender of democratic principles and remains dedicated to upholding the constitutional provisions that protect the nation from excessive executive control. | In Committee |
| A5455 | Authorizes majority of Commission on Human Trafficking membership to exercise powers and duties of commission. | This bill authorizes a majority of Commission on Human Trafficking (commission) membership to exercise the powers and duties of the commission. The commission is a 17-member commission that was created by the Legislature in 2013 as part of the Human Trafficking Prevention, Protection, and Treatment Act (P.L. 2013, c. 51). The commission is responsible for: evaluating existing law concerning human trafficking and making recommendations for legislation; reviewing existing victim assistance programs and analyzing the costs, organization, and availability of services for victims; promoting a coordinated response by public and private resources for victims of human trafficking; and developing mechanisms to promote public awareness of human trafficking, victim remedies and services, and trafficking prevention. The commission is required to report annually to the Governor and to the Legislature regarding its activities, findings, and recommendations. Under current law, a majority of the commission's "authorized membership" is required to achieve a quorum. Accordingly, nine members must be present in order for the commission to perform its duties. Due to vacancies in the commission, this requirement can make it difficult to achieve a quorum, and can result in an inability of the commission to perform its duties. The provisions of the bill would authorize the commission to exercise its powers and perform its duties when a majority of the commission's current members are present, rather than a fixed number of nine members. | In Committee |
| A3169 | Allows property tax rebate for disabled veterans. | Allows property tax rebate for disabled veterans. | In Committee |
| ACR157 | Condemns Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu bigotry and intolerance. | This resolution condemns Hinduphobia, anti-Hindu bigotry and intolerance, and declares the State of New Jersey as a place that welcomes the diversity brought by Hindu Americans. This resolution recognizes that Hinduism is one of the world's largest and oldest religions with over 1.2 billion adherents in over 100 countries and which encompasses an array of diverse traditions and belief systems with values of acceptance, mutual respect, and peace. The United States has always been a beacon of hope, progress, and innovation, attracting people from around the world to create and live a better and fulfilling life, and has welcomed more than four million Hindus from all corners of the world and given them better opportunities and the freedom to practice Hinduism, also known as "Sanatana Dharma". The American Hindu community has been a major contributor to diverse sectors such as medicine, science and engineering, information technology, hospitality, finance, academia, manufacturing, energy, retail trade, and so much more. Hindu contributions of Yoga, Ayurveda, meditation, food, music, arts, and more have enriched the cultural fabric and have been widely adopted in American society and enriched the lives of millions. Hinduphobia, as described by the Understanding Hinduphobia Initiative, is "a set of antagonistic, destructive, and derogatory attitudes and behaviors towards Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) and Hindus that may manifest as prejudice, fear, or hatred". There have been documented instances of hate crimes against Hindu Americans over the last few decades in many parts of the country. | In Committee |
| A4696 | "Climate Superfund Act"; imposes liability on certain fossil fuel companies for certain damages caused by climate change and establishes program in DEP to collect and distribute compensatory payments. | "Climate Superfund Act"; imposes liability on certain fossil fuel companies for certain damages caused by climate change and establishes program in DEP to collect and distribute compensatory payments. | In Committee |
| A5418 | Requires pregnancy centers to disclose certain information in multiple languages. | This bill requires each crisis pregnancy center (center) operating in the State to disclose, that the center is not a licensed health care facility and whether the center employs a physician to supervise the pregnancy-related services in-person at the center. Under the bill, each center is required to conspicuously post signage with the disclosures, in English and Spanish, in the waiting area, in each examination room, and in each room used to discuss or provide information to clients about pregnancy-related services, signage which discloses certain information about the center. Additionally, a center that makes, publishes, disseminates, circulates, or places before the public, or causes, directly or indirectly, to be made, published, disseminated, circulated, or placed before the public, in a newspaper, magazine, or other publication, or in the form of a notice, circular, pamphlet, letter, or poster, or over any radio station, or via the Internet, or in any other way, an advertisement, announcement, or statement, is required to conspicuously state the disclosures, in English and Spanish, via such medium. A center that violates the provisions of the bill is subject to all remedies and penalties available pursuant to the Consumer Fraud Act (N.J.S.A.56:8-1 et seq.). In addition, the bill provides that if a center is about to engage in, is continuing to engage in, or has engaged in conduct which is in violation of the bill, or if it is in the public interest, the Attorney General has the authority to obtain summary action in the Superior Court to take whatever remedial steps necessary to correct the deceptive, false, or misleading advertising or statements on any client seeking pregnancy-related services, including, but not limited to, an injunction prohibiting the crisis pregnancy center from advertising, providing pregnancy-related services, or operating. | 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 |
| A3700 | Establishes pilot program to provide Medicaid coverage of remote maternal health services for eligible beneficiaries. | This bill establishes a voluntary, three-year pilot program to provide certain pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries with remote maternal health services, upon referral by the beneficiaries' health care provider. It is the intent of the bill's sponsor to expand access to obstetric care for pregnant patients who live in the State's rural communities or in medically underserved communities. The bill provides that the Commissioner of Human Services, based upon clinical evidence and the recommendations of experts in the fields of obstetrics and maternal-fetal medicine, will determine the remote services to be provided through the pilot program. At minimum, the program will provide remote patient monitoring, remote non-stress tests, and tele-ultrasound services for pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries. The bill defines "remote maternal health services" as the use of digital technology to collect medical and health data from a pregnant patient and securely transmit this information to a health care provider at a distant site for interpretation and use as part of a diagnosis or a treatment plan. "Remote patient monitoring" is defined as the use of digital technology to collect and transmit patient health data to a healthcare provider at a distant site for review and treatment management. The bill stipulates that the devices and digital technologies used to provide remote maternal health services must comply with the requirements of the federal "Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996," and be used in an FDA-approved capacity. The bill provides that State licensed physicians, certified nurse midwives, professional midwives, or midwives may refer a pregnant Medicaid beneficiary to the pilot program if the health care provider determines that remote maternal health services are in the beneficiary's best interests; or that the beneficiary has an increased likelihood of a high-risk pregnancy due to: pre-existing medical conditions; age; lifestyle factors; or a diagnosed pregnancy-related condition, such as preeclampsia. The bill also provides that remote maternal health services will be available to a pregnant Medicaid beneficiary whose pregnancy is not high-risk, but who resides in a community that lacks a sufficient number of health care providers who offer obstetric care and participate in the Medicaid program. Eligibility for the pilot program will also be extended to a pregnant Medicaid beneficiary who is unable to access consistent obstetric care due to socioeconomic factors, such as the beneficiary's work schedule, a lack of reliable transportation, or a lack of reliable child care. Pursuant to the bill, the establishment of the remote maternal health services pilot program is contingent upon federal approval of the State's Medicaid waiver application or State plan amendment, in order to ensure federal financial participation for State Medicaid expenditures under the federal Medicaid program. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| A4848 | Requires health care professionals to perform lead screening on pregnant persons under certain circumstances. | Requires health care professionals to perform lead screening on pregnant persons under certain circumstances. | Crossed Over |
| A5303 | Requires AG to review Statewide policy regarding investigation of human trafficking. | This bill requires the Attorney General to review the Statewide policy regarding the investigation of human trafficking. Currently, Attorney General Law Enforcement Directive No. 2012-2 sets forth standards and procedures for the investigation of human trafficking. Under the provisions of this bill, upon the review of the policy, the Attorney General is required to consider and address: 1) whether the use of audio or video recording by law enforcement officers conducting undercover investigations of human trafficking would protect the integrity of the investigation and ensure the proper treatment of victims of human trafficking; 2) the implementation of strict policies for dissemination of the audio or video recording, if used, in order to protect victims of human trafficking; 3) the involvement of county prosecutors at the beginning of and throughout human trafficking investigations conducted by county or municipal law enforcement officers in order to address legal challenges as they arise; and 4) any other areas, as determined by the Attorney General. This bill is in response to a recommendation contained in a report issued by the New Jersey State Commission of Investigation in October 2024 entitled "An Inquiry into Human Trafficking Activity in the Massage and Bodywork Therapy Industry in New Jersey." | Crossed Over |
| 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 |
| A4817 | Requires electric and gas public utilities to establish "Energy Bill Watch" program and include certain information in bills and notices to customers. | Requires electric and gas public utilities to establish "Energy Bill Watch" program and include certain information in bills and notices to customers. | In Committee |
| A5353 | Exempts health care professionals licensed in a foreign nation from New Jersey's licensing requirements while providing services to team participating in 2026 FIFA World Cup. | The bill provides an exemption from licensing requirements for any health care professional licensed in a foreign nation during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The exemption only applies to medical services provided to team members and team personnel, and only for the duration of events associated with the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament is scheduled to begin on June 11, 2026 and conclude on July 19, 2026. The waivers authorized in this bill are intended to provide flexibility to health care professionals working with teams competing in the tournament. The bill's June 1, 2026 effective date allows for the medical staff to provide services during any training or team activities which will take place in the time period leading up to the tournament. | In Committee |
| ACR155 | Proposes constitutional amendment to authorize temporary property tax exemption for value of certain homestead improvements. | If approved by the voters of the State, this proposed amendment to the New Jersey Constitution would require the Legislature to enact a homestead improvement property tax exemption statute. The statute would entitle homeowners to a temporary property tax exemption based on the increase in the assessed value of a homeowner's principal residence resulting from taxable improvements made to the property. The total amount of the exemption could not exceed $100,000 of the assessed value of the improvements. The duration of the exemption would be for no more than three consecutive tax years. | In Committee |
| A5335 | Prohibits sentencing individual under 21 years of age to life imprisonment. | This bill prohibits a court from imposing a sentence of life imprisonment with no eligibility for parole upon a person who committed a crime while under 21 years of age. Under current law, the court may sentence a person under 21 years of age to life imprisonment. Under the bill, a court would be prohibited from doing so. This bill is in response to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court holding that sentencing individuals from 18 to 20 to serve a life term without the possibility of parole violates the prohibition against cruel or unusual punishment and the portion of the relevant Massachusetts statute which denies parole eligibility to those from 18 to 20 years old is unconstitutional. See Commonwealth v. Mattis, 224 N.E.3d 410 (Mass. 2024). | In Committee |
| A5336 | Establishes New Jersey County College Remissible Student Loan Program; appropriates $1 million. | This bill establishes the New Jersey County College Remissible Student Loan Program. Under the program, the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority is to make loans available to eligible students to cover a portion of the remaining cost of tuition, approved educational fees, and textbooks not covered by grants or scholarships. The program is to provide loan redemption to eligible students who complete an associate degree program in three academic years or less. To be eligible to apply for a loan under the program, a borrower is required to: (1). be a United States citizen, national or legal resident of the United States or be in the United States for other than temporary purposes and intend to become a permanent resident; (2) be a resident of the State; (3) be enrolled at least on a part-time basis in a county college; and (4) have applied for all other available forms of State, federal, and institutional need-based grants and merit scholarships and, in accordance with annually established deadline dates, have completed and submitted a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, other financial aid form, or, as applicable, a State financial aid form as required by the authority pursuant to current law. The bill provides for the discharge of loans issued under the program in the event of the death of an eligible student borrower or if the student borrower becomes totally and permanently disabled. The bill also requires the authority to grant a deferment of payment of loan principal and interest in the event that a student borrower becomes temporarily disabled. The bill establishes the "New Jersey County College Remissible Student Loan Program Fund" in which the following funds are to be deposited: (1) all moneys appropriated for the purpose of the fund; (2) all funds contributed to the authority by private sources, to be used for the purposes of the fund; (3) all moneys repaid to the fund by eligible borrowers; (4) any return on investment of moneys deposited in the fund; and (5) any other moneys or funds of the authority that may be available for the purposes of the fund. Moneys in the New Jersey County College Remissible Student Loan Program Fund are to be held and applied to make loans under the program and to pay for the costs of administering the program. Finally, the bill stipulates that loan redemption under the program is to equal the cumulative outstanding balance of loans issued under the program. Interest paid or due on the loans is to be considered eligible for reimbursement under the program. | In Committee |
| A5337 | Establishes charity care program for emergency veterinary care for pets of certain individuals. | The bill requires the Commissioner of Health (commissioner) to establish a program under which low-income individuals who qualify for free or reduced-cost hospital care under the State's charity care program will also qualify for free or reduced-cost emergency veterinary care for their pets at certain veterinary hospitals located in the State. "Pet" is defined as any animal that has been bought, bred, raised or acquired, in compliance with local ordinances and State and federal law, for the primary purpose of providing companionship, rather than for business or agricultural purposes. For the purposes of the bill, "pet" does not include exotic animals. The State's charity care program allows low-income patients without health insurance coverage to receive hospital care at zero or reduced cost, on a sliding scale depending on the patient's income. To be eligible for the charity care program, an individual must have an annual income equal to, or below, 300 percent of the federal poverty level, and limited assets. The charity care program also stipulates that eligible patients have no health insurance coverage or coverage for only a portion of their hospital bill, and not be eligible for any governmental or privately sponsored coverage, such as Medicaid. The bill provides that individuals who meet the income and asset criteria for the State's charity care program may apply to the Department of Health (DOH) for free or reduced cost emergency veterinary services for their pets on a form and in a manner determined by the commissioner. Individuals who have purchased a pet health insurance policy that covers emergency veterinary services, however, will not be eligible for free or reduced-cost emergency veterinary services under the program. Veterinary hospitals that want to provide emergency care under the program will submit an application to the DOH on a form and in manner determined by the commissioner. The commissioner will develop a methodology to determine the allocation of appropriated funds to participating veterinary hospitals and a process by which participating veterinary hospitals will receive subsidy payments for emergency care provided under the program. The bill additionally appropriates such sums as necessary to implement the program, as determined by the commissioner. | In Committee |
| A4692 | Establishes certain requirements for State and local governments awarding contracts or grants to nonprofit organizations. | This bill establishes certain requirements for the State and local governments awarding contracts or grants to nonprofit organizations. This bill establishes a de minimis indirect cost rate of 15 percent of the modified total direct costs to nonprofit organizations that have been awarded a contract by a State agency or local government agency. This rate will apply when the source of funding is from federal funds or State funds. Any State agency or local government agency will be prohibited from limiting reimbursements of indirect, administrative, or overhead costs for nonprofit organizations participating in a contract or grant with such agency on or after the effective date of this bill. The Department of the Treasury will be required to oversee and manage the development and maintenance of a database which can be used by nonprofit organizations that intend to participate in contracts or grants offered by State agencies or local government agencies. All such organizations can submit to the database any general documents specified under this bill that are required for State or local contracts or grants. The State Treasurer can permit the submission of other documents relevant to bids for and awards of public contracts and grants as the State Treasurer determines to be appropriate for the purpose of the database. The information maintained in the database will exclude personal identifying information of individuals to prevent compromising personal privacy and security. State agencies or local government agencies seeking to award a contract or grant will be required to utilize the documentation submitted to the database by a nonprofit organization, unless the documentation is not available, in which case the agency can request the document from such nonprofit organization. This bill also requires State agencies and local government agencies to review and adopt the cost principles and federal grant reforms contained in the federal Office of Management and Budget's Uniform Guidance standards with regard to nonprofit organizations to the extent permitted by law. This bill permits the State Treasurer and local government agencies to create a list of common terminology relevant to contracts or grants for nonprofit organizations to define services, processes, and client populations and a list of common terminology for contracts or grants to be accessible to all State and local agencies. This bill also requires the amount of any contract, awarded by a State agency or local government agency, determined for the prior calendar year to be adjusted annually in direct proportion to the percent change in the Consumer Price Index over a 12-month period beginning November 1 and ending October 31. This bill also requires a contract awarded by a State agency or local government agency to be automatically extended for a period of three months if the extension or renewal process is not completed within 10 days of expiration of such contract. This bill prohibits any unilateral change of contract language or terms by a State agency or local government agency for a contract awarded to a nonprofit organization. This bill requires the State Treasurer and local government agencies to develop procedures to reduce redundant monitoring of nonprofit organizations that have been awarded contracts or grants by standardizing and integrating reporting procedures across all State or local agencies. This bill also requires that, if goods and services are rendered, a State agency or local government agency will be required to pay a nonprofit organization 30 calendar days from the date specified in the contract. If no required payment date is specified in the contract, then the required payment date is 30 calendar days from the receipt of a properly executed State agency or local government agency contract, or 30 calendar days from the receipt of goods or services, whichever is later. This bill requires interest on required payments that are not made on or before the required payment date pursuant to a properly executed State agency or local government agency to be paid at a rate of 1 percent of any amount approved and unpaid. Interest can be paid by separate payment to a nonprofit organization, but must be paid within 30 days of the late payment. This bill defines "local government" to mean a municipality, county, or other political subdivision of the State. This bill defines "nonprofit organization" to mean a private nonprofit organization that is exempt from federal taxation pursuant to section 501(c)(3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. s.501(c)(3). This bill defines "State agency" to mean any of the principal departments in the Executive Branch of the State Government, and any division, board, bureau, office, commission, or other instrumentality within or created by such department and any independent State authority, commission, instrumentality, or agency which is authorized by law to award contracts or grants. | In Committee |
| A1185 | Upgrades offense of prostitution as patron; directs fines collected to "Human Trafficking Survivor's Assistance Fund." | This bill provides for enhanced penalties for the crime of engaging in prostitution as a patron. In New Jersey, the offense of prostitution encompasses different conduct by various actors; penalties for the offense vary, depending on the unlawful conduct. This bill addresses conduct by persons who purchase sexual activity, commonly referred to as "johns." Under paragraph (1) of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:34-1, a person commits this offense if the actor engages in prostitution as a patron, or one who purchases sexual activity with another person in exchange for something of economic value, or the offer or acceptance of an offer to engage in sexual activity in exchange for something of economic value. Currently, a violation of this provision is a disorderly persons offense for a first offense, punishable by up to six months imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. For a second or third violation, it is a crime of the fourth degree, punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. For a fourth violation, it is a crime of the third degree, punishable by three to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. In addition to any other disposition for the offense, N.J.S.A.2C:34-1.2 assesses additional penalties upon persons convicted of engaging in prostitution as a patron which include an assessment of $500, and can include participation in a prostitution offender program. This bill increases prostitution by a patron to a crime of the fourth degree, except that a fourth violation remains a crime of the third degree. In addition, the bill provides that any fine collected shall be forwarded to the Department of the Treasury to be deposited in the "Human Trafficking Survivor's Assistance Fund" (the HTSAF) established by N.J.S.A.52:17B-238. It is the sponsor's view that in combatting prostitution, closely related to the crime of human trafficking, greater emphasis should be placed on eliminating the demand for persons who may be victims of sex trafficking by targeting persons who purchase sexual activity. All monies deposited in the HTSAF fund are required by the law to be used for the provision of services to victims of human trafficking, to promote awareness of human trafficking, and the development, maintenance, revision, and distribution of training courses and other educational materials, and the operation of educational or training programs. | In Committee |
| A5048 | Enhances protections under Law Against Discrimination for persons serving in military and military veterans. | This bill enhances certain protections under the Law Against Discrimination ("LAD"). Military Service. Currently, the LAD bars discrimination based on "liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States." The bill broadens this provision to specifically bar discrimination against persons currently serving in the military and military veterans. The bill defines this additional protected class of persons as those in active service in any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States or National Guard, and those who have been discharged or released from active service in any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States or National Guard. Job Protection for Military Service. The bill makes it an unlawful employment practice under the LAD for employers to deny reemployment to employees who take leave for military service. This provision is in compliance with the federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, 18 U.S.C. s.4301 et seq. Gender-neutral Language. Under the bill, gendered language in the LAD is changed to gender-neutral language. For example, in N.J.S.A.10:5-39, the provision in the LAD that sets out an affirmative action program for veterans, the bill replaces the phrase "soldier, sailor, marine, airman, nurse or army field clerk" with "enlisted person or officer." Unlawful Discrimination. The bill adds the term "unlawful" before "discrimination" throughout the LAD to clarify that the LAD prohibits only unlawful discrimination. The LAD does not apply to discrimination that may be lawful. For example, practices that result in a disproportionately negative impact on members of a protected class constitute unlawful discrimination only if the entity engaging in the practices cannot show that it is using the practices for a substantial, legitimate, nondiscriminatory interest or cannot show that there is a less discriminatory alternative that meets that interest. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| A2792 | Concerns development of accessory dwelling units and related municipal land use regulations. | Concerns development of accessory dwelling units and related municipal land use regulations. | In Committee |
| A5261 | Establishes training programs for reentry persons in fire services and emergency medical services. | This bill establishes, within the Division of Fire Safety and the Office of Emergency Medical Services, a reentry training program for persons formerly incarcerated in prison or jail and transitioning out of the criminal justice system. A person who would be disqualified from certification under the provisions of subsection b. of section 2 of P.L.2013, c.101 (C.26:2K65.1) concerning emergency medical services personnel may not participate in the program. A reentry training program for persons formerly incarcerated in prison or jail and transitioning out of the criminal justice system would provide a path for individuals to pursue a career in fire services or emergency medical services which might otherwise be closed because of a criminal history. | In Committee |
| A2489 | Concerns development of accessory dwelling units. | The bill concerns the development of accessory dwelling units. Under this bill, an accessory dwelling unit would be permitted on a lot that contains a single-family dwelling. The bill allows a municipality to restrict occupancy of an accessory dwelling unit to those who qualify for low and moderate income housing. The bill provides a municipal zoning ordinance may require a principal dwelling unit with an accessory dwelling unit to be subject to the same dimensional controls and other controls as are required for the same principal dwelling unit without the accessory dwelling unit, as long as such restrictions do not prohibit the construction of accessory dwelling units, as specified in the bill. Under this bill a municipal zoning ordinance would be prohibited from requiring: (1) a passageway between an accessory dwelling unit and a principal dwelling unit; (2) an exterior door for an accessory dwelling; (3) any more than one parking space for an accessory dwelling unit; (4) a familial, marital, or employment relationship between occupants of a principal dwelling unit and an accessory dwelling unit; (5) a minimum age requirement for occupants of an accessory dwelling unit; (6) a separate billing of utilities otherwise connected to, or used by, the principal dwelling unit; or (7) periodic renewals for permits for accessory dwelling units. The bill provides, however, that an accessory dwelling unit is not exempt from: (1) applicable building code requirements; (2) restrictions on the use of an accessory dwelling unit for short-term rentals or vacation stays; or (3) sewerage system related requirements where a private sewerage system is being used, provided that approval for an accessory dwelling unit shall not be unreasonably withheld. The bill requires that a municipal agency not condition the approval of an accessory dwelling unit on the correction of a nonconforming use, structure or lot, or require the installation of fire sprinklers in an accessory dwelling unit if sprinklers are not required for the principal dwelling unit located on the same developable site. Under the bill, an accessory dwelling unit would not be considered a new residential use for the purpose of calculating or imposing connection fees or capacity charges for a purveyor of water and sewer service, unless the accessory dwelling unit is constructed together with a new single-family dwelling unit on the same lot, or requires the installation of a new or separate utility connection directly to the accessory dwelling unit. The bill provides that a municipality may amend its land use regulations to comply with the provisions of "Municipal Land Use Law," P.L.1975, c.291 (C.40:55D-1 et seq.), prior to January 1, 2023. On and after January 1, 2023, any provision of a municipality's land use regulations that are inconsistent with the provisions of the bill or other regulation would be null and void and a municipal agency would approve or deny applications for the development of accessory dwelling units in accordance with the requirements for regulations set forth under the bill. Under the bill, a municipality is prohibited from imposing additional standards related to the regulation of accessory dwelling units, except as provided for in the bill. Under the bill the governing body of a municipality, by a two-thirds vote of the full authorized membership, may opt out of the allowance of accessory dwelling units, provided the governing body: (1) convenes a public hearing; (2) states upon its record the reasons for opting out; and (3) not later than fifteen days after such decision has been rendered, notifies the Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) that the municipality has elected to opt out of the requirements and publishes notice of such decision in the official newspaper of the municipality, if there be one, or in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality. The bill also prohibits a zoning ordinance from: (1) establishing for any dwelling unit a minimum floor area that is greater than the minimum floor area set; and (2) requiring more than one parking space for each studio or one-bedroom dwelling unit, or more than two parking spaces for each dwelling unit with two or more bedrooms, unless the municipality opts out. The governing body of a municipality, by a two-thirds vote of the full authorized membership, may opt out regarding limitations on parking spaces for dwelling units, provided the governing body: (1) convenes a public hearing; (2) states upon its record the reasons for opting out; and (3) not later than fifteen days after such decision has been rendered, notifies DCA that the municipality has elected to opt out of the requirements and publishes notice of such decision in the official newspaper of the municipality, if there be one, or in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality. The bill would also amend the "Fair Housing Act," P.L.1985, c.222 (C.52:27D-301 et al.), to require a municipality's master plan housing element to contain a consideration of lands and existing structures that are appropriate for the development of accessory dwelling units that can provide low- and moderate-income housing, and to provide that accessory dwelling units built or permitted after January 1, 2022, would only be credited towards a municipality's fair share affordable housing obligation as the equivalent of a studio apartment, which is affordable to a one person household. | In Committee |
| A2437 | Requires ingredients of menstrual products to be listed on package. | Requires ingredients of menstrual products to be listed on package. | Crossed Over |
| 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 |
| A4284 | Eliminates fee for special plates for firefighters and members of first aid or rescue squads. | Eliminates fee for special plates for firefighters and members of first aid or rescue squads. | Crossed Over |
| A5252 | "Lead-Free Drinking Water Bond Act of 2025," authorizes bonds for $400 million, and appropriates $5,000. | This bill, entitled the "Lead-Free Drinking Water Bond Act of 2025," would authorize the issuance of $400 million in State general obligation bonds to be used to provide $200 million in grants and $200 million in low-interest loans to pay for the cost of projects to replace lead plumbing and lead service lines in the State. The Commissioner of Environmental Protection would be required to establish procedures for the review and approval of, and eligibility criteria for, the grants and loans. Homeowners and schools would be eligible for grants, and owners or operators of water systems, school, and business entities would be eligible for loans. The bill provides that the bond act is to be submitted to the people for approval at the general election to be held at least 70 days after enactment and appropriates $5,000 to the Department of State for expenses in connection with the publication of the public question. | In Committee |
| A5253 | Establishes New Jersey Military Recruit Graduation Assistance Program in DMVA. | Currently, there are military recruits who graduate with no familial representation due to the costs associated with traveling to attend the graduation. This bill establishes a program within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to assist immediate family members of military recruits who qualify as having a low income with the expenses of attending boot camp graduation. DMVA would be required to develop guidelines, procedures, and criteria for applications and awards. No fee will be charged to submit an application for the program. Implementation of the assistance program would be subject to a future appropriation by the Legislature. The bill defines "immediate family member" as a spouse, parent, child, or sibling whether of the whole or half blood or by adoption. The bill defines "low income" as a gross annual household income equal to 50 percent or less of the median gross annual household income for households of the same size within the relevant housing region. | In Committee |
| A5251 | Makes supplemental appropriation of $3,000,000 to Division on Civil Rights. | This bill appropriates $3 million to the Division on Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety. This appropriation is intended to specifically fund the New Jersey Bias Investigation Access System (NJ BIAS) updates needed to ensure State, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies properly and uniformly track all bias crimes. The New Jersey Division on Civil Rights (DCR) is the State agency charged with enforcing New Jersey's civil rights laws, including the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, the New Jersey Family Leave Act, and the Fair Chance in Housing Act. The mission of DCR is to protect the people of New Jersey from discrimination and bias-based harassment in employment, housing, and public accommodations. | In Committee |
| A5250 | Imposes additional penalties for invasion of privacy where victim is candidate for public office. | This bill prohibits the non-consensual disclosure of an intimate image or forged intimate image of a candidate for public office, and makes unlawful disclosure a crime of the third degree. A crime of the third degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of three to five years, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. A candidate who is the victim of an unlawful disclosure may also pursue a civil action against the perpetrator. Under the bill, "intimate image" is defined as any photograph, film, videotape, recording, digital file, or any other reproduction of the image of a person whose intimate parts are wholly or partially exposed or covered only by an undergarment, or who is engaged in an act of sexual penetration, sexual arousal, or sexual gratification. Intimate image includes an image that, by means of naming through captioning, metadata, or any other accompanying description, purports to be an image of the person named. Under the bill, "forged intimate image" is defined as any image that is generated or substantially modified using technological means such that it falsely appears to be a realistic intimate image, regardless of whether the image or any accompanying description indicates in any way that the purported intimate image is not authentic. Such an image is also commonly known as a "deepfake." The bill is intended to be applied in conjunction with the existing law on the invasion of privacy, N.J.S.A.2C:14-9. While the bill does not require any proof of intent to interfere in an election, such intent can be reasonably presumed and inferred from the fact that the victim of an invasion of privacy is a candidate for public office. Especially with respect to deepfakes, it has been widely reported that there are malicious actors who seek to disrupt or pervert the democratic process through the non-consensual disclosure of intimate images. Therefore, in the view of the sponsor, additional penalties are necessary in the election context to punish and deter such interference. | 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 |
| 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 |
| S715 | Requires AG to establish rape kit tracking system. | An Act concerning sexual assault forensic evidence kits and supplementing Title 52 of the Revised Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A5189 | Requires DCA to conduct study on urban vehicle parking. | This bill requires the Commissioner of Community Affairs to conduct, or cause to be conducted, a study to evaluate vehicle parking in urban communities and make recommendations to maximize vehicle parking in communities where vehicle parking is scarce. The study would be required to include, at a minimum, an examination of current federal, State, and local laws, regulations, rules, and policies, including, but not limited to those laws, regulations, rules, and policies related to vehicle parking on streets and other designated parking areas, and vehicle parking signage. The study would be required to examine locations where signage may be eliminated, placed, or updated, including stop sign footage requirements, to provide for more parking in communities where parking is scarce. No later than two years following the enactment of this bill, the Commissioner of Community Affairs would be required to submit a written report of the study's findings and recommendations to the Governor and to the Legislature. The bill requires the report to be made publicly available on the Department of Community Affairs Internet website. | In Committee |
| A5192 | Establishes recycling program for unused road sign posts. | This bill requires the New Jersey Department of Transportation (department) to establish a recycling program for unused road sign posts. The department is required to establish a program to recycle any road sign posts that have been in a state of disuse for at least 12 months on roadways in the State. The requirements of the program include: (1) identifying and inventorying unused road sign posts on roadways in the State; (2) coordinating with recycling facilities and private contractors to ensure proper processing and recycling of unused road sign posts; (3) establishing collection points for municipalities to deposit unused road sign posts; (4) establishing a system for tracking the volume of unused road sign posts collected, recycled, and diverted from landfills; and (5) recycling unused road sign posts for raw materials and using the recycled raw materials to construct new road signs. Under the bill, the department is required to seek available federal or State funds to support the establishment and ongoing operations of the program and is further required to prepare and submit an annual report to the Governor and to the Legislature. The report is to include: (1) the total number of unused road sign posts recycled during the previous year; (2) recommendations for improving the program; (3) an analysis of the benefits achieved through the recycling program; and (4) any other information the department deems relevant. | In Committee |
| A5191 | Requires DOT to establish five-year highway litter mitigation pilot program and flood mitigation pilot program in certain cities; appropriates $1 million. | This bill requires the Department of Transportation (department) to establish a five-year highway litter mitigation pilot program and a five-year flood mitigation pilot program in the City of Jersey City, the City of Camden, and Atlantic City (the geographical areas). Highway Litter Mitigation Pilot Program The highway litter mitigation pilot program requires the department to perform quarterly debris removal, sewage cleanout, and graffiti removal on all State highways within each geographical area. Before implementing the highway litter mitigation pilot program, the department is required to survey and record the current condition of debris, litter, and graffiti of all State highways within each geographical area, in cooperation with the relevant city sanitation department. Additionally, the department may consider including: posting road signs about the penalties for littering on all State highways within each geographical area; providing additional recycling and garbage cans at certain spots, as determined by the department, within each geographical area; and advertising information for volunteer-led debris removal, graffiti removal, and sewage cleanout opportunities organized by the department or a nonprofit organization, as determined by the department, in the geographical area on the department's Internet website. The department is required to document each quarterly debris removal, sewage cleanout, and graffiti removal in an electronic or written report. The report of each quarterly debris removal, sewage cleanout, and graffiti removal is required to include, at a minimum: (1) the general cost of each quarterly debris removal, sewage cleanout, and graffiti removal, including the cost of labor; and (2) the estimated amount of debris collected. In the event of each sewage cleanout, the report is required to include the composition of any clogs cleared by the sewage cleanout. Flood Mitigation Pilot Program The flood mitigation pilot program is required to identify and implement in each geographical area temporary flood mitigation solutions for flood risk roads; and improvements to drainage structures, slopes, berms, and ditches that are prone to flooding and, if possible, implement temporary improvements to such drainage structures, slopes, berms, and ditches. Before implementing the flood mitigation pilot program, the department is required to survey all roads within each geographical area and determine which roads are most prone to flooding. The department is required to maintain records on: (1) each temporary flood mitigation solution used for flood risk roads in the geographical area, including a record of the actual costs of temporary implementation, any anticipated costs of permanent implementation, including materials and labor, and the success rate of the solution; (2) each temporary improvements to drainage structures, slopes, berms, and ditches that are prone to flooding; and (3) a list of any highways, drainage structures, slopes, berms, and ditches that need repair or improvements to become more flood-resistant. In determining flood mitigation solutions under this pilot program, the department is required to consult any current federal guidelines on flood risk management standards. Reporting Requirements Within six months of the completion of the highway litter mitigation pilot program, the department is required to prepare a written report that includes: (1) the department's determination of the effectiveness of the pilot program; (2) a before-and-after study of the litter on State highways within the geographical areas, including a yearly comparison of debris removals, sewage cleanout, and graffiti removal; (3) all reports made for the quarterly debris removals, sewage cleanouts, and graffiti removal; (4) any additional program aspects implemented by the department; and (5) recommendations on whether to implement a permanent highway litter mitigation program Statewide. Within six months of the completion of the flood mitigation pilot program, the department is required to prepare a written report that includes: (1) findings on all flood mitigation solutions implemented; (2) the list of any highways, drainage structures, slopes, berms, and ditches that need repair or improvements to become more flood-resistant; (3) the department's determination of the effectiveness of the pilot program, including a cost-benefit analysis of each flood mitigation solution; and (4) recommendations on which, if any, flood mitigation solutions to implement Statewide. Both reports are required to be submitted to the Governor and to the Legislature. Appropriation and Expiration of the Act This bill appropriates a total of $1 million from the General Fund to the department with the funds being divided as such: $500,000 to the highway litter mitigation pilot program and $500,000 to the flood mitigation pilot program. The pilot programs expire upon submission of the reports. | In Committee |
| A5193 | Renders contracts to provide criminal assistance unlawful; creates civil right of action for victims of certain criminal conduct. | This bill renders void certain agreements, and creates a statutory right of action for certain crime victims. Under the bill, an act of concealment, alteration, or destruction of evidence that is intended to thwart law enforcement detection of an alleged offender in exchange for money or non-monetary compensation is defined as rendering criminal assistance. The agreement itself, whether written or oral, express or implied, is rendered void. Moreover, the victim of the crime is granted a private right of action against the person or private entity who entered into the agreement. Under the bill, a person or private entity "renders criminal assistance" when, with the intent to prevent, hinder, or delay the discovery or apprehension of an alleged offender who such person or private entity knows or believes has committed a crime or is being sought by law enforcement for the commission of a crime, commits any act of concealment, alteration, or destruction of any physical evidence which might aid in the discovery or apprehension of the alleged offender in exchange for money or non-monetary compensation. This bill is based on legislation pending in the New York Legislature known as "Cassie's Law." | In Committee |
| A5172 | Requires State and county correctional facilities to make feminine hygiene products of varying absorbency levels available to female inmates. | This bill requires State and county correctional facilities to make feminine hygiene products of varying absorbency levels readily accessible to female inmates. Under current law, the Commissioner of Corrections in State correction facilities, or the chief executive officer or warden in county correctional facilities, is required to ensure that standard feminine hygiene products, including but not limited to tampons and sanitary pads, are provided at the request of and free of charge to female inmates. This bill amends current law to require that feminine hygiene products of varying absorbencies be provided to female inmates. | 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| A1476 | Establishes "New Jersey Target Zero Commission." | An Act establishing the "New Jersey Target Zero Commission" and supplementing Title 27 of the Revised Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A908 | Requires AG to establish rape kit tracking system. | This bill requires the Attorney General to establish a sexual assault forensic evidence (SAFE) kit, commonly referred to as a rape kit, tracking system. Under the bill, the Attorney General is to issue guidelines or a directive establishing the system. The bill defines a "sexual assault forensic evidence kit tracking system" as an Internet-based system that allows a person, including a victim; a State, county, or municipal law enforcement officer; an employee of a healthcare facility or laboratory, as deemed appropriate by the Attorney General; and any other person, as deemed appropriate by the Attorney General, to track a sexual assault forensic evidence kit through the chain of custody from the time of collection at a healthcare facility to the transfer to a local law enforcement agency, submission to a laboratory, and final disposition. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| A5129 | "CJ's Law"; Criminalizes manufacture and distribution of substances containing kratom under certain circumstances. | This bill, designated as "CJ's Law," would criminalize the manufacture, possession and sale of products containing kratom. Kratom, as known as mitragyna speciosa korth, mitragynine extract, biak-biak, cratom, gratom, ithang, kakuam, katawn, kedemba, ketum, krathom, krton, mambog, madat, Maeng da leaf, nauclea, or Nauclea Speciosa, is a botanical substance that grows naturally in Southeast Asia. The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises that kratom poses a threat to public health and has the potential for abuse. Kratom is frequently marketed on the Internet for its psychoactive and opioid-like analgesic effects, and for use in the treatment of morphine and heroin addiction. However, kratom is not approved in the United States for any medical use. In a statement released in April 2022, the FDA warned the public against using kratom, warning that the substance "affects the same opioid brain receptors as morphine" and that it appears to have "properties that expose users to the risks of addiction, abuse, and dependence." According to the FDA, scientific literature has disclosed serious concerns regarding the toxicity of kratom in multiple organ systems, with consumption leading to a number of health issues, including depressed respiratory function, nervousness, agitation, aggression, sleeplessness, hallucinations, delusions, loss of libido, tremors, skin hyperpigmentation, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and severe withdrawal signs and symptoms. Currently, possession and distribution of kratom is not barred by federal or New Jersey law. However, the FDA Import Alert # 54-15 provides guidance for FDA field personnel regarding the detention of dietary supplements and bulk dietary ingredients that contain kratom. The FDA has also issued a number of warning letters and conducted seizures of illegally sold, unapproved, or misbranded drug products containing kratom that make unproven claims about their ability to treat or cure opioid addiction and withdrawal symptoms. Kratom is banned or its uses restricted in several countries, including Australia, Denmark, Finland, France , Germany, Israel, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. Kratom is also illegal in several states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Several states have passed laws restricting its sale and use, while several other states have introduced legislation that would ban this drug. This bill amends existing law to include kratom as a controlled dangerous substance and to sets out gradations for crimes involving the substance. The bill would make it a crime of the second degree to manufacture, distribute or dispense, or possess or have under one's control with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense, a substance containing kratom in an amount of one ounce or more, including adulterants and dilutants. A crime of the second degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of five to 10 years, a fine of up to $150,000, or both. It would be a crime of the third degree to manufacture, distribute or dispense, or possess or have under one's control with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense a substance containing kratom in an amount of less than one ounce, including adulterants and dilutants. 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. Under the bill, there is an exception for the possession and manufacture of kratom, mitragyna speciosa korth, mitragynine, or any derivative of those chemical compounds, for any person who is a practitioner as defined in N.J.S.A.24:21-1. N.J.S.A.24:21-1 defines a "practitioner" as a physician, dentist, veterinarian, scientific investigator, laboratory, pharmacy, hospital, or other person licensed, registered, or otherwise permitted to distribute, dispense, conduct research with respect to, or administer a controlled dangerous substance in the course of professional practice or research in this State. CJ's Law is designated in remembrance of Christopher James (CJ) Holowach, who died at age 33 from cardiac arrest caused by mixture of drugs that included his physician prescribed Adderol and kratom. While awaiting arm surgery, CJ Holowach consumed kratom to numb his arm pain without jeopardizing his recovery from opioid addiction. However, he was unaware of the dangers of kratom as the supplement's bottle provided no warning labels or suggestions on safe dosage amounts. Kratom is marketed in a way to make it appear to be a safe herbal pain supplement, when it poses serious health risks. Further, addiction experts warn, echoing the sentiments of FDA warnings, that kratom can be highly addictive and create risk of abuse and dependence. It is the sponsor's hope that this bill will stop the sale of kratom in New Jersey, avoiding further tragedies including death. | In Committee |
| A3161 | Broadens eligibility for certain civil service and pension benefits for veterans by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations. | This bill broadens the eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating the requirement that a veteran serve during specific wars or other periods of emergency, and, in certain instances, that a veteran serve in a war zone. Instead of service during specific dates or in specific locations, the bill requires federal active service in any branch of the United States Armed Forces or a Reserve component thereof. The benefits in the bill are (1) a civil service preference under Title 11A of the New Jersey Statutes; (2) a veteran's retirement allowance under the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) or the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS); and (3) the purchase of additional military service credit in the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS), TPAF, PERS, and the State Police Retirement System (SPRS). Eligibility for the civil service benefits for all veterans is contingent upon voter approval of an authorizing amendment to the State Constitution. | In Committee |
| SJR71 | Designates first week of May of each year as Wounded Warrior Appreciation Week. | This joint resolution designates the first full week of May of each year as Wounded Warrior Appreciation Week in New Jersey. With advancements in battlefield medicine and body armor, an unprecedented percentage of military service members are surviving severe wounds and injures in the service of the United States. It is estimated that during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, over 48,000 servicemen and women were physically injured. In addition to the physical wounds, it is estimated that as many as 400,000 service members live with the invisible wounds of war including combat-related stress, major depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, with another 320,000 believed to have experienced a traumatic brain injury while on deployment. This State should honor and empower all wounded warriors, encouraging them in their adjustment to civilian life and achievement of their goals. Designates first week of May of each year as Wounded Warrior Appreciation Week. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| SJR103 | Declares NJ "Purple Heart State." | This resolution declares New Jersey a "Purple Heart State." New Jersey veterans and active duty military members have fought selflessly to preserve our nation's freedom, with many being wounded or killed while in the line of duty. The Purple Heart Medal is awarded in the name of the President to veterans and active duty military members who have been wounded or killed while serving in our nation's Armed Forces. The recipients of the Purple Heart Medal deserve recognition and honor for the bravery that recipients have shown while serving our nation. Three states, including West Virginia, Virginia, and Washington, are declared "Purple Heart States." Parts of 45 states are part of the "Purple Heart Trail," a symbolic and honorary system of roads, highways, bridges and other monuments that give tribute to the veterans and active duty military members who have been awarded the Purple Heart Medal. New Jersey has multiple counties, cities, and locations that are part of the "Purple Heart Trail." The "Purple Heart Trail" was established at the 1992 Military Order of the Purple Heart convention, which was held in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Declaring New Jersey a "Purple Heart State" honors the contributions and sacrifices of the New Jersey service members who have received the Purple Heart Medal. Purple Heart Medal recipients from the State have been vital in maintaining the freedoms and way of life enjoyed by the State's citizens. The people of New Jersey have great respect, admiration, and the utmost gratitude for all of the service members who have selflessly served our country and the State. Therefore, it is altogether fitting and proper to declare New Jersey a "Purple Heart State." Declares NJ "Purple Heart State." | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4148 | Requires DOH to develop informational materials on type 1 diabetes and DOE to distribute to parents and guardians of enrolled students. | An Act concerning information provided on type 1 diabetes in public schools and supplementing chapter 40 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4626 | Requires construction project applicants to disclose project financing. | Requires construction project applicants to disclose project financing. | In Committee |
| A5073 | Provides gross income tax exclusion for military compensation paid to State residents for out-of-State military service. | This bill allows a gross income tax exclusion for certain military compensation paid to members of the United States Armed Forces who are domiciled in New Jersey but who serve their military duty at a station or deployment outside of the State of New Jersey for a minimum of six months of the taxable year. | In Committee |
| A5078 | Prohibits aquaculture of any species of octopus for purpose of human consumption. | This bill prohibits the aquaculture of any species of octopus for the purpose of human consumption. In addition, this bill prohibits a business entity from selling, possessing, or transporting any species of octopus that is the result or product of aquaculture. Any violation of the bill's provisions would be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000, and each day during which the violation continues would constitute an additional, separate, and distinct offense. The practice of octopus aquaculture has raised ethical and environmental concerns due to the highly advanced cognitive abilities and complex behaviors exhibited by these animals. Octopus farming practices and conditions, including inadequate living environments and confinement, may subject octopus to significant stress and suffering, compromise their well-being, and lead to adverse behavioral changes. As carnivores, octopuses require a high-protein diet sourced from wild fish and shellfish which could substantially increase demand on marine resources, further depleting fish stocks and disrupting marine ecosystems. Additionally, octopus aquaculture poses further risks to the marine ecosystems due to the heightened potential for the spread of infectious pathogens, which may impact other marine species and ecosystems. | In Committee |
| A4815 | Permits certain local units and authorities to reduce water, sewer, and stormwater fees and other charges for low-income persons. | Permits certain local units and authorities to reduce water, sewer, and stormwater fees and other charges for low-income persons. | In Committee |
| AJR66 | Commemorates 71st anniversary of armistice that ended Korean War. | The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, when the armed forces of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea invaded the Republic of Korea in a surprise and unprovoked attack. A few days later, the United Nations' Security Council declared that the attack conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was a violation of peace. Shortly after, United Nations members were urged to support the Republic of Korea in its defense. Twenty-two countries, including the United States, got involved in the Korean War by supplying the Republic of Korea with fighting units and medical services. From the 1.7 million American soldiers who served in the Korean War, more than 33,000 died and more than 100,000 were injured. More than 191,000 New Jersey residents served in the military during the Korean War, and 836 New Jersey residents were killed or missing in action during the war. After the Korean War ended, the United States and the Republic of Korea signed a mutual defense treaty, which established an alliance between both countries. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea that was formed through sacrifice and shared hardship. Although the Korean War led to the death of 2.5 million individuals, this war is often referred to as the "forgotten war" for the lack of attention it has received compared to other, more well-known international conflicts. Therefore, the State of New Jersey commemorates the 70th anniversary of the armistice that ended the Korean War on July 27, 1953. | Crossed Over |
| A4174 | Clarifies consent to being photographed, filmed, or recorded in a sexual manner does not include or imply consent to disclosure of image. | This bill amends the invasion of privacy statute, N.J.S.A.2C:14-9, to clarify that a person's consent to being photographed, filmed, videotaped, recorded, observed, or otherwise having their nude, sexual, or sexually suggestive image reproduced is not be construed to include or imply the person's consent to the disclosure of such image. The bill also requires that a person's consent to disclosure is strictly construed to be limited only to the express purpose for which consent was obtained. Under current law, a person's consent to the taking of the image could be construed to also waive any restriction on the subsequent disclosure of the image. Under the bill, taking an image and disclosing an image are two separate acts that require two separate instances of consent. | Crossed Over |
| A3505 | Establishes protected leave under "Family Leave Act" and family temporary disability leave benefits for bereavement for death of child, miscarriage, stillbirth, and certain other circumstances. | Establishes protected leave under "Family Leave Act" and family temporary disability leave benefits for bereavement for death of child, miscarriage, stillbirth, and certain other circumstances. | Crossed Over |
| S912 | Establishes requirements concerning provision of postpartum care, pregnancy loss, and stillbirth information and development of personalized postpartum care plans. | An Act concerning postpartum care, pregnancy loss, stillbirth, and supplementing Title 26 of the Revised Statutes. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| 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 |
| SJR14 | Designates third Sunday of November of each year as "World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims" in NJ. | Designates third Sunday of November of each year as "World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims" in NJ. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A5042 | Requires public entities purchase five percent of goods and services from Central Nonprofit Agency; requires Division of Purchase and Property establish training protocols for all purchasing agents; grants Central Nonprofit Agency right of first refusal. | Under current law, State and local government agencies and political subdivisions of the State that are authorized to purchase goods and services are required to make a good faith effort to purchase five percent of such goods and services through the Central Nonprofit Agency, an agency established by the "Rehabilitation Facilities Set-Aside Act." Under the bill, such State and local government agencies and political subdivisions of the State will be required to purchase five percent of goods and services through the Central Nonprofit Agency. The bill clarifies reporting and oversight requirements. Under the bill, the Division of Purchase and Property in the Department of the Treasury must submit a report of purchasing data to the Central Nonprofit Agency for the Rehabilitation Facilities Set-Aside program no more than six months after the effective date of this bill, and on a quarterly basis thereafter. In addition, the Department of the Treasury will be required to report annually to the Governor and the Legislature detailing the compliance of State and local government entities and political subdivisions with the purchasing thresholds. The bill also provides that the Division of Purchase and Property, in collaboration with the Central Nonprofit Agency, must establish training protocols for all purchasing agents employed by State or local government entities or political subdivisions required to meet the purchasing thresholds. The bill also provides that the Central Nonprofit Agency will have a right of first refusal for all goods and services that may otherwise be purchased through a cooperative purchasing agreement catalog so long as the Central Nonprofit Agency can deliver the goods or services that would otherwise be purchased through a cooperative purchasing agreement catalog at a price that is within 15 percent of fair market value. The "Rehabilitation Facilities Set-Aside Act" assists persons who are blind or have a severe disability with achieving maximum personal independence through productive employment by assuring a continuous market for their goods and services, which are produced at qualified rehabilitation facilities and distributed through the Central Nonprofit Agency. The Central Nonprofit Agency is designated by the Commissioner of the Department of Human Services to facilitate the distribution of orders received from various State agencies as provided in the "Rehabilitation Facilities Set-Aside Act." This bill furthers the goals of the "Rehabilitation Facilities Set-Aside Act" to assist in the productive employment of individuals with special needs. | In Committee |
| A5020 | Makes $3 million supplemental appropriation for bonus awards for certain COVID-19 emergency essential frontline State workers of Local 195 International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers. | This bill provides for a supplemental appropriation of $3,000,000 from the General Fund to provide individual employee awards to the many essential frontline State workers of Local 195 of International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers who provided emergency frontline workplace service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Independent Review of New Jersey's Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic completed on March 7, 2024 noted that one of the strengths of New Jersey State Government's response was that staff across government departments and agencies went above and beyond what they were expected or paid to do. Many state employees put their lives on hold to ensure that the important work of their department or agency continued amidst the uncertainty, additional workload, and safety challenges posed by the pandemic. Many frontline agency workers also reported experiencing significant trauma due to the panic and urgency of the response and the demands associated with their jobs. Personal losses and increased workloads caused many State workers to endure prolonged exhaustion and pandemic fatigue. Workers were overwhelmed by the sudden and dramatic increase in their responsibilities, which agencies had to process while being understaffed. Across departments and agencies, state employees demonstrated resilience and flexibility. Many state agencies worked closely with their respective unions to ensure their staff were well placed to continue their work during the pandemic. Agencies that had pre-existing relationships with union leaders were able to have proactive discussions and continuous dialogue in the early stages of the pandemic, enabling rapid decision making concerning workplace attendance by staff deemed essential for the health and safety of human life. The many frontline State workers of Local 195 of International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers ensured the continued operation and maintenance of the many crucial State facilities, which provide essential services to their clients and patients who could not survive a termination of services during the pandemic. This appropriation will ensure that the many thousands of these State employees receive additional compensation in the form of individual bonuses for their essential work during the most dangerous of times. | In Committee |
| AJR60 | Declares NJ "Purple Heart State." | This resolution declares New Jersey a "Purple Heart State." New Jersey veterans and active duty military members have fought selflessly to preserve our nation's freedom, with many being wounded or killed while in the line of duty. The Purple Heart Medal is awarded in the name of the President to veterans and active duty military members who have been wounded or killed while serving in our nation's Armed Forces. The recipients of the Purple Heart Medal deserve recognition and honor for the bravery that recipients have shown while serving our nation. Three states, including West Virginia, Virginia, and Washington, are declared "Purple Heart States." Parts of 45 states are part of the "Purple Heart Trail," a symbolic and honorary system of roads, highways, bridges and other monuments that give tribute to the veterans and active duty military members who have been awarded the Purple Heart Medal. New Jersey has multiple counties, cities, and locations that are part of the "Purple Heart Trail." The "Purple Heart Trail" was established at the 1992 Military Order of the Purple Heart convention, which was held in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Declaring New Jersey a "Purple Heart State" honors the contributions and sacrifices of the New Jersey service members who have received the Purple Heart Medal. Purple Heart Medal recipients from the State have been vital in maintaining the freedoms and way of life enjoyed by the State's citizens. The people of New Jersey have great respect, admiration, and the utmost gratitude for all of the service members who have selflessly served our country and the State. Therefore, it is altogether fitting and proper to declare New Jersey a "Purple Heart State." | In Committee |
| AJR25 | Designates first week of May of each year as Wounded Warrior Appreciation Week. | This joint resolution designates the first full week of May of each year as Wounded Warrior Appreciation Week in New Jersey. With advancements in battlefield medicine and body armor, an unprecedented percentage of military service members are surviving severe wounds and injures in the service of the United States. It is estimated that during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, over 48,000 servicemen and women were physically injured. In addition to the physical wounds, it is estimated that as many as 400,000 service members live with the invisible wounds of war including combat-related stress, major depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, with another 320,000 believed to have experienced a traumatic brain injury while on deployment. This State should honor and empower all wounded warriors, encouraging them in their adjustment to civilian life and achievement of their goals. | In Committee |
| AR165 | Urges President and Congress of United States to enact federal legislation providing proportional property tax relief for honorably discharged veterans having a service-connected permanent disability. | This resolution urges the President and Congress of the United States to enact federal legislation to provide proportional property tax relief for honorably discharged veterans having a service-connected permanent disability. The United States of America and the State of New Jersey are forever grateful to the men and women who serve in the Armed Forces of the United States and who sacrifice their lives to protect the freedoms enjoyed by all citizens of this nation. However, in the course of their selfless sacrifice for this nation, many veterans unfortunately experience permanent disabilities that can limit their ability to support themselves and their families. In recognition of the sacrifice and service of these veterans, it is the responsibility of the federal government to ensure that veterans with service-connected disabilities receive the benefits necessary to enjoy a stable quality of life, without the fear of suffering catastrophic financial hardship. While the State of New Jersey currently provides crucial tax relief to these veterans in the form of a total property tax exemption for veterans with 100 percent service-connected disabilities, this assistance is unfortunately unavailable to veterans who live with similar disabilities in other states. To ensure that all veterans throughout the country receive property tax relief commensurate with the severity of their disabilities, there is an urgent need for the federal government to enact legislation to provide proportional property tax relief for honorably discharged veterans having a service-connected permanent disability. The provision of proportional property tax relief would entitle veterans with a service-connected disability to an annual property tax benefit based on a designated percentage of the property taxes paid by the veteran, as determined by the veteran's disability rating assigned by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. However, to ensure that these benefits target the veterans most in need of assistance, this proportional property tax relief should be limited to those veterans with annual income up to $200,000, and the federal benefits should only be provided for the principal residences of eligible veterans. In providing this proportional property tax relief, the federal government would honor its duty and obligation to support the selfless men and women who sacrificed their well-being for the betterment of this great nation. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| 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 |
| A2138 | Requires DMVA to develop mobile application to provide guidance on available resources to veterans and their families. | This bill requires the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to develop a mobile application for veterans and their families. The mobile application will be a resource guide and will provide veterans and their families with information related to veterans' legal rights, medical and insurance issues, education, housing, the transition from active to civilian life. The guide should have substantially the same information as available on the DMVA website, A Resource Guide for New Jersey's Military, Veterans and Families, and New Jersey Veterans Benefits Guide. Making these resources available through a mobile application will provide veterans with an additional avenue to access DMVA resources. The content on mobile applications generally loads faster than websites, and mobile applications are easier to use than websites and will provide veterans with a better user experience. | In Committee |
| A4924 | Requires school districts to provide instruction on keyboarding. | This bill requires each school district to incorporate instruction on keyboarding for students in grades kindergarten through six as part of the district's implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Career Readiness, Life Literacies, and Key Skills. The instruction is to include learning activities and resources designed to ensure a student is able to type a minimum of one page in a single sitting by the end of grade six. Many school districts have removed keyboarding from the curriculum due to students having access to technology prior to entering the State's public schools. According to data from the United States Department of Education, in 2000, nearly 44 percent of high school graduates had taken a formal keyboarding course. By 2019, that number had declined to two and a half percent. Many students utilize tablets and smartphones, and have become dependent on looking down at their hands when using a physical keyboard. Keyboarding, however, has become a crucial technical skill necessary for success in both school and the workplace. The ability to type increases a student's ability to achieve in environments dependent on technology. Students with better typing skills can score higher on standardized tests as they can focus more on the test content rather than the keyboard. Keyboarding as a part of the curriculum may also help to support digital equity, and provide more equal opportunities in the classroom, as well as career opportunities in the future. | In Committee |
| A4923 | Prohibits seller from charging credit card surcharges; establishes notice requirements for credit card minimums and cash discounts. | This bill prohibits a seller from imposing a credit card surcharge on a customer using a credit card for a transaction occurring in the State. Under current law, a seller may impose a credit card surcharge that is no greater than the actual cost to the seller to process the credit card payment. The bill also establishes certain notice requirements for sellers that condition the acceptance of a credit card on a minimum transaction amount and for sellers that offer a discount on transactions to induce payment by cash, check, or debit card rather than by credit card. The bill does not apply to the existing notice requirements for motor fuel retail dealers that sell similar fuels at different prices to customers that use cash and customers that use credit cards. | In Committee |
| A4906 | Limits use of restrictions on telephone calls as discipline measure during incarceration. | This bill is in response to the recommendations made by the New Jersey Office of the Corrections Ombudsperson in its April 2024 report titled, "Visits and Phone Calls," and provides for limiting the use of suspension of telephone privileges as a disciplinary measure for incarcerated persons. The bill establishes rules and regulations concerning disciplinary sanctions that limit the use of telephone privileges of an incarcerated person. Pursuant to the bill, in instances where a disciplinary sanction suspending telephone privileges is imposed on an incarcerated person, the Administrator of the correctional facility will allow the incarcerated person at least one opportunity every two weeks to place a telephone call. The Administrator will also either notify the emergency contact of the incarcerated person, or allow the incarcerated person to notify the emergency contact, that telephone access has been suspended. Further, no suspension of telephone privileges will exceed 90 consecutive days and will not exceed 180 days in a given year of incarceration. The Commissioner must also ensure that suspension of telephone privileges will not be imposed on an incarcerated person who has been placed in a Restorative Housing Unit. Finally, no telephone sanctions will be imposed within 60 days of the date that the incarcerated person is scheduled to be released. If sanctions were imposed prior to 60 days before release date, the sanctions will be terminated for the 60 day period before release. The Commissioner may adopt rules and regulations as necessary to implement this act. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| A1813 | Prohibits delivery of electronic smoking devices and tobacco products to individuals under 21 years of age. | Prohibits delivery of electronic smoking devices and tobacco products to individuals under 21 years of age. | Crossed Over |
| A3591 | Makes it fourth degree crime to engage in certain tracking and location activities. | This bill would make it a crime of the fourth degree for a person, in order to initiate or facilitate an unlawful act, to knowingly install or place, or cause to be installed or placed, an electronic tracking device or tracking application to track or determine the location of another person. A crime of the fourth degree is generally punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. The bill defines an "electronic tracking device" as "any device designed or intended to be used for the sole purpose of tracking the location or movement of a person that reveals its location or movement by the transmission of electronic signals"; and a "tracking application" as "any computer application software installed or otherwise operational on a computer or mobile device that is used to surreptitiously track and transmit to another person the movement or determine the location of the computer or mobile device." There would be a permissive inference (for consideration by a jury) that the use of a tracking device or application to conduct surreptitious surveillance of another person was to initiate or facilitate an unlawful act, such as stalking pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1992, c.209 (C.2C:12-10) or harassment pursuant to N.J.S.2C:33-4. The bill would exempt actions involving State or local government entities and equipment owned, leased, or operated by those entities, as the bill indicates that the provisions which criminalize tracking or location spotting activities would not be applicable to such entities. The bill also provides that several enumerated parties, and in some cases specific uses tied to those parties, would be deemed to be lawful tracking or location spotting of a person. These parties and their lawful uses would include: - a parent or guardian of a minor child for the purpose of tracking or determining the location of the minor child; - for the purpose of monitoring, tracking, or locating a person who, due to a physical or mental health condition, may be at risk of injury or death; - a person in order to track or locate personal property during a lawful business transaction in which the person's personal property is in the temporary possession or otherwise under the control of a third party; - a person collecting consumer location data as part of a lawful business practice, so long as the use is disclosed in a terms of use policy, privacy policy, or similar document or form made available to the consumer; - an employer for the purpose of tracking an employee or vehicle used by an employee while engaged in the course of employment when not prohibited by State or federal law or regulation. The bill adds that a failure by an employer to comply with the written notice requirement to use a tracking device in a vehicle used by an employee in accordance with the provisions of section 1 of P.L.2021, c.449 (C.34:6B-22) or failure to comply with any other requirements in order to track an employee or vehicle used by an employee pursuant to another State or federal law or regulation would only be considered a violation of that law or regulation, and not punishable as a crime pursuant to this section; and - any person who has obtained the consent of the person to be tracked or located, which consent would be required to be provided in writing, in the case of an electronic tracking device, or, in the case of a tracking application, by opting-in to or otherwise affirmatively accepting its use. A person's consent would be presumed to be revoked if: - the person who gave consent and the person who obtained consent are spouses, civil union partners, or domestic partners, and one person has filed a petition for divorce, dissolution of the civil union, or termination of the domestic partnership; or - the person who gave consent or the person who obtained consent has filed an application for a temporary or final restraining order pursuant to the provisions of the "Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991," P.L.1991, c.261 (C.2C:25-17 et al.). | Crossed Over |
| A2158 | Requires institutions of higher education and government employers to provide certain students and employees with information about Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. | This bill requires institutions of higher education and government employers to provide information to certain students and employees, as applicable, concerning the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. The PSLF program is an initiative run by the United States Department of Education which offers student loan forgiveness to individuals who have spent ten years working full time in the public service sector. This bill aims at increasing awareness of the PSLF program for students and employees who may qualify for loan forgiveness under the program. Under this bill, institutions of higher education will be required to provide all students who have outstanding federal student loan debt with information about the PSLF program. This information will be distributed at two points - once during the second-to-last academic semester of a student's program of study, and once during the academic semester in which a student is scheduled to graduate from the institution. Any employer within the State of New Jersey that is considered a qualifying government employer under the PSLF program will be required to provide employees with information about the PSLF program. Employees hired after the date of enactment of this bill will be provided with the information during the explanation of benefits at the beginning of employment. The United States Department of Education advises an annual submission of the PSLF application, therefore employers will also be required to provide employees with information about the PSLF program at least once per calendar year. The information provided to students and employees will include notification of potential eligibility for the PSLF program, provide the Internet address for the PSLF program, and explain the eligibility requirements for the PSLF program pursuant to federal law, 20 U.S.C. s.1087e. With respect to the bill's requirements for government employers, any information about the employer necessary for the employee to fill out the PSLF program application will also be provided to the employees. The information about the PSLF program may be distributed in writing electronically, by regular mail, or in person. The executive director of the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority and Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development will develop a model format for the information. | Crossed Over |
| A2029 | Directs DOE and DOH to develop guidelines for school districts and institutions of higher education concerning student vaping awareness campaigns. | This bill directs the Department of Education (DOE) and the Department of Health (DOH), to develop guidelines for school districts and institutions of higher education that will help facilitate the implementation of on-campus anti-vaping awareness campaigns that target student populations. The purpose of the guidelines is to assist school districts, colleges, and universities in equipping adolescents and young adults with research backed material on the dangers of vaping in effort to combat the increased use of e-cigarettes among adolescents and young adults. The DOE and DOH are to review and update the guidelines annually. The guidelines, at a minimum, are to include recommendations for: (1) implementing an in-school and on-campus multi-tiered anti-vaping campaign that focuses on theories that promote age-appropriate positive behavior change among adolescents and young adults; (2) disseminating research backed materials on the dangers of vaping, as it relates to: its effects on the users' lungs, effects on mental health, how it compares to cigarette smoking, dangers to pregnant women, and its impact on people in the workplace and small children; (3) using decision-making models and decision-making aids to help students make healthy decisions and overcome peer pressure that encourages vaping; and (4) incorporating marketing materials, such as pamphlets, to promote on-campus age-appropriate anti-vaping information to middle school students, high school students, and college age adults. Under this bill, the DOE and DOH are to post the guidelines on the respective website of each department. | Crossed Over |
| A1925 | Modifies languages that examinations are to be conducted in for applicants seeking professional license issued by New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling. | Modifies languages that examinations are to be conducted in for applicants seeking professional license issued by New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling. | Crossed Over |
| A4134 | Requires homemaker-home health aide and nursing assistant certification examinations to be translated into multiple languages. | Requires homemaker-home health aide and nursing assistant certification examinations to be translated into multiple languages. | 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 |
| A3366 | Establishes Women's Menstrual Health Program to identify and assist patients with symptoms related to endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome. | Establishes Women's Menstrual Health Program to identify and assist patients with symptoms related to endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome. | 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 |
| A3887 | Establishes requirements concerning provision of postpartum care, pregnancy loss, and stillbirth information and development of personalized postpartum care plans. | Establishes requirements concerning provision of postpartum care, pregnancy loss, and stillbirth information and development of personalized postpartum care plans. | In Committee |
| AJR48 | Designates third Sunday of November of each year as "World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims" in NJ. | Designates third Sunday of November of each year as "World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims" in NJ. | In Committee |
| A4868 | Establishes "Mental and Behavioral Health for Hispanics and Latinos Act"; appropriates $1 million. | This bill establishes the "Mental and Behavioral Health for Hispanics and Latinos Act." Under the bill, the Commissioner of Health will be required to, in coordination with advocacy and mental and behavioral health organizations serving populations of Hispanic and Latino individuals or communities, develop and implement an outreach and education strategy to promote mental and behavioral health and reduce stigma associated with mental and behavioral health conditions and substance use disorders among Hispanic and Latino populations in this State. The strategy will: be designed to meet the diverse cultural and language needs of the various Hispanic and Latino Populations in the State and be developmentally and age appropriate; increase awareness of symptoms of mental illnesses common among Hispanic and Latino populations, taking into account differences within subgroups; provide information on evidence-based, culturally and linguistically appropriate and adapted interventions and treatments; ensure full participation of, and engage, both consumers and community members in the development and implementation of educational materials on mental and behavioral health; seek to broaden the perspective among both individuals in these communities and stakeholders serving those communities to use a comprehensive public health approach to promoting behavioral health that addresses a holistic view of health by focusing on the intersection between behavioral and physical health; and address the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the mental and behavioral health of the Hispanic and Latino populations. Beginning not later than one year after the date of enactment of the bill and annually thereafter, the Commissioner of Health will prepare and submit to the Governor and the Legislature a report on the extent to which the strategy development and implemented pursuant to the bill improved mental and behavioral health outcomes associated with mental and behavioral health conditions and substance use disorders among Hispanic and Latino populations in this State. The bill appropriates $1,000,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Health to effectuate the purposes of the bill. | In Committee |
| A4870 | Exempts nonresident military spouses from "New Jersey First Act." | The "New Jersey First Act" requires most public employees in New Jersey to be residents of the State. This bill exempts nonresident military spouses from the residency requirement. This bill defines "nonresident military spouse" as a nonresident of this State who is the spouse of an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States who has been transferred to this State in the course of the member's service, is legally domiciled in this State, or has moved to this State on a permanent change-of-station basis. | In Committee |
| A4744 | Requires NJTA, SJTA, EDA, CRDA, PANYNJ, and DRPA to consider minorities and women when hiring or awarding contracts. | This bill requires the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA), South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA), New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA), Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA), Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), and Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA), when offering employment, to consider, and when feasible prioritize, individuals who are minorities and women. The bill also requires the NJTA, SJTA, EDA, CRDA, PANYNJ, and DRPA, when awarding contracts for service, to consider, and when feasible prioritize, minority businesses and women's businesses. Finally, the bill requires the NJTA, SJTA, EDA, CRDA, PANYNJ, and DRPA to publish on their respective Internet websites information concerning: (1) the number of employees employed by the entity by gender, race, and ethnicity, and the average salary range for each group; and (2) the number of contractors the entity has contracted with by gender, race, and ethnicity, and the average contract awarded for each group.The bill requires the information to be maintained and updated on a quarterly basis. The enactment of substantially similar legislation by New York and Pennsylvania, respectively, is required before the bill's provisions concerning the PANYNJ and the DRPA become operative. | In Committee |
| A4720 | Requires Chief Diversity Officer in Department of Treasury and other State officers to conduct certain outreach events, training workshops, and educational programs for minority and women-owned businesses. | Requires Chief Diversity Officer in Department of Treasury and other State officers to conduct certain outreach events, training workshops, and educational programs for minority and women-owned businesses. | In Committee |
| A1424 | Establishes NJT Office of Customer Advocate and Rider Advocacy Commission. | This bill establishes a Rider Advocacy Commission (commission) in, but not of, the Department of Transportation and requires the commission to establish a New Jersey Transit Office of Customer Advocate (office). Similar to the New York City Transit Riders Council, also known as the New York City Transit Authority Advisory Council, which was created by the New York State Legislature in 1981 to represent New York City subway and bus riders, and users of the Staten Island Railway, the office is to investigate, monitor, advocate, promote, and advise on all customer-experience matters pertaining to the operation of the New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJT). The commission is to consist of three members, one member appointed by the Governor, one member appointed by the President of the Senate, and one member appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly. Each member is limited to a five-year term, except that of the members first appointed, the member appointed by the Governor is to be appointed for a one-year term, the member appointed by the President of the Senate is to be appointed for a two-year term, and the member appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly is to be appointed for a three-year term. The commission is empowered to engage and dismiss staff as necessary, including the appointment of a Rider Advocate. The Rider Advocate is the head of the office, is required to report directly to the commission, and has the authority to carry out the purposes of the office, including, with the approval of the commission, temporarily retaining expert assistants as are necessary to protect the interests of NJT customers when exceptional circumstances arise. The responsibilities of the office include: (1) providing information and analysis to the NJT board of directors, Governor, and Legislature concerning the actual or anticipated impact of any NJT board or NJT actions on NJT's customers; (2) providing customer input and feedback to the NJT board, Governor, and Legislature, including relaying the needs and concerns of customers to the NJT board, Governor, and Legislature; and (3) representing the interests of NJT's customers as determined by the Rider Advocate. The office has the authority to conduct investigations; initiate studies; conduct research; present comments and testimony before the NJT board of directors, legislative committees, and other governmental bodies; prepare and issue reports; and undertake any other actions that further the purposes of the office. The office is also required to conduct meetings with NJT customers, which are to occur at least on a monthly basis, and would allow for a remote attendance option, for the purpose of relaying the concerns and needs of customers to the NJT board of directors and, when the Rider Advocate deems appropriate, to the executive management team of NJT. In addition, the office would also be required to allow for public input on NJT operations and experiences at any time, through the office's official Internet website and through voicemail. The office is also required to represent the interests of NJT's customers in areas such as proposed fare increases, proposed substantial curtailment of services, and any proposed expansion of service. Funds for the expenses of the commission and office are to be provided by the State Treasurer, as appropriated by the Legislature, and are to be independent of funds for the NJT. On or before March 31 of each year, the commission in consultation with the Rider Advocate is required to prepare and submit a report to the Governor and Legislature on the activities of the commission and office for the previous calendar year, including any reports provided to the NJT board of directors. The bill repeals a provision of law requiring NJT to employ a customer advocate. | In Committee |
| A3260 | Directs Department of Agriculture in consultation with DOE, to establish Internet-based school meals application. | Directs Department of Agriculture, in consultation with DOE, to establish Internet-based school meals application. | In Committee |
| A4191 | Protects access to assisted reproductive technology. | This bill provides every woman in this State the fundamental right to choose whether to use assisted reproductive technology (ART). Under current law, the State provides the fundamental right to choose or refuse contraception or sterilization, or to choose whether to carry a pregnancy, to give birth, or to terminate a pregnancy. Under the bill, the fundamental rights related to reproductive health choice in the State are expanded to include the use of ART. ART includes, but is not limited to, in vitro fertilization (IVF). This legislation is in response to the Alabama Supreme Court ruling in LePage v. Mobile Infirmary Clinic, P.C. (Docket No. SC-2022-0515, SC-2022-0579), decided in February 2024. In LePage, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that embryos are "extrauterine children," finding that that the state's "'Wrongful Death of A Minor Act' applies on its face to all unborn children, without limitation." This holding could have widespread implications for anyone in Alabama who is seeking or provides IVF. New Jersey has long been a State that supports, and provides protections for, the reproductive freedom of its citizens, including the right to make the choice of whether to start or expand a family through IVF. | Crossed Over |
| A3416 | Provides gross income tax deduction to eligible educators and paraprofessionals for expense of classroom supplies. | This bill provides a gross income tax deduction to eligible educators and paraprofessionals employed by a New Jersey elementary or secondary school for certain expenses incurred by the educator or paraprofessional for classroom supplies during the taxable year. This New Jersey gross income tax deduction is modeled on the federal income tax deduction for educator expenses allowed under section 62 of the federal Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. s.62). The bill defines an "eligible educator" as an individual who is employed as a kindergarten through grade 12 teacher, instructor, counselor, speech language specialist, or principal by a public or private school located in this State for at least 900 hours during a school year. The bill defines a "paraprofessional" as an individual who is employed as a school aide or classroom aide who assists a teaching staff member with the supervision of pupil activities by a public or private school located in the State that provides elementary education or secondary education. The bill also allows the deduction of unreimbursed expenditures by an eligible educator or paraprofessional for supplies (other than nonathletic supplies for courses of instruction in health or physical education), books, computer equipment, including related software and services, and other equipment and supplementary materials used by the eligible educator or paraprofessional in the classroom. | Crossed Over |
| A4730 | Permits court to admit evidence of prior offenses in certain criminal prosecutions. | This bill permits the admission of evidence of prior acts of domestic violence, child abuse, and sex offenses in prosecutions for those offenses. The bill permits this evidence to be introduced by the prosecution, but not to be offered to prove conduct on a specific occasion. The bill provides that the evidence may be admitted only after a determination by the trial judge that the evidence is admissible under Rule 403 of the New Jersey Rules of Evidence. Evidence of prior wrongs, crimes, or acts typically is inadmissible in criminal actions. There are exceptions to this rule and the bill would create additional exceptions in criminal prosecutions for domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual offenses. Prosecution of these offenses present unique challenges because offenders rarely commit the offenses in front of witnesses or with recording devices in use, so the availability of corroborating evidence tends to be limited. The rules of evidence in a number of jurisdictions in the United States allow the admission of prior acts of domestic violence including California, Alaska, Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, Oregon, Texas, and Wisconsin, and sexual assault, including California, Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin. Some jurisdictions allow the evidence for any relevant purpose, such as propensity, while other jurisdictions allow this evidence to provide context to the existing relationship. The proposed evidence rule changes would bring New Jersey in line with these other jurisdictions, provide relevant, probative evidence of an offender's guilt, and refute common defenses that historically have enabled offenders to evade accountability. Bolstering the amount of compelling and relevant evidence available in these cases will increase the likelihood of successful prosecution of domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault offenders, diminishing the serious public safety threat they present. | In Committee |
| A4740 | Establishes new mitigating factor for defendant who is survivor of abuse. | This bill establishes a new mitigating factor that the court may consider when sentencing certain defendants who are survivors of abuse. The bill incorporates the recommendation in Part B of the New Jersey Criminal Sentencing and Disposition Commission's third report, dated March 2023, to create a new mitigating factor for survivors of abuse. Under current law, N.J.S.2C:44-1 enumerates 14 mitigating factors that a court may consider in determining the appropriate sentence to impose on a criminal defendant. These mitigating factors do not include consideration of whether the defendant suffered from physical, sexual, or psychological abuse. The bill amends the current law to establish an additional mitigating factor that a court may consider in determining the appropriate sentence to impose on a defendant who has been convicted of a crime. Specifically, under the bill, the court may also consider whether the defendant suffered physical, sexual, or emotional abuse and that such abuse was a contributing factor to the defendant's criminal behavior. | In Committee |
| A1941 | Requires Commission on Human Trafficking to post public awareness signage in additional establishments. | Requires Commission on Human Trafficking to post public awareness signage in additional establishments. | In Committee |
| A4695 | Creates Office of Nonprofit Ombudsperson in Department of Treasury; appropriates $329,000. | This bill creates the Office of the Nonprofit Ombudsperson in but not of the Department of the Treasury. The purpose of the ombudsperson is to provide information and assistance to, and act as an advocate for, nonprofit organizations interacting with State agencies. The office will be independent of any supervision or control by the Department of the Treasury or any board or officer thereof, or any other cabinet-level department, board, or officer thereof. Under the bill, the Governor will appoint a Nonprofit Ombudsperson, who is qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of the office, and be a person of recognized judgment, integrity, and objectivity who is skilled in communication, conflict resolution, and professionalism. The ombudsperson will organize and direct the work of the office, including creating and maintaining a website, and serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The ombudsperson will: 1) participate in, monitor, and report on the participating State agencies' compliance with the nonprofit information center portal established in the Department of State that provides information accessible on the internet for nonprofit organizations regarding various resources available to assist them in their daily operations; 2) communicate and consult regularly with nonprofit organizations operating in the State and associations representing these nonprofit organizations; 3) provide technical assistance to nonprofit organizations to assist in compliance with the regulations of State agencies; 4) investigate complaints from nonprofit organizations about State agencies, and assist these nonprofit organizations in seeking a resolution; 5) report nonprofit organizations' concerns and recommendations to the heads of the various State agencies; and 6) develop and share innovative procurement and contracting practices to increase opportunities for nonprofit organizations. The bill also amends the law that created the nonprofit information center portal in the Department of State to provide information accessible on the internet for nonprofit organizations. The bill requires the Office of the Nonprofit Ombudsperson to participate in the nonprofit information center portal and monitor the designated home website of each department and agency participating in the nonprofit information center portal. The bill requires the Office of the Nonprofit Ombudsperson to submit an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature detailing the activities and compliance issues of State agencies with respect to the requirements of the law establishing the nonprofit information center portal. Finally, the bill appropriates $329,000 from the General Fund to the Department of the Treasury to support the costs of establishing and operating the Office of the Nonprofit Ombudsperson. | In Committee |
| A2280 | Codifies prohibition of discriminatory practices in real estate appraisals and requires real estate appraisers to complete anti-bias training. | An Act concerning discriminatory practices in real estate appraisals and supplementing and amending P.L.1991, c.68. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| 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 |
| S2869 | Establishes penalties for employers who disclose or threaten to disclose employee's immigration status for purpose of concealing violation of State wage, benefit or tax laws. | This bill provides that if the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development finds that an employer has, for the purpose of concealing any violation of State wage, benefit and tax laws, disclosed or threatened to disclose to a public body an employee's immigration status, the commissioner is, in addition to imposing any other remedies or penalties authorized by law, authorized to assess and collect an administrative penalty against the employer. Specifically, the bill provides for administrative penalties as follows: (1) for the first violation, an administrative penalty not to exceed $1,000; (2) for the second violation, an administrative penalty not to exceed $5,000; and (3) for any subsequent violation, an administrative penalty not to exceed $10,000. When determining the amount of the administrative penalty imposed pursuant to the bill's provisions, the commissioner may consider factors which include the history of previous violations by the employer, the seriousness of the violation, the good faith of the employer and the size of the employer's business. The commissioner may not levy an administrative penalty pursuant to the bill's provisions unless the commissioner provides the alleged violator with notification of the violation and of the amount of administrative penalty, and unless the commissioner provides the alleged violator an opportunity to request a hearing before the commissioner or the commissioner's designee. Establishes penalties for employers who disclose or threaten to disclose employee's immigration status for purpose of concealing violation of State wage, benefit or tax laws. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A3861 | "Louisa Carman Medical Debt Relief Act." | An Act concerning the report and collection of medical debt and supplementing P.L.1997, c.172 (C.56:11-28 et seq.). | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A3772 | Revises process for property tax lien holder to foreclose right to redeem a property tax lien; allows property owner to protect remaining equity. | An Act revising the process for a property tax lien holder to foreclose the right to redeem a property tax lien, amending various parts of the statutory law, and supplementing chapter 5 of Title 54 of the Revised Statutes and P.L.1948, c.96 (C.54:5-104.29 et seq.). | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4425 | Authorizes NJ Infrastructure Bank to expend certain sums to make loans for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2025. | An Act authorizing the expenditure of funds by the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank for the purpose of making loans to eligible project sponsors to finance a portion of the cost of construction of environmental infrastructure projects, and making an appropriation. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| AR146 | Encourages institutions of higher education to address lack of representation of Hispanic and Latino leadership in higher education. | This resolution encourages institutions of higher education in New Jersey and across the United States to address the lack of representation of Hispanic and Latino presidents of institutions of higher education. Colleges and universities in New Jersey and across the country have seen significant increases in enrollment of Hispanic and Latino undergraduate students in recent decades. Currently, approximately 20 percent of undergraduate students in the United States and approximately 25 percent of undergraduate students in New Jersey identify as Hispanic or Latino. However, while college enrollments increasingly reflect the rich diversity of this State and nation as a whole, the leadership in institutions of higher education does not. In 2023, only six percent of presidents of institutions of higher education in the United States identified as Hispanic or Latino and there is currently only one Latino president leading an institution of higher education in New Jersey. The lack of diverse leadership among institutions of higher education is of great concern as creating a leadership team that is reflective of the student body is critical to promoting inclusivity and belongingness among students, understanding students' diverse needs and interests, and ensuring students feel safe, seen, and heard. Thus, this resolution encourages institutions of higher education in New Jersey and across the United States to address the lack of representation of Hispanic and Latino leadership in higher education by establishing and expanding leadership development programs, enhancing the diversity of governing boards and search committees, and actively engaging with organizations dedicated to the advancement of Hispanic and Latino leaders in higher education. | In Committee |
| A4081 | Establishes penalties for employers who disclose or threaten to disclose employee's immigration status for purpose of concealing violation of State wage, benefit or tax laws. | Establishes penalties for employers who disclose or threaten to disclose employee's immigration status for purpose of concealing violation of State wage, benefit or tax laws. | In Committee |
| AR138 | Designates June 2024 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in New Jersey. | This Assembly resolution designates June 2024 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in New Jersey, in recognition of the achievements, contributions, struggles, and humanity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, non-binary, and pansexual (LGBTQIA+) individuals. Public officials and citizens of New Jersey are respectfully urged to commemorate LGBTQIA+ Pride Month 2024 with appropriate activities. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A2027 | Establishes One-Year State Work First New Jersey Menstrual Hygiene Benefit Pilot Program and State Work First New Jersey Diaper Benefit Pilot Program; appropriates $2.5 million to DHS. | An Act concerning a monthly State benefit for menstrual hygiene products and diaper products under the Work First New Jersey Program, supplementing P.L.1997, c.38 (C.44:10-55), and making an appropriation. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| A4655 | Codifies authority for certain health care providers to provide abortions and clarifies certain operational requirements for abortion facilities. | This bill codifies the authority of physician assistants, certified nurse midwives, certified midwives, and advanced practice nurses to provide abortions. Under the bill, physician assistants can perform aspiration abortions consistent with the physician assistant's scope of practice, which can include the administration of sedation consistent with the physician assistant's scope of practice and training and a physician assistant can order, prescribe, dispense, and administer medication abortions. Under the bill, certified nurse midwives and certified midwives can perform aspiration abortions, which may include the administration of moderate sedation, consistent with their scope of practice and training and consistent with regulations of the applicable licensing board. A certified nurse midwife authorized to prescribe drugs pursuant to section 2 of P.L. 1991, c. 97 (C.45:10-18), may order, prescribe, dispense, and administer medication abortions. A certified nurse midwife who is not authorized to prescribe drugs pursuant to section 2 of P.L. 1991, c. 97 (C.45:10-18) or a certified midwife may provide medication abortions if the use of the medication is authorized by a standing order issued by a physician. Under the bill, advanced practice nurses may perform aspiration abortions, which may include the administration of moderate sedation, and administer medication abortions consistent with the advanced practice nurse's scope of practice and training and consistent with regulations of the New Jersey Board of Nursing. The bill provides that an abortion facility will not be required to be an ambulatory surgical facility or a surgical practice license, to the extent that the facility performs abortion procedures that do not require general anesthesia or an operating room, and such services may be performed in procedure rooms. An entity seeking licensure as an ambulatory care facility or a surgical practice at which early aspiration abortions would be performed will not be subject to certain limitations under current law for ambulatory care facilities, so long as the facility or surgical practice adheres to all applicable regulations with respect to the standard of care. | In Committee |
| A3797 | "CJ's Law"; Criminalizes manufacture, sale, and possession of substances containing kratom. | This bill, designated as "CJ's Law," would criminalize the manufacture, possession and sale of products containing kratom. Kratom, as known as mitragyna speciosa korth, mitragynine extract, biak-biak, cratom, gratom, ithang, kakuam, katawn, kedemba, ketum, krathom, krton, mambog, madat, Maeng da leaf, nauclea, or Nauclea Speciosa, is a botanical substance that grows naturally in Southeast Asia. The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises that kratom poses a threat to public health and has the potential for abuse. Kratom is frequently marketed on the Internet for its psychoactive and opioid-like analgesic effects, and for use in the treatment of morphine and heroin addiction. However, kratom is not approved in the United States for any medical use. In a statement released in April 2022, the FDA warned the public against using kratom, warning that the substance "affects the same opioid brain receptors as morphine" and that it appears to have "properties that expose users to the risks of addiction, abuse, and dependence." According to the FDA, scientific literature has disclosed serious concerns regarding the toxicity of kratom in multiple organ systems, with consumption leading to a number of health issues, including depressed respiratory function, nervousness, agitation, aggression, sleeplessness, hallucinations, delusions, loss of libido, tremors, skin hyperpigmentation, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and severe withdrawal signs and symptoms. Currently, possession and distribution of kratom is not barred by federal or New Jersey law. However, the FDA Import Alert # 54-15 provides guidance for FDA field personnel regarding the detention of dietary supplements and bulk dietary ingredients that contain kratom. The FDA has also issued a number of warning letters and conducted seizures of illegally sold, unapproved, or misbranded drug products containing kratom that make unproven claims about their ability to treat or cure opioid addiction and withdrawal symptoms. Kratom is banned or its uses restricted in several countries, including Australia, Denmark, Finland, France , Germany, Israel, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. Kratom is also illegal in several states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Several states have passed laws restricting its sale and use, while several other states have introduced legislation that would ban this drug. This bill amends existing law to include kratom as a controlled dangerous substance and to sets out gradations for crimes involving the substance. The bill would make it a crime of the second degree to manufacture, distribute or dispense, or possess or have under one's control with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense, a substance containing kratom in an amount of one ounce or more, including adulterants and dilutants. A crime of the second degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of five to 10 years, a fine of up to $150,000, or both. It would be a crime of the third degree to manufacture, distribute or dispense, or possess or have under one's control with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense a substance containing kratom in an amount of less than one ounce, including adulterants and dilutants. 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. Under the bill, the possession of one ounce or more, including adulterants and dilutants, of a substance containing kratom would be a crime of the third degree, and possession of less than one ounce, including adulterants and dilutants, would be a crime of the fourth degree. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. CJ's Law is designated in remembrance of Christopher James (CJ) Holowach, who died at age 33 from cardiac arrest caused by mixture of drugs that included his physician prescribed Adderol and kratom. While awaiting arm surgery, CJ Holowach consumed kratom to numb his arm pain without jeopardizing his recovery from opioid addiction. However, he was unaware of the dangers of kratom as the supplement's bottle provided no warning labels or suggestions on safe dosage amounts. Kratom is marketed in a way to make it appear to be a safe herbal pain supplement, when it poses serious health risks. Further, addiction experts warn, echoing the sentiments of FDA warnings, that kratom can be highly addictive and create risk of abuse and dependence. It is the sponsor's hope that this bill will stop the sale of kratom in New Jersey, avoiding further tragedies including death. | In Committee |
| A3908 | Increases personal needs allowance to $140 for low-income persons residing in certain facilities. | This bill increases the monthly personal needs allowance (PNA), from the current rate of $50, pursuant to the FY 2024 Appropriations Act, to $140 for residents of nursing homes, State and county psychiatric hospitals, and State developmental centers. This allowance is intended for residents to spend at their discretion on items such as telephone expenses, a meal out with friends, cards to send to family, reading materials, or hobbies. The PNA provides residents the opportunity to participate in activities beyond those provided by the facility, to remain connected with family and friends, and to obtain basic items such as clothing and shoes. The bill also stipulates that beginning January 1 of the following year after the bill's enactment, the PNA is to be increased annually by the same percentage as the cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security benefits for that year. In the case of residents eligible to receive SSI public assistance, a federal income supplement program designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people with little to no income, the federal government provides up to $30 a month for small comfort items not provided by the facility. The State currently supplements the federal allowance by $20 to ensure that SSI recipients residing in nursing facilities, State and county psychiatric hospitals, and State developmental centers receive a total PNA per month equal to that of Medicaid recipients, or $50. Under the bill, absent any changes in the federal allowance, the State would be responsible for a $90 per month supplemental payment for each SSI recipient. | In Committee |
| A3567 | Requires each public institution of higher education to convene menstrual equity task force. | Requires each public institution of higher education to convene menstrual equity task force. | In Committee |
| A4012 | Establishes minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate for structured day program services provided to beneficiary eligible for brain injury services. | This bill amends existing law, which established minimum Medicaid reimbursement rates for brain injury services, to include structured day program services. Current law is limited to community residential services. Under existing law, "brain injury service" means community-based services, residential services, day care services, and home care services provided to a Medicaid beneficiary requiring treatment for traumatic or non-traumatic brain injuries, regardless of whether such services are provided through the Medicaid fee-for-service delivery system or the managed care delivery system. Specifically, the bill requires the Medicaid per diem or encounter reimbursement rates for Structured Day Program Services provided to a Medicaid beneficiary requiring treatment for a brain injury, approximately $3.65 for every 15 minutes of services, when such services are provided by an approved brain injury service provider, to be equal to the average of the reimbursement rates for Day Habilitation Services - Tiers D and Tier E provided to a Medicaid beneficiary eligible for services provided by the Division of Developmental Disabilities in the Department of Human Services, currently at $9.38 for every 15 minutes of service. | In Committee |
| A4601 | Requires health insurance and Medicaid coverage for reproductive health care services; prohibits adverse actions by medical malpractice insurers in relation to performance of health care services. | This bill 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 the termination of pregnancies. Under the bill, "pregnancy" is defined as the period of the human reproductive process beginning with the implantation of a fertilized egg. The bill provides that, upon request of a religious employer, health insurers are required to grant an exclusion if the coverage conflicts with the religious employer's bona fide religious beliefs and practices. "Religious employer" is defined in the bill to mean an organization that is referred to in section 6033(a)(3)(A)(i) or (iii) of the federal Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. s.6033), and that is organized and operates as a nonprofit entity. Additionally, the bill provides that any State program that provides benefits for pregnancy-related care will also provide benefits for the termination of a pregnancy. Lastly, under the bill, medical malpractice insurers are barred from taking any adverse action, including loss of coverage, sanctions, fines, penalties, or rate increases, against an insured for providing or facilitating reproductive health care services or gender-affirming health care services based solely on the fact that the patient receiving the service is a resident of a state where providing or facilitating the activity is illegal. | In Committee |
| A4538 | Prohibits public institutions of higher education from increasing resident undergraduate tuition by more than two percent over prior academic year. | This bill prohibits a public institution of higher education from increasing the institution's resident undergraduate tuition rates for any academic year by more than two percent over the institution's resident undergraduate tuition rates for the prior academic year. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| AJR186 | Designates month of July as "Diverse Business Month" in New Jersey. | This joint resolution designates the month of July of each year as "Diverse Business Month" in support of diverse-owned businesses in the State of New Jersey. Businesses owned by persons of color, women, veterans, and members of the LGBTQ+ community are an essential part of New Jersey's economy. Persons of color own 21.7 percent of business in the State, while women and veterans own 39.6 and 4.2 percent of the State's businesses respectively. With the passage of P.L.2024, c.10, which allows certain businesses to identify as an LGBTQ+ owned business, more than 150 business in the State are also LGBTQ+ certified businesses. The large number of diverse-owned businesses in the State also contributes to the significant economic output that diverse-owned businesses provide nationally. Among businesses owned by persons of color alone, over $1.3 trillion in receipts were generated nationally in 2020, according to the United States Census Bureau. Despite their large economic impact, diverse-owned businesses in the State continue to face certain challenges to growth, which include limited access to capital. Additionally, a Statewide study examining the availability and utilization of State contracting opportunities for diverse-owned businesses found significant disparities for diverse-owned businesses in formal prime contracts for construction, professional services, and general goods and services. It is thus in the public interest of this State to raise awareness of the positive economic impact of businesses owned by persons of color, women, veterans, and members of the LGBTQ+ community and to focus on ways to support diverse-owned businesses. The observance of a "Diverse Business Month" each year will provide an opportunity for government officials, community leaders, and business leaders to focus on ways to support diverse business owners and to help them succeed. | 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 |
| A4524 | Creates crime of incest. | This bill would establish a third degree crime of incest that may be prosecuted separately from or in addition to other sexual offenses, such as sexual assault (N.J.S.2C:14-2) or endangering the welfare of children (N.J.S.2C:24-4). Under current law, the crime of sexual assault does not apply to incestuous acts between consenting adults. Under the bill, a person commits the crime of incest if the person marries or commits an act of sexual penetration with a person's ancestor or descendant, a sibling, a sibling of the person's parent (i.e., aunt or uncle), or a child of the person's sibling (i.e., niece or nephew). These relationships enumerated in the bill would include blood relationships of the whole or half blood, without regard to legitimacy or relationship of parent and child by adoption. 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. Incest was previously a crime under State law, N.J.S.A.2A:114-1 and 2A:114-2, but those laws were repealed by P.L.1978, c.95. | In Committee |
| A4463 | Provides for rehabilitative release for certain incarcerated persons. | This bill provides for the rehabilitative release of certain incarcerated persons. Under the bill, the Department of Corrections (DOC) is required to issue a Certificate of Eligibility for Rehabilitative Release (certificate) to any incarcerated person who: (1) is at least 60 years of age, and has served at least 20 years in custody on the sentence imposed for the offense or offenses of which the incarcerated person was convicted; or (2) if convicted of murder, is at least 62 years of age and has served at least 30 years in custody. An incarcerated person who has been issued a certificate, and has not previously sought relief under the bill, may petition the court for rehabilitative release. The Office of the Public Defender is required to represent the incarcerated person, unless the incarcerated person retains other counsel. At least 60 days prior to the date of issuance of a certificate, the DOC is required to notify the State Parole Board of its intent to issue the certificate. The superintendent or other chief executive officer of the institution in which the incarcerated person is held is required to prepare a report for any incarcerated person issued a certificate under the bill for consideration by the court at a hearing for rehabilitative release. In accordance with the provisions of the bill, a hearing on a petition for rehabilitative release is to be held in the Superior Court in the county in which the incarcerated person was originally sentenced and in accordance with the Rules of Court. In addition to other service requirements under the bill, the county prosecutor or the director, as appropriate, is required to provide a copy of the petition for rehabilitative release to any victim or family member of a victim entitled to notice relating to a parole or the consideration of a parole under current law. The victim or family member also is to be notified of their opportunity to supplement the report to be issued under the bill with a statement attached to the report, a written or videotaped statement at the hearing on the petition, or to testify to the court at the time of the hearing. Upon consideration of a petition and following a hearing, the Superior Court may modify, reduce, or suspend an incarcerated person's sentence if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that: · the incarcerated person is not a danger to the safety of any person or the community; · the incarcerated person demonstrates a readiness for reentry, which shall be demonstrated by, among other things, significant efforts to participate in educational, therapeutic, or vocational opportunities while incarcerated; and · the interests of justice warrant a sentence modification. The court is required to issue a written order stating the reasons for granting or denying modification. In determining whether the foregoing standards are met, the court is required to consider a list of factors enumerated in the bill. An incarcerated person who receives a modified sentence under the bill also is to be sentenced to a five-year term of parole supervision. An order for rehabilitative release under the bill is not to become final for 10 days in order to permit the prosecution an opportunity to appeal the court's order. A petitioner may also appeal a denied petition. | In Committee |
| A4477 | Establishes affirmative defense to prosecution for any crime committed by victim of human trafficking under certain circumstances. | This bill establishes an affirmative defense to prosecution for crimes committed by a victim of human trafficking under certain circumstances. Under current law, it is a defense to a prosecution for the following crimes if the perpetrator of the offense is a victim of human trafficking: human trafficking; providing services, resources, or assistance with the knowledge that the services, resources, or assistance are intended to be used in furtherance of the commission of the crime of human trafficking; and prostitution and related offenses. This bill establishes an affirmative defense for human trafficking victims charged with any offense enumerated in Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes if: (1) during the time of the alleged commission of the offense, the defendant was a victim of human trafficking; and (2) the crime was committed as a direct result of the human trafficking offense that was committed against the defendant. The bill further provides that an affirmative defense under the bill is not precluded based solely on the lack of a conviction for the underlying human trafficking offense committed against the victim. | In Committee |
| A4471 | Directs Office of Public Defender to provide legal representation for certain criminal contempt violations. | This bill would expand the duties of the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) to include providing legal representation for indigent defendants charged with certain contempt violations for certain domestic violence orders. Under current law, the OPD is charged with providing legal representation to any indigent defendant charged with committing an indictable offense, and any person charged with a disorderly persons offense or with the violation of any law, ordinance or regulation of a penal nature where there is a likelihood that the persons charged, if convicted, will be subject to imprisonment or any other consequence of magnitude. A person charged with contempt under N.J.S.A.2C:29-9 for violating any provision in an order entered under the provisions of the "Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991," P.L.1991, c.261 (C.2C:25-17 et al.) or an order entered under a substantially similar law of another state, could be convicted of a crime of the fourth degree, or a disorderly persons offense, which could result in imprisonment, or other "consequence of magnitude." This bill would direct the OPD to provide representation to any indigent defendant charged with a violation of the contempt statute for certain domestic violence order violations. Currently, certain domestic violence orders do not subject a violator to a charge of contempt, which include orders relating to parenting time, orders requiring the defendant to pay to the victim monetary compensation for losses suffered as a direct result of the act of domestic violence, order requiring the defendant to receive professional domestic violence counseling, and orders requiring that the defendant make or continue to make rent or mortgage payments on the residence. Under this bill, a violation of these orders will not entitle a person to representation by the Public Defender. This bill would implement recommendation 29 of the report of the Reconvened Joint Committee on Criminal Justice issued in June 2023. | In Committee |
| A3753 | Imposes time constraints on submission and analysis of rape kits. | Imposes time constraints on submission and analysis of rape kits. | 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 |
| A4369 | Permits 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in elections for local school board. | Under current law, any person who is at least 18 years of age, who is a citizen of the United States, and who is a resident of the district in which they wish to vote, is entitled to register and vote in elections in this State. This bill permits 16 and 17-year-olds, who are U.S. citizens and residents of New Jersey, to vote only in their local school elections for school board members. The bill does not allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in any other election. The bill directs the Secretary of State to promulgate rules that: (1) create a registration form and a process to register 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in school board elections, which conforms as nearly as possible to the equivalent form and process utilized for all other eligible voters; (2) establish a method of verifying the identity of registered 16 and 17-year-old voters which conforms as nearly as possible to the methods utilized for all other eligible voters; (3) provide for the design of paper ballots on which 16 and 17-year-olds may vote for school board members; and (4) ensure the provisions of this act are implemented effectively and in a manner compatible with all other elections held in this State. This bill does not require action on the part of any school board or municipality in order to implement its provisions. | In Committee |
| A3891 | Creates new level of barbering license and apprenticeships in barbering, and establishes limits to hours of instruction for certain barbering training. | This bill establishes a general barbering license and a barbering apprenticeship. As a general barber, an individual can perform the following services: (1) shampooing, cutting, including clipper cutting, and styling of the hair; (2) shaving or trimming of the beard, mustache, or other facial hair; and (3) massaging, cleansing, or stimulating the face. In the bill, a barbering or general barbering apprenticeship is two years. To be a barbering or general barbering apprentice, an individual has to show proof of being at least 17 years of age, of good moral character, and of being free of any communicable, contagious or infectious disease. A shop approved by the board to host an apprenticeship is to meet requirements established in current law and in the bill in regards to licensure as a shop and the employment of the proper professionals to oversee the management of the shop. An apprenticeship, under the bill, can be for an individual seeking a barbering license or a general barbering license. Upon completion of the apprenticeship, an individual is given the option to apply for licensure by the board. Lastly, hours to train as a general barber are established in the bill to not exceed 550 hours of instruction. As part of the 550 hours of instruction, general barbering applicants are to be trained in shears-over-comb techniques, shop management, ethics, and a review of State laws and regulations. | Crossed Over |
| 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 |
| A4379 | "Beverage Container Deposit Act"; requires use of returnable beverage containers in NJ and establishes deposit and refund system to facilitate return of such containers to manufacturers for reuse or proper disposal. | This bill, to be known as the "Beverage Container Deposit Act," would establish a container deposit and refund system in New Jersey to facilitate the return of used and empty beverage containers to manufacturers for reuse, recycling, or proper disposal. Commencing two years after the date of the bill's enactment, every filled beverage container sold or offered for sale in the State would need to: (1) be a returnable container; (2) have a refund value of $0.10 when empty; (3) be clearly identified by a stamp, label, or other mark securely affixed to the container, bearing the name of the State, and indicating the container's refund value; and (4) if composed primarily of metal, have no part that becomes detached when opened. Any manufacturer who manufactures for sale in this State, any distributor who sells, offers for sale, or gives to a dealer in the State, and any dealer who sells, offers for sale, or gives to a consumer in this State, a filled beverage container that fails to comply with these requirements will be subject to a civil penalty of $100 to $1,000, for each day of violation, as well as the payment of restitution in an amount equal to the loss resulting from the violation. Under the container deposit and refund system established in the bill, a distributor (including a manufacturer or other person) who sells a filled beverage container to a dealer in the State will be required to originate a $0.10 refundable container deposit surcharge on that container, which is to be paid by the dealer and collected and recorded by the distributor. A dealer who sells a filled beverage container to a consumer will then be required to charge the consumer the $0.10 deposit that was originated by the distributor on the container. The bill would not require a dealer to collect a deposit from a consumer who is purchasing the beverage for on-site consumption in the dealer's sale and consumption area; however, if a dealer elects to authorize on-site beverage consumption without payment of a deposit, the dealer will nonetheless be required to collect a deposit if the consumer fails to return the container upon leaving the sale and consumption area. A distributor or dealer who fails to originate or impose the $0.10 deposit on a beverage container, as required by the bill, will be subject to a civil penalty of $100 to $1,000, for each day of violation, as well as the payment of restitution in an amount equal to the loss resulting from the violation. The bill would require a dealer to accept for return, from any person, an empty returnable container of any kind, size, and brand that is sold or offered for sale by the dealer, and to pay the container's refund value, in cash, to the person returning the container, regardless of whether that person is the original customer who purchased the filled container or whether the filled container was originally sold by the dealer. A dealer may limit, to $25, the total dollar amount of container refunds that may be daily issued to a single person. A distributor would similarly be required to accept for return, from any dealer, an empty returnable container of any kind, size, and brand that is sold or offered for sale by the distributor, and to pay the dealer the full refund value of the container, in cash. The distributor would then be required to either return the redeemed empty container to the manufacturer or, if the distributor is the manufacturer, to retain possession of the redeemed container, for reuse, recycling, or proper disposal in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. The bill would prohibit any person from paying, claiming, or receiving any container deposit, refund, processing payment, or handling fee for any of the following: (1) a beverage container that the person knows, or should know, was imported from out of State; (2) a previously redeemed beverage container; (3) a previously rejected beverage container; or (4) any other vessel, cup, non-beverage container, or other material that is ineligible for redemption pursuant to this act. The bill would further prohibit any person from fraudulently: (1) redeeming or attempting to redeem an out-of-state container, a previously redeemed container, a previously rejected container, or any other ineligible container or material; (2) returning a previously redeemed container to the marketplace for redemption purposes; (3) bringing an out-of-state container, a previously rejected container, or any other ineligible container or material to the marketplace for redemption purposes; or (4) receiving, storing, transporting, distributing, or otherwise facilitating or aiding in the redemption of any such ineligible container or material. Any person who violates these provisions would be subject to the payment of restitution in an amount equal to the loss resulting from the violation. In order to facilitate the return of beverage containers under the bill, the bill would require each dealer who sells filled returnable beverage containers for off-site consumption to provide, either on the premises where sales are made or within 100 yards thereof, a reverse vending machine or other convenient means by which empty returnable containers may be returned and a cash refund issued to the person who is returning them. The bill would additionally require a dealer to post written notice, in the area where returnable containers are redeemed, notifying consumers that they may be liable for the payment of restitution in association with any improper container returns made thereby. Any dealer who fails to comply with either of these requirements would be subject to a civil penalty of $50 per day of violation. Certain manufacturers of large quantities of beverages would also be required to use returnable containers that have a designated symbol, mark, or other distinguishing characteristic, approved by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which is sufficient to enable a reverse vending machine to determine whether the container is returnable and is eligible for a refund. A manufacturer who does not use designated containers when required by the Department of the Treasury would be subject to a civil penalty of up to $2,000. Under the bill's provisions, if a distributor, in a single year, is an under-redeemer of beverage containers, meaning that the distributor has collected more money in container deposits than the distributor has expended in container refunds, the distributor will be required to pay, to the Department of the Treasury, the value of the unclaimed deposits, less the value of any over-redemption credit authorized under the bill. An over-redemption credit may be issued, by the Department of the Treasury, to any distributor who, in a single year, expends more money in container refunds than the distributor collects through deposits, and this credit may be carried forward for the next three years to offset any payments owed by the distributor upon becoming an under-redeemer. However, if an over-redeemer is not planning to continue making container deposits in subsequent years, the Department of the Treasury may allow the over-redeemer, on a one-time basis, to carry the value of the credit back into prior years in order to realize its value. In order to reduce the costs owed by an under-redeemer and reduce the amounts expended by an over-redeemer, the bill would authorize an under-redeemer to purchase empty redeemed containers from another distributor who is an over-redeemer in the same year. The bill would require the DEP to authorize and provide for the establishment, licensure, and operation of beverage container redemption centers, throughout the State, for the bill's purposes. Each such redemption center would be authorized to engage in the bulk collection of redeemable containers, in accordance with various requirements established in the bill, through the use of either or both an account-based bulk processing program or a bag-drop program, as such programs are defined in the bill. Except as otherwise provided by the bill, each such redemption center would be required to remain open and available to accept redeemable containers on a daily basis, seven days a week, for at least 10 hours a day from Monday through Saturday, and for at least six hours a day on Sunday. The redemption centers established and operated, pursuant to the bill, are to supplement, but not supplant, the consumer return of redeemable containers to dealers under the bill. The bill would further require each distributor of beverages, unless otherwise speci?ed in a contract executed with a dealer, to offer to provide a collection service, for redeemable containers, to each dealer or other establishment that allows for the on-site consumption of beverages in the State. Such collection service is to provide for the regular collection of all redeemable containers stored by such dealers and other establishments, in accordance with the following collection schedule: (1) if the dealer or other establishment has an on-site consumption capacity of 50 or more persons at a time, the collection system is to provide for all redeemable containers stored thereby, at least once per week; and (2) if the dealer or other establishment has an on-site consumption capacity of fewer than 50 persons at a time, the collection system is to provide for all redeemable containers stored thereby to be collected, by the distributor, at least twice per month. A distributor operating a collection system, pursuant to the bill, would be required to: (1) provide all of equipment and accessories necessary to facilitate the collection of redeemable containers under the system; (2) take appropriate and necessary steps to ensure that redeemable beverage containers are emptied and sorted on site, if possible; (3) issue appropriate refunds, for all redeemable containers collected under the system, not more than seven consecutive business days after such containers are collected; and (4) if the distributor requires the use of a digital application to facilitate the issuance of requisite refunds, assign a unique identi?cation code to each participating dealer or other establishment and require each such dealer or other establishment to attach, to each container stored thereby, a label containing that identification code. The bill would establish four new funds for the moneys that will be obtained through the implementation of the bill's provisions: (1) the Beverage Container Deposit Fund; (2) the Beverage Container Deposit Enforcement Fund; (3) the Clean-Up and Redevelopment Trust Fund; and (4) the Community Pollution Prevention Grant Fund. Moneys that are paid by under-redeemers, pursuant to the bill, are to be deposited into the Beverage Container Deposit Fund. The first $1 million in the BCD Fund is to be annually disbursed to the Beverage Container Deposit Enforcement Fund for use by the State Police in enforcing, and investigating violations of, the bill's provisions. However, if the balance in the Enforcement Fund exceeds $3 million, disbursements to that fund will be suspended until the balance falls below $2 million. Of the amounts remaining in the Deposit Fund following the requisite disbursement to the Enforcement Fund, 75 percent is to be disbursed to the Clean-Up and Redevelopment Trust Fund, and 25 percent is to be apportioned to each dealer in the State, based on the number of empty returnable containers handled by each dealer. In addition to the moneys disbursed thereto from the Beverage Container Deposit Fund, the Clean-Up and Redevelopment Trust Fund would also be credited with all penalty and restitution amounts that are imposed and collected by a court for violations of the bill's provisions. For each of the three fiscal years next following the bill's effective date, the first $15 million annually deposited in the trust fund is to be disbursed, in equal amounts, to eight different clean-up and redevelopment funds currently existing in the State and identified in the bill. Of the moneys remaining in the trust fund in those first three fiscal years, and of the total sum of moneys deposited in the trust fund in the fourth and each subsequent fiscal year following the bill's effective date, 80 percent of such moneys are to be equally disbursed, on an annual basis, to the eight different clean-up and redevelopment funds identified in the bill, and 10 percent of such moneys are to be disbursed to the Community Pollution Prevention Grant Fund, newly established pursuant to the bill. Moneys in the Community Pollution Prevention Grant Fund are to be used, by the DEP, to provide grants to local governments, local health departments, regional planning agencies, and similar entities (in amounts of up to $100,000 per year for each recipient) to finance various programs and activities related to water pollution prevention and litter clean-up, as specified in the bill. Each grant recipient would be required to provide a financial match equaling 25 to 50 percent of the grant award. Finally, this bill would repeal section 5 of P.L.2007, c.311 (C.13:1E-96.6), which currently provides for the State's existing recycling tax to become inoperable if State or federal law requires a deposit on, or establishes a refund value, for a beverage container, as this bill would do. This repeal will ensure that the State's existing recycling tax continues to remain in effect, notwithstanding this bill's enactment. | In Committee |
| A4376 | Concerns municipal use of employer payroll tax. | This bill amends the local payroll tax law to allow the municipality collecting a local payroll tax to use up to five percent of the funds collected under the local payroll tax annually to cover administrative costs associated with the collection and administrations of the local payroll tax. | In Committee |
| A4378 | Concerns municipal ordinances that impose employer payroll tax. | This bill amends the local payroll tax law to require certain employers, which employ persons within any municipality that imposes a local payroll tax, to provide additional information to assist in the administration of the local tax, as requested by the municipality collecting the tax. | In Committee |
| A2776 | Exempts certain plastic materials processed at advanced plastic processing facilities from State laws regulating solid waste disposal and recycling. | Exempts certain plastic materials processed at advanced plastic processing facilities from State laws regulating solid waste disposal and recycling. | In Committee |
| A4004 | Provides for filing extension and alternate medical documentation in PFRS, SPRS, or PERS for accidental disability retirement in certain circumstances; extends accidental death benefit for survivors of certain SPRS retirees. | Provides for filing extension and alternate medical documentation in PFRS, SPRS, or PERS for accidental disability retirement in certain circumstances; extends accidental death benefit for survivors of certain SPRS retirees. | In Committee |
| A4411 | Requires members of Sexual Assault Response Team to receive training on interacting with victims with developmental disabilities. | This bill requires the members of each Sexual Assault Response Team to receive training on interacting with victims with developmental disabilities. Under current law, the county prosecutor in each county is required appoint or designate a certified forensic sexual assault nurse examiner to serve as program coordinator for the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program in the county. In addition to other duties, the program coordinator is required to develop and implement a standardized education and training program to provide instruction to members of the county Sexual Assault Response Team on certain topics. Current law requires the response team to be comprised of a certified forensic sexual assault nurse examiner, a rape care advocate, and a law enforcement official. The bill provides that the training provided to the response team is required to include instruction on interacting with victims who have developmental disabilities. | In Committee |
| A3521 | Establishes occupational heat stress standard and "Occupational Heat-Related Illness and Injury Prevention Program" in DOLWD. | Establishes occupational heat stress standard and "Occupational Heat-Related Illness and Injury Prevention Program" in DOLWD. | In Committee |
| A4364 | Establishes EMS part of PERS; provides enhanced benefits for emergency medical services employees. | This bill creates an EMS Part in the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to provide enhanced pension benefits under terms identical to those provided to prosecutors under the Prosecutors Part of the PERS, including mandatory retirement at age 70. The members of the EMS Part will include State, county, or municipal employees serving in one of the following positions: emergency medical technician; mobile intensive care paramedic; paramedic; flight paramedic; mobile intensive care nurse; flight nurse; emergency medical services supervisor or deputy supervisor; emergency medical services chief or deputy chief; emergency medical services hazardous materials responder technician; emergency medical services coordinator, dispatcher, or instructor; or any position the primary or essential duties of which require the employee to be trained in basic or advanced life support services and who is certified or licensed by the Department of Health to perform these services. The State will be liable for the increased pension costs payable by counties or municipalities as a result this bill. | In Committee |
| A4318 | Establishes 14 years old as minimum age for juvenile delinquency; requires AG to establish working group to advise on implementation. | This bill sets the minimum age at which a juvenile can be adjudicated delinquent at 14 years or older. Under the New Jersey Code of Juvenile Justice, "delinquency" is defined as the commission of an act by a juvenile which, if committed by an adult, would constitute a crime of the first through fourth degree; a disorderly persons offense or petty disorderly persons offense; or a violation of any other penal statute, ordinance, or regulation, with certain exceptions. The code currently defines a "juvenile" as a person under 18 years of age. This bill changes the definition of delinquency in the code to establish the minimum age at which a juvenile could be adjudicated delinquent at 14 years of age or older. In addition, the bill requires the Attorney General to establish a Juvenile Justice working group. The purpose of the group is to advise on the implementation of this bill. The working group is to consist of members appointed by the Attorney General, in consultation with the Executive Director of the Juvenile Justice System and is to include, but not be limited to, the following members: a representative of the mental health community, a representative of law enforcement, three representatives of community organizations involved in civil rights and social justice; a representative of the Division of Child Protection and Permanency in the Department of Children and Families; the Public Defender, or a designee; a member of the faculty of a law school in this State with clinical experience in juvenile justice matters; and the Administrative Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts, or a designee. | In Committee |
| A4283 | Provides personal liability for owner, executive officer, or executive director of employer for failure to pay for workers' compensation coverage. | This bill provides that, in addition to the employer, principal owners of an employer will be liable for any penalty imposed on an employer for failure to pay for insurance for workers' compensation coverage. Under State law, the Director of the Division of Workers' Compensation is required to impose a penalty of $1,000 against an employer that has failed to provide insurance for workers' compensation claims. The director is also required to impose an additional assessment of 15 percent of the award or awards made in each workers' compensation claim, not exceeding the sum of $5,000 on any one claim. Penalties are deposited into the "uninsured employer's fund." The bill expands the reach of the "uninsured employer's fund," through subrogation, to pursue payment for benefits of the claims related to an employee's injury from an uninsured employer to include any principal owner of the employer, in addition to the employer. | In Committee |
| A4265 | Authorizes provision of monetary awards to whistleblowers who report State tax law violations committed by employers in construction industry. | This bill requires the Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury to provide monetary awards to whistleblowers who report tax law violations committed by employers in the construction industry. The bill defines "employer in the construction industry" as an employer engaging in any activity related to the erection, construction, alteration, demolition, repair or maintenance of buildings, structures, bridges, highways, roadways, dams, tunnels, sewers, underground buildings or structures, pipelines or ducts and all other construction projects or facilities. Under the bill, if the director proceeds with an administrative or judicial action against an employer in the construction industry and determines that the action is based on specific and credible information brought to the director by an individual, the director is required to provide that individual an award of at least 15 percent, but not more than 30 percent, of the proceeds collected as a result of the action or from any settlement in response to that action; provided, however, if the director determines an action is based principally on an individual's disclosure of an allegation resulting from a judicial or administrative hearing, from a governmental report, hearing, audit, or investigation, or from the news media, any award provided by the director to that individual may not exceed 10 percent of the proceeds. The bill requires the director to determine the amount of an award based upon the extent to which any information submitted by an individual contributed to the outcome of an action or related settlement. If the director determines that the claim for an award pursuant to the bill is brought by an individual who planned and initiated the actions that led to the violation resulting in the administrative or judicial action in which that individual is a party, the bill permits the director to reduce the amount of the award. In addition, if such an individual is convicted of criminal conduct arising from the individual's role in the violation, then the director is not permitted to provide an award to that individual. The following individuals are also ineligible to receive an award under the bill: (1) an individual who obtained information through the individual's official duties as an employee of the Department of the Treasury; and (2) an individual who filed a claim for an award based on information obtained from an ineligible individual for the purpose of avoiding the rejection of the claim that would have resulted if the claim was filed by the ineligible individual. The bill provides that any complaint with respect to an award provided, reduced, or revoked pursuant to the bill is to be filed within 30 days after the date of the provision, reduction, or revocation of that award. Finally, the bill protects any employee, as defined by the bill, from retaliatory action under the provisions of the "Conscientious Employee Protection Act," P.L.1986, c.105 (C.34:19-1 et seq.). | In Committee |
| AR127 | Condemns Arizona Supreme Court ruling in Planned Parenthood v. Mayes banning abortions in the state and reaffirms New Jersey citizens' freedom to access reproductive health care services. | This Assembly Resolution condemns the Arizona Supreme Court ruling in Planned Parenthood v. Mayes, which upheld a long-dormant and outdated 1864 law banning abortions. The resolution additionally reaffirms the rights of all New Jersey citizens to have the freedom to make decisions about planning their families free from unreasonable governmental interference. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A4172 | Concerns discrimination based on membership in a labor organization. | This bill extends protection under the Law Against Discrimination (LAD) to members of a labor organization. The LAD, P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-1 et. seq.), provides protections for those who are members of a protected class, including protection against discrimination in employment, public accommodations, housing, land use, lending, and association membership. Under current law, a member of a protected class includes an employee who has one or more characteristics, including race, creed, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, affectional or sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, sex, gender identity or expression, disability or atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait of any individual, or liability for service in the armed forces. This bill provides that members of a labor organization also are members of a protected class who are entitled protection under the LAD. In addition, the bill revises the definition of "labor organization" to include any organization of any kind, including a labor union or any agency or employee representation committee or plan, in which public or private employees participate and which exists and is constituted for the purpose, in whole or in part, of collective bargaining, or of dealing with public or private employers concerning grievances, terms or conditions of employment, or of other mutual aid or protection in connection with employment. | In Committee |
| AR107 | Urges U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to utilize and fund existing paratransit transportation networks to transport disabled veterans to and from its New Jersey medical centers. | This resolution urges the United State Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to utilize and fund existing paratransit transportation networks to transport disabled veterans to and from its New Jersey medical centers. Approximately five million veterans in the United States have a service-connected disability, and about 53,000 of those veterans live in New Jersey. The VA operates two medical centers in New Jersey, with one in East Orange and one in Lyons. Service-connected disabilities can adversely impact veterans' abilities to access necessary medical care at these facilities. Currently, the VA provides transportation service via the Veterans Transportation Service, but this service has limitations that can result in the reduced efficiency of transporting disabled veterans to and from medical appointments. Disabled American Veterans and other veterans' service organizations also provide free van transportation to and from VA medical centers in New Jersey, but these non-profit organizations should not shoulder the responsibility to provide properly coordinated VA-funded patient transport for deserving veterans and qualified family members. It has also been reported by numerous New Jersey veterans that the transportation service provided to these VA facilities is deficient, with veterans being left at facilities for hours, overnight, and in adverse weather conditions. Both New Jersey counties and non-profit social service organizations have existing paratransit transportation for use by senior citizens and individuals with disabilities. These high quality county and non-profit paratransit providers may be able to expand their coverage to meet the transportation needs of veterans traveling to and from VA facilities if provided funding to cover the cost of such an expansion. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| AR122 | Condemns Alabama Supreme Court ruling in LePage v. Mobile Infirmary Clinic, P.C. and pending federal legislation, H.R.431; reaffirms freedom of access and protection of reproductive health care services in New Jersey, including IVF. | This resolution condemns the Alabama Supreme Court ruling in LePage v. Mobile Infirmary Clinic, P.C. and pending federal legislation, H.R.431; and reaffirms the freedom of access and protection of reproductive health care services in New Jersey, including in vitro fertilization. In the United States, one in six people of childbearing age struggle with infertility and require some type of professional assistance in order to conceive a child. Fortunately, 90 percent of infertility cases are treatable with medical therapies including drug treatment, surgery, and in vitro fertilization (IVF). IVF is a process whereby an egg is removed from a person's body and combined with sperm inside a laboratory for fertilization; the fertilized egg, called an embryo, is then transferred into the uterus. In LePage v. Mobile Infirmary Clinic, P.C. (Docket No. SC-2022-0515, SC-2022-0579), the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that embryos are "extrauterine children," finding that that the State's "'Wrongful Death of A Minor Act' applies on its face to all unborn children, without limitation." This holding could have widespread implications for anyone in Alabama who is seeking or provides IVF. With the support of over 120 representatives from the Republican party, Congressman Alexander X. Mooney of West Virginia introduced H.R. 431, which would implement equal protection under the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution for the right to life of each "born and preborn human person." Under this bill, the terms "human person" and "human being" include "each and every member of the species homo sapiens at all stages of life, including the moment of fertilization, cloning, or other moment at which an individual member of the human species comes into being." This legislation, if enacted, poses a significant threat to the reproductive freedoms of the citizens in New Jersey and the United States, particularly those related to IVF and other fertility treatments. A number of Republican senators joined the Democrats in criticizing the LePage ruling, and expressed their support for IVF. Tammy Duckworth, a Democratic Senator from Illinois who utilized IVF to conceive her two children, introduced legislation, S.3612, to protect the rights of individuals to seek reproductive assistance, such as IVF, and physicians who provide these services, without the fear of prosecution. Senator Duckworth urged her Republican colleagues to join the Democrats' efforts to protect access to IVF by unanimously passing this legislation, as many Republican Senators initially denounced the LePage ruling for the harmful precedent that the decision has set on reproductive assistance services,. However, Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi blocked the unanimous passage of the bill by objecting to Senator Duckworth's request. When the United States Supreme Court's issued its 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Org., which overturned Roe v. Wade, the country faced fear and uncertainty around key reproductive rights issues. A number of states took action to interfere with a person's access to reproductive health care out-of-state, in some instances by seeking to prosecute a person in a state where reproductive health care access was criminalized following Dobbs, for seeking reproductive health care services in another jurisdiction where it remained legal. Such actions are designed to prevent individuals and health care providers from seeking and providing lawful reproductive health care services by instilling fear through the threat of prosecution. In stark contrast to actions taken in states to monitor private health information, the New Jersey legislature has acted to protect private medical information from prosecutors in other states, to ensure New Jersey law enforcement will not take part in extraditions to people who have sought reproductive health care that is legal in New Jersey, and to require the creation of a website so people who are confused about recent court decisions know what their freedoms are on reproductive health decisions in New Jersey The LePage v. Mobile Infirmary Clinic, P.C. ruling threatens the rights of Alabamians who are planning to have children, and endangers the fertility clinics that provide IVF services, those that have embryos stored, and the overall future of family planning in Alabama. It is in the public interest of the citizens of New Jersey to condemn, in the strongest terms, any ruling that infringes on citizens rights to exercise their reproductive freedom or their access to reproductive health care, including IVF. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| A920 | Updates scope of practice of optometrists. | Updates scope of practice of optometrists. | In Committee |
| A3988 | Provides free telecommunication services for incarcerated persons at State, county, and private adult and juvenile correctional facilities. | This bill provides that all adult and juvenile correctional facilities in the State operated by the Department of Corrections, the Juvenile Justice Commission, the counties, and private operators allow incarcerated persons to make and receive telephone calls, video calls, and electronic mail free of charge to both the sending and receiving party. Under current law, incarcerated persons may be charged for domestic telephone calls at up to 11 cents per minute using a debit, prepaid, or collect call system. Current law does not require incarcerated persons to have access to video calls or electronic mail, although such capability is already in place at certain facilities, with a fee charged to the incarcerated person. The bill makes an appropriation of such funds as may be necessary for the implementation of the bill, as certified by the Commissioner of Corrections and the Executive Director of the Juvenile Justice Commission. The Department of Corrections and the Juvenile Justice Commission retain the authority to establish rules and regulations for the security of telecommunication services. It is the sponsor's intent that the bill would not require any renegotiation of existing State or local contracts for telecommunication services, but would instead shift the costs associated with the contracts to the correctional facility operator. In the sponsor's view, the more incarcerated persons stay in touch with their families, the better they do when they reenter society, while those with weaker support systems due to lack of communication during incarceration are more likely to re-offend. Maintaining family and community connection while incarcerated is key to successful reentry, and thus it is in the public interest to reduce the economic burden on incarcerated persons associated with making and receiving calls and messages. The sponsor notes that New York City, Connecticut, California, Minnesota, Massachusetts, and Colorado have all recently adopted legislation to make telecommunication services free to incarcerated persons. The sponsor further notes that prison telecommunication services is a $1.4 billion industry that has been accused of price-gouging and profiteering from the families of incarcerated persons. According to some studies, one in three families with an incarcerated loved one goes into debt over the cost of telephone calls charged by correctional facilities. It is the sponsor's intent to ease the enormous financial burden on the families of incarcerated persons who are simply trying to maintain communication with their loved ones. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| A4028 | Provides certain resources to county prosecutors for enforcement of law regarding failure to pay wages; makes appropriation. | This bill requires the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD), for purposes of supporting the enforcement of the provisions of State wage and hour laws, to provide funds and training to each county prosecutor's office for the investigation and prosecution of the abovementioned laws and worker exploitation. The bill requires the county prosecutor of each county to establish and assign an assistant prosecutor to the investigation and prosecution of violations of the State wage and hour laws. The bill makes an appropriation from the General Fund to the DOLWD, not to exceed $2,000,000, for purposes of effectuating the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| A3556 | Requires DOT to establish paratransit brokerage program to consolidate provisions of paratransit services under State Medicaid program and NJT Access Link. | This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to oversee the implementation of a paratransit brokerage program, through which the provision of certain forms of paratransit service would be managed by a transportation broker and made available through an interactive brokerage software. Under current law, the State is required to provide various forms of paratransit service, including: (1) ADA paratransit service, which is currently administered by the New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJ Transit) under the Access Link program, which service is required under the federal "Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990"; and (2) Medicaid paratransit service, which is currently administered by the Department of Human Services (DHS), through a contracted broker, under the State Medicaid program, which service is required under Title XIX of the federal "Social Security Act." Under the bill, the provision of these paratransit services would be consolidated into one paratransit brokerage program overseen by the DOT. Specifically, the paratransit brokerage program would be managed by a transportation broker contracted by the DOT and facilitated through the use of an interactive brokerage software, which would allow eligible persons to schedule requests for service and allow participating providers to competitively bid to fulfill these requests. Importantly, this brokerage model is intended to achieve cost savings and operational efficiencies in the provision of paratransit service, which efficiencies are not achievable under the current, fragmented service models. In managing the paratransit brokerage program, the bill requires the transportation broker to assume the following responsibilities: (1) maintaining a paratransit provider network for ADA paratransit service and Medicaid transportation service, respectively, with sufficient capacity to provide all required forms of paratransit service within all applicable service areas in the State; (2) ensuring that each provider of ADA paratransit service and Medicaid paratransit service is qualified to provide the service and complies with all applicable provisions of law or regulation; (3) ensuring that each recipient of ADA paratransit service and Medicaid paratransit service is eligible to receive the service; (4) compensating each paratransit provider that operates in the program; (5) receiving and acting upon passenger complaints; and (6) divesting from any ownership stake or equity interest in any entity or organization that operates as a paratransit provider under the program. The bill also requires the DOT and DHS to develop separate standards concerning the provision of ADA paratransit service and Medicaid paratransit service, respectively, under the program. At a minimum, these standards would be required to prescribe minimum functionality requirements for interactive brokerage software to ensure that the provision of ADA paratransit service and Medicaid paratransit service, respectively, complies with all applicable requirements of law. Thereafter, the bill requires the DOT, in consultation with DHS and NJ Transit, to issue a request for proposal (RFP) and enter into a contract for the development of the interactive brokerage software. After this software has been developed, the bill also requires the DOT, in consultation with DHS and NJ Transit, to issue an RFP and enter into a contract for the procurement of the transportation broker. In each case, the contractor selected by the DOT would be required to demonstrate experience in the development of a similar software platform or the administration of a similar brokerage program. Immediately after the paratransit brokerage program has been implemented, the program would be limited to the provision of ADA paratransit service and Medicaid transportation service by paratransit providers other than county transit agencies and community organizations. However, within two years following the implementation of the program, and every five years thereafter, the DOT would be required to conduct a study to assess whether the program should be expanded to incorporate other forms of paratransit service or to allow county transit agencies and community organizations to operate as paratransit providers. Thereafter, the bill provides that the program could be expanded, subject to the determinations of this study and the adoption of rules and regulations effectuating such expansion. Under the bill, the operational and administrative costs of the paratransit brokerage program would be defrayed by proportionate funding from the DHS and NJ Transit, with DHS responsible for the costs of Medicaid paratransit service and NJ Transit responsible for the costs of ADA paratransit service. In each case, the bill requires these monies to be transferred to the DOT and paid to the transportation broker. Using these monies, the transportation broker would be required to compensate the paratransit providers operating in the program, which compensation would be based exclusively on the requests for paratransit service that have been fulfilled by the provider. Of the remaining funds, the bill permits the transportation broker to retain such amounts as may be prescribed in the transportation brokerage contract to support the costs of managing the program. The bill would also amend and repeal various sections of statutory law to reflect the creation of the paratransit brokerage program and to allow for the possibility of program expansion. Specifically, the bill would repeal several sections of the "Paratransit Services Improvement Act," P.L.2020, c.114 (C.27:25-35 et seq.), which sections set forth an alternative process for integrating the provision of certain paratransit services. However, the bill would amend this law to clarify that the Regional Paratransit Coordinating Councils would also be responsible for encouraging participation in the program. | In Committee |
| A3909 | "Max's Law"; requires school districts to provide instruction on dangers of fentanyl and xylazine. | This bill, to be known as "Max's Law," requires school districts to provide instruction on the dangers of fentanyl and xylazine as part of the district's implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education. Under the bill, the instruction is required to include information on: (1) fentanyl and xylazine abuse prevention; (2) fentanyl and xylazine poisoning awareness; (3) the dangers of synthetic opioids, including fentanyl or any substituted derivative of fentanyl, xylazine, and counterfeit drugs; (4) recognizing the symptoms of fentanyl and xylazine poisoning; (5) how to respond to a fentanyl or xylazine poisoning emergency; and (6) laws that provide immunity or other protections for persons who report drug or alcohol use, or who seek medical treatment for drug or alcohol poisoning or overdoses for themselves or others. Additionally, the bill requires the Commissioner of Education to provide school districts with age-appropriate resources designed to implement the requirements established under the bill. The information is required to utilize information and resources provided by: (1) the National Institutes of Health; (2) the United States Drug Enforcement Administration; (3) the United States Department of Health and Human Services; (4) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; or (5) any State, county, or municipal department or agency. The bill requires the Department of Education to post and maintain on its Internet website: (1) information for instruction on the dangers of fentanyl and xylazine provided to school districts; (2) informational materials containing awareness and safety information for school staff, students, and parents, on opioid poisoning prevention; (3) information on outreach organizations with resources concerning opioid awareness and opioid poisoning prevention; and (4) preventative mental health resources available from applicable federal, state, county, or municipal departments and agencies. Xylazine, commonly referred to as "tranq," is a non-opioid sedatitve, or tranquilizer. While xylazine is not considered a controlled substance in the United States, it is not approved for use in people. The Federal Drug Enforcement Administration reported that xylazine and fentanyl mixtures place users at a higher risk of suffering a fatal drug poisoning. It is the sponsor's intent that this bill raise awareness of the dangers of fentanyl and xylazine and to honor the memory of Max Lenowitz of Woodcliff Lake, a beloved son, brother, and friend, and the thousands of other New Jersey residents who have lost their lives to fentanyl or xylazine poisoning. | In Committee |
| AJR150 | Designates July of each year as "Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month" in NJ. | This resolution designates July of each year as "Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month" in New Jersey. Cleft lip and palate, together commonly called orofacial clefts, are birth defects that occur when a baby's lip or mouth do not form properly during pregnancy. A cleft lip occurs when the tissue that makes up the lip does not join completely before birth and results in an opening in the upper lip. The opening in the lip can be a small slit or it can be a large opening that goes through the lip into the nose. A cleft palate occurs when the tissue that makes up the roof of the mouth does not join together completely during pregnancy. Some babies are born with both the front and back parts of the palate open while others only part of the palate is open. Children with a cleft lip with or without a cleft palate or a cleft palate alone often have problems with feeding and speaking clearly and are prone to have ear infections, hearing problems, and problems with their teeth. About one in every 1,700 babies is born with cleft palate in the United States. The causes of orofacial clefts among most infants are unknown and ongoing research is being conducted at the national level to better understand the root causes. Cleft lip and palate affects people worldwide, impacting speech, eating, and overall quality of life. Raising awareness about cleft palate is essential to foster understanding, compassion, and support for New Jersey residents and families affected by this condition, as well as to encourage medical research aimed at identifying the root cause of the orofacial disorder. | In Committee |
| A3741 | Provides rental and lease protections for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. | This bill would provide rental and lease protections for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Under the bill, a landlord may not terminate a tenancy, fail to renew a tenancy, or refuse to enter into a rental agreement based on the tenant's or applicant's or a household member's status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or based on the tenant or applicant having terminated a rental agreement pursuant to the "New Jersey Safe Housing Act," P.L.2008, c.111 (C.46:8-9.4 et seq.). Under the "New Jersey Safe Housing Act," a tenant may terminate a lease prior to its expiration if the tenant provides written notice that the tenant or a child of the tenant faces an imminent threat of serious physical harm from another person if the tenant remains on the premises, and provides appropriate documentation. The bill provides for the same documentation requirements as those set out in the "New Jersey Safe Housing Act." The documentation may be any of the following: (1) a copy of a permanent domestic violence restraining order; (2) a copy of a permanent restraining order from another jurisdiction, issued pursuant to the jurisdiction's laws concerning domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking; (3) a law enforcement agency record documenting the domestic violence, or certifying that the tenant or a child of the tenant is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking; (4) medical documentation of the domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking provided by a health care provider; (5) certification, provided by a certified Domestic Violence Specialist, or the director of a designated domestic violence agency, that the tenant or a child of the tenant is a victim of domestic violence; or (6) other documentation or certification, provided by a licensed social worker, that the tenant or a child of the tenant is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Under the bill, a landlord who refuses to enter into a rental agreement in violation of this section may be liable to the tenant or applicant in a civil action for damages sustained by the tenant or applicant. The prevailing party may also recover court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees. The bill amends N.J.S.A.2A:18-53 and N.J.S.A.2A:18-61.1, which concern actions by landlords to remove tenants, to provide that these sections of law shall not be construed to authorize the removal of a lessee or tenant or the assigns, under-tenants or legal representatives of such lessee or tenant from any house, building, mobile home or land in a mobile home park or tenement leased for residential purposes based upon such person's status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. | In Committee |
| A3693 | Establishes State Parkinson's disease registry. | This bill requires the Department of Health (DOH) to establish a State Parkinson's disease registry. Parkinson's disease is a chronic and progressive neurologic disorder resulting from deficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine as the consequence of specific degenerative changes in the area of the brain called the basal ganglia. Parkinson's disease is characterized by tremor at rest, slow movements, muscle rigidity, stooped posture, and unsteady or shuffling gait. Parkinsonisms are related movement abnormalities and conditions that may overlap with or evolve from Parkinson's disease. Under this bill, the DOH is to oversee the creation and management of a Statewide Parkinson's disease registry. The registry will collect data on the incidence of Parkinson's disease and Parkinsonisms within the State. Health care providers, including hospitals and other health care facilities and health care practitioners, such as physicians, physician assistants, and advanced practice nurses, that diagnose or treat people diagnosed with Parkinson's disease or Parkinsonisms will be required to report each unique case of Parkinson's disease or Parkinsonisms to the registry. The DOH will determine the specific mandatory and permissive data points to be collected in the registry. Registry information will generally be deemed confidential, but may be made available to various entities, including other Parkinson's disease registries, public health entities, and researchers, under certain circumstances. Patients will have the opportunity to opt out of inclusion in the registry, in which case only the incidence of a Parkinson's diagnosis will be reported. The DOH will be required to prepare an annual report concerning registry information and will be required to maintain a publicly- accessible webpage providing information about the registry and links to the DOH's annual reports. The DOH will additionally be required to establish a Parkinson's disease registry advisory council to assist in the development of the registry, determine what data will be collected, and advise the DOH as to the implementation of the bill. Public health agencies have long recognized that population-based data registries are required to estimate the incidence and prevalence of non-communicable chronic diseases. Registries have been developed throughout the world for the purpose of surveillance of these diseases to inform public health agencies and the public on the extent of the disease and to identify trends amidst population centers to support the development of public health interventions. States that have adopted statewide Parkinson's disease registries include California, Nebraska, Utah, and Washington. A population- based registry is necessary to generate the basic data that will help researchers, treatment providers, and legislators determine the causes of the disease, evaluate the efficacy of treatment, uncover inequities in Parkinson's disease healthcare, and make decisions about the allocation of resources for prevention and treatment. It is the sponsor's belief that a State Parkinson's disease registry will enable the State to better understand the full, diverse, and heterogeneous nature of Parkinson's disease among New Jerseyans and ensure that the regional nuances and trends are captured in effort to minimize over or underrepresentation. | In Committee |
| A3602 | Makes $250,000 supplemental appropriation to New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders for pediatric clinical services at Tourette Syndrome Clinic of Rutgers University. | This FY 2024 supplemental appropriation provides $250,000 to the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders (NJCTS) to support diagnostic assessments and counseling services for children at the Tourette Syndrome Clinic of Rutgers University, New Brunswick. The clinic, established jointly by the NJCTS and the Rutgers University Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP), provides psychological assessments, social-emotional skills groups, and individual and family therapy for children, adolescents, and adults with Tourette Syndrome. The clinic offers sliding scale rates for services delivered to individuals and families with demonstrated financial need. According to a 2022 data from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every 50 children between the ages of five and 14 years have a persistent tic disorder, including Tourette Syndrome. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| A3635 | Provides for spaying and neutering stray or feral cats and establishes fund therefor; designated as "Compassion for Community Cats Law." | The bill, designated as the "Compassion for Community Cats Law," provides for the spaying and neutering of stray or feral cats. In particular, the bill provides, with limited exceptions, that: (1) no cat may be released for adoption from an animal rescue organization facility, shelter, pound, or kennel operating as a shelter or pound unless the cat has been spayed or neutered by a licensed veterinarian; and (2) any community cat trapped and impounded at a shelter, pound, or kennel operating as a shelter or pound, or trapped and taken to an animal rescue organization facility, must be spayed or neutered, ear-tipped, and vaccinated against rabies before being returned to the location where the community cat was trapped or given to a person assuming ownership of the community cat. The spaying and neutering requirements do not apply to a cat or a community cat that: (1) is less than two months old; (2) a licensed veterinarian determines cannot be spayed or neutered for other health reasons affecting the cat; (3) is placed in a foster home or transferred to another shelter, pound, kennel operating as a shelter or pound, or animal rescue organization facility by a shelter, pound, or kennel operating as a shelter or pound; or (4) is to be euthanized in accordance with the provisions of section 16 of P.L.1941, c.151 (C.4:19-15.16) and R.S.4:22-19, which provide for humanely euthanizing animals after a shelter, pound, or kennel operating as a shelter or pound has offered the animal for adoption for at least seven days. The bill authorizes an animal rescue organization facility, shelter, pound, or kennel operating as a shelter or pound to charge the cost of spaying or neutering the cat to the person assuming ownership of the cat. The bill also amends various sections of existing law to allow for the implementation of the new spaying and neutering requirements established by the bill and other provisions of the bill. The bill authorizes the Department of Health (DOH) to adopt regulations necessary to implement grant programs and fund the spaying and neutering requirements established in the bill. The bill establishes the "Compassion for Community Cats Fund" in the DOH to provide grants to municipalities and counties to establish programs to humanely trap community cats, and sterilize, ear-tip, and vaccinate them against rabies, and return each feral cat to the location where the cat was trapped. The "Compassion for Community Cats Fund" is to be credited with the monies collected for violations of the bill, the surcharge on dog licenses imposed by section 1 of P.L.1983, c.181 (C.4:19-15.3c), any moneys appropriated by the Legislature, and any return on investment of moneys deposited in the fund. Finally, the bill repeals sections 2 and 3 of P.L.2011, c.142 (C.4:19-15.30 and 4:19-15.31), known as the "Pet Sterilization Pilot Program." Feral cat populations have existed in the State since the time of the first European settlements and they continue to exist primarily due to a lack of effective management in the form of spaying and neutering. To a lesser but still important extent, cats are abandoned, stray from their owners, or are allowed to roam unsupervised, and, if sexually intact, will reproduce. Feral cats are known as "community cats" because they live outdoors and are not owned by anyone but may be cared for by members of the community. The practice of "catch and kill," whereby community cats are trapped and subsequently euthanized, has failed to effectively manage feral cat populations and the continued use of "catch and kill" is an inhumane practice that is incompatible with the moral values of this State. "Trap, neuter, vaccinate and return," also known as "TNVR," is the most effective, compassionate, and humane method of managing these populations of community cats. TNVR is a nonlethal population control method in which community cats are humanely trapped, vaccinated against rabies, and spayed or neutered by licensed veterinarians, and then returned to the location where they were trapped. TNVR is also the most effective method of reducing the burden of community cats on the State's animal shelters. The Office of Veterinary Public Health in the Department of Health reported that cats accounted for more than half of the animals impounded and nearly 80 percent of the animals that were euthanized in the State's animal shelters in 2017. The TNVR method of managing community cat populations is also cost effective for the State's taxpayers, the most beneficial to public health, and results in improved quality of life for the residents of the State. Five counties and more than 150 municipalities in the State and the National Animal Care and Control Association, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and the Humane Society of the United States endorse TNVR for managing community cat populations. This bill would promote the use of TNVR by enabling municipalities and counties to implement this effective, compassionate and humane method of managing community cat populations through provision of municipal startup grants and by appropriately aligning the use of the Animal Population Control Fund with spraying and neutering services in the State to manage community cat populations. | In Committee |
| A3584 | Appropriates $70 million in federal funds to EDA to support arts and culture organizations negatively impacted by COVID-19 pandemic. | This bill appropriates $70 million in federal funds to the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to support arts and culture organizations, including for-profit businesses and non-profit organizations, that were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the bill, the EDA, in consultation with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts (council), would be required to award $50 million in grants to support the financial recovery, resiliency, and growth of qualifying arts and culture organizations. However, of this total, $10 million in grants would be dedicated to arts education organizations that provide programs and services for public schools or afterschool programs. Specifically, these grants may be used to offset any revenue losses that occurred as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic or provide the cash reserves necessary to ensure continued operations in the event of future pandemic-related shutdowns. Additionally, the bill requires the EDA, in consultation with the council, to award $20 million in grants to qualifying arts and culture organizations to support the completion of placemaking projects in public spaces. Under the bill, placemaking projects would include any creative or artistic project intended to beautify or enrich public spaces, such as artistic paintings on roadways or sidewalks, landscape plantings in public areas, educational signage, and other artistic, cultural, or educational installations. The monies appropriated under the bill would be provided from the State's allocation of funds from the federal "Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund," established pursuant to the federal "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021," Pub.L. 117-2. | In Committee |
| A3551 | Requires front-loading clothes washing machines and dryers to have child safety locks; requires installation of safety locks and warning for machines previously purchased without child safety locks. | This bill requires front-loading clothes washing machines and dryers to be equipped with child safety locks. The bill also requires that safety locks be installed by the vendor at the manufacturer's expense on machines previously purchased without child safety locks, and that notices and warning stickers are issued to consumers who previously purchased machines without child safety locks. Front-loading clothes washing machines and dryers can pose a potential risk of harm to young children who may play or hide inside and become trapped. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), since 2014, there have been at least three deaths, and 3,000 injuries to children five years or age and younger related to washing machines. This bill prohibits a person from selling or offering for sale in this State a front-loading clothes washing machine or front-loading clothes dryer that is not equipped with a child safety lock. A "child safety lock" is defined under the bill to mean a device or locking mechanism of a clothes washing machine or clothes dryer that: is installed in the machine during the machine's manufacture or, in accordance with the provisions of the bill, installed on a previously sold machine that was not equipped with a child safety lock; prevents the door of the machine from being opened; cannot be removed except through the use of a key, combination, or other method of access; and meets the standards established by the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. Under the bill, in addition to the liability for any injury sustained because a front-loading clothes washing machine or dryer was not equipped with a child safety lock, a person who violates the provisions of the bill is to be liable for a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 for the first offense; and not more than $10,000 for the second or subsequent offense. A manufacturer of front-loading washing machines and dryers sold in the State is required under the bill to provide safety locks approved by the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs for installation in front-loading washing machines or dryers not equipped with a child safety lock to any vendor that sold the machines prior to the effective date of the bill. The manufacturer is required to coordinate with the vendor to ensure installation of the child safety locks, which shall be installed at the manufacturer's expense. A manufacturer also is required to prepare a notice warning of the risks the machines may pose to children, and a sticker to be adhered to the machines warning of the dangers of not using a child safety lock and provide the notice and sticker to any vendor that sold the manufacturer's machines not equipped with a child safety lock prior to the effective date of the bill. A vendor also is required under the bill to contact any consumer who purchased a front-loading clothes washing machine or front-loading clothes dryer not equipped with a child safety lock prior to the effective date of the bill to coordinate the installation of a child safety lock, which is to be installed at the manufacturer's expense. A vendor also is required to provide a warning notice and sticker to the consumer. Finally, the bill requires the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs to establish standards for front-loading clothes washing machine and dryer safety locks and the notice and warning stickers required under the bill, and to promulgate any rules and regulations necessary to effectuate the provisions of the bill. | In Committee |
| A1838 | Establishes New Jersey Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Regulatory Commission. | This bill establishes the New Jersey Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Regulatory Commission (commission). Under the bill, the commission is to consist of the following 17 members: (1) four public members to be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, with each public member having a background in the field or business of pharmaceuticals, one public member having a general background in pharmaceutical manufacturing, and at least one public member having a background in active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing; (2) two public members to be appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the President of the Senate and two public members to be appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the General Assembly, with each public member having a background in the field or business of pharmaceuticals or active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing; (3) two members of the Senate, who are not to be of the same political party, to be appointed by the President of the Senate and who are to serve as ex officio, non-voting members, and two members of the General Assembly, who are not to be of the same political party, to be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and who is to serve as ex officio, non-voting members; (4) the Commissioner of Health, ex officio, or the commissioner's representative; (5) the Executive Director of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, ex officio, or the executive director's representative; (6) the Executive Director of the New Jersey Commission of Science, Innovation and Technology, ex officio, or the executive director's representative; and (7) two presidents of a State public or private research institution of higher education, who are to be appointed annually by the Governor and who are to serve as ex officio, non-voting members. In the selection of public members, a strong effort is to be made to appoint women and minorities to the commission. Under the bill, the commission is to: (1) establish standards and provide oversight of the manufacture of active pharmaceutical ingredients in the State and for the quality and use of active pharmaceutical ingredients manufactured outside of the State in a manner that is consistent with federal law; (2) promote the growth of the active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing industry in this State, with a focus on the use of available federal monies and resources; (3) act as a liaison between the pharmaceutical industry and the State and federal governments as it pertains to identifying federal funding and grant opportunities for members of the industry; (4) adopt rules and regulations pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) if necessary to effectuate the provisions of this act; (5) adopt, amend, and repeal bylaws for the regulation of its affairs and the conduct of its business; (6) adopt and have a seal and alter the same at its pleasure; (7) have the authority to sue and be sued; (8) have the authority to conduct meetings and public hearings in connection with the purposes of this act; (9) receive and disburse funds from non-State sources including but not limited to federal funds; and (10) have the authority to do any and all things necessary or convenient to carry out its purposes and exercise the powers granted in this act. On February 24, 2021, the Biden administration issued an executive order requiring the review of active pharmaceutical ingredient supply chains. The executive order directs a 100-day review and strategy development process to identify and address vulnerabilities in the supply chains of four key product sectors which are: semiconductor manufacturing and advanced packaging, large capacity batteries, critical minerals and materials, and pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. With regards "to promot[ing] domestic growth, equity, and resilience throughout the pharmaceutical" and active pharmaceutical ingredient supply chains, the executive order prescribes "a strategic approach that includes the following three elements[:]" 1) boosting local production to foster international competition; 2) building emergency capacity; and 3) increasing information available to the Federal Drug Administration to improve its surveillance and shortage prevention and mitigation efforts. | In Committee |
| A925 | Allows voter registration at polling place on election day or at early voting site during early voting period. | This bill allows for voter registration at polling places on election day or at early voting sites during the early voting period. Under current law, a person must register to vote at least 21 days before the election. This bill allows a person who has not registered to vote by that deadline to register at a polling place on the day of the election or at an early voting site during the early voting period. This bill also allows a person to cast a provisional ballot if the person has registered to vote within the period of 21 days before the election if the person can affirm that the person has not previously voted in that election. If the county commissioner of registration is not able to verify the person's Motor Vehicle Commission New Jersey driver's license number or non-driver identification number, or the last four digits of the person's Social Security Number, the county commissioner of registration will notify the person by mail, e-mail, or telephone within 24 hours that they must provide valid identification no later than 48 hours prior to the final certification of the results of the election in order for their ballot to be counted. | In Committee |
| A1639 | Expands scope of law enforcement sexual assault training; codifies certain responsibilities of county sexual violence programs and rape care advocates. | This bill requires trauma-informed sexual assault training for law enforcement officers and codifies the requirement that sexual assault victims be informed of and provided with services by county-based sexual violence programs. Current law requires the Division of Criminal Justice to develop or approve a training course and curriculum for law enforcement officers on the handling, investigation, and response procedures for reports of sexual assault. The division is required to make the course and curriculum available to all law enforcement agencies throughout the State. Law enforcement officers are required to complete the training every three years. This bill specifically requires the sexual assault training course and curriculum to include information on the neurobiological impact of trauma, the influence of societal myths and stereotypes, understanding perpetrator behavior, and conducting effective investigations. Law enforcement officers are to be trained on how specific experiences impact victim trauma, memory, reactions, and behavior, and the impact of the officer's interpretation of this behavior on the investigation; the impact of decisions the officer makes on the progression of the investigation; strategies for working with victims to facilitate trust and communication; strategies for postponing judgment on the validity of a case until a thorough investigation is completed; and investigative methods and techniques focusing on offender behavior. The bill clarifies that prosecutors also are required to complete sexual assault training. Current law requires each county to establish a sexual assault response team comprised of a certified forensic sexual assault nurse examiner, a rape care advocate, and a law enforcement officer for the purpose of responding to a report of sexual assault and providing treatment, counseling, legal, and forensic medical services pursuant to Attorney General guidelines. Under this bill, healthcare facilities and law enforcement agencies are statutorily required to ensure that a sexual assault victim is informed of the availability of services offered by a designated county sexual violence program, including the option to consult with a rape care advocate. The information is to be conveyed to the victim as soon as possible, but in any case before a sexual assault medical forensic examination is conducted or a statement is taken by a law enforcement agency. The healthcare facility or law enforcement agency is responsible for obtaining the services of a rape care advocate for the victim. The bill requires the rape care advocate to explain his or her role on the sexual assault response team and inform the victim of all available resources, including the services of the county program. The advocate also is to explain the importance of seeking medical attention, and the value of timely evidence collection and early reporting to law enforcement. The advocate is to be available to privately speak with the victim prior to and during any investigative and sexual assault medical forensic interview or procedure. It is also the responsibility of the advocate to provide the victim with a safe, neutral, and confidential place to consider options. The advocate is to support the victim's decisions and provide crisis intervention and emotional support during medical forensic examinations or law enforcement interviews. The advocate is required to periodically follow-up with the victim to ensure the victim is receiving all appropriate services. Communications between the advocate and the victim are to be held confidential. The services of the county sexual violence program, including the rape care advocate, are to be available to the victim throughout the post-sexual assault healing process. These services include accompanying the victim to forensic medical examinations, law enforcement agencies, or legal or court proceedings; providing crisis counseling, individual counseling, and support groups; providing referrals to additional resources; providing periodic follow-up visits with the victim; and providing support for non-offending family members and friends. | In Committee |
| A563 | Provides that crime of official misconduct involving disclosure of domestic violence or sexual assault victim's personal information is second degree crime. | This bill provides that any crime of official misconduct involving the disclosure of a domestic violence or sexual assault victim's personal information is a crime of the second degree. Under current law, a public servant is guilty of official misconduct when, with purpose to obtain a benefit for himself or another or to injure or to deprive another of a benefit: he knowingly commits an unauthorized exercise of his official functions; or he knowingly refrains from performing a duty which is imposed upon him by law or is clearly inherent in the nature of his office. Official misconduct generally is a second degree crime, unless the benefit obtained or sought to be obtained, or of which another is deprived or sought to be deprived, is of a value of $200 or less, then it is a third degree crime. A crime of the second degree is punishable by five to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $150,000, or both. A crime of the third degree is punishable by three to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. Under this bill, any crime of official misconduct involving the disclosure of a domestic violence or sexual assault victim's personal information would be a crime of the second degree, regardless of the amount of the benefit obtained or sought to be obtained, or of which another is deprived or sought to be deprived. | In Committee |
| A2484 | Eliminates fee for filing certified copy of name change order. | Under current law, a $50 fee is charged for filing a certified copy of an order for change of name. Many New Jersey residents seek a change of name each year for reasons including marriage and divorce. This bill eliminates the fee for filing a certified copy of a name change order in this State. | In Committee |
| A2311 | Establishes pilot program to provide for same-day voter registration on election day in certain years. | This bill requires the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the commissioner of registration, county clerk, and county board of elections in each county, to implement a pilot program to allow each person who meets the voter eligibility criteria to register to vote on the day of the general election in 2021, 2022, and 2023 at designated locations. Under current law, a person who meets the voter eligibility requirements of being a citizen of the United States, of the age of 18 years, and who has been a resident of the State for at least 30 days and of the county at least 30 days before the election, is permitted to register to vote on or before the 21st day preceding the election. Under the pilot program, the commissioner of registration, county clerk, and county board of elections in each county would collectively designate one or more locations in each county to allow for same-day voter registration for all eligible residents of that county who wish to register to vote. A voter who registers to vote under the same-day voter registration pilot program would be required to meet the voter eligibility criteria under current law and to complete a voter registration form. Upon registering to vote, such a voter would be directed to the voter's designated polling place and be permitted to cast a provisional ballot. The bill requires the Secretary of State, in collaboration with the commissioner of registration, county clerk, and county board of elections in each county, to submit three interim reports and one final report to the Governor and the Legislature on the effectiveness of the pilot program, including an audit of the program. The interim reports would be due by January 31 of 2022, 2023, and 2024, and the final report would be due by March 1, 2024. The bill further provides that, if the final report finds that the pilot program was successful in increasing voter registration and participation in the elections relative to comparable general elections, with a low risk for voter fraud, then it would include recommendations for the enactment of same-day voter registration in this State at every polling location for the 2024 general election, and all elections thereafter. Such implementation would require enabling legislation. This bill would take effect immediately, and would expire on March 1, 2024, or upon the issuance of the final report, whichever occurs later. | 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 |
| A1717 | Permits legislative agents and organizations to receive funds assessed on tuition bills as waivable fees. | This bill would permit the governing body of a public institution of higher education to allow funds generated from student tuition bills to be distributed to legislative agents or organizations which attempt to influence legislation as waivable fees. Under current law, the governing body of a public institution of higher education is prohibited from allowing funds for legislative agents or organizations which attempt to influence legislation to be assessed on student tuition bills. However, optional fees may be assessed for nonpartisan organizations that employ legislative agents or attempt to influence legislation provided that such a fee has been authorized by a majority vote in a student referendum. An optional fee is an amount payable on a student tuition bill, appearing as a separately assessed item, but not a mandatory charge or a waivable fee. Optional fees that appear on student tuition bills are currently required to be accompanied by a statement as to the nature of the item along with an explanation that the item is not a charge required to be paid by the student, the student may add the charge to the total amount due, and that the item has appeared on the bill at the request of the student body and does not necessarily reflect the endorsement of the governing body of the public institution of higher education. This bill would amend current law to eliminate the optional fee authorizations process and allow funds for legislative agents and organizations that attempt to influence legislation to be assessed on tuition bills as waivable fees. These fees would appear on student tuition bills without prior student referendum but students would have the option to have the fee waived. For purposes of this bill, a waivable fee means any amount payable on a student tuition bill, appearing as a separately assessed item, but not a mandatory charge. The bill requires a waivable fee to be accompanied by a statement as to the nature of the item, that the item is not a charge required to be paid by the student, the process for waiving the fee, and that the presence of the fee does not necessarily reflect the endorsement of the governing body of the public institution of higher education. | In Committee |
| A1710 | Establishes certain protections for persons, providing, receiving, and allowing children to receive gender-affirming health care. | This bill establishes certain protections for persons who provide, receive, or allow a child to receive gender-affirming health care. As defined in the bill, "gender-affirming care" means care that focuses on a transgender person's physical, mental, and social health needs and well-being while confirming the person's gender identity, including but not limited to, psychological or psychiatric care, surgery, hormone replacement therapy, and other nonsurgical treatments intended to align certain physical aspects of a person's gender identity. Specifically, the bill amends P.L.2004, c.187 (C.2A:34-53 et seq.), the "Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act" to stipulate that: 1) the presence of the child in this State for the purpose of receiving gender-affirming health care is sufficient for a State court to have jurisdiction to make an initial child custody determination for a child, if the child and the child's parents, or the child and at least one parent or a person acting as a parent, have a significant connection with this State other than mere physical presence (section 13 of P.L.2004, c.147 (C.2A:34-65)); 2) a court of this State has temporary emergency jurisdiction if the child is present in this State and the child is unable to receive gender-affirming health care in the child's home state (section 16 of P.L.2004, c.147 (C. 2A:34-68)); 3) a court of this State is the appropriate forum to exercise jurisdiction in a child custody case when the law or policy of the other state that may take jurisdiction limits the ability of a parent to obtain gender-affirming health care for a child (section 19 of P.L.2004, c.147 (C.2A:34-71)); and 4) in making a determination about whether a court in this State can decline to exercise its jurisdiction over a child custody case, the court cannot consider the taking or keeping of the child from the person who has legal or physical custody or visitation rights as a factor weighing against a petitioner in the case, if there is evidence that taking or keeping the child was so that the child could receive gender-affirming health care (section 20 of P.L.2004, c.147 (C.2A:34-72)). The bill also prohibits the Governor from extraditing a person who: is found in this State; was not in the state making the demand for extradition at the time of the commission of the alleged crime and did not flee; and is charged in the state making the demand for extradition with providing, receiving, or allowing a child to receive gender-affirming health care that is permitted under the laws of this State. Under the bill's provisions, an attorney or counselor at law who practices law in the State is prohibited from responding to any subpoena issued by another state or jurisdiction if the subpoena relates to a violation of that state's or jurisdiction's law against a person providing, receiving, or allowing a child to receive gender-affirming health care that is permitted under the laws of this State. The bill also prohibits a State, county, or local law enforcement agency from: 1) knowingly making an, or participating in the, arrest of a person pursuant to an outstanding arrest warrant issued by another state or jurisdiction for a violation of that state's or jurisdiction's law against a person providing, receiving, or allowing a child to receive gender-affirming health care that is permitted under the laws of this State; and 2) cooperating with, or responding to, an inquiry from another state or jurisdiction about a person providing, receiving, or allowing a child to receive gender-affirming health care that is permitted under the laws of this State. Under the bill, any law or judicial ruling of another state or jurisdiction authorizing a state agency to remove a child from the care and custody of the child's parent or guardian as a result of the parent or guardian allowing the child to receive gender-affirming health care cannot be enforced by a court of this State. The bill's provisions bar a health care facility licensed pursuant to pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:3H-2 et seq.) and a health care professional licensed pursuant to Title 45 or Title 52 of the Revised Statutes from providing the medical records of any child seeking or receiving gender-affirming health care in furtherance of any interstate investigation or proceeding, based on another state's law, 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, the person providing gender-affirming health care to a child that is permitted under the laws of 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, the person providing gender-affirming health care to a child that is permitted under the laws of this State. A health care facility or health care professional would be required to provide the medical records of any child seeking or receiving gender-affirming health care in the furtherance of an investigation or proceeding if the conduct subject to potential liability under the investigation or proceeding would be subject to liability under New Jersey law if committed in New Jersey, or if the provision of such medical records is necessary for a person to engage in conduct otherwise prohibited by the bill in order to comply with a valid order issued by a court with jurisdiction over the person, or to comply with applicable provisions of State or federal law. As defined in the bill: "person" means an individual, any State, county, or local governmental entity or instrumentality, a, partnership, an association, a limited liability company, or a corporation. | In Committee |
| A1375 | Establishes special license plates for veterans. | This bill authorizes the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to issue special license plates to honorably discharged veterans. The license plates authorized by this bill are to bear a design approved by the administrator identifying the registrant as a veteran, in addition to other markings or identification otherwise prescribed by law. A $15 application fee is required to obtain the special plates, in addition to the normal registration fee. The bill authorizes the administrator to promulgate rules and regulations governing the issuance and use of these plates. The bill allows surviving spouses of deceased veterans to retain the special license plates. | In Committee |
| A2592 | Revises law concerning physical damage inspection of vehicle by automobile insurer. | This bill revises the anti-fraud provisions established by the "Fair Automobile Insurance Reform Act" concerning pre-insurance vehicle inspection. The bill establishes standard waivers applicable to all insurers providing physical damage coverage. The bill also requires the Department of Banking and Insurance to develop a standard waiver application and establish procedures for the evaluation of new waiver submission requests beyond the standardized list created in the bill. The standardized waivers seek to prevent insurance fraud through the exploitation of waiver inconsistency. The bill also seeks to reduce the high volume of fraud prosecutions stemming from pre-existing physical damage insurance fraud, which constitutes a significant portion of Department of Banking and Insurance fraud prosecutions. In addition, the department is also required to conduct market conduct examinations regularly. Under the bill, an insurer may authorize the insured to conduct a self-inspection required or permitted pursuant to the bill. An insured may conduct the self-inspection at any time and place reasonably convenient to the named insured. The insured is to conduct a self-inspection using the insurer's authorized representative's self-inspection mobile application. If the insured fails to perform, prior to expiration of the deferral period authorized pursuant to N.J.A.C.11:3-36.5, the automobile inspection services provided pursuant to this section, the physical damage inspection requirement is to be conducted by the insurer's authorized representative and the insurer is required to so notify the named insured. | In Committee |
| A2588 | Provides CBT and gross income tax credit for certain capital investments in film production facility. | This bill provides a tax credit for capital investment in a film production facility to incentivize the growth of a permanent film industry presence in New Jersey. If a taxpayer makes at least a $30 million capital investment in a film production facility, the taxpayer will be eligible for a credit against the corporate business tax or gross income tax. The credit will be in the amount of 30 percent of the capital investment, and can be claimed in the year it is earned or the seven subsequent years. The credit can also be transferred to another taxpayer. The bill caps the amount of credits granted per year at $100 million. To be eligible for the credit, the capital investment must be for a production facility with at least 50,000 square feet of space and which contains at least one sound stage. In addition, the capital investment must be made during the years the Garden State Film and Digital Media Jobs Act (P.L.2018, c.56 as amended by P.L.2019, c.506) remains in effect (through July 1, 2028). | In Committee |
| A320 | Expands NJT Access Link paratransit service area to include certain veterans health care facilities; appropriates $1 million. | This bill requires the New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJ Transit) to expand its Access Link paratransit service area to include every health care facility operated by the United States Veterans Health Administration in the State (i.e., veterans health care facility). Under the federal "Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990," any public entity that operates a fixed route, public transportation system is required to provide complementary, origin-to-destination paratransit service for persons with a disability. In compliance with this requirement, NJ Transit currently makes available Access Link paratransit service. As required under federal law, Access Link service is generally made available for origins and destinations that are located within a three-quarter mile radius of NJ Transit's existing bus routes and light rail stations. Notably, this bill requires NJ Transit to make available Access Link paratransit service to and from every veterans health care facility, regardless of whether the facility is located within the minimum paratransit service area required under federal law. Specifically, the bill requires NJ Transit to expand the Access Link service area to include any origins and destinations within: (1) a radius of 1.5 miles around each veterans health care facility; and (2) a width of 1.5 miles on each side of the most direct route connecting each veterans health care facility to NJ Transit's closest existing fixed bus route or light rail station. However, this expanded service area would not include any origins or destinations in which NJ Transit does not have the legal authority to operate paratransit service. Under the bill, NJ Transit would also be prohibited from entering into any contract, or exercising any option to extend an existing contract, concerning the provision of Access Link service by a paratransit service provider unless the contract or option complies with the requirements of this bill. The bill also appropriates $1,000,000 from the General Fund to NJ Transit to defray any costs incurred in the implementation of this bill. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| A2874 | Lowers age at which minors can consent to behavioral health care treatment from age 16 to age 14. | Under current law, a minor, 16 years of age or older, who believes that he or she is in need of behavioral health care services can consent to temporary outpatient treatment under the supervision of a licensed health care professional, excluding the use or administration of medication, as if the minor had achieved the age of majority. This bill lowers the age at which a minor can consent to such treatment from 16 years of age or older to 14 years of age or older. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among New Jersey teens. Between 2016 and 2018, the number of suicide deaths among persons ages of ten and 24 in New Jersey was 291. During the early stages of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, adolescents accounted for a higher proportion of suicides in the United States than in the years prior to the pandemic and the subsequent lockdown. Five states, including New Jersey, had an increase in the absolute count of adolescent suicides during the pandemic. These states also had an increase in the proportion of overall suicides among adolescents. Twenty-four states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have enacted laws allowing minors to consent to some type of behavioral or mental health treatment, and ten states allow minors between the ages of 12 and 15 to consent to such treatment. It is the sponsor's intent to address the issue of, and facilitate efforts to prevent, teen suicide by lowering the age at which a minor, who believes that he or she is in need of behavioral health treatment services, can consent to such services. | In Committee |
| A2585 | Requires award of Edna Mahan trauma credits to inmates incarcerated during period of investigation into allegations of sexual abuse by correctional police officers and staff. | This bill requires Edna Mahan trauma credits to be awarded to any inmate in the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women (Edna Mahan) who was incarcerated during the period of investigation into allegations of sexual abuse by correctional police officers and staff at the facility. In April of 2018, the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and the United States Attorney's Office District of New Jersey (U.S. Attorney) initiated an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse at Edna Mahan. In its report published in April 2020, the DOJ and U.S. Attorney concluded that there is reasonable cause to believe conditions at Edna Mahan violate the Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution due to facility staff sexually abusing inmates. The report further concluded that the sexual abuse is pursuant to a pattern or practice of resistance to the full enjoyment of these Eighth Amendment rights. In addition to any credits awarded under current law, this bill requires the award of Edna Mahan trauma credits (credits) to any inmate incarcerated in Edna Mahan during the period of investigation into allegations of the sexual abuse of inmates at the facility. The credits awarded under the bill are to provide further remission from both the maximum and minimum term of the inmate's sentence, including the statutory mandatory minimum term. The credits are to be awarded at the rate of 183 days for each year, or portion thereof, served by an inmate confined in Edna Mahan during the period of investigation. An inmate is not to be awarded credits under the bill in excess of 365 days of remission. Under the bill, "Edna Mahan trauma credits" refers to credits awarded to an inmate for time served by the inmate during the period of investigation into allegations of the sexual abuse of inmates by correctional police officers and staff at Edna Mahan conducted by the: Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice, United States Attorney's Office District of New Jersey, Hunterdon County Prosecutor's office, office of the Attorney General of the State of New Jersey, and Governor of the State of New Jersey. "Period of investigation" is defined to mean the period during which the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice, the United States Attorney's Office District of New Jersey, Hunterdon County Prosecutor's office, Attorney General of the State of New Jersey, and the Governor of the State of New Jersey conducted an investigation into allegations of the sexual abuse of inmates by correctional police officers and staff at Edna Mahan. The period of investigation begins on April 26, 2018, the date the investigation was initiated by the DOJ and U.S. Attorney, and terminates on the effective date of the bill. Between 2010 and 2016, eight staff members were terminated for sexual misconduct at Edna Mahan. From October 2016 to November 2019, five Edna Mahan corrections officers and one civilian employee were convicted or pled guilty to charges related to sexual abuse of more than 10 women under their watch. According to the sentencing judge for one of the convicted officers, the "pervasive culture" at Edna Mahan allowed the corrections officer to abuse his "position of authority to indulge in [his] own sexual stimulation." Dozens of additional corrections officers have been indicted for charges related to sexual abuse of prisoners. Most recently, additional allegations of the mistreatment of inmates in Edna Mahan surfaced in 2021, involving approximately 30 staff members who were suspended and investigated for severely beating at least three inmates. One of the inmates suffered a broken eye socket and another transgender inmate was handcuffed and beaten so severely that she could not walk and was confined to a wheelchair. In April 2021, a settlement was announced between the New Jersey Department of Corrections and private plaintiffs' counsel representing current and former Edna Mahan inmates. The settlement reportedly encompasses 22 claims, including two class action complaints providing up to $20,835,600 in damages and attorneys' fees for women who were either directly impacted by sexual misconduct or who were incarcerated in the facility between 2014 and the date of court approval of the settlement. | In Committee |
| A2594 | Establishes State holiday on September 11 of each year. | This bill designates September 11 of each year a State holiday, which will be known as 9/11 Remembrance Day. On September 11, 2001, the United States was attacked by the terrorist group, al-Qaeda, with four hijacked commercial airplanes. Nearly 3,000 people were killed and thousands more were injured where planes crashed at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in a field in Pennsylvania. Approximately 750 New Jerseyans lost their lives that day and the death toll is still rising 20 years later, as some of those who selflessly worked at Ground Zero after the attacks are dying from illnesses caused by exposure to the variety of poisonous materials at the site. Many lives are owed to the first responders who courageously sacrificed their lives and health in order to bring others to safety. Over 150 memorials in the form of gardens, statues, plaques, and monuments have been installed all over the State of New Jersey in the years since the attacks, but establishing a State holiday would allow for a day of reflection for New Jerseyans. On this holiday, the State will recognize the victims of the terror attacks and the bravery and selflessness of the first responders and volunteers who responded in the wake of those attacks. | In Committee |
| A2591 | "Behavioral Health Crisis Mobile Response Act." | This bill, to be known as the "Behavioral Health Crisis Mobile Response Act," requires the Commissioner of Human Services (the commissioner), in consultation with the Commissioner of Health, and the Directors of the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and the Division of Developmental Disabilities in the Department of Human Services (DHS), to establish a Statewide mobile crisis response system to provide immediate crisis response services, and ongoing stabilization management services, upon request, to adults with disabilities (i.e., with intellectual or developmental disabilities, or mental illness) who are experiencing a behavioral health crisis, and their families and attendant caregivers or other staff. The mobile crisis response system would be designed to prevent the hospitalization of adults in crisis to provide for the stabilization of adults in crisis in the least restrictive environment, and to allow the mobile crisis response system to access to the 9-8-8 suicide prevention and behavioral health crisis hotline in order to refer an eligible adult for crisis response services and stabilization management services in accordance with the provisions of the bill. The system would be implemented on a Statewide basis, with at least one mobile crisis response agency available to provide crisis response services and stabilization management services, and at least one temporary stabilization unit available to provide temporary crisis beds, in each of the northern, central, and southern regions of the State. Any person, group, or entity wishing to provide initial crisis response services or stabilization management services, pursuant to this bill's provisions, would need to be approved by the New Jersey Medicaid and FamilyCare programs, and by the DHS, as a mobile response agency. Each mobile crisis response agency approved under the bill would be required to employ one or more mobile crisis response teams, composed of mental health professionals, to: 1) provide mobile crisis response services in the home of a person in crisis, or at another community location where a person in crisis is located; 2) when deemed to be appropriate, transport the adult in crisis to a temporary stabilization unit established and licensed pursuant to the bill; and 3) provide ongoing stabilization management services to the adult in crisis, in the adult's home, when authorized to do so by the DHS. Mobile crisis response services and stabilization management services, which are provided by a mobile crisis response team under this bill's provisions, are to be delivered directly by, or under the supervision of, a licensed and experienced psychiatrist. Mobile crisis response services are to be provided to an eligible adult in crisis for a period of up to 72 hours per crisis episode, over the course of up to a four-day period, immediately following the initial referral or dispatch, and are to be designed to stabilize the presenting behaviors and crisis situation, with the goal of preventing a disruption of the current living arrangement, and avoiding inappropriate psychiatric hospitalization or residential placement, of the adult in crisis. Each referral to, or dispatch of, a mobile crisis response team will be registered with the DHS within 24 hours after the team receives notice thereof. Mobile crisis response services provided by a mobile crisis response team are to include, but need not be limited to: 1) mobile outreach and face-to-face contact with the adult in crisis, which face-to-face contact is to occur within 24 hours following the initial referral or dispatch, except in situations requiring an immediate response, in which case, face-to-face contact is to occur within one hour after the initial referral or dispatch, unless a delay is requested by the family of the adult in crisis, in order to meet the family's needs; 2) the immediate assessment and evaluation of the presenting crisis, including an assessment of the safety of, or danger to, the adult in crisis, other residents of the home, and members of the community, as well as an assessment of caregiver culpability and clinical and environmental factors that contributed to the crisis; 3) the immediate use of clinical and therapeutic interventions to stabilize the presenting crisis; 4) the development of an individualized crisis stabilization plan (ICSP), as provided by the bill, which plan is to include, among other things, an indication of appropriate clinical and therapeutic interventions to be used in addressing and stabilizing the presenting crisis; and a plan to ensure the stabilization and treatment of the adult in crisis in the least restrictive environment; and 5) the provision of relevant information, crisis training, and program and service referrals to the family members or caregivers of the adult in crisis. If, at any time during the initial 72-hour mobile response period, the mobile crisis response team determines that the presenting crisis can only be stabilized through the temporary placement of the adult in a temporary stabilization unit, the crisis response team will be required to transport the adult in crisis to a temporary stabilization unit, and the adult will be admitted to the unit, for a period not exceeding seven days, as necessary to facilitate the initial stabilization of the crisis. A temporary stabilization unit is to be approved and licensed by the Department of Health, and is to: 1) provide a calming, non-clinical, and non-punitive environment for the stabilization of adults in crisis; 2) be staffed by properly credentialed mental health professionals who are capable of, and have expertise in, calming and stabilizing crisis situations in adults with disabilities; 3) have a sufficient number of crisis beds to meet the behavioral health crisis needs of citizens in the region in which the unit is situated; and 4) be situated separately and apart from any other clinical or mental health care unit or facility. If the temporary stabilization unit is a part of a separately licensed health care facility or hospital, the temporary stabilization unit is to be unconnected to, and located separately from, any emergency department or other department or unit of medicine, and is to utilize an entrance that is separate from the entrance that is used by patients of, and visitors to, such other departments or units. Whenever an adult is placed in a crisis bed in a temporary stabilization unit, the need for such placement is to be reviewed and documented by the mobile crisis response team on a daily basis during such placement, and the adult is to be immediately discharged from such placement upon a determination by the team that continued placement is no longer necessary. If a crisis is not sufficiently stabilized during the initial 72-hour mobile response period, or during a related stay at a temporary stabilization unit, the mobile crisis response team will be required to provide the adult in crisis with ongoing stabilization management services, in the adult's home, following the completion of the initial crisis response period. Stabilization management services may not be provided, unless the DHS grants prior approval authorizing the provision of such services to the adult in crisis. The DHS may authorize the mobile crisis response team to provide stabilization management services for a period of up to eight weeks, as deemed by the department to be appropriate. Stabilization management services may include: 1) necessary mental or behavioral health intervention services to maintain the stabilization of the crisis and minimize or eliminate the factors that contributed to the crisis, including, but not limited to, psychiatric or psychological services, medication management services, community-based mental health rehabilitation services, such as behavioral assistance services and intensive in-community services, and any other formal or informal community-based mental health or behavioral health rehabilitation services; and 2) continued advocacy, networking, and support by the mobile crisis response team, as may be necessary to provide linkages and referrals to appropriate community-based services, and to assist the adult in crisis, and the family members or caregivers thereof, in accessing other benefits or assistance programs for which they may be eligible. During the stabilization management period, the mobile crisis response team will be required to review the ICSP on a weekly basis, in order to ensure that the services included therein are effectively addressing the presenting crisis and any factors that contributed to the crisis. Any necessary amendments to the ICSP are to be registered with the division within 24 hours after each review is concluded. Each mobile crisis response agency will be required, under the bill, to maintain an individual service record for each adult who is served thereby. Each mobile crisis response agency and temporary stabilization unit will be eligible for reimbursement, as described in the bill, for the services provided thereby under the bill's provisions. Any person seeking to deliver crisis response services or stabilization management services as a member of a mobile crisis response team, or as a staff member at a temporary stabilization unit, will be required to comply with the criminal history record background check requirements established by P.L.1999, c.358 (C.30:6D-63 et seq.), which are applicable to "community agency employees," as a condition of the person's employment. The bill also requires all direct care staff members providing services at group homes for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities to successfully complete a course of training on: 1) the de-escalation and stabilization of crisis episodes in adults with disabilities; 2) behavioral analysis and management; and 3) behavioral health crisis recognition and identification. The training would also be required to inform direct care staff members of the mobile crisis response system established under the bill, and the procedures that may be used to obtain assistance from a mobile crisis response team whenever a group home resident is experiencing a behavioral health crisis. The bill also requires the commissioner to, on or before July 16, 2022, designate a crisis hotline center or centers to provide crisis intervention services and crisis care coordination to individuals accessing the 9-8-8 suicide prevention and behavioral health crisis hotline from anywhere within the State 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A designated hotline center is to have an active agreement with the administrator of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) for participation within the network. To ensure cohesive and coordinated crisis care, a designated hotline center is to utilize technology that is interoperable between and across crisis and emergency response systems used throughout the State and with the Administrator of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The bill provides that a designated hotline center is to have the authority to deploy crisis and outgoing services, including mobile crisis teams, and coordinate access to crisis receiving and stabilization services as appropriate and according to guidelines and best practices established by the NSPL. A designated hotline center is to coordinate access to crisis receiving and stabilization services for individuals accessing the 9-8-8 suicide prevention and behavioral health crisis hotline through appropriate information sharing regarding availability of services. A designated hotline center is to be utilized by the mobile crisis response system to refer an eligible adult for mobile crisis response services and stabilization management services pursuant to the bill. The commissioner is to have primary oversight of suicide prevention and crisis service activities and essential coordination with a designated 9-8-8 hotline center. A designated hotline center is to meet the requirements set forth by NSPL for serving high risk and specialized populations as identified by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, including training requirements and policies for transferring such callers to an appropriate specialized center or subnetworks within or outside the NSPL network and for providing linguistically and culturally competent care. A designated hotline center is to provide follow-up services to individuals accessing the 9-8-8 suicide prevention and behavioral health crisis hotline consistent with guidance and policies established by the NSPL. Under the bill, the commissioner is to provide onsite response services for crisis calls utilizing State or local mobile crisis teams. A mobile crisis team is to include a behavioral health team, licensed behavioral health professionals, and peers, or a behavioral health team and peers embedded within an emergency medical services entity. A mobile crisis team is to collaborate on data and crisis response protocols with local law enforcement agencies and include police as co-responders in behavioral health teams, and licensed behavioral health professionals and peers, only as needed to respond to high-risk situations that are unmanageable without law enforcement. A mobile crisis team is to be designed in partnership with community members, including people with experience utilizing crisis services. The commissioner is to establish and maintain a 9-8-8 trust fund for the purposes of creating and maintaining a Statewide 9-8-8 suicide prevention and mental health crisis system pursuant to the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020 and the Federal Communication Commission's rules adopted July 16, 2020, and national guidelines for crisis care. The fund is to consist of: monies from a Statewide 9-8-8 fee assessed on users pursuant to the bill's provisions; appropriations, if any; grants and gifts intended for deposit in the fund; interest, premiums, gains, or other earnings on the fund; and any other monies that are deposited in or transferred to the fund. Under the bill, monies in the fund: do not revert at the end of any fiscal year and remain available for the purposes of the fund in subsequent fiscal years; are not subject to transfer to any other fund or to transfer, assignment, or reassignment for any other use or purpose outside of those specified in the bill; and are continuously dedicated for the purposes of the fund. The bill provides that the commissioner, consistent with the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020, is to establish a monthly Statewide 9-8-8 fee on each resident that is a subscriber of commercial mobile services or IP-enabled voice services at a fixed rate that provides for the creation, operation, and maintenance of a Statewide 9-8-8 suicide prevention and behavioral health crisis system and the continuum of services provided pursuant to federal guidelines for crisis services. Under the bill, the 9-8-8 fee is not to be applied to mobile service users who receive benefits under the federal Lifeline program as defined in 47 CFR 54.401. | In Committee |
| A2590 | Allows craft distilleries to sell mixed drinks and mixed drink ingredients for consumption off the licensed premises; authorizes direct shipping by craft distilleries. | This bill allows craft distilleries to direct ship distilled alcoholic beverages to consumers. In addition, the bill allows craft distilleries to sell mixed drinks and mixed drink ingredients for consumption off the licensed premises. The bill expressly authorizes craft distillery licensees to ship up to 20 liters of distilled spirits per year to any New Jersey resident over 21 years of age for personal consumption and not for resale. In addition, craft distillery licensees would be permitted to ship distilled spirits to out-of-State residents over 21 years of age in amounts allowed by the State jurisdiction to which the distilled spirits are shipped. The bill provides that a copy of the original invoice is to be available for inspection at the licensed premises of the distillery for a minimum period of three years. The bill also establishes an Out-of-State craft distillery license that allows distilleries located in other states to ship up to twenty liters of distilled spirits per year to any New Jersey resident. Under the bill, only out-of-State distilleries that produce less than 20,000 gallons of distilled alcoholic beverages would be entitled to hold the license. In addition, the bill makes permanent provisions of P.L.2020, c.33, which temporarily entitles craft distillery licensees to sell for consumption off the licensed mixed drinks and mixed drink ingredients. P.L.2020, c.33 was enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and expires: 1) six months following the date on which the state of emergency has ended; or (2) the date on which the coronavirus-related occupancy or customer seating restrictions no longer apply, whichever date occurs later. Specifically, this bill allows holders of a craft distillery license to sell for consumption off the licensed premises distilled alcoholic beverages that are manufactured on the licensed premises and mixed or blended with other alcoholic or nonalcoholic beverages and sold in closed and sealed containers. The containers in which these mixed drinks are sold are required to have a tamper evident seal and hold no more than 16 fluid ounces. The bill also allows craft distilleries to sell distilled alcoholic beverages in original containers accompanied by one or more nonalcoholic beverages or food stuffs that may be combined by the consumer to prepare a mixed drink. | In Committee |
| A2584 | Requires notification to consumers of collection and disclosure of personal data by certain entities. | This bill requires an online service operator (operator) to notify consumers of the collection and disclosure of "personally identifiable information," as that term is defined in the bill, to third parties. An operator that collects the personally identifiable information of a consumer through an online service is to provide on its online service notification to a consumer that includes, but is not limited to: 1) the categories of the personally identifiable information that the operator collects through the online service about a consumer who uses or visits the online service; 2) all third parties to which the operator may disclose a consumer's personally identifiable information; 3) whether a third party may collect personally identifiable information about a consumer's online activities over time and across different online services when the consumer uses the online service of the operator; 4) a description of the process for an individual consumer who uses or visits the online service to review and request changes to any of the consumer's personally identifiable information that is collected by the online service of the operator; 5) the process by which the operator notifies consumers who use or visit the online service of material changes to the notification required to be made available pursuant to the bill, along with the effective date of the notice; and 6) information concerning one or more designated request addresses of the operator. This bill requires that an operator that discloses a consumer's personally identifiable information to a third party make the following information available to the consumer free of charge upon receipt of a verified request from the consumer for this information through a designated request address: the category or categories of a consumer's personally identifiable information that were disclosed; and the category or categories of the third parties that received the consumer's personally identifiable information. An operator that receives a request from a consumer is to provide a response to the consumer within 60 days of its verification of the request and is to provide the information for all disclosures of personally identifiable information that occurred in the prior 12 months. The bill provides that an operator that collects the personally identifiable information of a consumer through its online service and sells the personally identifiable information of the consumer is to clearly and conspicuously post a link on its online service, or in another prominently accessible location the online service maintains for consumer privacy settings, to an Internet webpage maintained by the operator which enables a consumer, by verified request, to opt in to the sale of the consumer's personally identifiable information. The method by which a consumer may opt in is required to be in a form and manner determined by the operator, provided that a consumer is not to be required to establish an account with the operator in order to opt into the sale of a consumer's personally identifiable information. An operator is prohibited from discriminating against a consumer if the consumer chooses to opt out of the sale of the consumer's personally identifiable information. The provisions of the bill are not to prohibit the operator from offering consumer discounts, loyalty programs, or other incentives for the sale of the consumer's personally identifiable information, or to provide different services to consumers that are reasonably related to the value of the relevant data, provided the operator has clearly and conspicuously disclosed to the consumer that the offered incentives require consenting to the sale or processing of personally identifiable information that the consumer otherwise has a right to opt out of. The provisions of the bill are not to apply to certain types of information and institutions listed in the bill. Nothing in the bill is to require an operator to re-identify de-identified data or to collect, retain, use, link, or combine personally identifiable information concerning a consumer that it otherwise would not. Additionally, nothing in this bill is to be construed as the basis for, or subject to, a private right of action. The Attorney General is to have sole authority to enforce a violation of the bill. | Dead |
| A2586 | "The Desegregate New Jersey Act'; promotes equitable residential development throughout State. | The bill, named the "Desegregate New Jersey Act," promotes equitable residential development throughout the State. This bill provides that on a developable site in an area in which a municipal zoning ordinance permits single-family residential development, the municipality would permit an accessory dwelling unit to be added to the site and no such accessory dwelling unit is to be required to be part of a municipality's affordable housing requirement set by the Council on Affordable Housing in the Department of Community Affairs. The bill provides that a municipal zoning ordinance may require a principal dwelling unit with an accessory dwelling unit to be subject to the same dimensional controls and other controls as are required for the same principal dwelling unit without the accessory dwelling unit, as long as such restrictions do not prohibit the construction of these developments. Under the bill, a municipal zoning ordinance would be prohibited from requiring: (1) a passageway between an accessory dwelling unit and a principal dwelling unit; (2) an exterior door for an accessory dwelling unit, except as required pursuant to the "State Uniform Construction Code Act," P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.); (3) any more than one parking space for an accessory dwelling unit or fees in lieu of parking; (4) a familial, marital, or employment relationship between occupants of a principal dwelling unit and an accessory dwelling unit; (5) a minimum age requirement for occupants of an accessory dwelling unit; (6) a separate billing of utilities otherwise connected to, or used by, the principal dwelling unit; or (7) periodic renewals for permits for accessory dwelling units. Under the bill, nothing would exempt an accessory dwelling unit from: (1) applicable municipal building code requirements; (2) the ability of a municipality to require owner occupancy or to prohibit or limit the use of an accessory dwelling unit for short-term rentals or vacation stays; or (3) other sewerage system related requirements where a private sewerage system is being used, provided that approval for an accessory dwelling unit shall not be unreasonably withheld. The bill provides that the municipal agency reviewing a permit application for an accessory dwelling unit shall make a decision regarding the application no later than 65 days after receipt of such application, except that an applicant may consent to one or more extensions of no more than an additional 65 days or may withdraw the application. Under the bill, a municipal agency would not condition the approval of an accessory dwelling unit on the correction of a nonconforming use, structure or lot, or require the installation of fire sprinklers in an accessory dwelling unit if such sprinklers are not required for the principal dwelling unit located on the same developable site. The bill provides that a municipality, sewer utility, or water utility, would not consider an accessory dwelling unit to be a new residential use for the purpose of calculating connection fees or capacity charges for utilities, including water and sewer service, unless an accessory dwelling unit was constructed with a new single-family dwelling unit on the same developable site, or requires the installation of a new or separate utility connection directly to an accessory dwelling unit. A municipality, sewer utility, or water utility, would not impose a related connection fee for connection of an accessory dwelling unit. Under the bill, a municipal zoning ordinance adopted pursuant to section 49 of P.L.1975, c.291 (C.40:55D-62) would grant permitted use, would allow without requiring a use variance pursuant to subsection d. of section 57 of P.L.1975, c.291 (C.40:55D-70), and would not require minimum parking requirements if there are mixed use developments with at least four dwelling units, mixed use developments with at least four live work units, and multifamily housing with at least four dwellings units that are: (1) at a minimum density of fifteen units per acre; and (2) in at least 50 percent of the lot area served by water and sewer infrastructure and within a one-half-mile radius of a municipality's primary transit station. Under the bill, "Live work unit" means a building, or space within a building, that may be used jointly for commercial and residential purposes by a person or persons living within such building or space and where the commercial purposes are not authorized as customary and incidental accessory home occupation use. The bill provides that a municipality may dedicate up to 50 percent of this area between a one-half-mile radius and a one-mile radius of a municipality's primary transit station only if the dedicated land area for these developments is located only a public right of way that directly connects to a municipality's primary transit station with adequate sidewalks, crosswalks, and other similar pedestrian facilities. Under the bill, a municipal zoning ordinance would grant permitted use, would not require a use variance pursuant to subsection d. of section 57 of P.L.1975, c.291 (C.40:55D-70), and would not require minimum parking requirements if there are multifamily housing or at least two types of multiple dwellings: (1) in any municipality with: (a) a population of at least 500 persons per square mile according to the latest federal decennial census; or (b) a minimum population of 7,500 in the preceding calendar. (2) in at least 50 percent of the lot area within a one-quarter-mile distance from at least one main street corridor. The bill defines "Main street corridor" to mean a portion of any public road, not less than one-quarter of a mile and not more than three-quarters of a mile in length that satisfies at least two of the following: (1) encompasses an intersection of two state routes; (2) encompasses a state route and a federal route; (3) has at least 50 percent of the frontage along such portion being used for office, retail, service, mixed use development or general commercial purposes; and (4) is served by public transportation. If a municipality does not have a clearly identifiable main street corridor, a municipality would permit the use of multifamily housing or at least two types of multiple dwellings through the municipal zoning ordinance adopted pursuant to section 49 of P.L.1975, c.291 (C.40:55D-62), in contiguous land encompassing an area of one-quarter square miles. Under the bill, any development or housing that includes 10 or more dwelling units, at least one out of every 10 newly developed dwelling units would be used to meet the affordable housing obligations of a municipality in which these dwelling units are developed. If a municipality has satisfied the total number of affordable housing units required in that municipality by the Council on Affordable Housing in the Department of Community Affairs, then there would be no additional affordable housing requirement for that municipality as required under the bill. The bill provides that for any development or housing constructed under the bill, the municipal agency reviewing such an application would make a decision on the application for the development or housing no later than 65 days after receipt of the application, except that an applicant may consent to one or more extensions of no more than an additional 65 days or may withdraw such application. | In Committee |
| A2589 | Establishes certain requirements for personal service contracts. | This bill establishes certain requirements for personal service contracts. Under the bill, a contract for personal services means an employment contract that imposes a duty to render a service, as well as a duty to forbear from rendering the service to a competitor. The bill provides that a contract for the exclusive personal services of a recording artist may not contain a term that includes option periods which extend more than six months after the earlier of: (1) the satisfaction of the delivery obligation for a contract period by the recording artist; or (2) the initial commercial release of the applicable music product. If the recording artist's option has not been formally exercised within those time periods, the recording artist may, at any time, terminate the personal services agreement by sending notice to the contracting party. The bill provides that the initial term, including in aggregate any automatic renewal or extension terms, of a contract for the exclusive or first-priority personal services of an actor on an episodic series may not extend for more than 12 months after the earlier of: (1) the delivery to the employer or employer's representative of the contract executed by or on behalf of the actor or the actor's personal services company; or (2) the actor's commencement of performance services for the pilot of the episodic series, or the first episode of the first season or cycle of the episodic series if there is no pilot. If a contract for the exclusive or first-priority personal services of an actor on an episodic series includes options for subsequent seasons or cycles, exercisable by any person other than the actor, then each option must be exercised, and all of the actor's performance services for each optioned season must be completed, within 12 months after the completion of the prior season's performance services by the actor. If an actor's performance services is not be completed within the timeframes set forth in the bill, the actor may, at any time, terminate the personal services agreement by sending notice to the contracting party. The bill provides that these requires may not be waived in an individual negotiation, collective bargaining agreement, or other agreement. Any provision in a contract that would deprive the recording artist or actor of the protections of the bill is void. The provisions of the bill applying to actors and recording artists apply to all unexercised option periods after January 1, 2022, regardless of the start date of the contract containing those option periods. The bill also prohibits a contract to render personal service from being enforced against an employee beyond seven years from the commencement of service under the contract. If the employee voluntarily continues to serve under the contract beyond that time, the contract may be referred to as affording a presumptive measure of the compensation. | In Committee |
| A2593 | Establishes "Pretrial Partnership for Community Support and Services Pilot Program" for certain defendants. | The bill would establish a one-year pilot program, titled the "Pretrial Partnership for Community Support and Services Pilot Program," to be operated in Monmouth, Union, Camden, and Cumberland counties. The program would offer services and treatment to defendants on pretrial release, with the intent of bettering their health and social well-being in order to improve court appearance rates and enhance short-term and long-term public safety. A defendant arrested for a crime or offense in Monmouth, Union, Camden, or Cumberland county would be eligible to participate in the program if the court granted, pursuant to the procedure set forth in P.L.2014, c.31 (C.2A:162-15 et al.), pretrial release conditioned on monitoring by the Judiciary's Pretrial Services Program. A defendant who would qualify for release on the defendant's own personal recognizance or on execution of an unsecured appearance bond could also voluntarily agree, upon petition to the court, to participate and be subject to the conditions of the program. As a condition of release established by the court, an eligible defendant would receive a biopsychosocial or other appropriate assessment and participate in an orientation which offers medical, psychological, or psychiatric treatment, as well as responsive services. These services are provided by, and coordinated through, an approved pretrial community support provider, selected by the Administrative Director of the Courts. The approved community support provider would be either a non-profit or for-profit organization that has provided, for a period of at least two years prior to the implementation of the pilot program, comprehensive reentry services within the State for incarcerated persons released from prisons or county jails which are similar to services to be available to participating defendants during their pretrial release. The biopsychosocial assessment would be required to include, but not be limited to: (1) a screening for substance use disorders; (2) a medical, mental health, and behavioral health assessment including an evaluation of the defendant's medical needs; and (3) an evaluation of the defendant's employment readiness, capacity for independence, and ability to manage the defendant's personal affairs. The assessment would be used by the support provider to develop and implement an individualized pretrial plan for community-based services and needs for the defendant, which would be submitted to the court and the Pretrial Services Program. Successful participation by a defendant in complying with the conditions of the support provider's individualized pretrial plan would be given due consideration by prosecutors in making charging decisions, and by courts in ordering an appropriate sentence, as successful participation would be considered a mitigating sentencing factor. At the program's conclusion the Administrative Office of the Courts would make a report to the Governor and Legislature, which would include program data prepared by the pretrial community support provider, and make recommendations on whether the program should continue, or be expanded or modified. | In Committee |
| A2587 | Prohibits certain steering and marketing practices involving dispensing of prescription drugs and drug samples. | This bill prohibits certain steering and other marketing practices involving devices, kiosks, machines, and other systems for the dispensing of prescription drugs to patients, including drug samples. This bill prohibits drug manufacturers, pharmacies, wholesalers, or other medication supply intermediaries from entering into agreements with health care practitioners to dispense prescription drugs and drug samples using a device, kiosk, machine, or other system which directs or diverts patients to a specified pharmacy or pharmacist for the filling of prescriptions, or which restrains in any way a patient's choice when selecting a pharmacy or pharmacist. This practice, which is sometimes referred to as "steering," improperly restricts patient choice. If a drug manufacturer, pharmacy, wholesaler, or other medication supply intermediary violates this provision, the drug manufacturer, pharmacy, wholesaler, or other medication supply intermediary would be liable to a civil penalty of not less than $100,000 for the first violation, not less than $200,000 for the second violation, and not less than $400,000 for the third and each subsequent violation. A practitioner or designee would not be permitted to dispense prescription drugs and drug samples using a device, kiosk, machine, or other system which transmits a patient's information to a particular pharmacy or pharmacist, unless either: (1) the patient has, voluntarily and without any prompting from the practitioner, requested the information be transmitted to that pharmacy or pharmacist; or (2) the practitioner or designee provides the patient with full disclosure that the patient's information will be transmitted to the pharmacy or pharmacist, and informs the patient of the patient's right to have the patient's information transmitted to the pharmacy or pharmacist of the patient's own choosing and of the right not to have the patient's information transmitted to any pharmacy or pharmacist in connection with the dispensing of the drug. If a practitioner or designee violates the provisions of the bill, the practitioner would be liable to a civil penalty of not less than $250 for the first violation, not less than $500 for the second violation, and not less than $1,000 for the third and each subsequent violation, which would be recovered by and in the name of the State by the local health agency and be paid into the treasury of the municipality in which the violation occurred for the general uses of the municipality. Nothing in the bill would be construed to expand or revise the authority of a health care practitioner to dispense prescription drugs under current law. In addition, the bill incorporates into State law certain requirements of the federal health information privacy rule authorized under the federal "Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996" (HIPAA), as applicable to devices, kiosks, machines, and other systems for the dispensing of prescription drugs to patients, including drug samples. The bill would prohibit such a device, kiosk, machine, or other system from utilizing a patient's individually identifiable medical information as a marketing tool, or selling or otherwise providing a patient's individually identifiable medical information to any other entity, in an effort to promote a particular pharmacy, preferred pharmacy plan, or a particular medication whether in the form of a sample or prescription without first obtaining authorization pursuant to 45 C.F.R. s.164.508. A device, kiosk, machine, or other system would be prohibited from limiting a patient's ability to access drugs through the device, kiosk, machine, or other system based on the patient's choice not to provide authorization to use the patient's medical information. The bill also requires a device, kiosk, machine, or other system for the dispensing of prescription drugs to patients, including drug samples, to notify a patient of any charges to the patient's insurance provider that is related to the transmittal of the patient's individually identifiable medical information, or any benefits, services, or products the patient may receive by using the device, kiosk, machine, or other system. The operator of the device, kiosk, machine, or other system that is in violation of the bill would be subject to such penalties as may be applicable under State or federal law. | In Committee |
| A2486 | Establishes Office of New Americans in Department of Human Services. | This bill establishes the Office of New Americans in the New Jersey Department of Human Services. This bill codifies the existing Office of New Americans established in 2019 pursuant to Executive Order 74 of 2019. The commissioner will appoint the director, and the director will be the administrator and head of the office. The bill requires the office to be a centralized location for expertise and data on New Americans and to engage in programs, initiatives, and policies focused on successful integration for immigrants, refugees, and their children. The office will also provide technical assistance and training to other offices and departments in the Executive Branch on issues pertaining to effective and equitable engagement with New Americans. The bill also requires the Department of Human Services, through the Office of New Americans, to: administer services for New Americans; engage directly with immigrant and refugee communities and service providers to understand and address their concerns and the obstacles they face in accessing services and resources; and support and advise State departments and agencies, as well as other organizations, on community engagement and outreach to promote best practices and improve the accessibility of State programs and information by New Americans. Additionally, the bill requires the office to use data for informing the State's efforts only as authorized under State and federal law to advance integration for immigrants. The office will not use or share data for the use of civil immigration enforcement. | In Committee |
| A2008 | Requires school districts to provide menstrual products for students in grades kindergarten through 12. | This bill requires school districts to ensure that students and staff in schools educating students in grades kindergarten through 12, or any combination thereof, have direct access to menstrual products, free of charge, in all women's restrooms and all-gender restrooms, and in at least one men's room. Any costs incurred by a school district in complying with the provisions of this bill will be borne by the State. For purposes of this bill, "menstrual products" mean tampons and sanitary napkins for use in connection with the menstrual cycle. Under the bill, schools are required to supply students and staff with a variety of menstrual products, including tampons and sanitary napkins graded regular through super-plus, sanitary napkins ranging from ultra-thin to overnight, and tampons and sanitary napkins that are allergy-friendly, including chlorine-free, hypoallergenic, and fragrance-free menstrual products. Also under the bill, school districts will be required to install, for each school in the district, menstrual product dispensers in all women's restrooms and all-gender restrooms, and in at least one men's room. School districts will be required to regularly maintain and stock the dispensers, or contract with a vendor who will regularly maintain and stock the dispensers. Dispensers may be operated by tokens, motion sensors, or a personal identification number. The bill requires that schools ensure that all restrooms are clean with properly functioning toilets and hand dryers, as applicable, and equipped with an adequate supply of toilet paper and hand soap. Also under the bill, schools will ensure that all students have access to restrooms, and will not implement overly restrictive bathroom break policies. The bill also requires that schools provide educational pamphlets addressing a variety of topics, including the symptoms of toxic shock syndrome and of menstrual disorders, as well as the proper disposal of tampons and sanitary napkins. Schools will also be required, when feasible, to display posters highlighting proper menstrual hygiene. The Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Health, will develop guidelines for school districts regarding the production of educational pamphlets and posters. While menstruation typically starts around age 12, it is possible in children as early as age eight. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the average age of puberty has been getting steadily lower since the early 20th century. This bill would require that elementary schools also provide students with access to menstrual products to address the early age that children may begin menstruation. It is the belief of the sponsor of this bill that the intent of Title IX of the federal Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) necessitates the provision of free menstrual products in all restrooms in order to reduce menstrual-based harassment and disparities in schools. Though Title IX does not explicitly reference menstruation, the intent of Title IX is to reduce disparities in educational equity and opportunity on the basis of sex. Therefore, in order to abide by the intent of Title IX, it is imperative that the State mandate the provision of free menstrual products in all public schools. | In Committee |
| A2302 | Authorizes Secretary of Higher Education to impose a fine against an institution of higher education that fails to appropriately respond to a student's allegation of sexual assault by another student. | This bill requires the Secretary of Higher Education to impose a penalty of $10,000 against an institution of higher education in the event that the secretary determines that the institution failed to appropriately respond to and investigate an allegation of sexual assault made by a student enrolled in the institution against another student, and to impose appropriate disciplinary action against the perpetrator if the allegation is substantiated. | In Committee |
| A2127 | Concerns certain requirements regarding experience and examination for nonresident military spouses seeking professional or occupational licensure. | This bill addresses the ability of nonresident military spouses of active duty members of the Armed Forces of the United States to apply for a professional or occupational license. Under the bill, a nonresident military spouse is to demonstrate two years experience in the past seven years in the profession or occupation in which licensure is sought instead of the past five years. Additionally, if a board concludes that an applicant is to sit for an examination, the applicant is to be issued a temporary license that would expire after 30 days, during which time the applicable board is to make its best efforts to provide the opportunity for the applicant to sit for the required examination. At the discretion of the board, a 30-day temporary license may limit an applicant to only performing specific services. Additionally, any courtesy license granted a nonresident military spouse is to be valid for the period of time until the next renewal period. The nonresident military spouse is allowed to apply for licensure renewal, if applicable. | In Committee |
| A1217 | Establishes Vaisakhi and Bandi Chhor Divas as public holidays in this State. | This bill designates Vaisakhi and Bandi Chhor Divas as public holidays in this State. Sikhism is represented by the central principles of truthful living, service to humanity, and devotion to God. Founded by Guru Nanak in the Punjab region of India during the 15th century, the Sikh spiritual tradition is rooted in the belief that every person, regardless of race, gender, sex, or creed, is equal before God. Sikhism is the world's fifth-largest religion with nearly 30 million adherents. Approximately one million Sikhs call the United States home, some of whom have families that began immigrating to the United States over 100 years ago. Sikh spiritual tradition and the founding principles of the United States contain significant similarities, such as the belief of the equality of persons before God and a commitment to public service to one's neighbor and nation. Vaisakhi is a Sikh day of gathering and celebration that originated more than 300 years ago. It is a harvest festival that marks the day in which the tenth in a line of gurus, or spiritual leaders, unified Sikhs and formalized many aspects of the faith. Vaisakhi typically falls on April 13 or April 14 of each year and marks the first day of the month Vaisakh in the Sikh calendar. It was on Vaisakhi that the mandatory outward identity was established, ensuring that Sikhs may stand out and be called upon for help. Vaisakhi is often celebrated by Sikhs attending their local gurdwara to worship, meditate, and to participate in langar, which is a free community meal prepared and served by volunteers at gurdwaras. Bandi Chhor Divas, meaning liberation of prisoners day, is a Sikh day of gathering and celebration which commemorates Guru Hargobind Sahib's release from Gwalior Fort prison in the 17th century. The sixth guru refused to be released unless other innocent princes were also freed and returned to the holy city of Amritsar. Emperor Jahangir, his captor, said that those who clung to the guru's coat would be able to go free. This was meant to limit the number of prisoners who could be released. In response, Guru Hargobind had a coat made with 52 tassels attached to it so that all of the princes could leave prison with him. This story reminds Sikhs of freedom and human rights, and on Bandi Chhor Divas, these principles are celebrated. This day, which typically falls in the autumn, is celebrated by the lighting of homes and gurdwaras, a celebratory street procession called nagar kirtan, langar, and fireworks displays. Gifts, especially dried fruits and sweets, are often exchanged during this day. | In Committee |
| A1975 | Requires DOC to assign transgender inmate to State correctional facility based on inmate's gender identity and use inmate's preferred gender pronoun. | Establishes crime of possessing digital instructions to illegally manufacture firearms and firearm components. | In Committee |
| A602 | Establishes "New Jersey Reparations Task Force." | This bill establishes the "New Jersey Reparations Task Force" to study and develop reparations proposals for African-Americans in this State. The task force would consist of 11 members, comprised of four legislators and seven public members. Three members would be appointed by the Governor and eight members would be appointed by the Legislative leadership. At a minimum, four of the public members would be appointed from persons recommended by organizations concerned with the issues of civil rights, human rights, racial, social and economic justice and equality, reparations and other issues concerning the African-American community. The members of the task force will appoint a chair and a vice chair of the task force. The members of the task force would not be compensated but may be reimbursed for expenses actually incurred in the performance of their duties. This bill, among other things, requires the task force to: (1) examine the institution of slavery within the State of New Jersey; (2) examine the extent to which the State of New Jersey and the federal government prevented, opposed, or restricted efforts of former enslaved persons and their descendants who are considered United States' citizens to economically thrive upon the ending of slavery; (3) examine the lingering negative effects of slavery on living African-Americans and on society in New Jersey and the United States; (4) research methods and materials for facilitating education, community dialogue, symbolic acknowledgement, and other formal actions leading toward transformation, reparations remedies, a sense of justice, and economic justice among the descendants of enslaved African people in this State; (5) make recommendations for what remedies should be awarded, through what instrumentalities, and to whom those remedies should be awarded; and (6) address how said recommendations comport with national and international standards of remedy for wrongs and injuries caused by the State. The task force will hold at least six public meetings in different parts of the State, including Camden, Paterson, Newark, New Brunswick, Atlantic City, and Trenton. The Governor will call the first meeting of the task force to occur on or before the first day of the third month after enactment. The task force will issue an interim report of its progress to the Governor and the Legislature no later than 12 months following the initial meeting. The task force will submit its final report and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature no later than 24 months following the initial meeting. The task force will expire upon issuance of its final report. | In Committee |
| 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 |
| A3089 | Authorizes pharmacists to dispense HIV prophylaxis without individual prescription under certain circumstances; mandates prescription benefits coverage. | This bill authorizes pharmacists to dispense HIV prophylaxis without an individual prescription under certain circumstances, and requires prescription benefits coverage for prophylaxis furnished under the bill. HIV prophylaxis is a course of treatment involving certain drug combinations that can prevent HIV infection notwithstanding exposure to the virus under circumstances in which it is normally transmitted, such as through unprotected sexual contact, sharing needles, or other contact with an infected person's blood or bodily fluids. HIV prophylaxis includes both HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which is taken by a person who anticipates engaging in conduct that risks HIV infection, and HIV postexposure prophylaxis (PEP), which is taken by a person who may have been exposed to HIV. Under the bill, pharmacists will be permitted to furnish PrEP and PEP to patients without an individual prescription pursuant to a standing order issued by the Commissioner of Health or, if the commissioner is not a duly licensed physician, the Deputy Commissioner for Public Health Services. A standing order will be issued to a pharmacist upon request, provided that the pharmacist completes a training program approved by the State Board of Pharmacy in consultation with the Department of Health, and certifies that the pharmacist will meet the requirements set forth in the bill to furnish PrEP and PEP without an individual prescription. The training program is to include information about financial assistance programs available to patients to assist with the costs of PrEP and PEP. The bill allows a patient to receive up to a 60-day supply of PrEP without an individual prescription in any given two-year period. Thereafter, to continue receiving PrEP, the patient will be required to obtain a prescription for the drugs. A pharmacist furnishing PrEP to a patient without an individual prescription will be required to document that the patient is HIV negative, as demonstrated by a test administered in the past seven days, and that the patient does not report any signs or symptoms of acute HIV infection. If the patient does not have a current HIV test, the pharmacist may order a test. If the patient tests positive for HIV, the pharmacist will be required to provide the patient with information and resources concerning HIV treatment and comply with State and federal requirements for a positive HIV test, which includes certain reporting requirements. Additionally, the pharmacist will be required to confirm that the patient is not taking any contraindicated medications, provide the patient with counseling on the ongoing use of PrEP, advise the patient that the patient will require a prescription to continue receiving PrEP, confirm the patient has not already been provided with a 60-day supply of PrEP without an individual prescription in the past two years, document the services provided, and notify the patient's primary care provider that the patient was furnished with PrEP, unless the patient does not consent to the pharmacist providing this notice. Pharmacists may furnish a complete course of PEP to a patient who may have been exposed to HIV if the pharmacist confirms with the patient that the exposure to HIV occurred within the previous 72 hours, the patient otherwise meets the clinical criteria for PEP consistent with guidelines published by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the pharmacist tests the patient for HIV, the pharmacist counsels the patient on the use of PEP consistent with CDC guidelines, the pharmacist informs the patient of the availability of PrEP, and the pharmacist notifies the patient's primary care provider the patient was furnished with PEP, unless the patient does not consent to the pharmacist providing this notice. If a patient being furnished with PrEP or PEP does not have a primary care provider, or refuses to consent to the pharmacist providing notice to the primary care provider, the pharmacist will be required to provide the patient with a list of health care providers to contact regarding ongoing treatment using PrEP or follow-up care for PEP, as applicable. The DOH will be required to publish and maintain a current list of providers for pharmacists to use for this purpose, which list may be made available on the department's Internet website. In no case will a patient be authorized to waive the consultation required under the bill to receive PrEP or PEP without an individual prescription. The bill requires health benefits plans that include prescription benefits, as well as the State Employee's Health Benefits Plan, the School Employees' Health Benefits Plan, and Medicaid, to provide coverage for PrEP and PEP furnished under the bill without any prior authorization or step therapy requirements. If therapeutic equivalents to prevent HIV and AIDS are approved, the health plans may apply prior authorization or step therapy requirements to other versions of the treatment, provided at least one version is covered without prior authorization or step therapy. Health plans will not be authorized to prohibit a pharmacist from dispensing PrEP and PEP. Health plans will not be required to provide coverage for PrEP furnished without an individual prescription in a quantity that exceeds a 60-day supply within a given two-year period. Health plans will not be required to cover PrEP or PEP furnished by a pharmacist at an out-of-network pharmacy unless the plain includes an out-of-network pharmacy benefit. | In Committee |
| A1532 | "Madalyn's Law"; requires school districts to incorporate age-appropriate instruction on toxic shock syndrome and requires installation of signage in certain women's rooms to enhance public awareness of toxic shock syndrome. | This bill requires each school district, beginning in the 2020-2021 school year, to incorporate instruction on toxic shock syndrome in grades 4 through 12 as part of the district's implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education. The bill directs the Commissioner of Education to provide school districts with age-appropriate sample learning activities and resources designed to implement this requirement. This bill would also require the owner of a group A or M occupancy, that maintains a public restroom available for use by women, to ensure the installation and maintenance of a sign in the restroom alerting women to the warning signs, causes, and dangers of toxic shock syndrome. This requirement would only apply to restrooms that include two or more toilets. The bill would require the Department of Health to adopt rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of the bill. The bill would require the toxic shock syndrome signs to be installed in the necessary restrooms on or before the first day of the sixth month following the adoption of rules and regulations by the department. Failure to comply with the provisions of this bill would result in liability for a penalty of not more than $100 for each violation. Under the bill, "group A or M occupancy" means an Assembly Group A occupancy or a Mercantile Group M occupancy, as defined in chapter 3 of the 2015 New Jersey International Building Code. Under the bill, locations within elementary schools that do not include grades above grade 5 are excluded from the "group A or M occupancy" definition. This bill is intended to enhance public awareness of toxic shock syndrome, a potentially serious illness that can develop quickly. Anyone can contract toxic shock syndrome, but women using tampons and similar devices have a higher risk. Early symptoms may include a low fever, muscle aches, chills, fatigue, and headaches. As toxic shock syndrome progresses, symptoms may include a high fever, vomiting, rashes, redness of the eyes, lips and tongue, low blood pressure, and mental confusion. Toxic shock syndrome is generally treated with antibiotics. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Health to prepare and make available on its website informational literature concerning the signs, causes, and dangers of toxic shock syndrome. This bill is named in honor of Madalyn "Maddy" Massabni, who tragically passed away on March 30, 2017 just days after contracting Toxic Shock Syndrome. Maddy was a 2016 graduate of Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School and was just beginning her academic career at Lynn University in Florida. | In Committee |
| A1421 | "Protecting Against Forever Chemicals Act"; establishes requirements, prohibitions, and programs for regulation of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). | This bill would prohibit the sale of certain products containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), require greater transparency in the labeling of certain products containing PFAS, establish a source reduction program concerning the proper management of PFAS, and appropriate money for PFAS-related research. As defined in the bill, "PFAS" means substances that include any member of the class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom. Specifically, the bill would require, beginning one year after the bill's effective date, a manufacturer of a product for sale in the State that contains intentionally added PFAS to submit to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) a written notification that includes: (1) a brief description of the product; (2) the purpose for which PFAS are used in the product, including in any product components; (3) the amount of each of the PFAS, identified by its chemical abstracts service registry number, in the product, reported as an exact quantity determined using commercially available analytical methods or as falling within a range approved for reporting purposes by the DEP; (4) the name and address of the manufacturer; (5) the name, address, email address, and phone number of a contact person for the manufacturer; and (6) any additional information determined by the DEP to be necessary. A manufacturer would be able to submit the notification information to the DEP for a category of products that are substantially similar, as determined by the DEP, rather than for each individual product. Upon submission of the required notification information, a manufacturer would also be required to pay the $1,000 fee to the DEP imposed pursuant to section 5 of the bill. Beginning two years after the bill's effective date, a manufacturer that has failed to provide the DEP with the required notification information or pay the required fee would be prohibited from selling, offering for sale, or distributing for sale in the State a product containing intentionally added PFAS. If the DEP has reason to believe that a product containing intentionally added PFAS is being offered for sale or distribution in the State in violation of section 6 of the bill, the DEP would be required to direct the manufacturer of the product to, within 30 days: (1) certify, in writing, to the DEP that the product does not contain intentionally added PFAS; or (2) notify persons who sell that product in this State that the sale of that product is prohibited in the State and provide the DEP with a list of the names and addresses of those notified. A retailer would not be prohibited from selling a product containing intentionally added PFAS unless the retailer sells, offers for sale, or distributes for sale a product for which the retailer has received notification from the product's manufacturer or the DEP that sale of the product is prohibited. The bill would also prohibit, beginning two years after the bill's effective date, the sale, offer for sale, or distribution of cosmetics, carpets, fabric treatment, and food packaging that contain intentionally added PFAS. Section 15 of the bill establishes penalties for violations of the bill's provisions, or any rules or regulations adopted pursuant thereto, and for any manufacturer who knowingly makes a false certification to the DEP pursuant to section 7 of the bill or violates the provisions of subsection d. of section 11 of the bill by making a false claim on the product label or Internet website for a cookware product. The bill also includes provisions that would allow products containing a trace amount of PFAS to continue to be sold, distributed, and manufactured within the State without the product being in violation of the bill's provisions as long as the trace amount stems from impurities of natural or synthetic ingredients or the manufacturing process, storage, or migration from packaging of the product. The bill's intent is to prohibit the intentional addition of PFAS into these products. In addition, the bill would require, beginning two years after the bill's effective date, manufacturers of cookware sold in the State that contains intentionally added PFAS in the handle of the product or in any product surface that comes into contact with food, foodstuffs, or beverages to list the presence of PFAS on the product label. The bill would require the product label to include a statement, in both English and Spanish, which reads: "This product contains PFAS," and the statement would be required to be placed on the label in a manner that is visible and legible to the consumer. The statement would be required to be included on the cookware product's product listing on the manufacturer's Internet website as well. Beginning two years after the bill's effective date, a manufacturer would be prohibited from making a claim, on the product label or Internet website for the cookware product, that the cookware is free of PFAS if PFAS was intentionally added to the cookware. Certain cookware products that meet the requirements in subsection e. of section 11 of the bill would be exempt from the labeling requirements of the bill. Beginning two years after the bill's effective date, the sale, offer for sale, and distribution of cookware that contains PFAS would be prohibited unless the cookware product and the manufacturer of the cookware has complied with the bill's cookware labeling requirements. A violation of this provision would be an unlawful practice pursuant to P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.), commonly known as the State's "Consumer Fraud Act." As provided by section 1 of P.L.1966, c.39 (C.56:8-13), an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud Act is punishable by a monetary penalty of not more than $10,000 for a first offense and not more than $20,000 for any subsequent offense. 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. The bill would also require the DEP to recommend to the Legislature products, in addition to those prohibited from being sold, offered for sale, or distributed pursuant to the bill, by category or use that should not be sold, offered for sale, or distributed for sale in this State if they contain intentionally added PFAS. In determining which additional products containing PFAS should be prohibited for sale or distribution within the State, the DEP would be required to prioritize the prohibition of the sale of product categories or uses that, in the DEP's judgment, pose the greatest risk to public health or are most likely to cause contamination of the State's air, land, or water resources if they contain intentionally added PFAS. Under the bill, the DEP would have the authority to audit or investigate a manufacturer to assess the manufacturer's compliance with bill's provisions. Each year, the DEP may audit, or cause to be audited, a random sample of manufacturers in order to determine compliance. Manufacturers are required to cooperate fully with any audit or investigation conducted, and the DEP may require a manufacturer to pay the costs of an audit conducted. The bill would require the DEP to establish, no later than one year after the bill's effective date, a source reduction program to reduce the presence of PFAS in the State's air, water, and soil by encouraging the proper management of materials that contain PFAS and the use of safer alternatives. The program would be required to include, at a minimum: (1) informational resources targeted to industrial and commercial users of PFAS; (2) education of the general public concerning PFAS and its environmental and health impacts; (3) to the extent funds are available, grants to operators of publicly owned treatment works for the purposes of developing, expanding, or implementing pretreatment standards for PFAS and education of users on sources of PFAS and proper management; (4) to the extent funds are available, grants to municipalities for the purposes of educating solid waste disposal users on sources of PFAS and its proper management; and (5) any other information and efforts that are determined by the DEP to be beneficial in reducing the presence and impact of PFAS in the State. The DEP would be required to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature, no later than two years after the bill's effective date, and annually thereafter for 10 years, on the effectiveness of the program in reducing PFAS discharges to air, water, and soil within the State, and educating industrial and commercial users of PFAS and residents of the State on PFAS and its proper management. The bill would also require the DEP to conduct PFAS-related research and comprehensive monitoring and testing of the presence and impact of PFAS on the environmental media within the State, including air, water, biota, and soil. The purpose of the DEP's research would be to gain knowledge surrounding the subject of PFAS, provide insight into the proper management and mitigation of PFAS within the State, and to protect the environment from the adverse impacts of PFAS. The DEP's research would be required to include, at a minimum: (1) the collection of soil samples from throughout the State for monitoring and testing for PFAS; (2) the collection of water samples from throughout the State for monitoring and testing for PFAS; (3) the collection of air samples from throughout the State for monitoring and testing for PFAS; (4) the collection of fish, plant, and animal samples from throughout the State for monitoring and testing for PFAS; (5) the comparison of PFAS samples gathered across the State in an effort to measure levels of PFAS contamination and also determine if there are any hotspots of PFAS contamination in the State; (6) research concerning the impact of PFAS on the State's air, water, and soil quality and ways to mitigate the negative impacts of PFAS; (7) data collection of research findings and mitigation efforts concerning PFAS in other States and countries; and (8) any other data collection and research that the department deems necessary to improve the current foundation of knowledge on the subject of PFAS. No later than two years after the bill's effective date, and annually thereafter, the DEP would be required to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature summarizing their research findings and activities and providing recommendations for programs, policies, and legislation to address the presence of PFAS in the State. The bill would appropriate from the General Fund to the DEP the sum of $5 million for the purposes of implementing the source reduction program, conducting PFAS-related research, and monitoring and testing environmental media, such as air, water, and soil, for PFAS pursuant to the bill. Any proprietary information or trade secrets included in any written notification, certification, or any other record submitted to the DEP pursuant to this bill is required to be kept confidential from the general public pursuant to P.L.1963, c.73 (C.47:1A-1 et seq.), commonly known as the open public records act. Finally, the bill authorizes the DEP to adopt rules or regulations necessary to implement the provisions of the bill. PFAS are man-made chemical compounds that have multiple fluorine atoms bonded to a chain of carbon atoms. Since the 1930s, PFAS have been widely used in countless consumer products because they repel oil, water, and grease. There are over 12,000 different types of PFAS, and new types are invented on a nearly daily basis. PFAS are commonly found in products such as polishes, waxes, paints, cleaning products, cookware, cosmetics, carpet treatments, fire extinguishing foam, dental floss, shampoos, waterproof clothing, food packaging, and even microwave popcorn. As a result, the presence of PFAS in the environment is widespread, and further exacerbated by multiple sources. The carbon-fluorine bond that forms PFAS is one of the strongest chemical bonds found in nature and does not break down under typical environmental conditions. As a result, PFAS are nicknamed "forever chemicals" because they accumulate, rather than break down, over time. PFAS may enter the environment in the following ways: (1) the disposal of products containing PFAS in landfills, thereby contaminating the surrounding soil, groundwater, and source water; (2) the utilization of PFAS by manufacturing sites, which may result in contamination of the surrounding ground and surface waters; (3) the utilization of sludge byproducts containing PFAS on agricultural land, thereby leading to water and soil contamination; (4) the discharge of PFAS by wastewater treatment plants into source waters that service public drinking water systems; and (5) the contamination of private wells by groundwater containing PFAS. The widespread presence of PFAS in the water, soil, and air, results in the contamination not only of public drinking water systems and wells, but also of the food products humans and animals ingest. Plants, fish, and livestock, are commonly exposed to PFAS-contaminated water or food and are consumed daily by most Americans. Studies have indicated that exposure to PFAS, and the resulting buildup of PFAS in the human body, may be linked to certain harmful health effects in both humans and animals. It is crucial to begin prohibiting the sale and distribution of products containing intentionally added PFAS within the State and to increase transparency with consumers of products that contain PFAS. In addition, there is a need for greater education surrounding PFAS and its impact on the environment and the health of the State's citizens. | 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 |
| A2143 | Eliminates smoking ban exemption for casinos and simulcasting facilities. | This bill amends the "New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act," P.L.2005, c.383 (C.26:3D-55 et seq.), to prohibit smoking in casinos and casino simulcasting facilities. Current law prohibits smoking in most indoor public places and workplaces, with certain exceptions, including indoor public places and workplaces which are within the perimeter of casinos and casino simulcasting facilities and accessible to the public for wagering. This bill would eliminate these exceptions from the smoking ban. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health found that casino workers are at greater risk for lung and heart disease because of secondhand smoke, and a study in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that the air in casinos can have up to 50 times more cancer-causing particles than the air on rush-hour highways. This bill would protect all workers in New Jersey from the hazards of second hand smoke by requiring that casinos and casino simulcasting facilities be smoke-free workplaces. | In Committee |
| A1385 | Reduces helicopter operations at certain aviation facilities licensed by the State. | This bill requires the Commissioner of Transportation to promulgate rules and regulations to reduce the noise generated by helicopters at airports, helipads, and heliports licensed by the State. These rules and regulations are to include requirements that the proprietor of an airport, helipad, or helistop reduce the number of helicopters leaving the airport, helipad, or helistop by not less than 47 percent per weekday compared to the average number of helicopter flights per weekday leaving from the airport, heliport, or helistop for the 12 months preceding the date of enactment of the bill. 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 required reduction in flights. | In Committee |
| A1180 | Prohibits surgical declawing of cats and other animals. | This bill would prohibit a person from performing, or causing to be performed, an onychectomy (declawing) or flexor tendonectomy procedure by any means on a cat or other animal, unless the procedure is deemed necessary for a therapeutic purpose by a licensed veterinarian. Any person who violates this provision would be guilty of a disorderly persons offense, which is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, a term of imprisonment of up to six months, or both. A violator would also be subject to a civil penalty of between $500 and $2,000. For purposes of the bill, the term "therapeutic purpose" means for purpose of necessity to address the medical condition of the animal, such as an existing or recurring illness, infection, disease, injury, or abnormal condition in a claw that compromises the animal's health. "Therapeutic purpose" would not include cosmetic or aesthetic reasons or reasons of convenience in keeping or handling the animal. Under the bill, whenever a licensed veterinarian determines that an onychectomy or flexor tendonectomy is necessary for a therapeutic purpose, the veterinarian would be required to file a written statement with the Department of Health, and provide a copy of that statement to the owner or keeper of the animal. A veterinarian who fails to comply with this provision would be subject to disciplinary action by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. An onychectomy involves amputating the last bone of each toe on a cat's paw with a scalpel, guillotine, or laser. A flexor tendonectomy, involves severing the tendon that controls the claw in each toe, so that the cat keeps its claws, but cannot flex or extend them. Sometimes they are medically necessary such as for the removal of cancerous tumors. | In Committee |
| A5918 | Establishes mitigating factor for sentencing of defendants who are victims of domestic violence and provides for resentencing and trauma-informed reentry support services. | Establishes mitigating factor for sentencing of defendants who are victims of domestic violence and provides for resentencing and trauma-informed reentry support services. | Introduced |
| Bill | Bill Name | Motion | Vote Date | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S2167 | Requires public and certain nonpublic schools to comply with breakfast and lunch standards adopted by USDA. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S317 | Revises "Athletic Training Licensure Act." | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S1403 | Requires employer or contractor engaged in work for public body to submit payroll records to DOLWD. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S1320 | Requires certain information be included in certain contracts with licensed public adjusters. | Assembly Floor: Concur Governor Recommendations | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A775 | "Fairness in Women's Sport Act." | Assembly Floor: Table Motion | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A2929 | Requires disclosure of lead drinking water hazards to tenants of residential units; prohibits landlords from obstructing replacement of lead service lines; concerns testing of certain property for lead drinking water hazards. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A2090 | Requires solid waste management district to develop strategy to reduce food waste; requires DEP to adopt certain rules and regulations regarding composting facilities. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Abstain |
| A3099 | Establishes option for students nearing completion of program in chiropractic medicine to participate in preceptorship provided by State-licensed chiropractor. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3361 | Establishes limit on rent increase for certain dwelling sites for modular or industrialized buildings or manufactured homes. | Assembly Floor: Suspend Rule 22:5b | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3361 | Establishes limit on rent increase for certain dwelling sites for modular or industrialized buildings or manufactured homes. | Assembly Floor: Concur Governor Recommendations | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3007 | Increases maximum age for pediatric long-term care facility residents to 26. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3128 | Authorizes HMFA to use certain tax credits; directs HMFA to conduct tax credit auctions to provide financial assistance for certain housing purposes. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3035 | Prohibits certain vehicles from parking in electric vehicle charging spaces under certain circumstances. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A1682 | Requires State Board of Education to adopt New Jersey Student Learning Standards pertaining to labor movement; requires school districts to provide instruction on labor movement. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| 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. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A2998 | Permits court to order counseling for children in households with domestic violence in appropriate cases; establishes presumption of award of custody to domestic violence victim in appropriate cases. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A2390 | Requires municipalities in compliance with affordable housing obligations be provided priority consideration for certain State grants and assistance. | Assembly Floor: Table Motion | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A2390 | Requires municipalities in compliance with affordable housing obligations be provided priority consideration for certain State grants and assistance. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A551 | Permits certain consumers up to five business days to cancel home improvement contracts and up to three days to cancel certain consumer goods contracts. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2335 | Requires school districts to provide instruction on history of Latinos and Hispanics as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3518 | Requires MVC to create digital driver's licenses and digital non-driver identification cards. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| AJR128 | Designates August of each year as "American Artist Appreciation Month" in New Jersey. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3742 | Requires Secretary of Agriculture to establish Farm to School Local Food Procurement Reimbursement Grant Program to reimburse school districts for costs expended in sourcing and procuring local foods for students; appropriates $4,500,000. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2783 | "Travel Insurance Act." | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2788 | Appropriates $128.241 million from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to State Agriculture Development Committee for farmland preservation purposes. | Assembly Floor: Concur Governor Recommendations | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3802 | Differentiates certain legal services from traditional insurance products. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3974 | Prohibits use of deceptive marketing practices by substance use disorder treatment providers. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3979 | Requires certain providers of substance or alcohol use disorder treatment, services, or supports to be assessed for conflicts of interest prior to receiving State funds, licensure, or certification. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A3973 | Revises law concerning patient referrals to substance use disorder treatment facilities, recovery residences, and clinical laboratories. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S2961 | Establishes minimum qualifications for persons employed on public works contract. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4085 | Allows for natural organic reduction and controlled supervised decomposition of human remains. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3052 | Concerns grade options at public institutions of higher education for service member and dependents unable to complete course due to military obligation. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3041 | Prohibits cooperative from receiving public works contract when cooperative-approved vendor fails to pay prevailing wage; concerns cooperative purchasing agreements with other states; and permits contracting units to award certain indefinite contracts. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4182 | Concerns conditions of employment of certain cannabis workers. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3132 | Imposes certain requirements on secondhand dealers of cellular telephones and wireless communication devices. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4215 | Directs BPU to adopt rules and regulations concerning small modular nuclear reactors; authorizes EDA to incentivize construction and operation of such reactors. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4248 | Requires certain documentation as proof of voter identity to vote; updates procedures for challenging voters regarding proof of identity. | Assembly Floor: Table Motion | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4295 | Establishes New Jersey-India Commission. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4302 | Amends current child labor laws to protect minor working as vlogger in certain circumstances. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3189 | Makes various changes to "New Jersey Angel Investor Tax Credit Act" and Technology Business Tax Certificate Transfer Program; repeals "New Jersey Ignite Act." | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4429 | Expands prohibitions on employers concerning requirements for employees to attend or listen to communications related to political matters. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3309 | Establishes "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act"; revises motor vehicle franchise agreements. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4455 | Allows exemption from New Jersey gross income of certain capital gains from sale or exchange of qualified small business stock. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4479 | Requires social media platforms to cooperate with nonprofit organization initiatives to remove nonconsensual intimate images or videos. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4521 | Concerns provision of services to defendants on pretrial release. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4544 | Expands eligibility requirements of State's child care assistance program to include full-time graduate and post-graduate students. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3418 | Authorizes certain types of permanent structures, recently constructed or erected on preserved farmland, to be used, in certain cases, for purposes of holding special occasion events thereon. | Assembly Floor: Concur Governor Recommendations | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4577 | Requires State departments and Office of Technology to provide reports on proposed technology upgrades. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4636 | Requires that notice concerning gift card fraud be posted by retail mercantile establishments that sell gift cards to consumers. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4643 | Creates penalty for child endangerment via use of social media. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4651 | Establishes penalties for certain conduct related to public brawl and disorderly conduct. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4712 | Establishes Office of Veteran Advocate and ombudsman for DMVA; appropriates funds. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4714 | Broadens riot; enhances penalties for certain crimes committed during riot; creates new crimes of mob intimidation and cyber-intimidation by publication; establishes duty in municipality to permit law enforcement to respond appropriately. | Assembly Floor: Table Motion | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4765 | Requires driver education and testing on responsibilities when approaching and passing pedestrians and persons operating bicycles and personal conveyances; requires driver's manual to include information on sharing roadway with motorists for certain road users. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4818 | Reduces and clarifies requirements for municipal tourist development commission disbursements for advertising. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3618 | Directs DEP and DOT to establish "Wildlife Corridor Action Plan." | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3663 | Establishes reproductive health travel advisory. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3711 | Makes annual allocation of $500,000 from Clean Communities Program Fund for public outreach concerning single-use plastics reduction program permanent. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3776 | Establishes Chronic Absenteeism Task Force. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3773 | Concerns requirements to report separations from employment under employee leasing agreements. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4937 | Concerns satellite cannabis dispensaries, Cannabis Regulatory Commission membership, and post-employment restrictions on State employees. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4937 | Concerns satellite cannabis dispensaries, Cannabis Regulatory Commission membership, and post-employment restrictions on State employees. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A4971 | Requires EDA to provide grants to certain small businesses affected by State infrastructure and construction projects. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5000 | Requires Medicaid coverage for fertility preservation services in cases of iatrogenic infertility caused by medically necessary treatments. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5004 | Creates separate crime for items depicting sexual exploitation or abuse of children; concerns computer generated or manipulated sexually explicit images. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5049 | Removes certain limitations on receipt of retirement or death benefits under PFRS under certain circumstances. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5077 | Extends statutory pause on collection of student growth objective data. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3910 | Makes various changes to provision of preschool aid and facilities requirements; establishes Universal Preschool Implementation Steering Committee; requires full-day kindergarten in all school districts. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3933 | Establishes School Supervisor Mentorship Pilot Program; appropriates $500,000. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3944 | Provides that certain non-profit corporation alcoholic beverage theater licensees include disregarded entities of such corporations; allows certain community theaters to sell alcoholic beverages. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5146 | Removes exception to civil service working test period for political subdivision employees. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Abstain |
| S3982 | Requires certain information be provided to parent at least two business days prior to annual Individualized Education Program (IEP) team meeting; establishes IEP Improvement Working Group in DOE. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S3992 | Modifies capital reserve funding requirements for certain planned real estate developments. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5213 | Establishes "New Economy Opportunity Skills System Pilot Program" to strengthen alignment and collaboration between local workforce development boards, community colleges, and county vocational school districts; makes appropriation. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5199 | Requires resident and fellow physicians employed by Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, who are eligible for coverage in SHBP, to be eligible to enroll and receive health insurance on first day of employment. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5195 | Requires producer of certain firefighting equipment containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances to provide written notice to purchaser; prohibits sale, manufacture, and distribution of certain firefighting equipment containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5267 | Requires BPU to procure and incentivize transmission-scale energy storage. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5267 | Requires BPU to procure and incentivize transmission-scale energy storage. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5260 | Prohibits sale, manufacture, and distribution of certain apparel containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4122 | Revises apportionment of State lottery contributions. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5277 | Establishes public awareness campaign and call center for certain property tax relief programs; requires submission of annual report by Stay NJ Task Force. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5278 | Establishes "New Jersey Menopause Coverage Act"; requires health insurance coverage of medically necessary perimenopause and menopause treatments. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5309 | Permits up to three credits of continuing medical education on menopause to be used by advanced practice nurses and physicians for license renewal. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| SJR154 | Directs BPU to investigate PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.'s Reliability Pricing Model; directs State to promote affordable energy practices and to urge PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. to implement certain reforms. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5362 | Prohibits casino licensees from using non-wagering casino games to solicit future gaming. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5378 | Modifies provisions of Cultural Arts Incentives Program, New Jersey Aspire Program, and Grow New Jersey Program; eliminates Community-Anchored Development Program. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5383 | Requires unrestricted Medicaid coverage for ovulation enhancing drugs and medical services related to administering such drugs for certain beneficiaries experiencing infertility. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5381 | Provides medical documentation requirement for certain members of PERS, PFRS, and SPRS to receive accidental disability retirement allowance for participation in 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations; removes filing deadline. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5420 | Permits 30-calendar day extension to cure period for certain businesses to address and resolve certain violations. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5421 | Requires development of online tax training for small and micro-businesses. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5422 | Allows businesses to receive information via email concerning new regulations and economic incentives that affect business. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4263 | Revises certain provisions concerning, and establishes certain education and data reporting requirements related to, involuntary commitment. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| AR180 | Urges DEP, Pinelands Commission, and Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council to engage in alternative forest management practices during periods of drought when prescribed burning is unsafe. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5447 | Prohibits sweepstakes model of wagering; establishes new penalties for unlawful gambling operations and practices; directs Division of Consumer Affairs and Division of Gaming Enforcement to enforce penalties. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5462 | Requires electric public utilities to develop and apply special rules for certain data centers to protect non-data center customers from increased costs. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5463 | Requires electric public utilities to submit annual report on voting to BPU. | Assembly Floor: Concur in Senate Amendments | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| S4293 | Requires owner or operator of data center to submit water and energy usage report to BPU. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5517 | Directs BPU to study feasibility of developing advanced reactors Statewide. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5533 | Establishes requirements for receipt and purchase of scrap metals containing lithium-ion or propulsion batteries. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| A5563 | Establishes "Summer Termination Program" for certain utility customers. | Assembly Floor: Third Reading - Final Passage | 06/30/2025 | Yea |
| State | District | Chamber | Party | Status | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NJ | New Jersey Assembly District 32 | Assembly | Democrat | In Office | 01/09/2024 |